The Latest Breaking News from Sidney Crosby

COLUMBUS, Ohio — How the Penguins started Saturday's game was hardly a blueprint for success.

MONTREAL — In the cathedral of the NHL and under the brightest lights in Canada, the Dallas Stars leaned on their leaders during a 5-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens.

PITTSBURGH — When the dust finally settled on the Penguins' 2021-22 season, after a frustrating batch of injuries contributed to another first-round loss and questions persisted about whether the core of the team would remain intact, assistant coach Todd Reirden popped open the hood of Pittsburgh's power play to take…

The predominant theme for the Penguins this offseason was continuity. Sticking with the core despite Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang now closer to 40 than 30. Returning capable wings such as Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell. Bringing back Casey DeSmith instead of shopping for a snazzier complement to…

PITTSBURGH — Colby Armstrong only saw Sidney Crosby once this summer, but the interaction was a memorable one. And telling. It occurred at Brayden Schenn's wedding, as Armstrong and Crosby flew to Banff, Alberta, for the festivities set in the Canadian Rockies.

PITTSBURGH — As reporters gathered around Evgeni Malkin's dressing room stall at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex for the first time since pandemic restrictions were lifted, the Penguins center was clearly ready. Once he finished untying his skates following a morning workout and scrimmage, Malkin quickly started cracking off jokes.

PITTSBURGH — I'm pretty lucky to be working in an amazing sports town. I have covered some incredible coaches and managers, including six Hall of Famers. Chuck Tanner might be the nicest man I ever met in sports. Herb Brooks was a fascinating character, as are Eddie Johnston, Michel Therrien…

Number 87 was born on 8-7-87. That means Sidney Crosby turned 35 on Sunday. Can you believe it? Sid the Kid came into the NHL with the Penguins at 18 in 2005. Now he's closer to the big 4-0 than he is to 30? Where does time go?

PITTSBURGH — It could have turned out poorly. In some ways, it did. Ben Roethlisberger was a shell of himself for significant portions of last season.