Mark Madden: Penguins mix old, new in sharing-the-torch season opener

Some strange things happened Tuesday night when the Pittsburgh Penguins opened their season at Madison Square Garden with a 3-0 win against the New York Rangers.

For example, Erik Karlsson played a responsible, mistake-free game. (Except for one gratuitous turnover.) That’s been a rarity during his Penguins tenure, now entering its third campaign.

That performance likely will be the exception to the rule. But something happens to veterans when a lot of kids invade the dressing room.

Kids can bring out a teacher instinct in veterans. A right-way vibe.

New coach Dan Muse knows that. He put out a signpost when he didn’t merely start his first line and top defense pair.

He mixed and matched. It was part old firm, part new guys.

It was Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang along with Harrison Brunicke, 19, and Ben Kindel, 18.

That said something: We’re not passing the torch, we’re sharing it.

Starting Arturs Silovs in goal instead of Tristan Jarry said something, too. Muse seems to be trying to wipe away what’s stale as quickly as he can.

It didn’t hurt that Silovs pitched a shutout, though the Penguins’ defensive effort made certain he was rarely under siege on the way to 25 saves.

Will Silovs start again Thursday in the home opener vs. the New York Islanders? That, too, would make a statement.

It’s good that the Penguins won, even though the priority remains getting a top-five pick in next year’s draft, not squeaking into a one-and-done playoff appearance.

You don’t want the season’s buzz to disappear right away.

You don’t want poor home attendance right off the bat. (I’m curious about the size of Thursday’s crowd at PPG Paints Arena.)

You don’t want the team’s newfound youthful energy to be suppressed. If the Penguins are even near .500 through October and November, that energy should sustain itself all season.

Karlsson’s performance at New York was interesting.

Malkin getting two assists playing between two 6-foot-5 wingers was a different look. Maybe that’s the way to go as age slows Malkin, 39. Malkin twisting forward with the puck through an offensive-zone faceoff to set up Justin Brazeau’s winning goal was beautiful.

Kindel played an amazingly solid game.

Brunicke wasn’t great initially but played a strong second and third period.

The Penguins minimized mistakes. Badger Bob Johnson used to preach the value of fundamentals, and those were on display at New York.

These Penguins have lots of subplots and sidebars.

Let’s not leave Crosby out of the discussion.

Crosby had zero points. But over 200 feet, he was the best player on the ice. He was a buzzsaw down low and in the dirty areas. He was visibly and extremely happy after. Crosby just wants to win.

Those opportunities won’t be as frequent as he likes. It’s good to see the captain savor the flavor.