The Pittsburgh Penguins entered the 2022-23 season with the longest playoff streak in the NHL – having made the postseason in each of the previous 16 seasons. It’s something that has been expected out of the franchise and has embodied what this team stands for – which is greatness year-in and year-out.
Unfortunately for the Penguins, that 16-year playoff streak came to an end this season. They finished the year with a 40-31-11 record and had 91 points – which was good enough for fifth place in the Metropolitan Division. They were only two points away (just one win in the NHL) away from a Wild Card playoff spot.
The PIttsburgh Penguins played decent hockey at home this year (23-13-5), but struggled on the road this season (17-18-6). They ran hot and cold all season with their up-and-down style of play. Unfortunately, they ran cold at the wrong time and went just 5-4-1 in their final 10 games (losing their final two games).
A Look Back at the Pittsburgh Penguins’ 16-Year Playoff Streak
When the Pittsburgh Penguins drafted Sidney Crosby with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2005 NHL Draft, they knew they were getting a franchise player that could help them return to playoff contention. At the time, they had missed the playoffs three years in a row (four years including the 2004-05 lockout season).
Despite an incredible rookie year with 39 goals and 63 assists (102 points), the Penguins went just 22-46-14 during Crosby’s first season in the league. They missed the postseason that year, but would go on to make the playoffs in each of the next 16 seasons – a streak that came to an end this past season.
Not only is it Crosby’s second time (first since rookie season) missing the postseason in his career, but it’s the first time Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang have missed the postseason in their careers. To honor and commemorate how impressive the Penguins’ streak was, let’s recap that streak season-by-season.
1. 2006-07 Season
The Pittsburgh Penguins – who were coached by Michel Therrien – finished the 2006-07 regular season with a 47-24-11 record and 105 points. They were led by Crosby (36 goals, 84 assists, 120 points) and Evgeni Malkin (33 goals, 52 assists, 85 points) – while Marc-Andre Fleury had a 40-16-9 record in net.
The Penguins entered the NHL playoffs with the second-best record in the Atlantic Division. They were matched up against the Ottawa Senators in the Conference Quarterfinals, but lost the series in five games – Crosby and Jordan Staal each had three goals in the series, while Gary Roberts had two.
2. 2007-08 Season
The Pittsburgh Penguins – who were coached by Michel Therrien – finished the 2007-08 regular season with a 47-27-8 record and 102 points. They were led by Malkin (47 goals, 59 assists, 106 points) and Crosby (24 goals, 48 assists, 72 points) – while Fleury and Ty Conklin each had at least 18 wins in net.
The Penguins entered the NHL playoffs with the best record in the Atlantic Division. They ended up beating the Senators 4-0 in the quarterfinals, New York Rangers 4-1 in the semifinals, and Philadelphia Flyers 4-1 in the Conference Finals before losing to the Detroit Red Wings 2-4 in the 2008 Stanley Cup.
3. 2008-09 Season
The Pittsburgh Penguins – who were coached by Michel Therrien and Dan Bylsma – ended the 2008-09 season with a 45-28-9 record and 99 points. They were led by Malkin (35 goals, 78 assists, 113 points) and Crosby (33 goals, 70 assists, 103 points) – Fleury had a 35-18-7 record in 61 games behind the net.
The Penguins had the second-best record in the Atlantic Division. They beat the Flyers 4-2 in the quarterfinals, Washington Capitals 4-3 in the semifinals, and Carolina Hurricanes 4-0 in the Conference Finals before beating the Red Wings 4-3 in the 2009 Stanley Cup – their third title in franchise history.
4. 2009-10 Season
The Pittsburgh Penguins – who were coached by Dan Bylsma – finished the 2009-10 regular season with a 47-28-7 record and 101 points. They were led by Crosby (51 goals, 58 assists, 109 points) and Malkin (28 goals, 49 assists, 77 points) – while Fleury had a 37-21-6 record in 67 games played behind the net.
The Penguins entered the NHL playoffs with the second-best record in the Atlantic Division. They beat the Senators 4-2 in the quarterfinals before losing to the Montreal Canadiens 3-4 in the semifinals. Crosby had six goals, 13 assists, and 19 points in the playoffs – Malkin added five goals, 6 assists, and 11 points.
