Crosby put the Penguins ahead 1-0 on a power play at 2:22 of the first period, scoring with a wrist shot from the right circle off a set up by Kindel. He then made it 2-0 with another power-play goal, his sixth this season, by tapping in a rebound under Lindgren at 11:32.

The Washington Capitals have fired assistant coach Mitch Love following an NHL investigation into his personal conduct.

The Penguins return home to face the Capitals in a rivalry game. Welcome back to NHL Predictions here on Last Word on Hockey! Each day, we provide in-depth analysis, insights, and predictions for all the NHL’s games.

Sure, it’s still just early November. Yet for a team that looked lifeless for long stretches over the last couple of years, it’s a start.