The Pittsburgh Penguins took care of business against historically bad San Jose Sharks team.

The Pittsburgh Penguins took it to the San Jose Sharks on Saturday night. The Sharks have proven to be in a rebuild this season, dropping to 0-10-1 and becoming the first team to allow ten goals in back-to-back games since the Boston Bruins in 1965.

With this performance, the Penguins moved from 22nd to 8th in the NHL in goals per game.

Goal Recap

(PIT 1-0) Reilly Smith (5): Erik Karlsson (5) & Jake Guentzel (8) <PP>

(PIT 2-0) Reilly Smith (6): Marcus Pettersson (3) & Bryan Rust (3)

(PIT 3-0) Jake Guentzel (3): Bryan Rust (4) & P.O. Joseph (1)

(PIT 4-0) Vinnie Hinostroza (1): Unassisted

(PIT 4-1) Anthony Duclair (2): Tomas Hertl (5) & Jacob MacDonald (1) <PP>

(PIT 5-1) Evgeni Malkin (6): Reilly Smith (4) & Rickard Rakell (2)

(PIT 6-1) Kris Letang (1): Sidney Crosby (6) & Bryan Rust (5)

(PIT 7-1) Matt Nieto (1): Noel Acciari (1) & Vinnie Hinostroza (1)

(PIT 8-1) Bryan Rust (6): Jake Guentzel (9) & Erik Karlsson (6)

(PIT 8-2) Jacob MacDonald (1): Tomas Hertl (5) & Anthony Duclair (1)

(PIT 9-2) Evgeni Malkin (7): Reilly Smith (5) & Rickard Rakell (3)

(PIT 10-2) Jake Guentzel (4): Unassisted

Three Stars

3. Vinnie Hinostroza

Hinostroza did what the Penguins coaching staff hoped he would in his Pittsburgh Penguins' debut, adding a more offensive punch to the fourth line. He collected a goal and an assist in his Penguins' debut, likely earning another chance to prove himself on Tuesday night in Anaheim.

2. Reilly Smith

The Penguins knew they had gotten Smith on a sweetheart deal when they got him for a third-round pick this summer, but that deal has worked out better than anybody could have imagined. Smith added to his already impressive start to the season with a four-point performance (2G-2A) in San Jose.

He set the stage for the Penguins, scoring in the opening 90 seconds of the game and then tacking on a goal midway through the first period. Smith's combination of a lethal shot and puck vision has created a chemistry with Evgeni Malkin that few have over the past 18 years.

1. Bryan Rust

The sentiment surrounding Bryan Rust was not overly positive entering this season, but he has quickly dispelled any belief that he'll struggle for a second straight season. He punctuated his first ten games of the season with a five-point performance (1G-4A) against the Sharks.

Rust has 11 points (6G-5A) in ten games, putting him on pace for career-high totals in all three categories.

Final Thoughts

If the pressure of playing in a contract season bothered Jake Guentzel, he hasn't shown it. Guentzel is known for his goal-scoring acumen, leading the Penguins in that category over the past two seasons. However, he has showcased his playmaking abilities in the early going this year.

Guentzel leads the Penguins with nine assists and is increasing his value with every game this season.

Up next, the Penguins head south to Anaheim as they look for revenge against the Ducks.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qO6GSBkclbU[/embed]

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