NEWARK, N.J. — Pittsburgh hockey fans will finally get to experience playoff excitement again after a lengthy wait.
The Penguins secured their return to the postseason Thursday evening with a victory over New Jersey, breaking a three-year absence from playoff competition. Prior to this drought, the franchise had reached the playoffs for 16 straight seasons, with their last miss occurring during Sidney Crosby’s first year in 2005-06. That remarkable run included three Stanley Cup championships.
“That’s why you play — that’s the best time of year,” Crosby said. “I know how hard it is. I think I understand that. We had some tough ones where it came down to the last day and didn’t get in, and you don’t ever know. But I thought right from camp, we’ve had those intentions and had that belief.”
The season featured significant ups and downs, including a difficult eight-game losing streak in December followed by two separate six-game winning streaks during the winter months. With the Eastern Conference playoff picture remaining unclear through late March, Pittsburgh has captured five victories in six games since March 30 to secure their spot.
“A couple weeks ago (we realized) it’s really in our hands (because we) play a lot of the teams in it,” defenseman Connor Clifton said. “We figured it was going to work itself out, and first and foremost it’s about us and getting points and we’ve done that, so it’s been good.”
The playoff qualification comes as an unexpected achievement. Sportsbooks had Pittsburgh listed as 6-1 longshots to make the postseason before the season began, according to BetMGM Sportsbook. Many viewed this campaign as potentially the final opportunity for the veteran core of Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang, who after 20 seasons together hold the record as the longest-serving trio of teammates in North American professional sports.
However, first-year head coach Dan Muse has validated general manager Kyle Dubas’s decision to hire him from relative obscurity, having spent five seasons as an assistant under Peter Laviolette with Nashville and the New York Rangers. Taking over from two-time Cup champion Mike Sullivan presented significant challenges, but Muse has excelled in his debut as an NHL head coach.
“He’s been great: Calm there behind the bench, and he’s just a really personable guy, easy to talk to away from the rink,” forward Justin Brazeau said. “Any time you create that atmosphere in here, it’s not too tense or anything like that. I think guys are just willing to go out there and play free.”
The team has benefited from contributions across all age groups. Center Ben Kindel, selected 11th overall in last year’s draft, earned a roster spot at just 18 years old. Defenseman Erik Karlsson excelled at age 35. Crosby maintained his point-per-game pace for a remarkable 21st straight season, despite missing time due to an injury that prevented his Olympic participation.
“It takes everybody,” Crosby said. “Everybody has had a part in this. Obviously it’s a team game, but especially with this group: With the injuries and all the different guys in and out, everybody’s contributed to us getting there.”
Muse, echoing Crosby’s sentiments, recognized the team’s playoff potential during training camp preparations.
“I just saw the competitive nature of the group,” Muse said. “There’s ebbs and flows in every season, but I think this group has just continued to grow. Enjoy it for a little bit, a minute, and then it’s just continuing that preparation. It’s a big step for the group. I’m really proud of these guys, happy for these guys, the staff, everybody involved. The players have done a great job with it throughout the year. We talked about earning things at the beginning of the year. This group earned it.”
