As the Penguins continue the commencement of their fiftieth season, the team attempts to prove once again that they are the best in the league. After a thrilling win in overtime at their home opener Thursday, October 13, the Penguins continued their season with a win over the Anaheim Ducks on October 15. Before the first drop of the puck, the Penguins honored those who were a part of the team in the first decade of its existence. The puck dropped shortly after 7pm, and 12 minutes into the first period, Ian Cole scored on Ducks goalie Jonathan Bernier with a wrist shot that gave the Penguins a 1-0 lead. Olli Maatta, who had an exceptional season last year, continued to struggle in the second game of the year. Being called for a tripping penalty put Maatta into the penalty box and after another Penguins penalty, the Ducks had a 5 on 3 advantage. This power play allowed Fowler of the Ducks to blast a shot past the Penguins Goaltender, Marc-André Fleury.
Conor Sheary, a left winger, was brought up last season along with Head Coach Mike Sullivan from the Pittsburgh team in the American Hockey League, which is the feeder league for the NHL. He was the difference maker in this Saturday night game, scoring the goal that put the Penguins up 2-1. After an initial shot from Chris Kunitz, the rebound bounced back into the traffic in front of the Ducks net, and Sheary managed to tap the puck in. After a series of power plays to the Penguins, Phil Kessel managed to slide the puck between the legs of the Anaheim Goaltender. Sheary and Kessel boosted the difference on the scoreboard and gave the Penguins some breathing room for the end of the third period. Corey Perry, one of the Ducks alternate captains, managed to put another point up to minimize the deficit to 3-2, which stayed constant until the final buzzer.
The 3-2 win left the Penguins with a perfect record to start the season, and both the team and their fans left PPG Paints Arena with an optimistic outlook on the rest of the year.