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 |
2023 | 40-31-11 | Missed Playoffs |
2022 | 46-25-11 | Lost First Round |
2021 | 37-16-3 | Lost First Round |
2020 | 40-23-6 | Lost Qualifying Round |
2019 | 44-26-12 | Lost First Round |
2018 | 47-29-6 | Lost Conference Semi-Finals |
2017 | 50-21-11 | Stanley Cup Winners |
2016 | 48-26-8 | Stanley Cup Winners |
2015 | 43-27-12 | Lost First Round |
2014 | 51-24-7 | Lost Conference Semi-Finals |
2013 | 36-12 | Lost Conference Finals |
2012 | 51-25-6 | Lost First Round |
2011 | 49-25-8 | Lost First Round |
2010 | 47-28-7 | Lost Conference Semi-Finals |
2009 | 45-28-9 | Stanley Cup Winners |
2008 | 47-27-8 | Lost Stanley Cup Final |
2007 | 47-24-11 | Lost First Round |
2006 | 22-46-14 | Missed Playoffs |
2004 | 23-47-8-4 | Missed Playoffs |
2003 | 27-44-6-5 | Missed Playoffs |
2002 | 28-41-8-5 | Missed Playoffs |
2001 | 42-28-9-3 | Lost Conference Finals |
2000 | 37-31-8-6 | Lost Conference Semi-Finals |
1999 | 38-30-14 | Lost Conference Semi-Finals |
1998 | 40-24-18 | Lost First Round |
1997 | 38-36-8 | Lost First Round |
1996 | 49-29-4 | Lost Conference Finals |
1995 | 29-16-3 | Lost Conference Semi-Finals |
1994 | 44-27-13 | Lost First Round |
1993 | 56-21-7 | Lost Conference Semi-Finals |
1992 | 39-32-9 | Stanley Cup Winners |
1991 | 41-33-6 | Stanley Cup Winners |
1990 | 32-40-8 | Missed Playoffs |
1989 | 40-33-7 | Lost Conference Semi-Finals |
1988 | 36-35-9 | Missed Playoffs |
1987 | 30-38-12 | Missed Playoffs |
1986 | 34-38-8 | Missed Playoffs |
1985 | 24-51-5 | Missed Playoffs |
1984 | 16-58-6 | Missed Playoffs |
1983 | 18-53-9 | Missed Playoffs |
1982 | 31-36-13 | Lost First Round |
1981 | 30-37-13 | Lost First Round |
1980 | 30-37-13 | Lost First Round |
1979 | 36-31-13 | Lost Conference Semi-Finals |
1978 | 25-37-18 | Missed Playoffs |
1977 | 34-33-13 | Lost First Round |
1976 | 35-33-12 | Lost First Round |
1975 | 37-28-15 | Lost Conference Semi-Finals |
1974 | 28-41-9 | Missed Playoffs |
1973 | 32-37-9 | Missed Playoffs |
1972 | 26-38-14 | Lost Conference Semi-Finals |
1971 | 21-37-20 | Missed Playoffs |
1970 | 26-38-12 | Lost Conference Finals |
1969 | 20-45-11 | Missed Playoffs |
1968 | 27-34-13 | Missed 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 |
2022–23 | Eastern | Did not qualify |
2021–22 | Eastern | Lost in First round, 3–4 |
2020–21 | — | Lost in First round, 2–4 |
2019–20 | Eastern | Lost in Qualifying Round, 1–3 |
2018–19 | Eastern | Lost in First round, 0–4 |
2017–18 | Eastern | Won in First round, 4–2Lost Second Round, 2–4 |
2016–17 | Eastern | Won in First round, 4–1 Won in Second Round, 4–3Won in Conference finals, 4–3 Won in Stanley Cup Finals, 4–2 |
2015–16 | Eastern | Won in First round, 4–1 Won in Second Round, 4–2 Won in Conference finals, 4–3 Won in Stanley Cup Finals, 4–2 |
2014–15 | Eastern | Lost in First round, 1–4 |
2013–14 | Eastern | Won in First round, 4–2Lost in Second Round, 3–4 |
2012–13 | Eastern | Won in Conference quarterfinals, 4–2 Won in Conference semifinals, 4–1 Lost in Conference finals, 0–4 |
2011–12 | Eastern | Lost in Conference quarterfinals, 2–4 |
2010–11 | Eastern | Lost in Conference quarterfinals, 3–4 |
2009–10 | Eastern | Won in Conference quarterfinals, 4–2Lost in Conference semifinals, 3–4 |
2008-09 | Eastern | Won in Conference quarterfinals, 4–2 Won in Conference semifinals, 4–3 Won in Conference finals, 4–0 Won in Stanley Cup Finals, 4–3 |
2007–08 | Eastern | Won in Conference quarterfinals, 4–0 Won in Conference semifinals, 4–1Won in Conference finals, 4–1 Lost in Stanley Cup Finals, 2–4 |
2006–07 | Eastern | Lost in Conference quarterfinals, 1–4 |
2005–06 | Eastern | Did not qualify |
2004–05 | Season not played due to lockout | |
2003–04 | Eastern | Did not qualify |
2002–03 | Eastern | Did not qualify |
2001–02 | Eastern | Did not qualify |
