from Jason Mackey of Chipped Ice at the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review,

“We have to play better hockey. If you look at it as a whole, it’s not bad. We’re one-game under .500 right now. I think we’re a better team than that.”

That was Penguins captain Sidney Crosby postgame following Thursday’s 4-1 loss to the Dallas Stars here at Consol Energy Center.

He raises an interesting question.

Who are the Penguins?

I don’t know. Do you?

They were a hot mess during the second period tonight, only marginally better in the third. The start was OK, but they trailed 2-0 after the first. Is that supposed to get fans excited?

I like to stick to numbers. People can’t argue with them. So I tend to do that.

The numbers say the Penguins have three top-six wingers without a goal, two without a point.

continued

Below, watch the game highlights....