Penguins beat Detroit in preseason opener 3-2

Yeah, Yeah, a preseason game, and frankly it does not mean shit. Both lineups were littered with AHL players, and they played quite sloppy at times, as you would expect. But there were some things that I took away from this game that were encouraging at this early juncture:

First, Evgeni Malkin was a standout all game long in both ends of the rink......Yeah, but it is only preseason.......EXACTLY! I was impressed to see the effort by 71 in a game of this "magnitude" and he plays best when he is working both ends of the ice. He had speed, heart and determination all night long. He looked at times like the Malkin of the 2009 campaign, who was defintitely in the conversation as one of the top 3 players in the game. Getting THAT Malkin back would put the Penguins on a different level;

James Neal did not get a point tonight, but his forecheck helped create the Kunitz goal, and he had 4 shots on goal. I still think it is only a matter of time for Neal;

Richard Park was an absolute pest and an asset on the penalty kill......just as I remember him tormenting the Pens as a member of the New York Islanders;

Joe Vitale was also a force on the PK, and was 10 for 16 in the faceoff circle;

I had no idea who 38 was (Colin McDonald) before tonight, but he stood out at times with his size, tenacity, and participation in some scoring chances;

The Penguins first round draft pick this summer, 18 year old Joe Morrow played a veteran game, making smart plays, staying calm under fire, and generally looking like the smooth skating, poised blue liner they said he would be.......I just did not expect that in his first pro game. He looks like ananother gem on the Penguins deep blue line in the organization. On that note, I thought Kris Letang also looked sharp tonight. I can't wait to get a glimpse of Despres tomorrow night, along with Staal, Kennedy, and Cooke.