What’s Crosby’s Mindset as Penguins Struggle? Might Surprise You (+)

If you have been wondering whether the Pittsburgh Penguins’ rough start to the season has team captain Sidney Crosby ruminating over things even when he’s away from the rink, you would be right.

Sort of.

In a brief one-on-one chat with PHN after practice Thursday at the UPMC Lemieux Complex, Crosby acknowledged he has been taking the game home with him. But not in an ulcer-producing way, and not necessarily because at the quarter-pole of the season the Penguins are languishing at 7-10-4, have blown leads of at least two goals eight times, have had some significant defensive letdowns and generally are off track compared with the widespread optimism of training camp.

“Even when we’re winning five in a row, I still think about hockey when I go home,” Crosby said. “As far as taking it home, do I think about what we can try and improve on or how I can help? Yeah, definitely. But I do that when we win, too. That’s not really something that changes.”

Routine has served Crosby, 37, well. Now in his 20^th NHL season, he has won three Stanley Cups and lots of individual league hardware. Resiliency also has served him well. He has missed stretches of time because of various maladies, particularly concussion and neck problems, and has endured tough stretches with the club — although nothing like missing the playoffs two years in a row, then enduring this sort of start to the season.