Pittsburgh Penguins (1967-Present)

Historical Moments:
1967/68: More then 30 years after their first team known as the Pirates was forced to fold during The Great Depression the NHL return to Pittsburgh, as the Penguins are one of 6 new teams added to the league. Playing in the all-expansion Western Division the Penguins make their debut on October 11th at the Civic Arena, which is better known as the Igloo because of its unique shape losing to the Montreal Canadiens 2-1. Two nights later the Penguins would get their first win when they beat the Blues 3-1 in St. Louis. The Penguins would go on to finish in 5th place with a 27-34-13 record missing the playoffs by 2 points despite losing just 1 of their final 7 games.

1968/69: In their second season the Penguins continued to struggle as they finished in 5th place with a 20-45-11, becoming the only team of the 6 expansion teams not to make the playoffs in either of their first 2 seasons.

1969/70: The Penguins finally break through and make it into the playoffs during their 3rd season finishing in 2nd place with a 26-38-12 record. In the playoffs the Penguins would win the first 2 games against the California Golden Seals 2-1 before going out to Oakland and completing the sweep with an overtime goal by Michel Briere. In the Western Finals the Penguins would find themselves looking at a 0-2 deficit right away as they lost the first 2 games on the road to the St. Louis Blues. However the Penguins would recover to win the next 2 at home, but eventually the Blues proved to be too strong winning the series in 6 games. Tragedy would strike the Penguins following the season as Michel Briere woo had an outstanding rookie season is critically injured in a car accident after returning home to Malartic, Quebec leaving the rising star in a coma.

1970/71: With Michel Briere laying in a coma the Penguins would struggle falling to 6th place, missing the playoff for the 3rd time in 4 years with a woeful 21-37-20. Shortly after the season Briere would pass away, never awaking from his coma which lingered for 11-months.

1971/72: The Penguins would rebound to make the playoffs for the 2nd time in 3 seasons with a 26-38-14 record, beating out the Philadelphia Flyers by a tiebreaker for the final playoff spot. However, in the playoffs the Penguins would be swept by the Chicago Black Hawks in 4 straight games.

1972/73: The Penguins are unable to make it back to the playoffs despite topping 30 wins for the first time in franchise history with a record of 32-37-9. The highlight of the season would come during the All-Star Game as Greg Polis wins All-Star Game MVP honors at Madison Square Garden in New York, despite the West losing 5-4.

1973/74: The Penguins continue to struggle missing the playoffs for the second straight season with a disappointing record of 28-41-9 that saw them land in 5th place in the Western Division 9 points out of the final playoff spot.

1974/75: The NHL realigns to add divisional play with the Penguins being placed in the Norris Division in the Prince of Wales Conference. The new alignment would fit the Penguins well as the engineered their first winning season at 37-28-15 finishing in 3rd place, and making the playoffs for the 3rd time in franchise history. In the playoffs the Penguins would get off to a quick start beating the St. Louis Blues in 2 straight before jumping out to a 3-0 series lead against the New York Islanders. However, just 1 game away from the semifinals the Penguins would suddenly collapse becoming just the 2nd team to lose a series after grabbing a 3-0 lead as the Islanders won the final 4 games topped by a 1-0 win in Game 7 at The Igloo.

1975/76: Following their playoff collapse the Penguins suffered financial collapse as they were forced to declare bankruptcy with the doors to their offices being padlocked. However, before the team was forced to fold Albert Savill, Otto Frenzel and Wren Blair rescued the club from the clutches of bankruptcy court in time for the start of the season. The Pens would not be affected as they made the playoffs for the 2nd straight season with a record of 35-33-12. In the playoffs the Penguins would be knocked off by the Toronto Maple Leafs in a 3-game series.

1976/77: The Penguins would make the playoffs for the 3rd year in a row with a record of 34-33-13, finishing 3rd in the Norris Division for the 3rd straight year. In the playoffs the Penguins would be beaten by the Toronto Maple Leafs for the second straight year in a 3-game series.

1977/78: After making the playoffs for 3 straight seasons the Penguins would struggle finishing in 4th place with a record of 25-37-18. Following the season the Penguins would be sold to Edward J. DeBartolo.

