Pittsburgh Penguins Playoff History

Last Modified Apr 23, 2024 14:53 GMT
Pittsburgh Penguins Playoff History
Pittsburgh Penguins Source: Getty Images

The Pittsburgh Penguins, a professional ice hockey team from Pennsylvania, currently compete in the Eastern Conference as a member of the Metropolitan Division. Notably, they have secured the Stanley Cup five times throughout their storied history.

Since their founding in the 1967 NHL expansion, the Penguins have built a passionate fan base and have achieved notable success, particularly during the early 1990s and the 2010s. Moreover, they are tied with the Edmonton Oilers for having the most Stanley Cup Championships among the non-Original Six teams and stand sixth overall. They claimed back-to-back Stanley Cups ( in 2016 and 2017), becoming the first team to do so since 1998. However, they faced challenges in the following seasons, with early exits in the playoffs in 2018 and 2019, as well as setbacks due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, failing to advance past the qualifying round and losing in the first round, respectively.

Pittsburgh Penguins NHL Playoff History and Appearances

The Pittsburgh Penguins have made 37 playoff appearances in their NHL history, winning the Stanley Cup five times and reaching the playoffs consistently since the late 1980s, with notable successes including back-to-back championships in 2016 and 2017.

In recent years, the Penguins have experienced a mix of successes and setbacks. The 2010s saw them clinch the Stanley Cup twice, in 2016 and 2017, underlining their dominance in the league. However, they've also faced early exits in several seasons, including first-round eliminations and missed playoffs.

Their journey in the 2000s was defined by their resilience, with notable victories in 2009 and a runner-up finish in 2008, where they reached the Stanley Cup Final. The late 1990s witnessed competitive performances, with appearances in conference semi-finals and finals. During the 1990s, the Penguins established themselves as a formidable force in the league, clinching the Stanley Cup twice in 1991 and 1992. These victories solidified their reputation as a powerhouse in NHL history.

A table exploring Pittsburgh Penguins’ playoff history and appearances is provided below:

Year

Record

Result

202340-31-11Missed Playoffs
202246-25-11Lost First Round
202137-16-3Lost First Round
202040-23-6Lost Qualifying Round
201944-26-12Lost First Round
201847-29-6Lost Conference Semi-Finals
201750-21-11Stanley Cup Winners
201648-26-8Stanley Cup Winners
201543-27-12Lost First Round
201451-24-7Lost Conference Semi-Finals
201336-12Lost Conference Finals
201251-25-6Lost First Round
201149-25-8Lost First Round
201047-28-7Lost Conference Semi-Finals
200945-28-9Stanley Cup Winners
200847-27-8Lost Stanley Cup Final
200747-24-11Lost First Round
200622-46-14Missed Playoffs
200423-47-8-4Missed Playoffs
200327-44-6-5Missed Playoffs
200228-41-8-5Missed Playoffs
200142-28-9-3Lost Conference Finals
200037-31-8-6Lost Conference Semi-Finals
199938-30-14Lost Conference Semi-Finals
199840-24-18Lost First Round
199738-36-8Lost First Round
199649-29-4Lost Conference Finals
199529-16-3Lost Conference Semi-Finals
199444-27-13Lost First Round
199356-21-7Lost Conference Semi-Finals
199239-32-9Stanley Cup Winners
199141-33-6Stanley Cup Winners
199032-40-8Missed Playoffs
198940-33-7Lost Conference Semi-Finals
198836-35-9Missed Playoffs
198730-38-12Missed Playoffs
198634-38-8Missed Playoffs
198524-51-5Missed Playoffs
198416-58-6Missed Playoffs
198318-53-9Missed Playoffs
198231-36-13Lost First Round
198130-37-13Lost First Round
198030-37-13Lost First Round
197936-31-13Lost Conference Semi-Finals
197825-37-18Missed Playoffs
197734-33-13Lost First Round
197635-33-12Lost First Round
197537-28-15Lost Conference Semi-Finals
197428-41-9Missed Playoffs
197332-37-9Missed Playoffs
197226-38-14Lost Conference Semi-Finals
197121-37-20Missed Playoffs
197026-38-12Lost Conference Finals
196920-45-11Missed Playoffs
196827-34-13Missed Playoffs

Pittsburgh Penguins Conference History

The Pittsburgh Penguins' conference history in the NHL is a tale of enduring competitiveness and remarkable triumphs. Beginning in the late 1960s, the Penguins navigated through the Western Conference, gradually establishing themselves as a force in the league. However, they began to gain momentum in the postseasons during the late 1960s, winning the Quarterfinals in the 1969–70 season against the California Golden Seals but falling short in the Semifinals against the St. Louis Blues.

