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Fans Ready For Puck To Drop On New Pens Season

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Hockey season is back and the Pittsburgh Penguins open up their season tonight at Consol Energy Center.

After a summer of various changes in both player and front office personnel, fans are ready to drop the puck.

"It's a very promising season. I think we have a lot to build on from last year and of course, we have [Sidney] Crosby and [Evgeni] Malkin back this year so -- and [Marc-Andre] Fleury. Fleury really stepped his game up last year and I think that we are going to have an awesome year this year," Michael Fulmore said.

It's been a long offseason. Gone are fan favorites James Neal and Brooks Orpik. Also gone are Ray Shero and San Bylsma.

Shannon Matthis, of Mt. Lebanon said to give this team a little bit of time to adjust.

"Definitely. You know, you can't just judge somebody off of their first game. You have to see what they do. They might have a strategy to build it up," Matthis said.

After another early exit from the playoffs, it's been a long offseason for the Pens and some are still mourning the Pittsburgh Pirates' loss.

"I don't know. Baseball season just ended. I'm trying to get through that first," Marla Martinko said.

The question of the day - is it all going to come together this year?

"Next year. Next year. We'll make it to the playoffs this year, but they still need a little bit of rebuilding, but they will make it next year," Lloyd Gaston said.

The Penguins will host the Anaheim Ducks at 7 p.m.

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