1978/79: The Penguins would rebound off their disappointing season to finish in 2nd place with a respectable record of 36-31-13. In the playoffs the Penguins would stun the Buffalo Sabres in a 3-game series, winning Game 3 in overtime 4-3 on a goal by George Ferguson. However, in the 2nd round the Penguins would be swept by the Boston Bruins in 4 straight games.

1979/80: Despite a poor record of 30-37-13 the Penguins would make the newly expanded playoffs by finishing in 3rd place. In the playoffs the Penguins would let a 2-1 lead slip away as they lose to the Boston Bruins in 5 games.

1980/81: The Penguins post a 30-37-13 record for the 2nd straight season finishing in 3rd place, and making it back into the playoffs. However, once again the Penguins would be knocked off in the first round losing a 5-game series to the St. Louis Blues in overtime.

1981/82: Under realignment the Penguins are moved into the Patrick Division as they continue to play below .500 with a record of 31-36-13. However, by finishing in 4th place they would make it into the playoffs. After being blown out by the 2-time defending Stanley Cup Champion New York Islanders in the first 2 games by a combined score of 15-3, the Penguins would redound winning the next 2 games at the Igloo sparked by Rick Kehoe's overtime goal in Game 3 to force a decisive 5th game in New York. The Penguins appeared on the verge of an upset leading 3-1 with less then 6 minutes to go. However, the Isles would rally to tie the game before winning in overtime on the way to their 3rd straight Stanley Cup Championship.

1982/83: After nearly pulling off one of the biggest upsets in Stanley Cup Playoff history the Penguins would suddenly bottom out finishing in last place with a pathetic 18-53-9 record that was the worst in the NHL. The seasons would also be marred by tragedy as General Manager Baz Bastien was killed in an car accident, returning from a dinner honoring him in March.

1983/84: The Penguins struggles continue as they finish in last place for the second year in a row with a franchise worse record of 16-58-6. Finishing with the worst record in the NHL would have a reward for the Penguins as they landed the top pick in the draft enabling them to select QMJHL star Mario Lemieux.

1984/85: On the 17th anniversary of their first game the Penguins who had been franchise barley keeping their head above water finally got something to cheer about as Mario Lemieux made his NHL debut scoring a goal on his very first shift against the Bruins in Boston. At the age of 19 Mario Lemieux would become an All-Star right away as he won the All-Star Game MVP in the midst of a 100-point season that would see him take home the Calder Trophy as the top rookie in the NHL. However, the Penguins would still finish in last place with a 24-51-5 record.

1985/86: Mario Lemieux continues to establish himself as a rising tsar in the NHL by finishing second in the league in scoring with 48 goals and 93 assists. However, the Penguins would fall 2 points short of a return trip to the playoffs with a record of 34-38-8.

1986/87: Mario Lemieux tops the 50-goal mark for the first time in his career as he finishing 3rd in scoring with 54 goals and 53 assists. However, once again the Penguins would just miss out on the playoffs falling 4 points short despite a respectable record of 36-34-10.

1987/88: Mario Lemieux breaks Wayne Gretzky's 7-year strangle hold on the point scoring title by notching 70 goals and 98 assists. However, the Penguins would continue to miss out on the playoffs finishing in last place just 1 game out of the last playoff spot and 7 points out of first place with a 36-35-9 record. Despite not making it into the playoffs Lemieux would end another Gretzky run as he won the Hart Trophy ending The Great One's 8-year MVP reign.

1988/89: With Mario Lemieux winning the scoring title for the second straight year with 199 points the Penguins finally make it into the playoffs as they post a record of 40-33-7 good enough for 2nd place. The highlight of the season would come on New Year's Eve when Mario Lemieux became the first player in NHL history to score a goal at even strength, on the power play, shorthanded, on a penalty shot and into an empty net in the same game. In the playoff the Penguins would get off to a flying start as they swept the New York Rangers in 4 straight games to reach the Patrick Division Finals. However, the Penguins would be beaten by their cross state rival Philadelphia Flyers in 7 games as they lost the last 2 games by a combined score of 10-3.

1989/90: Pittsburgh plays host to the All-Star Game as Mario Lemieux wins the All-Star MVP for the 3rd time by scoring a record tying 4-goals in front of a frenzied crowd at The Igloo. However, the rest of the season would be a major disappointment for Penguins fans the Pens miss the playoffs again by finishing in 5th place with a record of 32-40-8, as GM Phil Esposito is fired just 3 months into his first season. Replacing Esposito would be Craig Patrick who would hire legendary college Coach Bob Johnson to run the team from the bench following the season.