The turning point for the Penguins came in the early 1990s when they achieved remarkable success under the leadership of stars like Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr. They clinched back-to-back Stanley Cup Championships in the 1990–91 and 1991–92 seasons, solidifying their status as a powerhouse in the league. Following these triumphs, the Penguins continued to be a competitive force in the NHL, securing Conference championships in the 2007–08, 2008–09, 2015–16, and 2016–17 seasons.

A table exploring Pittsburgh Penguins’ Conference History along with their results is provided below:

Penguins season

Conference

Result

2022–23EasternDid not qualify
2021–22EasternLost in First round, 3–4
2020–21Lost in First round, 2–4
2019–20EasternLost in Qualifying Round, 1–3
2018–19EasternLost in First round, 0–4
2017–18EasternWon in First round, 4–2Lost Second Round, 2–4
2016–17EasternWon in First round, 4–1 Won in Second Round, 4–3Won in Conference finals, 4–3 Won in Stanley Cup Finals, 4–2
2015–16EasternWon in First round, 4–1 Won in Second Round, 4–2 Won in Conference finals, 4–3 Won in Stanley Cup Finals, 4–2
2014–15EasternLost in First round, 1–4
2013–14EasternWon in First round, 4–2Lost in Second Round, 3–4
2012–13EasternWon in Conference quarterfinals, 4–2 Won in Conference semifinals, 4–1 Lost in Conference finals, 0–4
2011–12EasternLost in Conference quarterfinals, 2–4
2010–11EasternLost in Conference quarterfinals, 3–4
2009–10EasternWon in Conference quarterfinals, 4–2Lost in Conference semifinals, 3–4
2008-09EasternWon in Conference quarterfinals, 4–2 Won in Conference semifinals, 4–3 Won in Conference finals, 4–0 Won in Stanley Cup Finals, 4–3
2007–08EasternWon in Conference quarterfinals, 4–0 Won in Conference semifinals, 4–1Won in Conference finals, 4–1 Lost in Stanley Cup Finals, 2–4
2006–07EasternLost in Conference quarterfinals, 1–4
2005–06EasternDid not qualify
2004–05Season not played due to lockout
2003–04EasternDid not qualify
2002–03EasternDid not qualify
2001–02EasternDid not qualify
2000–01EasternWon in Conference quarterfinals, 4–2 Won in Conference semifinals, 4–3 Lost in Conference finals, 1–4
1999–2000EasternWon in Conference quarterfinals, 4–1 Lost in Conference semifinals, 2–4
1998–99EasternWon in Conference quarterfinals, 4–3 Lost in Conference semifinals, 2–4
1997–98EasternLost in Conference quarterfinals, 2–4
1996–97EasternLost in Conference quarterfinals, 1–4
1995–96EasternWon in Conference quarterfinals, 4–2 Won in Conference semifinals, 4–1 Lost in Conference finals, 3–4
1994–95EasternWon in Conference quarterfinals, 4–3 Lost in Conference semifinals, 1–4
1993–94EasternLost in Conference quarterfinals, 2–4
1992–93WalesWon in Division semifinals, 4–1 Lost in Division finals, 3–4
1991–92WalesWon in Division semifinals, 4–3 Won in Division finals, 4–2Won in Conference finals, 4–0 Won in Stanley Cup Finals, 4–0
1990–91WalesWon in Division semifinals, 4–3Won in Division finals, 4–1Won in Conference finals, 4–2Won in Stanley Cup Finals, 4–2
1989–90WalesDid not qualify
1988–89WalesWon in Division semifinals, 4–0Lost in Division finals, 3–4
1987–88WalesDid not qualify
1986–87WalesDid not qualify
1985–86WalesDid not qualify
1984–85WalesDid not qualify
1983–84WalesDid not qualify
1982–83WalesDid not qualify
1981–82WalesLost in Division semifinals, 2–3
1980–81WalesLost in Preliminary round, 2–3
1979–80WalesLost in Preliminary round, 2–3
1978–79WalesWon in preliminary round, 2–1 Lost in Quarterfinals, 0–4
1977–78WalesDid not qualify
1976–77WalesLost in preliminary round, 1–2
1975–76WalesLost in preliminary round, 1–2
1974–75WalesWon in preliminary round, 2–0 Lost in Quarterfinals, 3–4
1973–74Did not qualify
1972–73Did not qualify
1971–72Lost in Quarterfinals, 0–4
1970–71Did not qualify
1969–70Won in Quarterfinals, 4–0 Lost in Semifinals, 2–4
1968–69Did not qualify
1967–68Did not qualify

The Pittsburgh Penguins boast an impressive record in the NHL, with six Conference championships to their name, achieved in the seasons of 1990–91, 1991–92, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2015–16, and 2016–17.

