The Pittsburgh Penguins faceoff against the Tampa Bay Lightning

Who would have thought the Pittsburgh Penguins would have the start they have had through 5 games. With a record of 3-0-2, the Penguins have started stronger than many people might have believed they would before the season.

“I didn’t see the Penguins having this type of season,” said Rod Pedersen on Tuesday’s show. “I had them not even making the playoffs.” said Rod Pedersen. While still a possibility, Pedersen is certainly thinking twice on that pick!

We had the chance to sit down and chat with 11-year NHL vet Ryan Malone on Tuesday to talk about the Penguins start. Malone spent four seasons as a Penguin and spent the rest of his time with the Tampa Bay Lightning before playing his final games with the New York Rangers.

Malone scored 179 goals in his career and has been noticing the Penguins goal scoring being on full display this season. The Penguins have scored more than four or more goals in four of their five games this season.

All of this without Canada’s very own Sidney Crosby. Crosby has not played a game this season after having wrist surgery in September.

“Sometimes when you have those big names out of the lineup it gives opportunities to young guys to step up,” Malone.

Just because Crosby hasn’t been on the ice, doesn’t mean he hasn’t had an impact on the team’s success.

“Just having Sid around and even though he’s not in the games, his work ethic and leadership helps all those guys prepare for games and work together,” said Malone.

Crosby has been back to practicing and is getting closer to being back on the ice at full strength. 

The team will still have to go without their captain however and is still unclear on when he will return to the lineup.

The Penguins will also be without Kris Letang for a number of games, after head coach Mike Sullivan confirmed that Letang had tested positive for COVID-19.

The Penguins take on the Tampa Bay Lightning tonight in what will certainly be a great game for fans to watch. Not only are the Lightning trying to get back on track, but it will also be a rematch of opening night when the Penguins spoiled the Lightning’s championship presentation 6-2.

“The Lightning are a hot mess right now,” said Pedersen

The Lightning are coming off two straight losses to the Florida Panthers and the Colorado Avalanche and have not had the start to the season they were hoping for.

Malone feels the Lightning may still be coming down from a Stanley Cup hangover.

“I think anytime you win back-to-back Stanley Cups you might come back and be a little rusty or take things for granted,” said Malone.

The Penguins have not lost in regulation this year, so fans can expect a hard fought 60 minutes of hockey out of Pittsburgh. The question is, will the Lightning play like the champions we know them to be, or will their lackluster start to the season continue.