The team that failed to win any of its final four games before the all-star break is the same one, basically, that won 17 of its previous 19.
Which was the same one, basically, that segued from a 3-0-2 start directly into a 2-6-2 stretch before running off five victories in a row.
Fact is, the only real constant for the Penguins to this point of the 2021-22 season has been their inability to dress their lineup of choice, as they've lost 168 man-games -- that's an average of 3.65 per game -- to injury and illness.
The inability get healthy (and stay that way) might be their major concern for the balance of the season. The recent lack of scoring from all but a handful of players is high on that list, too. Same with issues they've had defending around their net.
Conversely, despite relentless adversity, the Penguins reached the all-star break with a 27-11-8 record, just two points out of first place in the Metropolitan Division and with a virtual chokehold on an Eastern Conference playoff berth.
Their power play has begun producing to its fearsome potential, the No. 1 line creates scoring chances with regularity and, most important of all, Tristan Jarry has his game back in order after his flameout during Round 1 of the playoffs last spring.
Here are thumbnail looks at the 30 players (not counting Sam Lafferty, who was traded) who have appeared in at least one of the Penguins' first 46 games, and whose work -- good or otherwise -- has gotten them to where they are at the break.
FORWARDS
Anthony Angello -- He doesn't look out of place at this level when injuries have compelled management to summon him from Wilkes-Barre, but neither has he done enough to earn a permanent place on the major-league roster.
Zach Aston-Reese -- The Penguins' leader in hits and a solid penalty-killer and defensive player, his struggle to score goals -- he has one in 38 games -- effectively overshadows the positive things he does. And while he's willing to play the body, Aston-Reese's hits rarely seem to affect the way opposing teams go about their business.
Kasper Bjorkqvist -- So far, he's proven to be a prospect worth monitoring, but not one who's going to take a job away from anyone on the NHL roster n the immediate future.
Teddy Blueger -- Strong two-way play, especially defensively, made Blueger's value to this team clear from the earliest days of the season. His absence for the past five games because of a broken jaw has made it even more obvious.
Brian Boyle -- He earned a contract -- along with the respect of his teammates and coaches -- after coming to camp on a professional tryout, and has been an effective penalty-killer and capable fourth-line center who also can be used on the wing. A good depth addition by Ron Hextall.
Jeff Carter -- His strong play and versatility earlier this season yielded a two-year contract, even though he's 37. Carter, though, does not have a point in the past five games and has just one goal in his past 11. He's got to generate better numbers than those.
Sidney Crosby -- Almost all of the effects of his wrist surgery seem to be gone and Crosby continues to set a high standard of commitment for the guys he captains. His game has, of course, evolved over the years, but if the coaching staff has any concerns about him, they likely center on whether he can be kept healthy, because he looks to be as driven to succeed as he ever has.
Jake Guentzel -- The team leader in goals (23) and points (46), Guentzel has established himself as one of the NHL's top goal-producers. He plays bigger than he is and is fearless when operating in high-traffic areas, where he is as likely to get a cross-check to the head as a good scoring chance.
Danton Heinen -- There have been times when he looked worthy of consideration for a top-six role, and others when he was virtually invisible. Heinen failed to score a goal in his final 10 games before suffering the injury that forced him to miss the past two games. When he returns, he'll be counted on to chip in to the secondary scoring the Penguins have been missing.
Kasperi Kapanen -- The team's biggest disappointment -- and enigma -- so far this season. He has the ability to be a difference-maker, but rarely has been, at least in a good way. There's no questioning his skating or shot, but his willingness to take full advantage of them remains an issue.
Evgeni Malkin -- With points in 10 of the 12 games he's played since returning from major knee surgery, Malkin looks like he could be a major force for the remainder of the regular season and playoffs. His career is winding down, but he still can singlehandedly alter the course of a game.
Brock McGinn -- He's proven to be a more-than-capable replacement for Brandon Tanev, with a solid two-way game that includes a better-than-expected scoring touch. McGinn also has made himself a mainstay of the Penguins' penalty-killing unit, one of the NHL's best.
Drew O'Connor -- If he weren't waivers-exempt, O'Connor likely would have spent the entire season on the NHL roster. He's big and versatile -- O'Connor has adapted well to moving from the wing to center -- and has decent skills. He'll be a regular at this level next season, if not sooner (albeit not until he's off the Long-Term Injured list).