5. 2010-11 Season
The Pittsburgh Penguins – who were coached by Dan Bylsma – finished the 2010-11 regular season with a 49-25-8 record and 106 points. They were led by Crosby (32 goals, 34 assists, 66 points) and Letang (8 goals, 42 assists, 50 points) – while Fleury ended with a 36-20-5 record in 65 games behind the net.
The Penguins entered the NHL playoffs with the best record in the Atlantic Division. They were matched up against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the quarterfinals, but lost the series in seven games. Arron Asham led the team with three goals and one assist in the playoffs, while Letang added four assists.
6. 2011-12 Season
The Pittsburgh Penguins – who were coached by Dan Bylsma – finished the 2011-12 regular season with a 51-25-6 record and 108 points. They were led by Malkin (50 goals, 59 assists, 109 points) and James Neal (40 goals, 41 assists, 81 points) – while Fleury had a 42-17-4 record in 67 games behind the net.
The Penguins entered the NHL playoffs with the second-best record in the Atlantic Division. They were matched up against the Flyers in the quarterfinals, but lost the series in six games. Jordan Staal led the team with six goals and three assists, while Malkin and Crosby each added three goals and five assists.
7. 2012-13 Season
The Pittsburgh Penguins – who were coached by Dan Bylsma – finished the 2012-13 regular season with a 36-12-0 record and 72 points (season shortened due to lockout). They were led by Crosby (15 goals, 14 assists) and Chris Kunitz (22 goals, 30 assists) – Fleury had a 23-8-0 record in 33 games behind the net.
The Penguins entered the NHL playoffs with the best record in the Atlantic Division. They beat the New York Islanders 4-2 in the quarterfinals and Senators 4-1 in the semifinals before getting swept by the Boston Bruins 4-0 in the Conference Finals – their third trip to the Conference Finals in the past six years.
8. 2013-14 Season
The Pittsburgh Penguins – who were coached by Dan Bylsma – finished the 2013-14 regular season with a 51-24-7 record and 109 points. They were led by Crosby (36 goals, 68 assists, 104 points) and Malkin (23 goals, 49 assists, 72 points) – while Fleury had a 39-18-5 record in 64 games played behind the net.
Pittsburgh ended the playoffs with the best record in the Metropolitan Division. They beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-2 in the first round, but lost to the New York Rangers 4-3 in the second round. Malkin had six goals and 8 assists in the playoffs, while Jussi Jokinen added seven goals and three assists.
9. 2014-15 Season
The Pittsburgh Penguins – who were coached by Mike Johnston – finished the 2014-15 season with a 43-27-12 record and 98 points. They were led by Crobsy (28 goals, 56 assists, 84 points) and Malkin (28 goals, 42 assists, 70 points) – while Fleury had a 34-20-9 record in 64 games played behind the net.
The Penguins entered the playoffs with the fourth-best record in the Metropolitan Division. They were matched up against the Rangers in the first round, but lost the series 4-1 in five games. Crosby led the team with two goals and two assists in the playoffs, while Patric Hörnqvist had two goals and one assist.
10. 2015-16 Season
The Pittsburgh Penguins – who were coached by Mike Johnston and Mike Sullivan – ended the 2015-16 regular season with a 48-26-8 record and 104 points. They were led by Crosby (36 goals, 49 assists, 85 points) and Letang (16 goals, 51 assists, 67 points) – Fleury had a 35-17-6 record in 58 games in net.
The Penguins entered the playoffs with the second-best record in the Metropolitan Division. They beat the Rangers 4-1 in the first round, Capitals 4-2 in the second round, and Lightning 4-3 in the Conference Finals before defeating the San Jose Sharks 4-2 in the 2016 Stanley Cup – the franchise’s fourth title.
11. 2016-17 Season
The Pittsburgh Penguins – who were coached by Mike Sullivan – ended the 2016-17 regular season with a 50-21-11 record and 111 points. They were led by Crosby (44 goals, 45 assists, 89 points) and Malkin (33 goals, 39 assists, 72 points) – while Matt Murray had a 32-10-4 record in 49 games behind the net.
