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PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Penguins are 2-0-0 as they begin their defense of the Stanley Cup, and perhaps that shouldnt be a surprise.If theres anything the Penguins know how to do -- no matter the roster or the identity of the coach -- its how to follow up after winning a championship.After beating the Detroit Red Wings to win the Stanley Cup in 2009, Pittsburgh started out 9-1-0 in 2009-10. When captain Mario Lemieuxs Penguins began their quest for a third straight Cup in 1992-93, they opened up with 11 wins and two ties in their first 14 games.The current-day Penguins go for their third straight win at the newly renamed PPG Paints Arena on Monday night when they face the Colorado Avalanche (1-0). The Avalanche debuted under new coach Jared Bednar by beating the Dallas Stars, 6-5, on Saturday behind Joe Colbornes three goals.Colorado knows it has to stop getting off to the poor starts it experienced under former coach Patrick Roy over the previous two seasons. The Avalanche lost six of their first eight last season and eight of their first 10 in 2014-15, which forced them to try to play catch-up the rest of both seasons -- and they never caught up.Bednar liked how his team responded to a 2-0 deficit with five consecutive goals, though he wasnt happy that the 5-2 lead later became only a 5-4 margin.I liked the way we played offensively. I thought we were skating and on our toes, creating chances. (But) I think we have to get better defensively, Bednar said. We made some mistakes defensively up ice that gave them some numbers and gave them some scoring chances early in the game, and also a bit later.Bednar is learning how to coach in the NHL on the fly -- literally. He wasnt named the head coach until Aug. 25 following Roys unexpected resignation. Bednar barely had two weeks to get ready for training camp and to learn the league.Penguins coach Mike Sullivan can relate to that. Like Bednar, who won titles in the American Hockey League and ECHL, he was coaching in the minors last season when he was hired Dec. 12 to replace Mike Johnston in Pittsburgh.Thats why Sullivan said, more than 10 months later, the Penguins still are learning his style, even after winning the Stanley Cup with a half dozen of his former Wilkes-Barre/Scranton players in their room.What I like about this group is, over time, we have a better understanding of how to play in one-goal games, Sullivan said following a 3-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday night. Were still trying to score, still trying to play with speed, but I think our guys are making good decisions and forcing our opponents to play that 200-foot game. Were hard to play against in that regard. I think thats when our team is at its best. Our guys have bought in.Marc-Andre Fleury is proving to be hard to play against, too. After barely playing since late March, when he sustained his second concussion of the season, Fleury has stopped 73 of 77 shots and posted a 1.92 goals-against average.Its been fun, said Fleury, who lost his starting job to the currently injured Matt Murray just before the playoffs began. I wanted those games in the preseason (to get accustomed to playing again). I wasnt as sharp as Id like to be. There still are things I want to get better at, but not right now. I feel better now than I did at camp.Colborne, a former University of Denver player, is feeling better the longer he gets accustomed to being with the Avalanche, He had 19 goals while playing for Calgary last season.Colborne and Real Cloutier (1979) are the only players in franchise history to get a hat trick in their first game with the team.The three goals, (thats) probably the way Im going to score most of them, and Im just fine with that, Colborne said. Its my job and something I take pride in, going to those tough areas and making them try to drag me down, draw some penalties and hopefully bury some.The Penguins, who had the day off Sunday as they play three games in four nights, already are making some adjustments as they compete without captain Sidney Crosby (concussion).On Saturday, Sullivan moved forward Conor Sheary to right wing on Matt Cullens wing, with Chris Kunitz on the left. Right wing Patric Hornqvist shifted to center Evgeni Malkins line so Scott Wilson could play on his natural left side. Sheary responded with a goal and a number of scoring opportunities.Youre kind of hitting yourself for not burying a