The Pittsburgh Penguins enter their 17th game of the season in a state of turmoil as they prepare to face the Los Angeles Kings. The team's struggles were evident in their recent matchup against the Boston Bruins on November 5, 2026, where captain Sidney Crosby and veteran center Evgeni Malkin were relegated to the bench during the third period.
The Penguins' core leadership, including Crosby wearing number 87 and Malkin wearing number 71, watched from the sidelines as the team searched for answers against Boston. This development raises questions about the team's direction heading into the contest against Los Angeles.
