What Would Make the Pittsburgh Penguins' 2014-15 Season a Success?

On Thursday night, the Pittsburgh Penguins opened their 2014-15 NHL season on a high note with a 6-4 win over the Anaheim Ducks.

The game made a positive first impression for a new regime led by rookie head coach Mike Johnston and new general manager Jim Rutherford, but fans already know that the Penguins are good in the regular season.

The true test of the changes won't come until playoff time.

After a trip to the Stanley Cup Final in 2008 and a championship in 2009, the Penguins looked like they were on their way to dynasty status.

Failure to live up to those expectations has created a bubble of frustration around fans, management and players, which led to the dismissal of coach Dan Bylsma and general manager Ray Shero at the end of last season.

Even with the regime change, expectations haven't diminished.

Sidney Crosby told The Canadian Press (h/t CBC.ca) that a Stanley Cup in 2015 can put the Penguins right back where they want to be. "Would I love to have two Stanley Cups right now? Absolutely. But if we win this year, we're not talking about how much of a failure that we haven't had a dynasty," he said.

Between now and June, here are a few indicators that the Penguins are, in fact, on the right track.

Sidney Crosby Returns to Art Ross Form

Crosby was the most productive player in the 2013-14 regular season, winning the Art Ross Trophy with 104 points. However, Crosby was hampered by a wrist injury starting in March, which limited him to just nine points in 13 playoff games.

While Crosby raised eyebrows over the summer by choosing to rehab the injury rather than undergo surgery, early signs show his decision was a good one.

Fans will always expect to see Crosby's name near the top of the NHL scoring race. He didn't disappoint on opening night with two goals and an assist to kick off the season.

Other Penguins Come Off Their Injuries Looking Strong

Again, no complaints after the first game.

Pascal Dupuis hasn't played an NHL contest since last December but logged a goal and three assists in his return to the ice.

Though Dupuis was used primarily with Crosby last year, he showed well in multiple situations on Thursday. Dupuis scored his goal on a line with Evgeni Malkin and Brandon Sutter, then added a helper with Blake Comeau. He also recorded assists both with Crosby on the power play and Sutter while short-handed.

Despite missing the entire preseason with an undisclosed injury, Malkin also looked solid in the Penguins' debut. So did Kris Letang, who led the team in ice time as he battles back from a stroke he suffered last January.

New Additions Fit In

After trading James Neal to the Nashville Predators last June and losing Jussi Jokinen to free agency, the Penguins were hoping that trade acquisition Patric Hornqvist could help pick up the scoring slack.

Despite a pointless preseason, Hornqvist delivered on opening night.

Coming from Nashville, he's not used to playing with linemates like Crosby. It took just five minutes and 16 seconds of game action for him to get the Penguins on the board with their first goal of the season.

Hornqvist finished the game with a goal and an assist, while free-agent acquisition Blake Comeau also chipped in his first goal as a Penguin. Star defenseman Christian Ehrhoff was steady in his first game. He was pointless but recorded two shots, two hits and was a plus-one.

Marc-Andre Fleury Delivers

Though Marc-Andre Fleury anchored his team to the Stanley Cup in 2009, questions have swirled ever since about his ability to deliver clutch goaltending when it really matters.

Fleury's now in the last year of his contract and has expressed his desire to stay in Pittsburgh. He'll need to have a strong season in terms of both wins and individual stats to earn that new contract.

Mike Johnston Brings a Breath of Fresh Air...and Wins

By igniting his stars and delivering a win in the first game of the new season, Mike Johnston will get a vote of confidence for his on-ice strategies—so far. Here's how he made it happen, per Wes Crosby of NHL.com:

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Through the first week of training camp, the players have remarked on the difference between the drills Johnston employs to those they have become accustomed to. The new coach wants to push the tempo, use as few passes as possible to exit the zone and have his defensemen join the rush.

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Though the Penguins' 2013-14 campaign imploded after their playoff loss to the New York Rangers, the team opened the year with a 7-1 start. Johnston will be expected to carry a similar success rate through the regular season and into the playoffs.

As long as Pittsburgh is winning in the regular season and getting big contributions from stars like Crosby and Malkin, Johnston will get some breathing room from fans and management.

The true test won't come until playoff time, when the will to win becomes the key to success.