All
eyes on Crosby's Penguins as puck drops on new season
Send a link to a friend
[October 12, 2016]
(Reuters) - The puck drops on
the National Hockey League's 2016-17 season on Wednesday and some
teams could race out of the gate playing at a higher level than
usual with many players fresh off competing in the World Cup of
Hockey.
But the Pittsburgh Penguins may be forced to open defense of their
Stanley Cup championship without their captain as Sidney Crosby
suffered the third concussion of his glittering career.
Crosby, who was in top form as he led Canada to a World Cup triumph
12 days ago, suffered his latest setback after colliding with a
teammate during practice last week and said he is taking his
recovery day-by-day.
"Guys have multiple concussions and are fine," said Crosby. "I just
think you have to treat them the right way and make sure that you
handle it right, and that you're honest."
Crosby was solid during Pittsburgh's Stanley Cup run and carried
that form into the two-week World Cup, convincing many onlookers
that 29-year-old was poised to have one of the best years of his
career this season.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2016/Oct/12/images/ads/current/pestcontrol_bch_termites.png)
Pittsburgh will unveil their latest Stanley Cup banner on Thursday
before opening their quest to become the NHL's first repeat champion
in 19 years.
The Tampa Bay Lightning will be itching to get going having been
eliminated by Pittsburgh in a decisive seventh game of last season's
Eastern Conference final.
Powered by prolific scorer Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay boast a top
defensive pair in Swedes Anton Stralman and Victor Hedman along with
strong goaltending, veterans and young talent.
In the Western Conference, the San Jose Sharks are counting on a
veteran roster, many of whom had their offseason cut short by
competing in the World Cup, to lead them a second consecutive run to
the Stanley Cup final.
[to top of second column] |
![](../images/101216pics/sports55.jpg)
President Barack Obama (R) helps National Hockey League Pittsburgh
Penguins' Captain Sidney Crosby with the Stanley Cup during a
ceremony to honor the winners of the 2016 Stanley Cup, in the East
Room of the White House, in Washington, October 6, 2016.
REUTERS/Mike Theiler
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2016/Mar/14/images/ads/current/tires250x300.gif)
But they will find plenty of challengers, including a Chicago
Blackhawks team that have won three Stanley Cups in the last seven
seasons.
Patrick Kane, who last season became the first American-born player
to be named the NHL's most valuable player, is at the peak of his
game and will lead the way for Chicago.
Among the other intriguing storylines are charismatic P.K. Subban's
debut with the Nashville Predators, Edmonton Oilers phenom Connor
McDavid's sophomore NHL campaign and goalie Carey Price's much
anticipated return from injury to the Montreal Canadiens net.
(Reporting by Frank Pingue in Toronto; Editing by Andrew Both)
[© 2016 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2016 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2016/Oct/12/images/ads/current/lincolntheatre_sda_031016.png) |