The Penguins entered the playoffs with the second-best record in the Metropolitan Division. They beat the Blue Jackets 4-1 in the first round, Capitals 4-3 in second round, and Senators 4-3 in the Conference Finals before defeating the Nashville Predators 4-2 in the 2017 Stanley Cup – their fifth title in franchise history and second in as many years.
12. 2017-18 Season
The Pittsburgh Penguins – who were coached by Mike Sullivan – finished the 2017-18 regular season with a 47-29-6 record and 100 points. They were led by Malkin (42 goals, 56 assists, 98 points) and Phil Kessel (34 goals, 58 assists, 92 points) – while Murray had a 27-16-3 record in 49 games behind the net.
The Penguins entered the playoffs with the second-best record in the Metropolitan Division. They beat the Flyers 4-2 in the first round, but lost to the Capitals 2-4 in the second round – ending their shot at a third consecutive title. Jake Guentzel and Crosby each had 21 points in just 12 playoff games in 2018.
13. 2018-19 Season
The PIttsburgh Penguins – who were coached by Mike Sullivan – finished the 2018-19 regular season with a 44-26-12 record and 100 points. They were led by Crosby (35 goals, 65 assists, 100 points) and Kessel (27 goals, 55 assists, 82 points – while Murray had a 29-14-6 record in 50 games behind the net.
The Penguins entered the playoffs with the third-best record in the Metropolitan Division. They were matched up against the Islanders in the first round, but got swept in the process. Malkin and Justin Schultz each had one goal and two assists (three points) in four games played during the postseason.
14. 2019-20 Season
The Pittsburgh Penguins – who were coached by Mike Sullivan – finished the 2019-20 regular season with a 40-23-6 record and 86 points. They were led by Malkin (25 goals, 49 assists, 74 points) and Bryan Rust (27 goals, 29 assists, 56 points) – Murray and Tristan Jarry each had 20 wins in front of the net.
The Penguins entered the playoffs with the third-best record in the Metropolitan Division. They were matched up against the Montreal Canadiens in the qualifying round, but lost to the Canadiens 3-1 in the series. Crosby (2+1), Guentzel (1+2), and Rust (1+2) led the team with three points each in the playoffs.
15. 2020-21 Season
The PIttsburgh Penguins – who were coached by Mike Sullivan – finished the 2020-21 regular season with a 37-16-3 record and 77 points (shortened due to pandemic). They were led by Crosby (24 goals, 38 assists) and Guentzel (23 goals, 34 assists) – while Jarry had a 25-9-3 record in 39 games played.
The Penguins entered the playoffs with the best record in the East Division. They were matched up against the Islanders in the first round, but lost the series 4-2 – their third-straight first round departure. Letang led the team with six points in the playoffs, while Jeff Carter and Malkin each had five points.
16. 2021-22 Season
The Pittsburgh Penguins – who were coached by Mike Sullivan – finished the 2021-22 regular season with a 46-25-11 record and 103 points. They were led by Guentzel (40 goals, 44 assists, 84 points) and Crosby (31 goals, 53 assists, 84 points) – while Jarry had a 34-18-6 record in 58 games played.
The Penguins entered the playoffs with the third-best record in the Metropolitan Division. They were matched up against the Rangers in the first round, but they lost the series 4-3 in seven games. Guentzel and Crosby led the team with 10 points each in the playoffs, while Rust added another eight points.
What’s Next for the Pittsburgh Penguins?
The Pittsburgh Penguins didn’t have a terrible season, but it certainly wasn’t enough to make the playoffs and, at the end of the day, that’s what matters most – after all, you want to put yourself in a position to contend for a Stanley Cup. With that said, the Penguins can find themselves back in the playoffs soon.
The team can still rely on their trio of superstars in Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang – a trio that will always give them a chance – but they’ll need to add some depth beyond them. Jake Guentzel, Rickard Rakell, and Bryan Rust can do that, but it clearly wasn’t enough this year – so they need more.
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They’ll have a lot of hard decisions to make and could see themselves roll with a new No. 1 option at goalie next year and maybe even a new head coach – though Tristan Jarry and Mike Sullivan very well could be back next year. Either way, this team is far away from needing a full rebuild – so don’t expect it.
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