Here we go again.
With Sidney Crosby still out and Evgeni Malkin a question mark for the home opener Tuesday at Consol Energy Center against Florida, the Penguins may be temporarily playing without their stars.
Sound familiar?
"I don't even want to think about it right now," defenseman Kris Letang said.
Letang wasn't suggesting, however, that the Penguins can't thrive in the short term without Crosby and Malkin. After all, history says they can.
Malkin (undisclosed lower body injury) did not play Sunday at Edmonton, but coach Dan Bylsma said he could play today against Florida. Crosby (concussion) has yet to be cleared for contact practices but will be evaluated by his concussion team today.
"I don't think we're going to change anything with Geno, without Geno," Letang said. "With Sid, without Sid."
The Penguins surged into last season's playoffs without Crosby and Malkin, producing an eye-popping 106 points while playing much of the season without their stars.
Having to play without both centers in Edmonton, though, triggered memories of how difficult scoring goals can be for the Penguins without the contributions of two of the league's finest talents. The Penguins lost, 2-1, in a shootout.
"Obviously we'd rather have Geno in the lineup," defenseman Ben Lovejoy said. "Geno is Geno. He's been unbelievable through the preseason and was unbelievable in the first two games. Hopefully, we get him back as soon as possible."
The Penguins vow to play at a high level with our without Malkin and Crosby. Their strong penalty killing and overall defensive work provided confidence that, if the Penguins must play without the duo on their upcoming homestand, they can still thrive.
"Overall," Letang said of the western road swing to start the season, "we proved that we're special. We played really well. The power play did a good job. The (penalty killing) was good. Our goalies played really well. There's a lot of things to take from this trip, but still a lot to improve on."
Last season's Penguins dealt with the reality that Malkin wasn't returning and that Crosby's return was uncertain. This year, Crosby's return feels close and Malkin's injury is, according to the team, not serious.
In fact, Malkin hasn't been ruled out for tonight's game.
"I don't have an update for you," coach Dan Bylsma said. "Just lower body. Not a long term injury."
Lovejoy also didn't seem to think Malkin will be out long.
"Geno needed a breather (Sunday)," Lovejoy said. "Hopefully, we're able to get him back as soon as possible."
Malkin and Crosby being scratched for the home opener would create something of a buzz kill for the crowd at Consol Energy Center.
The Penguins, though, plan on showing up whether Malkin is healthy enough to play.
"We are a very confident team without him," Lovejoy said.
With Sidney Crosby still out and Evgeni Malkin a question mark for the home opener Tuesday at Consol Energy Center against Florida, the Penguins may be temporarily playing without their stars.
Sound familiar?
"I don't even want to think about it right now," defenseman Kris Letang said.
Letang wasn't suggesting, however, that the Penguins can't thrive in the short term without Crosby and Malkin. After all, history says they can.
Malkin (undisclosed lower body injury) did not play Sunday at Edmonton, but coach Dan Bylsma said he could play today against Florida. Crosby (concussion) has yet to be cleared for contact practices but will be evaluated by his concussion team today.
"I don't think we're going to change anything with Geno, without Geno," Letang said. "With Sid, without Sid."
The Penguins surged into last season's playoffs without Crosby and Malkin, producing an eye-popping 106 points while playing much of the season without their stars.
Having to play without both centers in Edmonton, though, triggered memories of how difficult scoring goals can be for the Penguins without the contributions of two of the league's finest talents. The Penguins lost, 2-1, in a shootout.
"Obviously we'd rather have Geno in the lineup," defenseman Ben Lovejoy said. "Geno is Geno. He's been unbelievable through the preseason and was unbelievable in the first two games. Hopefully, we get him back as soon as possible."
The Penguins vow to play at a high level with our without Malkin and Crosby. Their strong penalty killing and overall defensive work provided confidence that, if the Penguins must play without the duo on their upcoming homestand, they can still thrive.
"Overall," Letang said of the western road swing to start the season, "we proved that we're special. We played really well. The power play did a good job. The (penalty killing) was good. Our goalies played really well. There's a lot of things to take from this trip, but still a lot to improve on."
Last season's Penguins dealt with the reality that Malkin wasn't returning and that Crosby's return was uncertain. This year, Crosby's return feels close and Malkin's injury is, according to the team, not serious.
In fact, Malkin hasn't been ruled out for tonight's game.
"I don't have an update for you," coach Dan Bylsma said. "Just lower body. Not a long term injury."
Lovejoy also didn't seem to think Malkin will be out long.
"Geno needed a breather (Sunday)," Lovejoy said. "Hopefully, we're able to get him back as soon as possible."
Malkin and Crosby being scratched for the home opener would create something of a buzz kill for the crowd at Consol Energy Center.
The Penguins, though, plan on showing up whether Malkin is healthy enough to play.
"We are a very confident team without him," Lovejoy said.
