The Pittsburgh Penguins 3-6-1 at the 10-game mark have imploded defensively this season and entering a three game homestand against three non-playoff teams (Though the Minnesota Wild are much improved) from last season, we haven’t even hit November yet and it feels like a must-win week for the Penguins. The Penguins absolutely have to come out of homestand with a minimum four of six points to the standpoint of staying relevant in the standings for at least another week. There is just not enough talent in the room or a lick of structured hockey to grind out games for the Penguins to climb out of any major hole this season.

Mike Sullivan who deserves a lot of the criticism he is getting for the Penguins system woes, see’s the writing on the wall.

There are a ton of arguments for the Penguins to pair Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby together on a line for at least a couple game run and we’re going to see it against Marc Andre Fleury and the Minnesota Wild. In small samples thus far, they’ve showed an excellent ability at driving play and quite simply Sidney Crosby’s game needs majorly jumpstarted. Crosby is playing with no pace and looks disinterested anytime he steps foot into the defensive zone. It’s something that’s never been seen from him in his career. Throwing a Jesse Puljujarvi or Anthony Beauvillier isn’t going to solve this. The Penguins have to try something with Malkin and Crosby together and it’s a positive sign Sullivan the coaches are leaning this way. Maybe they’ll turn back the clock and jumpstart the team in the short-term and the Penguins will still be somewhat relevant by Thanksgiving. Absolutely nothing to lose…….

Another worthwhile move we’re going to see vs the Wild Tuesday night is Kevin Hayes moving to the #2 center role. Hayes has impressed 5 vs 5 in limited action. His lack of quickness on the wall has made the coaching staff weary to play him on the wing in the top-9 but if you’re going to try him in the top-9, let alone the top-6, center is the way to go. Like Malkin/Crosby, Hayes as the second line center is worth a shot.

As for Crosby, any turnaround with this club this week figures to fall on the shoulders of Crosby and Erik Karlsson. The two players the organization views as their ‘two best players’ (at least they prior to the season), both have had a rotten five game stretch during this losing streak and any hope this season meant Crosby maintaining an 80–90-point pace and Karlsson taking a much bigger step or at least on par with what he brought to the table in the late spring run. It’s a big week for both……

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Injury Buzz: Bad News on the injury front as To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!

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Dog House Bunting: Michael Bunting To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”! ……..As much as Kevin Hayes deserves a shot in the top-6, that second line is something: Beauvillier-Hayes-Puljujarvi. Maybe it really is a different era…….Most Surprising Tidbits from Monday’s Practice: Status Quo with the D-Pairs. The coaches continue to see a different games than others. To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!

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