Molinari: Crosby’s Freak Show; No More Patience for Power Play (+)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The first quarter of the Pittsburgh Penguins’ season will officially end when they hit the midpoint of the second period in their game against Nashville Tuesday night at Bridgestone Arena.

Much has happened — some good, a lot bad — since they launched 2023-24 with a surprising, and possibly prescient, 4-2 loss to Chicago at PPG Paints Arena Oct. 10.

There have been four multiple-game losing streaks, countered by a run of five consecutive victories. There have been some sensational individual performances, and several forgettable ones.

They have added up to a 10-10 record that has the Penguins drifting along in the depths of the Metropolitan Division, with only New Jersey and Columbus separating them from the bottom.

All of which has led to these observations from the first seven weeks of the season: