NHL Insider Reveals What's Really Behind the Penguins' Surprising 5-2 Start

Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang both tallied as the Pittsburgh Penguins dominated the Vancouver Canucks in a rout, a 5-1 victory.

Crosby scored his fourth of the year to become the Penguins' all-time point leader for regular-season and playoff points combined, surpassing Mario Lemieux. Letang also achieved a career high with 600 assists in his lifelong total.

Connor Dewar, Tommy Novak, Anthony Mantha, and blazing Justin Brazeau also joined the scoring list. Brazeau had three points and now has five goals and eight points in seven games.

After a slow beginning, the Penguins settled down at the start of the first period and controlled the game. Goaltender Arturs Silovs settled down after allowing an opening goal, making 23 of 24 saves against his former team.

Once Pittsburgh got settled in, they controlled the game, demonstrating size and speed in a complete effort.

Mantha and Brazeau bring more grit, while Ben Kindel, Harrison Brunicke, and Filip Hallander bring energy and skills at a youth level.

Erik Karlsson played his best game of the season so far in Pittsburgh, more controlled in his own zone, and Letang's coolness and veteran leadership calmed the blue line.

With Evgeni Malkin on fire, 10 goals in seven games, and finding the net from anywhere, the Penguins' 5-2 beginning is no fluke.

Pittsburgh appears revitalized now, and it is for all the reasons listed above that NHL insider Josh Yohe credits the blazing hot start.

If this combination of veteran wisdom and young talent continues, the Penguins are no longer an early-season anomaly; they're a serious threat once more.