1990/91: Under new Coach Bob Johnson the Penguins would face adversity right away as a back injury limited Mario Lemieux to just 26 games. However, the Penguins managed to stay competitive as Mark Recchi notched 113 points as defenseman Paul Coffey, a proven winner added 93. Also contributing was rookie Jaromir Jagr who scored 27 goals while adding 30 assists. Lemieux would return and the Penguins would finish the season on a roll as they obtained Ron Francis, Ulf Samuelsson and Grant Jennings from the Hartford Whalers for John Cullen, Zarley Zalapski and Jeff Parker. The now reinforced Penguins would win their first division title with a record of 41-33-6. In the playoffs the Penguins would be tested right away as they fell behind the New Jersey Devils 3 games to 2. However, the Pens would rally to win Game 6 on the road 4-3, and advanced to the division finals with a 4-0 win at The Igloo. After losing Game in the Patrick Division Finals to the Washington Capitals the Penguins would begin to grab a little momentum as they beat the Capitals 7-6 in overtime on a goal by Kevin Stevens to even the series. After winning the next 2 in Washington 3-1 the Penguins closed out the series at home in Game 5 to advance to the Conference Finals. In the Wales Conference Finals the Penguins had their backs to the wall as they dropped the first 2 games on the road to the Boston Bruins. However, upon arriving back in Pittsburgh the Penguins evened the series with two straight 4-1 wins. After blowing the Bruins out 7-2 in Game 5 in Boston the Penguins made it to their first Stanley Cup Finals with a 5-3 win at the Igloo in Game 6. In the first Stanley Cup match up involving 2 teams that have never won the Stanley Cup in over 50 years the Penguins got off to a shaky start losing Game 1 to the Minnesota North Stars at The Igloo 5-4. After rebounding to win Game 2 at home the Penguins would fall in Game 3 on the road 3-1. Facing the prospect of falling behind 3 games to 1 the Penguins exploded for 3 goals in the first 2:58 in Game to take even the series 2 games apiece with a 5-3 win. The Penguins would take control of the series with a 6-4win at the Igloo in Game 5. In Game 6 in Minnesota the Penguins would end all doubt as the walloped the North Stars 8-0 to win their first ever Stanley Cup, as Mario Lemieux who had 12 points in the Finals earned the Conn Smythe trophy as playoff MVP. Following the season the Penguins would be sold to an ownership group headed by Howard Baldwin, Morris Belzberg and Thomas Ruta.

1991/92: The joy of their first Stanley Cup Championship would be short lived as Coach Bob Johnson affectionately known as Badger Bob is diagnosed with brain cancer early in the season. While Johnson recovered from brain surgery director of scouting Scotty Bowman, a legendary coach in his won right would take over. Sadly Badger Bob, who was always said, "It's a great night for hockey died on November 26th. A night later the Penguins would hold a candlelight ceremony in honor of their fallen coach before beating the New Jersey Devils 8-4 at The Igloo. Under Bowman who was coaching for the first time in nearly 5 years the Penguins would go on to finish in 3rd place with a record of 39-32-9 as Mario Lemieux won the scoring title despite missing 16 games due to injury, as he beat out teammate Kevin Stevens by 8 points. In the playoffs the Penguins were pushed to the brink right away as they fell behind 3 games to 1 against the Washington Capitals. However, the Champions would not go out quietly as they rallied to win the series in 7 games. The Penguins would face a more precarious situation in the 2nd round as Mario Lemieux suffered a broken wrist in an overtime Game 3 loss to the New York Rangers in game 3. In Game 4 the Penguins were starring a 3-1 deficit in the face trailing 4-2 in the 3rd period. However, the Penguins would rally again tying the game on a crazy shot by Ron Francis from center ice. In overtime Francis would be the hero again evening the series 2:47 into the extra session. After their dramatic comeback the Penguins were unstoppable, as they knocked the Rangers in 6 games. Still playing without Mario Lemieux the Penguins continued to roll in the Wales Conference Finals as they jumped out to a 3-0 lead against the Boston Bruins. In Game 4 the Penguins would get an added boost as Mario returned to the lineup as the Penguins completed the sweep with a 4-1 win to reach the Stanley Cup Finals for the second straight season. Facing the Chicago Blackhawks who were also on a roll with a record 11 straight playoff wins the Penguins found themselves trailing 4-1 midway through the 2nd period at The Igloo. However, the Penguins would rally drawing to within 1 goal as the 2nd period ended, and tying the game with 5 minutes left on a goal by Rick Tocchet. With time winding down and overtime on the horizon Mario Lemieux completed the comeback scoring the game winner with 13 seconds left in regulation. Mario Lemieux would add another 2 goals in the 2nd game as the Penguins headed to Chicago with a 2-0 series lead. In Chicago for Game 3 the Penguins continued to roll as they won 1-0 as goalie Tom Barasso stopped all 27 shots. The Penguins would go on to complete the sweep with a 6-5 win in Game tying the Blackhawks record with 11 straight playoff wins as Mario Lemieux becomes the just the 2nd player to win the Conn Smythe Trophy 2
years in a row.

