Defending Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins Take It On the Chin to Open 2018 Season

The National Hockey League schedule maker was not kind to the Pittsburgh Penguins at the start of the 2017-18 season. The defending Stanley Cup champions opened the season with back to back games against a pair of quality Western Conference opponents. The Penguins lost 5-4 in overtime to the St. Louis Blues in the opener at home on October 4th, then went to Chicago for the Blackhawks opener October 5th. Chicago scored five times in the first period and went on to rout Pittsburgh 10-1.

Brandon Saad marked his return to Chicago after two years with the Columbus Blue Jackets by scoring a hat trick. Patrick Kane had three assists and a goal, and Ryan Hartman had four assists and a goal. Pittsburgh backup goalie Antti Niemi allowed four goals with only nine saves before he was replaced by a tired Matt Murray, who allowed six more the rest of the way.

The schedule won’t be getting better over the short term. The Penguins return home to face the Nashville Predators, last year’s Stanley Cup Finals foe,on October 7th, followed by a trip to Washington to face the Capitals on October 11th. Thirteen of Pittsburgh’s first 19 games are on the road.