Peter Diana, Post-Gazette Sidney Crosby is back to back with Panthers goaltender Roberto Luongo as they watch the action in front of the net in the third period last night at the Mellon Arena. Click photo for larger image.

Penguins coach Eddie Olczyk put a lot of time and effort into evaluating systems of play before settling on one he believed would bring out the best in his players.

And even though the Penguins have sputtered through the early weeks of this season, he is not second-guessing the choice he made. Or showing any interest in changing it.

Olczyk is not among those who believe that switching to a more conservative style, one that would compel his forwards to be more involved defensively, might help the Penguins regain their equilibrium.

"Even if we just had four guys back, that wouldn't play to our strengths," he said.

Center Mario Lemieux, who defends the system implemented by Olczyk, said the Penguins' biggest problem has been the failure of some players to adhere to it.

"If there's one guy or two who don't go on the ice with the [intention] of working within the system, it's that much more difficult," Lemieux said.

Olczyk suggested before the Penguins faced Florida last night that the Penguins' neutral-zone play had "gotten much better" the past week, and that "a lot of our problems consist of not reading and reacting in our own zone."

He also seems convinced that, if the Penguins begin to have some success with the system they're playing, it will become self-sustaining.

"Things become a lot easier when things are going well," Olczyk said. "That's just the way it is."

Punch keeps Roy out

Penguins left winger Andre Roy will be out indefinitely after it was determined that his left orbital was fractured Saturday by a punch he took from Boston's Colton Orr.

Roy, who was placed on injured-reserve, is to be evaluated again in two weeks.

Covering Olczyk's back

Olczyk clearly appreciated the public expression of support he got from Lemieux, the team's primary owner, a few days ago, when Lemieux said upper management did not blame him for the Penguins' poor start and was not contemplating a coaching change.

Craig Patrick, the general manager, seconded that sentiment before last night's game.

"The relationship and the support I have with Mario and with Craig is certainly something I take very seriously," Olczyk said.

Nonetheless, Olczyk said he recognizes that, as coach, he bears a measure of responsibility for his team's performance.

"This is a problem we've all put ourselves into, and the solution has to come from all of us," Olczyk said. "We need to continue to believe in one another, and it goes from there."

Panthers' road warriors

Last night's game kicked off a stretch during which Florida will play nine of 12 games on the road.

That could put a serious drag on momentum the Panthers generated the first three weeks of the season, although coach Jacques Martin believes there are potential benefits to being out of town. "In order to be a good team, you have to be able to win on the road," he said.

Slap shots

In addition to Roy, the Penguins scratched defensemen Josef Melichar and Steve Poapst. ... While there has been rampant speculation outside the organization about whether the Penguins might be compelled to make a major personnel move, either with players or the coach, it doesn't seem to be a major topic of discussion inside the locker room. "Maybe I'm out of the loop, but I haven't really heard a guy talk about it," winger Mark Recchi said. ... Carolina will retire the No. 10 sweater of former Penguins center Ron Francis before its game Jan. 28 against Atlanta. ... Florida's game Saturday against Washington in Sunrise, Fla, has been postponed because of the impact of Hurricane Wilma.