Penguins Wrap: Crosby Hits Milestone; Karlsson Returns to San Jose

October couldn’t end quickly enough for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Their month included a disappointing, staggering start to the regular season, and was punctuated by tragedy, as former Penguins prospect Adam Johnson died after his neck was cut by a skate blade during a professional game in England.

The good news for the Penguins: They got off to a fairly spectacular start in November, winning their first game of the month by eight goals in San Jose Saturday night.

Here’s a look at how the past week unfolded for the Pittsburgh Penguins:

Sunday

The Penguins try to explain their 5-2 loss to Ottawa Saturday night at PPG Paints Arena.

Adam Johnson, who spent three years in the Pittsburgh Penguins organization and appeared in 13 games with the parent club, dies after his neck is slashed by a skate blade.

You asked, he answered. A Penguins Q&A.

Monday

The Penguins have lost six of their first nine games, but their 4-3 loss to Anaheim on a goal with 12.8 seconds left to play might be the most painful in a long time.

The Penguins’ locker room was predictably disheartened in the aftermath of the defeat by the Ducks.

Mike Sullivan and some of the guys who were teammates with Adam Johnson reflect on the time they spent with him.

The Penguins honored Adam Johnson during a pregame ceremony.

Tuesday

The loss to Anaheim continued the Penguins’ downward spiral.

Who is responsible for trying to guide the Penguins out of their current slump?

Marcus Pettersson offers an intriguing explanation for some of the Penguins’ problems through the early weeks of the season.

There are teams out there willing to trade the kind of assets the Pittsburgh Penguins would benefit from adding, but there’s a catch.

Wednesday

Some of Mike Sullivan’s decisions this season have been worthy of debate, but none have been so flawed that they should cost him his job.

British police are investigating the on-ice incident that resulted in the death of Adam Johnson.

In the wake of Adam Johnson’s death, the Penguins have mandated that all players with their farm teams in Wilkes-Barre and Wheeling wear neck guards to protect against skate cuts.

Thursday

Vinnie Hinostroza bumps Jeff Carter off the fourth line — and takes a spot on the No. 2 power play — during practice at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex.

Mike Sullivan has some strong feelings about bringing back the red line, for purposes of two-line passes.

In the aftermath of the Adam Johnson tragedy. four Penguins experiment with neck guards in practice.

Defenseman Mark Pysyk, who was injured while attending the Penguins’ training camp on a professional tryout agreement, signs an American Hockey League PTO with their farm team in Wilkes-Barre.

Friday

Mike Sullivan acknowledges that plugging Vinnie Hinostroza into Jeff Carter’s spot on the fourth line is intended to deliver a message to his team that losing six of the first nine games is not acceptable.

Sidney Crosby talks about preparing to play in his 1,200th NHL game, and what reaching a milestone like that means to him.

Although Erik Karlsson has had moments of brilliance during his first few weeks with the Penguins, Mike Sullivan believes he’s capable of taking his game to “another level.”

Erik Karlsson discusses playing in San Jose for the first time since the Sharks traded him to the Penguins.

Anaheim coach Greg Cronin is fined $25,000 by the NHL for his outburst against the officials during the Ducks’ victory at PPG Paints Arena.

Saturday

The Penguins pulled out of their skid in a big way, with a 10-2 victory in San Jose.

For all that went well for them against the Sharks, the Penguins’ performance was not without a few blemishes. (+)

Assessing some of the culprits behind the Pittsburgh Penguins’ 3-6 start, and looking at what lies ahead.