Inconsistency has dogged the Penguins in their first month of 2026-27

The Pittsburgh Penguins have struggled with inconsistency throughout the opening month of the 2026-27 NHL season, sitting in sixth place in the Metropolitan Division with a 5-6-2 record. Captain Sidney Crosby, now in his 22nd NHL season, noted that the team is still attempting to establish its identity and find consistency, a sharp contrast to their 8-2-2 start during the previous 2025-26 campaign.

Pittsburgh's struggles were highlighted by a 4-3 overtime home loss to the Utah Mammoth, where they conceded a game-tying goal with one second remaining in regulation. Despite the disappointing finish, the Penguins secured a point, extending their season-best point streak to three games with a 2-0-1 stretch, as teammates Blake Lizotte, Declan Carlile, and goaltender Arturs Silovs emphasized the need to close out games.