"It's not so much that the Penguins are tied for first place in the Eastern Conference standings.

Not when the team they are even with, Washington, has played three fewer games, as have the clubs clustered directly below those two.

No, the most striking thing about the Penguins' 6-2-2 start is they have done so well under such trying circumstances.

Ten games crammed into 17 days, and spread over four time zones. Not a single shift from Sidney Crosby. Evgeni Malkin dressing for just three games, and Brooks Orpik for two."