1992/93: After winning their 2nd straight Stanley Cup the Penguins would come flying out of the gates as the they lost just 1 of their first 14 games, on the way to grabbing first place in the Patrick Division. However, the Penguins season would be thrown in to peril on January 12th when it was announced that Mario Lemieux had Hodgkin's disease a form of cancer. Super Mario would miss just 23 games as he returned to the team on March 2nd the same day as his final radiation treatment scoring a goal in 5-4 loss to the Flyers in Philadelphia. However, the Penguins would soon go on a record run winning 17 straight games to set a new NHL record before ending the season with a 6-6 tie against the Devils in New Jersey. The winning streak would put a capper on a franchise best season that saw the Penguins win the President's Trophy for the best regular season record at 56-21-7. In the playoffs the Penguins would extend their record postseason winning streak to 14 games as they jumped out to a 3-0 series lead before beating the Devils in 5 games. However, in the 2nd round the Penguins would stunned by the New York Islanders in 7 games as David Volek ended the Penguins hopes for a 3rd straight cup in overtime.

1993/94: Mario Lemieux continued to hobble along with back injuries and the effects of cancer treatments, as he is limited to just 22 games. However he would average almost a goal a game as he put up 37 points on the season, as Jaromir Jagr filled the void during Mario's absence with 99 points, which was good enough for 10th in the league. Now playing in the Northeast Division the Penguins would win their 3rd division title in 4 years with a solid 44-27-13 record. However, in the playoffs the Penguins would be beaten by the Washington Capitals in 6 games despite 4 goals and 3 assists during the series from Mario Lemieux.

1994/95: Prior to the start of training camp Mario Lemieux announces he is a taking a one year absence to recover from his nagging back injuries, and radiation treatment he endured when he came down with d Hodgkin's disease. Not even a reduced schedule of 48-games would change that fact, as the NHL season would not start until late January after a 4-month lockout. Without Mario the spotlight shifted to Jaromir Jagr who won the scoring title as the Penguins finished in 2nd place with a 29-16-3 record. In the playoff the Penguins appeared to be heading for a quick exit as they trailed the Washington Capitals 3 games to 1. In Game 4 the Penguins would trail again, however they would rally to tie the game at 5 an force overtime where Luc Robitaille knocked in the game winner to keep the Pens hopes alive. The Penguins would go on to win the next 2 games by a combined score of 10-1 to advance to the 2nd round in 7 games. The Penguins kept their momentum going in the 2nd round as they beat the New Jersey Devils 3-2 in Game 1. However it would be the last game the Penguins would win, as the Devils would rally to take the next 4 games and the series in 5 games.

1995/96: Mario Lemieux would return and he was stronger then ever, scoring 69 goals in 70 games on the way to capturing the scoring title and Hart Trophy with 161 points, scoring his 500th goal along the way. With Jaromir Jagr finishing second to Mario in scoring the Penguins would easily win their division with a solid record of 49-29-4. Facing the Washington Capitals for the 3rd year in a row the Penguins had their backs to the wall again dropping the first 2 games at home. However, the Penguins would rally again taking the next 2 in Washington on the way to winning the series in 6 games. The Penguins would continue to roll in the 2nd round as they knocked off the New York Rangers in 5 games to reach the Eastern Conference Finals. In the Eastern Conference Finals the Penguins and Florida Panthers split the first 4 games before the Pens took control of the series with a3-0 win at The Igloo in game 5. However, the Panthers would force a 7th game with a 4-3 win in Florida. Despite a rockus home crowd at The Igloo in Game 7, the Penguins would end up frustrated as they could not solve goalie John Vanbiesbrouck losing 3-1.

