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Erik Karlsson reveals the real reason the Penguins suddenly look dangerous again
Photo credit: Edit from AP News
The Penguins are off to a blazing start this season, and Pittsburgh defenseman Erik Karlsson got candid about what the real reason for this success is.
The Pittsburgh Penguins opened the season with the intention of putting an end to their playoff absence that had lasted three years.
What's leading to the Penguins' hot start
The team has talented players such as Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Erik Karlsson, and Bryan Rust, who are already proven in the league. The team has also gotten valuable contributions from some young players.
The confidence that Karlsson has displayed in his group has been evident since the start of training camp. One of the key factors that has been highlighted by Karlsson is that this current Penguins team seems to be more unified compared to seasons past.
"I think we are all feeling that," Karlsson said to The Athletic in a piece published on Saturday. "We feel like we're a good team right now. Look at how we've put together good games, the way we've controlled play, the way we've held on to pucks. That makes you believe a little bit more. And we are starting to believe.
"We have good individual players. And now we're finally starting to feel good as a team. The roles are starting to slot in. You know what's expected of you. You do the things you're good at, and not the things that someone tells you to do, that you can't do."
"We have good individual players. And now we're finally starting to feel good as a team. The roles are starting to slot in. You know what's expected of you. You do the things you're good at, and not the things that someone tells you to do, that you can't do."
The current group seems to be familiar with the roles that each other has to play; as such, each player is focusing on his strengths rather than trying to be something that he is not.
In the first 17 games, the Penguins have shown resilience with a 9-5-3 record that puts them in the third position in the Metropolitan Division.
Why this renewed chemistry is important
The presence of veteran players in the team has led to renewed chemistry among them, giving hope that the team may end its drought of reaching the playoffs.
Pittsburgh will look to build further momentum when it gets back to action on Friday night on the road in Sweden against the Nashville Predators. This contest might end up as another indicator of the extent to which this renewed team has progressed.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 11 | 48 ANSWERS Erik Karlsson reveals the real reason the Penguins suddenly look dangerous again Will the Penguins be able to keep up this pace for the entire season? | ||
| Yes | 36 | 75 % |
| No | 12 | 25 % |
| List of polls | ||