The Pittsburgh Penguins need their captain to step up and take over as a dominating force.

To say the Pittsburgh Penguins haven’t had a great start to the 2023-24 season would be stating the obvious.

A 3-6-0 record, questionable goaltending, and a lack luster power play has held the Penguins back despite leading the NHL in expected goals percentage.

Despite the negatives, the group feels like they’ve been the better team on multiple occasions and it’s only a matter of time before they break through and things start falling in their direction.

Rather than sit around and wait for that break through, a certain captain needs to take charge, find a new level, and lead by example for a team on the cusp of finding a rhythm.

Sidney Crosby hasn’t had a bad start to the season, but it could certainly be better; in nine games he’s recorded a clean five goals and five assists for 10 points.

That is still second on the team in scoring, behind Evgeni Malkin’s 11, but Crosby is positioned perfectly to take over the Penguins.

The first match of a three-game California road trip sees the Penguins taking on the last winless team in the league in the San Jose Sharks.

It also happens to be career game 1,200 for Crosby, a perfect opportunity to find a new level of production.

Crosby and his line have been getting their chances and giving the Penguins plenty of opportunity to win, but there is still another gear to be found.

It’s not like Crosby has lost his skill, even at the age of 36, he’s still one of the best players in the NHL and doesn’t seem any slower than some of the league’s top young talents.

Crosby wants to win, and for that to happen, he’ll need to put the team on his back and lead like only he knows how.

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