Pittsburgh Penguins Clinch NHL Playoff Berth, Ending Postseason Drought

The Pittsburgh Penguins clinched a spot in the NHL playoffs on April 9, 2026, following a 5-2 victory over the New Jersey Devils in Newark, New Jersey. The result ends a postseason drought that lasted three seasons, marking the first time the team has qualified for the playoffs since the 2021-22 season.

The achievement is particularly significant given the team’s historical consistency. Prior to the recent three-year absence, the Penguins had secured 16 consecutive postseason appearances. That streak dated back to the 2006-07 season, as the team had last missed the playoffs during Sidney Crosby’s rookie year in 2005-06. The 16-year run included three Stanley Cup championships.

A Season of Volatility

The path to the 2026 playoffs was characterized by inconsistent form. The Penguins experienced an eight-game losing streak in December and balanced that struggle with two separate six-game winning streaks later in the winter.

By late March, the Penguins’ position in the Eastern Conference was uncertain due to a crowded race. However, the team surged in the final stretch, winning five of six games starting from March 30 to secure their berth.

The qualification was an unexpected outcome according to betting markets. Before the start of the season, BetMGM Sportsbook listed Pittsburgh as a 6-1 long shot to qualify for the postseason.

The Impact of New Leadership

A central factor in the team’s turnaround has been the appointment of new head coach Dan Muse. General manager Kyle Dubas hired Muse from relative anonymity; Muse previously spent five years as an assistant coach under Peter Laviolette with the New York Rangers and Nashville.

Muse took over the bench from two-time Stanley Cup winner Mike Sullivan. Forward Justin Brazeau described Muse as personable and calm there behind the bench.

Core Veterans and Key Contributors

The return to the playoffs provides another opportunity for the team’s aging core of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang. Having played together for 20 seasons, they are the longest-tenured trio of teammates in North American professional sports.

Crosby emphasized the importance of the achievement, noting that the team maintained a belief in their intentions since training camp. He acknowledged the difficulty of the situation, mentioning previous years where the team narrowly missed the playoffs on the final day.

Defenseman Connor Clifton noted that the team realized a few weeks prior to the clinch that their fate was in their own hands because of the schedule of opponents they faced. He stated that the focus remained on getting points, which ultimately worked in their favor.

During the clinching game on April 9, several players contributed to the victory:

• Right wing Bryan Rust scored a goal in the first period, celebrating with Egor Chinakhov.
• Center Tommy Novak was active in the offensive zone during the opening period.
• Goaltender Stuart Skinner recorded saves in the third period to protect the lead.
• Sidney Crosby remained a focal point of the offense, challenging Devils goaltender Jake Allen.