The Latest Breaking News from Bryan Rust

PITTSBURGH — Even judging by his own standard of scathing self-assessments, Kasperi Kapanen offered up a doozy this week when discussing the struggles he experienced during the 2021-22 regular season.

The predominant theme for the Penguins this offseason was continuity. Sticking with the core despite Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang now closer to 40 than 30. Returning capable wings such as Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell. Bringing back Casey DeSmith instead of shopping for a snazzier complement to…

PITTSBURGH — The Penguins dressed 12 forwards, six defensemen and two goaltenders Tuesday night for Game 1 of their first-round playoff series against the New York Rangers.

All was not lost for the Penguins, who were defeated by the Colorado Avalanche Tuesday night for the second time in four days.

PITTSBURGH — They get no moral victory for this one. The Penguins were simply outclassed.

PITTSBURGH — After Evgeni Malkin’s hat trick Sunday gave the Penguins a 9-2 lead over the Detroit Red Wings, the giddy fans at PPG Paints Arena began to make demands.

BUFFALO, N.Y. — With a whiteboard in his hand and the game slipping out of reach on the scoreboard, Penguins assistant coach Todd Reirden drew something up.

PITTSBURGH — The Penguins had to like what they saw from Rickard Rakell in his first game.

They aren't the highest-scoring points line in the NHL. That's the Calgary line of Johnny Gaudreau, Elias Lindholm and Matthew Tkachuk with 192 points going into Monday night's game. They aren't the best goal-scoring line. That's Toronto's Michael Bunting, Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner with 79 goals. But they are…