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Eastern Conference final team capsules: Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Penguins logo

A rundown of the East’s top seed, which finished the regular season at 36-12-0.

28th appearance
3 Stanley Cup titles (1991, 1992, 2009)

Studs:


  • Sidney Crosby: 7 goals (T-lead in NHL), 8 assists, 15 points
  • Pascal Dupuis: 7 goals (T-lead in NHL)
  • James Neal: 5 goals, 2 assists, 14 shots on goal in last 2 games
  • Evgeni Malkin: 16 points (T-2nd in NHL) … but only 43.0% on faceoffs
  • Kris Letang: 16 points (T-2nd in NHL, most among defensemen)
  • Paul Martin: 30 blocked shots (5th in NHL)
  • Tomas Vokoun: 6-1, 1.85 GAA (3rd in NHL), .941 save % (2nd in NHL), 1 shutout
  • Team: 6-1 at Consol Energy Center
  • Team: 4.27 goals per game (leads NHL) … highest average since 1992-93 (min. 10 games)
  • Team: 28.3% on power play, 13-for-46 (leads NHL)
  • Team: 89.7% on penalty kill, 35-for-39 (3rd in NHL)
  • Team: 203 blocked shots (T-2nd in NHL)

Duds:


  • Marc-Andre Fleury: 2-2, 3.40 GAA, .891 save%, 1 shutout

Stanley Cup winners with 2009 Penguins (11 players, 2 coaches):


  • Craig Adams, Matt Cooke, Sidney Crosby (captain), Pascal Dupuis, Mark Eaton, Marc-Andre Fleury, Tyler Kennedy, Chris Kunitz, Kris Letang, Evgeni Malkin (Conn Smythe winner), Brooks Orpik, Dan Bylsma (head coach), Gilles Meloche (asst)

Cup winners with other franchises (1):


  • Chris Kunitz (2007 Ducks)

Seeking first Cup, have played or coached one+ playoff game this postseason (13 players, 2 coaches):


  • Beau Bennett, Tanner Glass, Jarome Iginla, Jussi Jokinen, Brenden Morrow, James Neal, Brandon Sutter, Joe Vitale, Deryk Engelland, Paul Martin, Douglas Murray, Matt Niskanen, Tomas Vokoun, Tony Granato (asst), Todd Rierden (asst)

Seeking 2013 postseason debut:


  • Robert Bortuzzo (15 regular season games), Dustin Jeffrey (24)

Most career playoff …


  • Games: Chris Kunitz, 95
  • Goals: Sidney Crosby, 40
  • Points: Sidney Crosby, 105

Last playoff …


  • Hat trick: James Neal, May 24, 2013 (vs. Senators, Game 5, ECSF)
  • 4-point game: James Neal (3 goals, assist), May 24, 2013 (vs. Senators, Game 5, ECSF)
  • Short-handed goal: Pascal Dupuis, May 22, 2013 (at Senators, Game 4, ECSF)
  • Fight: Evgeni Malkin, May 7, 2013 (Travis Hamonic, at Islanders, Game 4, ECQF)
  • Shutout: Marc-Andre Fleury, May 1, 2013 (vs. Islanders, Game 1, ECQF)

Playoff trend:


  • The Penguins made the playoffs for the seventh consecutive season.
  • The Penguins earned the top record in their conference for the second time (1992-93)

Milestones:


  • With two points, Sidney Crosby (105) will move past Kevin Stevens for 3rd on the all-time points list in Penguins postseason history … Mario Lemieux (172) and Bruins’ Jaromir Jagr (147) are 1-2
  • With three points, Evgeni Malkin (97) will reach the 100-point mark and tie Ron Francis for 5th on the all-time points list in Penguins postseason history
  • In the ECQF, Marc-Andre Fleury tied Tom Barrasso for the most career shutouts (6) by a goaltender in Penguins postseason history
  • Jarome Iginla has played 1,232 regular season games without winning a Stanley Cup, 3rd-most among active players (Roman Hamrlik – 1,395; Shane Doan – 1,246)
  • In the ECSF, the Penguins clinched a series on home ice for the 1st time under Dan Bylsma (1-6)
  • Evgeni Malkin has the most single-postseason points (36, in 2008-09) among active players

2012-13 season


  • Longest win streak: 15 (March 2 – 30), 2nd longest in NHL history (1992-93 Penguins had 17)
  • Longest winless streak: 2 (on five occasions)

Biggest storylines of season & postseason:


  • March 2-30: “The Streak II” or “The March through March” … following the Blackhawks’ NHL-record 24-game unbeaten streak in regulation to begin the season, the Penguins came within two wins of tying the 20-year-old NHL record of 17 consecutive wins (1992-92 Penguins)
  • March 30: A deflected slapshot to Sidney Crosby’s jaw costs the superstar the last 12 games of the regular season
  • Trade deadline acquisitions of veterans Brenden Morrow (Stars), Jarome Iginla (Flames), Jussi Jokinen (Hurricanes) & Douglas Murray (Sharks) helps offset injuries to Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, James Neal, Paul Martin & Kris Letang
  • The Penguins become the only NHL team without an overtime/shootout loss this regular season (5-0) … in the first two playoff rounds, they won their first two OT games (Games 3 & 6 at N.Y. Islanders), but lost in 2OT in Game 3 at Senators
  • May 9: Tomas Vokoun replaces Marc-Andre Fleury in net before Game 5 of the ECQF and posts a shutout
  • May 17 & 24: Sidney Crosby (Game 2) & James Neal (Game 5) score hat tricks in ECSF vs. Ottawa

Award finalists:


  • Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy (Perseverance and dedication to hockey): Sidney Crosby

Concussion problems limited Crosby to just 63 games over the previous two seasons. However, he bounced back this season with 15 goals and 56 points in 36 contests.


  • Hart Memorial Trophy (Most valuable player to his team): Sidney Crosby

Despite missing 12 games (jaw surgery), Crosby had 56 points (T-3rd in NHL), 41 assists (2nd in NHL), was a +26 (4th in NHL), played 21:06 per game (6th among NHL forwards)


  • Ted Lindsay Award (Most outstanding player as voted by members of the NHLPA): Sidney Crosby
  • James Norris Memorial Trophy (Top defenseman): Kris Letang

Despite missing 13 games, Letang had 38 points (T-NHL lead among defensemen), was a +16 and played 25:38 per game (7th in NHL)
NHL General Manager of the Year: Ray Shero