You can tell the Penguins wanted to put their best foot forward in last night’s visit to Sudbury based on who was in the lineup. It isn’t very common to find Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin in the same lineup during the preseason. Not only were they in the lineup, they put on a show for the locals, many of whom were very excited kids.

Not only is it uncommon to get them in the same regular season game it is also rare to have them both score

The last time prior to tonight Sid and Geno both scored in the same preseason game was Sept. 27, 2017 v. Sabres. Each had 1 goal in a 5-4 home win.

— Bob Grove (@bobgrove91) September 30, 2024

Having them both score a power play goal isn’t just rare for the preseason, it is rare for them in general

Sid and Geno both scoring PPG in the same game is pretty unusual. It's happened only 17 times in their regular season careers.

— Bob Grove (@bobgrove91) September 30, 2024

After joking about how he only needed two goals to hit 500 and didn’t want to waste any in the preseason Evgeni Malkin went on to eclipse that total in his preseason debut. He ended up with a hat trick.

pic.twitter.com/tANgyRgbaI

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) September 30, 2024

Sidney Crosby is pretty business-like no matter what the occasion is, but you know it wasn’t lost on him what a big deal it was for the kids to get the chance to see him play at person in their hometown. Sid did not disappoint. He added two goals of his own including the first #SidDownLow of the season on his first goal

Sidney Crosby ties it up and the @hockeyville crowd is on their feet! 🐧 #KraftHockeyville

📺: @Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+ ➡️ https://t.co/sEijvXhbA1 pic.twitter.com/PxmIqJaPuK

— NHL (@NHL) September 29, 2024

Here's what Sidney Crosby had to say about the reception he received in Sudbury for @hockeyville: pic.twitter.com/dBKojhWK2n

— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) September 30, 2024

It is really nice to see the two-headed monster get off to a fast start even if it was a preseason game. The team’s success still relies on their abilities to defy the aging curve yet another season.

Because of the postponement of Saturday’s game due to plane issues the Penguins will be playing the Red Wings tonight making for a hectic week.

Penguins will now have preseason games Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday — essentially leaving only Wednesday for a team practice next week.

Tough for prospects trying to make team — not that there was much chance, anyway.

— Rob Rossi (@Real_RobRossi) September 29, 2024

The preseason in general is such an unnecessary schedule. There are too many games. It only serves the owners because it certainly doesn't help the players or the coach's ability to prepare the team by only having one practice day sandwiched between five games in six days. This schedule will likely delay cuts so the Penguins aren’t burning out their NHL roster for this excess.

Thanks for reading!

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