Penguins' Phil Kessel: Making it on the man advantage

Kessel netted a power-play goal for the second straight game Monday against the Avalanche.

Analysis:

He's becoming the de facto go-to shooter on Pittsburgh's power play, especially with Sidney Crosby sidelined. Kessel completed an inconsistent regular season in his first year with Pittsburgh last year before turning it on in the postseason. It's conceivable that the big year so many predicted for the winger in the summer of 2015 comes true in 2016-17 -- he's off to a great start with two goals and a game-deciding shootout score in three games.