from Frank Seravalli of TSN,

Sidney Crosby does not have a point in eight of nine games this season, the first time that has ever happened at any point in his career - not just to start a campaign. His run with long-awaited supporting cast member Phil Kessel lasted just seven games.

Crosby, 28, has three points this season. They all came against the Panthers on Oct. 20.

So, what’s going on with Crosby?

“He’s got to be a little more selfish,” Penguins assistant coach Rick Tocchet diagnosed. “The one game when he had three points, he had nine shots. He’s got to attack the net more. I think he’s looking to pass the puck. He’s got to attack the net more. For me, you can’t play a perimeter game in the NHL.”

Under the surface, it seems like Crosby’s struggles aren’t tied to any lack of effort or desire, but rather he's limited in production by what his environment allows. Johnston, now into his second season, is preaching structure - not the freewheeling Penguins that struck the fear of God into opposing defencemen as they wheeled through the neutral zone. These aren’t your father’s Penguins - or your grandfather’s.

They are less creative, more militant. Given the way the Penguins are assembled, spending the second-most money on offence ($50.2 million) this season, it would be akin to taking a Ferrari and driving it like a Model T.

Take the Penguins’ power play for instance. On Wednesday at Verizon Center, this divisional game probably could’ve been won in the first 10 minutes if the Penguins broke through. They had a 5-on-3 advantage for 105 seconds, followed quickly by another 5-on-4 opportunity.

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