1996/97: The milestones continue to come to Mario Lemieux who scores his 600th career goal while winning the scarring title again with 50 goals and 72 assists, as the Penguins finished in 2nd place with a 38-36-8 record. Despite the solid season Mario Lemieux announced it would be his last as the Penguins headed into a playoff match up with the Philadelphia Flyers. The Penguins would fall behind quickly 3-0 as fans filled The Igloo for Game 4 anticipating Mario's final game. However, not wanting to retire right away Mario Lemieux scored with less then 2 minutes left to a cap a 4-1 win and keep the Penguins playoff hopes alive. However despite a goal and assist from Super Mario the Penguins would fall in Game 5, by a score of 6-3. After the season the Hockey Hall of Fame announced it would wave the 3-year wait period allowing Mario Lemieux to enter the Hall of Fame right away.

1997/98: With the departure of Mario Lemieux the spotlight shifted solely to Jaromir Jagr who continued to shine winning the scoring title as the Penguins captured the Northeast Division with a solid record of 40-24-18. However, in the playoffs the Penguins would make a quick exit as they are stunned by the Montreal Canadiens in 6 games.

1998/99: As the season began uncertainty faced the Penguins as the team was forced to declare bankruptcy for the 2nd time in its history. With expansion and realignment the Penguins would be put in to the Atlantic Division where they finished in 3rd place as Jaromir Jagr captured the scoring title and Hart Trophy. Facing the New Jersey Devils in the playoffs the Penguins were less then 3 minutes away from elimination trailing 2-1 in Game 6 at The Igloo. However with Jagr would rise to the occasion tying the game with 2:12 and winning the game in overtime to force a 7th game, where they would stun the Devils 4-2 at the Meadowlands to advance to the 2nd round. In the 2nd round the Penguins would fall to the Toronto Maple Leafs in 6 games losing 2 of the final 3 games in overtime. Following the season Mario Lemieux would save the Penguins again when he headed an ownership group that rescued the financially troubled team from bankruptcy.

1999/00: Jaromir Jagr continues to shine winning the scoring title as the Penguins make the playoffs for the 10th consecutive season despite a mediocre record of 37-37-8-6. In the playoffs the Penguins would get off to a flying start beating the Washington Capitals 7-0 in Game 1 on the road, as they grabbed a quick 3-0 series lead on the way to winning in 5 games. In the 2nd round the Penguins continued to roll as they jumped out to a 2-0 series lead over the Philadelphia Flyers with 2 road wins. Upon arriving home to The Igloo the Penguins missed an opportunity to take a 3-0 series lead losing Game 3 in overtime. Game 4 would also go to overtime tied at 1. The game would go deep into the night becoming the 3rd longest game in NHL history as officials nearly ran out of pucks before the Flyers evened the series on a goal by Keith Primeau midway through the 5th overtime. The disheartened Penguins would not recover ad the Flyers won the next 2 games to take the series in 6 games.

2000/01: At first the rumors seemed too good to be true; Owner Mario Lemieux was practicing with the team in the aim for a comeback. However, they were true and on December 27th on a snowy night it Pittsburgh, The Igloo was packed as Super Mario's returned. It was like he had never gone away as he scored a goal and 2 assists as the Penguins beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-0. In his first 15 games the Hall of Famer would notch 16 goals and 14 assists as the Penguins dormant hopes for a 3rd Stanley Cup Championship seemed to come alive. Mario would even be a late addition to the All-Star Game, as everyone seemed inspired by his amazing return. Mario would end up with 35 goals and 41 assists in 43 games as Jaromir Jagr won his 4th straight scoring title leading the Penguins to a solid 42-28-9-3 record good enough for 3rd place in the competitive Atlantic Division. In the playoffs the Penguins would face a familiar foe knocking off the Washington Capitals in 6 games. In the 2nd Round the Penguins got off to a fast start jumping out to a 2-0 series lead over the Buffalo Sabres with 2 road wins. However after losing the next 2 games at The Igloo the Penguins were put on the brink with an overtime loss in Game 5. At the Igloo for Game 6 the Penguins were leas the 2 minutes from elimination when Mario Lemieux saved the Penguins again forcing overtime where Martin Straka would send the series back to Buffalo for a decisive 7th game. Game 7 would also go to overtime where Darius Kasparaitis sent the Penguins on to the Eastern Conference Finals with a goal 13 minutes into the extra session. However in the Eastern Finals the Penguins would meet their match as they were beaten by the New Jersey Devils in 5 games.

