Sidney Crosby reveals the real reason Penguins couldn’t overcome the Ducks despite a strong start to the season

A new NHL season has begun, and the Pittsburgh Penguins are once again under the spotlight. After a summer filled with quiet confidence and the belief that this year could mark a turnaround, the team’s second loss of the campaign — a 3-2 defeat to the Anaheim Ducks — raised familiar questions.

For Sidney Crosby and company, the West Coast trip didn’t end the way they hoped.

The matchup against the Ducks was closer than many expected, with both sides trading chances deep into the third period. Yet, as the Penguins captain admitted, one crucial aspect of the game tilted the balance.“We had a good start and then it ends up being 2-2,” Sidney Crosby said via NHL.com. “Special teams are going to be big and they were the difference tonight.”

Crosby’s words reflect a painful truth — Pittsburgh’s power play and penalty kill, areas that once defined their dominance, haven’t been sharp early in the season. Despite generating momentum in even-strength play, lapses on special teams continue to haunt them. Those moments, often just a few seconds long, can turn winnable games into frustrating losses.

The Penguins sit at 2-2, balancing between optimism and urgency.

This season was meant to mark a reset — a chance for the veteran core of Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang to prove they still have fuel left in the tank. Under new coach Dan Muse, the mission isn’t just to compete but to return to the playoff conversation after three straight misses.Their leadership remains the heartbeat of the team, but consistency will be the true test. The coaching staff believes that blending youthful energy with veteran experience can reignite Pittsburgh’s competitive edge.

If their special teams find rhythm, the Penguins could still transform this uneven start into something promising.As the team gears up for a challenging home stretch — facing the Kings, Sharks, Canucks, Panthers, and Blue Jackets — every game becomes a chance to rebuild trust and momentum. For now, Crosby’s message is clear: execution in key moments will decide how far the Penguins go this season.Also Read: Who is Nikita Kucherov’s stunning wife Anastasiya? Inside the Tampa Bay Lightning star’s private family life