Pittsburgh Penguins Division History

The Pittsburgh Penguins have been through different divisions throughout their history. They started playing in the West Division in 1967 before moving to the Norris Division and later the Patrick Division.

They improved as a team, especially when they moved to the Patrick Division in 1991. Following this, they won back-to-back Stanley Cups in 1991 and 1992. Following league realignment, the Penguins thrived in the Northeast Division before dominating the Atlantic Division from 1998 to 2013, clinching multiple division titles and additional Stanley Cups.However, their transition to the Metropolitan Division in 2013 has seen continued success, with the Penguins remaining a perennial contender, and securing multiple division titles.

The team's regular season performance varied widely over the years. They had seasons with strong win-loss records, such as 2013, where they had 36 wins and 12 losses, and 2014, where they had 51 wins and 24 losses. Conversely, there were seasons with poorer performances, like 1984, with only 16 wins and 58 losses.

A table exploring the Pittsburgh Penguins' division history along with their regular season records is provided below:

Year

Division

Regular season

2023Metropolitan40-31-11
2022Metropolitan46-25-11
2021East (#1)37-16-3
2020Metropolitan 40-23-6
2019Metropolitan44-26-12
2018Metropolitan47-29-6
2017Metropolitan50-21-11
2016Metropolitan48-26-8
2015Metropolitan43-27-12
2014Metropolitan (#1)51-24-7
2013Atlantic (#1)36-12
2012Atlantic51-25-6
2011Atlantic49-25-8
2010Atlantic47-28-7
2009Atlantic45-28-9
2008Atlantic47-27-8
2007Atlantic (#1)47-24-11
2006Atlantic22-46-14
2004Atlantic23-47-8-4
2003Atlantic27-44-6-5
2002Atlantic28-41-8-5
2001Atlantic42-28-9-3
2000Atlantic37-31-8-6
1999Atlantic38-30-14
1998Northeast (#1)40-24-18
1997Northeast38-36-8
1996Northeast (#1)49-29-4
1995Northeast29-16-3
1994Northeast (#1)44-27-13
1993Patrick (#1)56-21-7
1992Patrick39-32-9
1991Patrick (#1)41-33-6
1990Patrick32-40-8
1989Patrick40-33-7
1988Patrick36-35-9
1987Patrick30-38-12
1986Patrick34-38-8
1985Patrick24-51-5
1984Patrick16-58-6
1983Patrick18-53-9
1982Patrick31-36-13
1981Norris30-37-13
1980Norris30-37-13
1979Norris36-31-13
1978Norris25-37-18
1977Norris34-33-13
1976Norris35-33-12
1975Norris37-28-15
1974West28-41-9
1973West32-37-9
1972West26-38-14
1971West21-37-20
1970West26-38-12
1969West20-45-11
1968West27-34-13

The Penguins have secured nine Division championships, demonstrating their consistent performance and superiority within their division. These titles were earned in the seasons of 1990–91, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1995–96, 1997–98, 2007–08, 2012–13, 2013–14, and 2020–21.

FAQs on Pittsburgh Penguins Playoff History

A. The Pittsburgh Penguins have won the Stanley Cup five times throughout their existence.

A. Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr are notable players in Pittsburgh Penguins history, contributing to their success in winning consecutive Stanley Cups in 1991 and 1992.

A. Sidney Crosby joined the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2005, ushering in a new era for the team. His leadership and skill contributed to another Stanley Cup win in 2009 and back-to-back championships in 2016 and 2017.

A. The Pittsburgh Penguins have missed the playoffs in their history several times, notably in 1984, 2006, and 2020, among other seasons.

A. During the late 1990s and early 2000s, the Pittsburgh Penguins clinched two Stanley Cup championships in 1991 and 1992 and made notable playoff appearances, including reaching the Conference Finals in 1996 and 2001.

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