Penguins vs. Blackhawks: A New Era
The Pittsburgh Penguins kick off the 2023-24 season against the Chicago Blackhawks.
After the longest offseason in nearly two decades the Pittsburgh Penguins are back and ready to kick off the 2023-24 season. The Penguins feature a revamped roster, a revitalized leadership core, and a renewed hope in their championship ambitions.
To start the new season, they will get an immediate test against the number one draft pick of the most recent NHL Draft and the rebuilding Chicago Blackhawks. Here's what to watch for as the Penguins face-off against the Blackhawks in their home opener.
1. Crosby vs. Bedard
The generational battle that this contest features is a historic one for the NHL. Sidney Crosby, the league's golden boy since 2005, gets the opportunity to welcome the next formative superstar to enter the league. Connor Bedard is touted as the best NHL prospect since Connor McDavid arrived in 2015, and he is expected to be a high-scoring forward in year one.
Bedard has spoken throughout the draft process and his first summer in the league about how much he idolized Crosby and his success. For Bedard, it'll be his first chance to introduce himself to the NHL on a national scale while plying his craft against his role model.
For Crosby, this is a chance to assert dominance. He's been frustrated and angry already this preseason, looking to make up for last year's disappointing season. At age 36, entering his 19th season, and double the age of Bedard, Crosby has a chance to start his season on a great note and show the world he is still the cream of the crop in the NHL.
2. Erik Karlsson's Debut
Erik Karlsson will finally make his regular season debut for the Penguins, after a summer of anticipated movement. His offensive game remains elite, and he has already showed flashes of his brilliance in the preseason. His power play skills and execution should provide an infusion of offense for the Penguins' lackluster special teams as well.
What Karlsson also brings is a deep desire to win. Never having played in a Stanley Cup final, he's made it clear that his goal is win a championship. The motivation is evident in every part of Karlsson's game and it couldn't arrive at a better time for the stagnant Penguins. His debut will have the Pittsburgh faithful rocking in the Pens' opener.
3. New Look Defense
Along with the addition of Karlsson, Kris Letang also will be playing with a partner that isn't Brian Dumoulin for the first time since 2015. Ryan Graves was signed to a six-year deal this summer to replace Dumoulin, offering the Penguins a younger and more versatile defender for their top pairing.
The new look top two pairings for the Penguins features Letang and Graves, and Marcus Pettersson playing alongside fellow countrymen Karlsson. The four players are a much more imposing group on paper, but each pair is still working on their chemistry and getting a feel for one another.
They will be put to the test early against the Blackhawks, as they'll have to find a way to shut down Bedard and former MVP Taylor Hall, while also consistently moving the puck up ice. As the season begins, the top defensive pairings remain something to keep an eye on.
The Penguins and Blackhawks face-off at 8:00PM at PPG Paints Arena.
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