2000–01 | Eastern | Won in Conference quarterfinals, 4–2 Won in Conference semifinals, 4–3 Lost in Conference finals, 1–4 |
1999–2000 | Eastern | Won in Conference quarterfinals, 4–1 Lost in Conference semifinals, 2–4 |
1998–99 | Eastern | Won in Conference quarterfinals, 4–3 Lost in Conference semifinals, 2–4 |
1997–98 | Eastern | Lost in Conference quarterfinals, 2–4 |
1996–97 | Eastern | Lost in Conference quarterfinals, 1–4 |
1995–96 | Eastern | Won in Conference quarterfinals, 4–2 Won in Conference semifinals, 4–1 Lost in Conference finals, 3–4 |
1994–95 | Eastern | Won in Conference quarterfinals, 4–3 Lost in Conference semifinals, 1–4 |
1993–94 | Eastern | Lost in Conference quarterfinals, 2–4 |
1992–93 | Wales | Won in Division semifinals, 4–1 Lost in Division finals, 3–4 |
1991–92 | Wales | Won in Division semifinals, 4–3 Won in Division finals, 4–2Won in Conference finals, 4–0 Won in Stanley Cup Finals, 4–0 |
1990–91 | Wales | Won in Division semifinals, 4–3Won in Division finals, 4–1Won in Conference finals, 4–2Won in Stanley Cup Finals, 4–2 |
1989–90 | Wales | Did not qualify |
1988–89 | Wales | Won in Division semifinals, 4–0Lost in Division finals, 3–4 |
1987–88 | Wales | Did not qualify |
1986–87 | Wales | Did not qualify |
1985–86 | Wales | Did not qualify |
1984–85 | Wales | Did not qualify |
1983–84 | Wales | Did not qualify |
1982–83 | Wales | Did not qualify |
1981–82 | Wales | Lost in Division semifinals, 2–3 |
1980–81 | Wales | Lost in Preliminary round, 2–3 |
1979–80 | Wales | Lost in Preliminary round, 2–3 |
1978–79 | Wales | Won in preliminary round, 2–1 Lost in Quarterfinals, 0–4 |
1977–78 | Wales | Did not qualify |
1976–77 | Wales | Lost in preliminary round, 1–2 |
1975–76 | Wales | Lost in preliminary round, 1–2 |
1974–75 | Wales | Won in preliminary round, 2–0 Lost in Quarterfinals, 3–4 |
1973–74 | — | Did not qualify |
1972–73 | — | Did not qualify |
1971–72 | — | Lost in Quarterfinals, 0–4 |
1970–71 | — | Did not qualify |
1969–70 | — | Won in Quarterfinals, 4–0 Lost in Semifinals, 2–4 |
1968–69 | — | Did not qualify |
1967–68 | — | Did 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 |
2023 | Metropolitan | 40-31-11 |
2022 | Metropolitan | 46-25-11 |
2021 | East (#1) | 37-16-3 |
2020 | Metropolitan | 40-23-6 |
2019 | Metropolitan | 44-26-12 |
2018 | Metropolitan | 47-29-6 |
2017 | Metropolitan | 50-21-11 |
2016 | Metropolitan | 48-26-8 |
2015 | Metropolitan | 43-27-12 |
2014 | Metropolitan (#1) | 51-24-7 |
2013 | Atlantic (#1) | 36-12 |
2012 | Atlantic | 51-25-6 |
2011 | Atlantic | 49-25-8 |
2010 | Atlantic | 47-28-7 |
2009 | Atlantic | 45-28-9 |
2008 | Atlantic | 47-27-8 |
2007 | Atlantic (#1) | 47-24-11 |
2006 | Atlantic | 22-46-14 |
2004 | Atlantic | 23-47-8-4 |
2003 | Atlantic | 27-44-6-5 |
2002 | Atlantic | 28-41-8-5 |
2001 | Atlantic | 42-28-9-3 |
2000 | Atlantic | 37-31-8-6 |
1999 | Atlantic | 38-30-14 |
1998 | Northeast (#1) | 40-24-18 |
1997 | Northeast | 38-36-8 |
1996 | Northeast (#1) | 49-29-4 |
1995 | Northeast | 29-16-3 |
1994 | Northeast (#1) | 44-27-13 |
1993 | Patrick (#1) | 56-21-7 |
1992 | Patrick | 39-32-9 |
1991 | Patrick (#1) | 41-33-6 |
1990 | Patrick | 32-40-8 |
1989 | Patrick | 40-33-7 |
1988 | Patrick | 36-35-9 |
1987 | Patrick | 30-38-12 |
1986 | Patrick | 34-38-8 |
1985 | Patrick | 24-51-5 |
1984 | Patrick | 16-58-6 |
1983 | Patrick | 18-53-9 |
1982 | Patrick | 31-36-13 |
1981 | Norris | 30-37-13 |
1980 | Norris | 30-37-13 |
1979 | Norris | 36-31-13 |
1978 | Norris | 25-37-18 |
1977 | Norris | 34-33-13 |
1976 | Norris | 35-33-12 |
1975 | Norris | 37-28-15 |
1974 | West | 28-41-9 |
1973 | West | 32-37-9 |
1972 | West | 26-38-14 |
1971 | West | 21-37-20 |
1970 | West | 26-38-12 |
1969 | West | 20-45-11 |
1968 | West | 27-34-13 |
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.