Same Old Penguins?

Way, way (waaaaay) back in the day, before Chuck Noll and Mean Joe Greene and Terry Bradshaw led the Steelers to Super Bowl glory, if you asked a local football fan about the team’s chances they’d have likely replied “S.O.S.”

Short for Same Old Steelers.

I confess, I didn’t see much of the Penguins’ 3-2 exhibition loss to a scaled-down Sabres squad last night at PPG Paints Arena. Only snippets and highlights. However, it was enough to make me wonder if we’re S.O.P.—as in Same Old Penguins.

I was especially alarmed by the lack of fire and intensity on display. Apparently so was coach Mike Sullivan, who took his charges to task following a somnambulant first period.

I mean, if ever there’s a time for guys to be going all-out to make an impression, it’s the preseason, right? Instead of being stoked, there was a whole lot of languid on display.

Does the training staff secretly slip these guys saltpeter mickeys so they won’t take penalties?

Seriously.

The poster child in my book for tepid play?

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