couple of those, Sheary said. But its a good sign when youre getting a lot of chances.Bednar will switch goalies Monday, from Semyon Varlamov to backup Calvin Pickard, who stopped 47 of 48 shots in 1-0 Avalanche overtime loss in Pittsburgh on Dec. 18, 2014. Varlamov will start Tuesday against his former team, the Washington Capitals.The Penguins were 2-0 against Colorado last season, winning 4-3 on Nov. 19 in Pittsburgh and 4-2 at Colorado on Dec. 9, Johnstons last victory as coach.Chicago Cubs Shirts . The next step is a better finish. Bae played bogey-free Friday on another gorgeous day at Riviera for a 5-under 66, giving him a one-shot lead over Aaron Baddeley and Robert Garrigus going into the weekend. Cheap Cubs Jerseys . After Gasquet beat fifth-seeded Ivan Dodig of Croatia 7-5, 6-3, Tsonga followed up with a 6-7 (3), 6-2, 6-2 win against sixth-seeded Edouard Roger-Vasselin in an all-French match. https://www.cheapcubs.com/ . Already owning gold from competition in Vancouver in 2010, Loch posted a combined four-run time of 3:27.526. That included a track-record third run of 51. Cubs Jerseys 2020 . The All-Pro lineman got the leg bent under him while trying to make a tackle during the first half of a 22-20 overtime loss at Miami on Thursday night. The medical staff initially thought hed torn the ligament, and the test a day later in Cincinnati confirmed it. Wholesale Cubs Jerseys . -- Running backs Darren McFadden and Rashad Jennings were back at practice for the Oakland Raiders on Wednesday despite being hampered by hamstring injuries.Mahela Jayawardene wondered on Twitter whether previous Australia captains would have left a tour early, as Steven Smith has done. Graeme Smith has echoed those sentiments publicly. Angelo Mathews was typically diplomatic, but as he prepares to play a side led by David Warner now, even he admits to being perplexed.I think they have their own player management system, but honestly, if it was me, I wouldnt have [left], because its a tough tour, Mathews said. You need the captain alongside the playing XI. They decided to rest him - well, I dont think we as players have any issues with that.Smiths own team-mates have - not surprisingly - been more understanding of his departure, despite the ODI series still hanging in the balance. Warner said regular breaks for players were required because of crickets hectic modern schedules. Smith had also been leading Australia across all formats, taking over the ODI team after last years World Cup, and the Test and T20 sides since.I can feel for Steve and the amount of cricket he has been playing, Warner said. It is going to very, very tough with the scheduling these days to play all three forms and every single game possible. Players are getting rested here and there. Everyone has to adapt, and weve got [to remember] that everyone is human.While Warner attempts to fill the gap in leadership that Smith has left behind, Australia will also need to replace the man who has been ODI crickets most prolific run-scorer over the past year. Usman Khawaja and Shaun Marsh are in line to step into the XI.ddddddddddddWarner suggested Smiths output makes a break from cricket particularly well-deserved.The stats he has on the board, runs-wise and the worlds best batter and player, I think he deserves a break whether or not it was during the series or before the series.There were times there when I may have been leaning towards having a break and then you have a bit of misfortune by getting injured and that has sort of been my freshen-up. [Warner broke a finger while fielding in June, and missed the end of the tri-series in the West Indies.]Warner is set to become Australias 23rd ODI captain, and said it had not been in his wildest dreams to lead the side. I feel honoured and thrilled, he said. Im really pumped to get out there, help the guys and lead from the front.Though he has never led a national side, Warner has had captaincy success in the IPL, leading Sunrisers Hyderabad to this years title. Allrounder James Faulkner, who plays for the Gujarat Lions IPL franchise, suggested that experience would assist Warners captaincy at the international level.Davids got lot of experience in all three formats - in IPL and BBL as well, Faulkner said. I know one thing - that he is pretty honest, and hes going to back each and every one of us. Much as the same with Smithy - very good leaders. They let their presence be felt in the middle. Im sure David will fill the position really well. ' ' '