Evan Rodrigues -- Remember a few weeks ago, when the biggest question about Rodrigues was where the statue of him should be placed at PPG Paints Arena? Well, Rodrigues' offense has dried up -- he does not have a goal in 13 games and has just two assists in that span -- but he still can play any forward position and move up and down the lineup, which makes him a good guy to have around.
Bryan Rust -- He must not like Pittsburgh, because with unrestricted free agency looming, Rust is producing at a level that seems certain to price himself out of the Penguins' future. Rust hit the all-star break with five goals and three assists in his final five games after starting January with seven goals in three games.
Dominik Simon -- His chronic inability to score goals aside -- is it possible that "Simon" translates to "Aston-Reese" in Simon's native Czech? -- he can be effective in a bottom-six role. Just don't count on Simon to contribute much to that balanced scoring the Penguins have been craving lately.
Radim Zohorna -- There's real potential here to develop into a solid top-nine forward, and maybe even end up on one of the top two lines eventually if he continues to progress. Understandably, he needed a little time to adapt to North America, on and off the ice, but he seems quite comfortable here now.
Jason Zucker -- After months of frustration, Zucker finally found his scoring touch in Las Vegas last month, scoring a pair of goals after getting just four in his previous 30 games. Trouble is, that was the last game he played before undergoing core-muscle surgery that will sideline him indefinitely and prevent him from proving he can provide the kind of production the Penguins sought when he was acquired from Minnesota.
DEFENSEMEN
Brian Dumoulin -- Although this has not been his best season, Dumoulin's defense-oriented game still makes him a good fit on the No. 1 pairing. When the Penguins are in a position where they absolutely need to prevent a goal, Dumoulin should be out there, and usually is.
Mark Friedman -- As the current occupant of the No. 7 spot on a unit that dresses six for any game when circumstances don't intervene, he's performed well enough to stick at this level, but has done nothing to suggest he's prepared to grab a place on one of the top three tandems.
P.O Joseph -- Still the organization's best defense prospect, Joseph never has replicated his exceptional play at the start of the 2020-21 season. His development won't be stunted by spending more time in the American Hockey League, which is the case with almost all young players at his position, but he probably wouldn't be out of place if called upon to join the parent club.
Kris Letang -- He has played some of the best two-way hockey of his career this season, significantly reducing the number of poor, often costly, decisions he makes. Letang still is guilty of the occasional glaring gaffe, like the cross-ice pass that led directly to a Nic Dowd shorthanded breakaway Tuesday, but he certainly hasn't undercut his value on the free-agent market if the Penguins don't re-sign him before his contract is up.
John Marino -- Letang's likely successor as the cornerstone of the defense corps (whenever that might become necessary), Marino still hasn't consistently performed at the level he reached as a rookie in 2019-20. He's rebounded fairly well from a hugely disappointing sophomore season, however, and the trajectory of his career again is going in a positive direction.
Mike Matheson -- While he's not Paul Coffey (in either the offensive or defensive zone), Matheson still can make things exciting at both ends. His skating is exceptional and he has obvious offensive abilities, but he still suffers some grievous defensive lapses. He's come a long way since being acquired from Florida, though, and there's ample cause to believe he can continue to improve.
Marcus Pettersson -- Despite being a popular target for criticism from a segment of the fan base, Pettersson is having another solid season. He's formed an effective partnership with Marino and his reach helps to negate some of the downside to the general lack of physicality in his game.
Juuso Riikola -- A truly polarizing figure, in terms of his potential. Some observers can't understand why he hasn't been given a chance to play regularly in the NHL, while others wonder what he's done to merit such an opportunity. The coaching staff clearly is among the latter.
Chad Ruhwedel -- After an apprenticeship as the defense corps' injury-insurance policy, Ruhwedel moved up to steady work on the No. 3 pairing. He's generally sound and, while he has limitations, he usually recognizes and plays within them.
GOALTENDERS
Casey DeSmith -- Backup goalies tend to go largely unnoticed unless they're struggling, and DeSmith has earned a lot of attention this season. Even at his best, there's little reason to believe he could lead the Penguins on a long playoff run if circumstances forced Mike Sullivan to turn to him, but his grip on the No. 2 job appears to be tenuous.
Louis Domingue -- He played well in his only start, and might have supplanted DeSmith as the backup if he'd continued to play at that level. Whether he'll get another opportunity when he's healthy enough to return remains to be seen.
Tristan Jarry -- After being the leading culprit in the Penguins' first-round loss to the Islanders in 2021, Jarry has been their most valuable player to this point. It's a fairly remarkable turnaround, but his season will not be judged until his performance in this year's playoffs can be assessed.