Penguins newcomer Patric Hornqvist, left, celebrates Sidney Crosby’s goal. (Charles LeClaire, USA TODAY Sports)

Mike Johnston, the coach who is changing the look of the Pittsburgh Penguins, reminds NBC analyst Pierre McGuire of the man who changed the Penguins 23 years ago.

“He will remind people of the late ‘Badger’ Bob Johnson,” McGuire said. “Great practices and fantastically smart press conferences. There is also a lot of Mike Babcock in Johnston.”

Johnson transformed the Penguins into a Stanley Cup champion for the first time in 1991, and Pittsburgh fans hope Johnston can do the same. The retooled Penguins take a 3-1-0 start into tonight’s home game against the Philadelphia Flyers.

“I’m not surprised they are strong out of the gate,” McGuire said. “The players from last year wanted to prove a point, that they are very good, and the new players want to show that they belong.”

The Penguins average 4.0 goals a game and have a 47.1% power-play success rate, both league highs. Captain Sidney Crosby is tied for the NHL lead with nine points, six on the power play, and newcomer Patric Hornqvist is averaging seven shots a game.

“Mike is a very good coach,” McGuire said. “He believes in structure and clearly defined roles for his players. He also loves to push the pace from the back end.”

The Flyers’ play, meanwhile, has been marked by inconsistency. They are 1-3-2, and their 3.83 goals-against average ranks 28th.

Kimmo Timonen, who is out with blood clots in his leg and lungs, is missed, McGuire said.

“He was such a stabilizing player for them,” he said. “But their come-from-behind win in Dallas was a thing of beauty. They showed that they are resilient and proud. Craig Berube might be the most underrated coach in the NHL.”

Also today

The Buffalo Sabres get another crack at the Anaheim Ducks, who dominated them on Oct. 13, outshooting them 44-12 in a 5-1 win. That prompted Sabres coach Ted Nolan to say: “It was like an NHL team playing against a pee wee team.” While the teams meet in Anaheim, Connor McDavid is playing in the Sabres’ arena, the First Niagara Center. The franchise prospect could be playing in Buffalo next season if the 1-5 Sabres continue to struggle.

Your games tonight

Philadelphia at Pittsburgh, 8

Washington at Edmonton, 9:30

Buffalo at Anaheim, 10:30

Toronto at Ottawa, postponed in wake of Ottawa shootings

Follow the rest of USA TODAY Sports’ in-depth NHL coverage at nhl.usatoday.com