2001/02: Despite the excitement over the return of Mario Lemieux and a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals the Penguins were still struggling finically as they were forced to trade Jaromir Jagr to the Washington Capitals for Kris Beech, Michal Sivek and Ross Lupaschuk. Without Jagr the Penguins would struggle, as Mario Lemieux is limited to just 24 games with hip injures. The Penguins would go on to miss the playoffs for the first time since 1990 as they finished in last place with a record of 28-41-8-5.

2002/03: The Penguins would get off to a solid start as Mario Lemieux return to health losing just 2 of their first 11 games. However the cash strapped Penguins in desperate need of a new arena would quickly fade. Things would only get worse as they were forced to trade top goal scorer Alexei Kovalev to the New York Rangers on February 13th for Mikael Samuelsson, Joel Bouchard and Rico Fata. After the Kovalev trade the Penguins would fall apart winning just 5 of their last 26 games on the way to finishing in last place with a woeful record of 27-44-6, as Mario Lemieux's frustration boiled over resulting in him being ejected from a game for fighting. Despite the frustration of losing games on the ice and money off the ice Mario had another solid season with 28 goals and 63 assists.

2003/04: Not much was expected of the Penguins entering the season as they were barely getting by in the crumbling Mellon Arena with limited resources and a restricted budget. In the first month of the season the Penguins bright spot was their aging Hall of Famer Mario Lemieux and their top overall pick Marc Andre Fleury as both at times played well during the first month of the season. However a hip injury would shelve Mario after just 10 games while a constant bombardment of shots took a toll on the confidence of the 18-year old Fleury. Eventually Fleury would return to junior hockey to develop his game more, while the Penguins fluttered in last place finishing with a league worst record of 23-47-8-4.

2004/05: Season Cancelled Due to Lock Out

2005/06: Coming off the Lock Out their was renewed interest in hockey in Pittsburgh, despite continued rumors the team would be moving, as Mario Lemieux announced he was selling the team, as they continued to have trouble to get funding for a new arena to replace Mellon Arena. The reason for the renewed excitement came in the draft lottery as the Penguins got the top pick and the rights to Sidney Crosby, who entered the league at the age of 18 as one of the most anticipated rookies since Mario, who would be around to tutor the budding young star, actually inviting him to live in his home. However, the buzz would be short lived as the Penguins lost their first 9 games, on the way to a 1-5-4 record in October. The bad start would lead to a Coaching change as Ed Olczyk was replaced by Michel Therrien. The coaching change would not help as the Penguins continued to struggle as Zigmund Palfy announced his retirement due to a lingering shoulder injury, while an irregular heartbeat forced Mario Lemieux off the ice after just 26 games. This left the focus on the young Crosby who would provide plenty of excitement with 39 goals and 63 assists, for a team high 102 points. However, the Penguins would not win many games as they finished in last place with a record of 22-46-14.

2006/07: The young Penguins got even better, as Evegni Malkin, and Jordan Staal each made their debut and contributed right away, scoring 33 goals and 29 respectively as they were each finalist for the Calder Trophy. In the end it would be Malkin who would walk away with the hardware, but with the two on the team together with Sidney Crosby; the Penguins future was certainly bright. However, weather or not that future was in Pittsburgh remained in doubt as potential arena/casino deal was voted down by the Pittsburgh city council. The team would be put up for sale, as groups from Hamilton and Kansas City lined up wanting to skate off with the Penguins. However, hope for a new arena did not die, as the young Penguins made a significant jump forward challenging the New Jersey Devils for the division title, an 11th hour deal was being cooked up to save hockey in Pittsburgh. Finally on March 13th at a joint announcement by Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell, Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato, Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, and Mario Lemieux of the Pittsburgh Penguins ownership group, it was made public that an agreement had been reached between the parties. A new state-of-the-art multi-purpose arena will be built. This agreement will keep the Penguins in Pittsburgh for another thirty years. Following the announcement of this plan, the Lemieux ownership group announced that they no longer have plans to sell the team. The Penguins would go on to finish the season with a solid 47-35-11 record, making the playoffs for the first time in six years, as Sidney Crosby made history at the age of 19, becoming the youngest player to win the Hart Trophy, as he captured the league's scoring title. In the playoffs the young Penguins learned a hard lesson against the Ottawa Senators as they were shutdown while losing the series in five games.

