PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Some notes from the Pens opening night 4-2 loss to Chicago on Tuesday. Bryan Rust and Sidney Crosby scored the first two goals, but the Blackhawks finished out the scoring.
7th time
For the seventh time in his career Crosby scored during the Pens season opener. He did it in first in 2009 against the Rangers, scored twice in 2014 against Anaheim and the only time on the road, at Philadelphia in 2021. It marks three consecutive years Crosby has a goal during the opener.
1st Power Play
It was a new look first power play with Erik Karlsson replacing Kris Letang on the first unit. Karlsson was joined by regulars Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Jake Guentzel with Rickard Rakell as the fifth. Letang was on the second power play unit with Jeff Carter, Rust, Jansen Harkins and Reilly Smith.
New ice leader
In the history of the Pens only one player ever averaged more time on the ice over their career than Kris Letang at 24:12 (Sergei Gonchar 25:23), but with Karlsson on the first-team power play, the new Pens defenseman played 26:04 compared to 24:32 for Letang Tuesday night. It’s one game, but a long time since someone played more minutes than Letang.
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No preseason, no issue
Coming back from offseason ankle surgery quicker than expected, Guentzel had an assist on Crosby’s goal. That is the 218th assist in Guentzel’s career. He goes into a contract year as Pens President and GM Kyle Dubas said they will discuss a new deal whenever his representation is ready.
Opening Night lines
Jake Guentzel-Sidney Crosby-Bryan Rust
Reilly Smith-Evgeni Malkin-Rickard Rakell
Drew O’Connor-Lars Eller-Jansen Harkins
Matt Nieto-Noel Acciari-Jeff Carter
Ryan Graves-Kris Letang
Marcus Pettersson-Erik Karlsson
PO Joseph-Chad Ruhwedel
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Up Next
First road game at Washington Friday night at 7:30 before returning home against Calgary on Saturday.