2007/08: Coming off their strong season, in which the Penguins made the playoffs for the first time in six years, they got off to a rocky start, posting a record of 8-11-2 in their first 21 games. However, things began to turnaround on Thanksgiving, when the Penguins rallied to beat the Ottawa Senators 6-5 in a shootout, after trailing at one point in the third period 5-3. The win would get the Penguins going as they won seven of their next eight games, as they finished December with a record of 20-16-2. On New Years Day the Penguins enjoyed the spotlight as they faced the Buffalo Sabres in an outdoor game in the snow in Buffalo. The Penguins would emerge victorious, with Sidney Crosby netting the game winner in a 2-1 shootout victory. The win would mark the start of a strong second half as the Penguins started to charge up the Eastern Conference Standings, despite losing Crosby for 28 games and Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury for 27 games to ankle injuries. Helping the Penguins stay hot was Evgeni Malkin, who was ranked among the league leader with 47 goals and 59 assists. At the trade deadline, the Penguins would make some significant improvements, adding Marian Hossa and Pascal Dupuis in a deal with the Atlanta Thrashers. The deal and the return of Sidney Crosby would be the catalyst to the Penguins winning their first division title in ten years with a record of 47-27-8. In the playoffs for the second year in a row the Penguins faced the Ottawa Senators, this time however, things were different as the Penguins took the opener 4-0, and never looked back sweeping the defending Eastern Conference Champions in four straight, while outscoring them 16-5. In the second round the Penguins faced the New York Rangers, and found themselves in a quick 3-0 hole in Game 1. However, keyed by two goals in 14 seconds the Penguins would rally to win the game 5-4, as Evgeni Malkin netted the game winner with less then two minutes left. Game 2 would be a complete opposite, as the Marc-Andre Fleury stopped all 27 shots he faced, as the Penguins won a defensive battle 2-0. After a 5-3 win in Game 3, the Penguins had a chance to complete their second straight sweep, when they hit the ice at Madison Square Garden in Game 4. However, the Rangers blanked the Penguins 3-0 to send the series back to Pittsburgh. Back at the Igloo for Game 5, the Penguins would advance to the Conference Finals with a 3-2 win in a dramatic fashion as Marian Hossa scored the game winner in overtime at 7:10. The Conference Finals would be the battle of the Keystone State, as the Penguins faced the Philadelphia Flyers. As they did against their rivals from New York, the Penguins jumped out to a commanding 3-0 series lead. After losing Game 4, the Penguins turned Game 5 at the Igloo into a night of celebration, as the Penguins who just two years ago were on the brink of bankruptcy and moving out of the Steel City, reached the Stanley Cup Finals with a dominant 6-0 win. In the Stanley Cup Finals against the Detroit Red Wings, the Penguins would hit a wall, as they were shutout in the first two games 4-0, and 3-0. Returning home to Mellon Arena, the Penguins got back on track in Game 3, as Sidney Crosby scored the first two goals, as the Penguins won 3-2 to avoid the deep 3-0 hole. However, powered by a Jiri Hurdler third period goal the Penguins dropped Game 4 at home 2-1, and returned to Detroit facing elimination down 3 games to 1. With Detroit ready to party the Penguins trailed 3-2 late in the third period, as Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury was pulled for an extra skater. With the cup in reach for the Wings, Maxime Talbot kept the Penguins hopes alive by tying the game with 35 seconds left to send the game to overtime. The game would then become a marathon as Fleury kept the Penguins in the game by stopping 55 shots, as the game went to a third overtime, before Petr Sykora scored the game winner to keep the Penguins in the series. However, not even a return to the Igloo could get the Penguins to a seventh game, as the Red Wings clinched the cup with a 3-2 win in Game 6.