The Pittsburgh Penguins have advanced to the Stanley Cup playoffs 37 times in 57 seasons and have played in Game 7 on 18 occasions. As of 2025, the franchise is 10-8 in the winner-take-all contest, with their most recent playoff game (May 15, 2022) being a Game 7 overtime loss to the New York Rangers. 

Today, we will examine the Penguins' performance in Game 7s, including their third Stanley Cup victory on June 12, 2009, against the Detroit Red Wings. 

Pittsburgh's Overall Record in Game 7

As mentioned, the Penguins are 10-8 in Game 7, with a 4-7 record on home ice and a 6-1 record as visitors. Whether it was the Civic Arena or PPG Paints Arena, the Penguins were outscored as the home team 20-23 in Game 7 while doubling up opponents at their building 23-12. 

Here's a look at Pittsburgh's all-time Game 7 record:

• 1975 - Loss vs. New York Islanders (1-0)
• 1989 - Loss vs. Philadelphia Flyers (4-1)
• 1991 - Win vs. New Jersey Devils (4-0)
• 1992 - Win @ Washington Capitals (3-1)
• 1993 - Loss vs. New York Islanders (4-3 OT)
• 1995 - Win vs. New Jersey Devils (3-0)
• 1996 - Loss vs. Florida Panthers (3-1)
• 1999 - Win @ New Jersey Devils (4-2)
• 2001 - Win @ Buffalo Sabres (3-2 OT)
• 2009 - Win @ Washington Capitals (6-2)
• 2009 - Win @ Detroit Red Wings (2-1)
• 2010 - Loss vs. Montreal Canadiens (5-2)
• 2011 - Loss vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (1-0)
• 2014 - Loss vs. New York Rangers (2-1)
• 2016 - Win vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (2-1)
• 2017 - Win @ Washington Capitals (2-0)
• 2017 - Win vs. Ottawa Senators (3-2 OT2)
• 2022 - Loss @ New York Rangers (4-3 OT)

When Pittsburgh heads into Game 7 in the first round of the playoffs, it is 2-1 at home, outscoring opponents 7-1, and has an identical 2-1 record as visitors, outscoring opponents 10-7. However, in the second round, the Penguins have never won a Game 7 at home, going 0-5, beaten 16-7 in those games. But, as visitors, it is a perfect 3-0 with a goal differential of plus-7, 11-4.

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In the Conference Final, Pittsburgh has hosted all three Game 7s it has participated in, going 2-1 with an even six goals for and six against. Finally, in one of the few Game 7s in the Stanley Cup Final, the organization is 1-0 with a 2-1 victory over the Red Wings in 2009. 

Wrong Side of NHL History

In 1942, the Red Wings were up 3-0 in the Stanley Cup Final against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Surprisingly, the Maple Leafs stormed back and won the series and the championship by winning Game 7 by a 3-1 score. No other team had ever overcome a 3-0 series deficit in professional sports until 1975, when the Islanders achieved the feat against the Penguins.

Pittsburgh opened the series with a 5-4 win, followed by a 3-1 victory and a 3-0 series lead after a 6-4 triumph. The Islanders began their comeback in Game 4 (3-1), followed by wins in Pittsburgh (4-2) and Long Island (4-1), setting up a critical Game 7 back at the Civic Arena on Apr. 26, 1975. 

Veteran Ed Westfall tallied the game's only goal at 14:42 of the third period as Glenn Resch made 30 saves to eliminate the Penguins and secure, at the time, the second-ever 3-0 series comeback. 

Inside the Numbers: Penguins Players

As of 2025, 181 players have worn a Penguins sweater in a Game 7. Despite the talent in the lineups, only 85 skaters have registered a point, with one goalie (Frank Pietrangelo) adding an assist. 

Without going deep into the statistics, here's a breakdown of Pittsburgh's top performers in a Game 7:

Games Played

• Sidney Crosby (8)
• Evgeni Malkin (8)
• Chris Kunitz (8)
• Jaromir Jagr (7)
• Kris Letang (7)
• Mario Lemieux (6)
• Kevin Stevens (6)
• Marc-Andre Fleury (6)

Goals

• Mario Lemieux (3)
• Chris Kunitz (3)
• Bryan Rust (3)
• Sidney Crosby (2)
• Ron Francis (2)
• Jordan Staal (2)
• Maxime Talbot (2)
• Jiri Hrdina (2)

Assists

• Jaromir Jagr (9)
• Evgeni Malkin (6)
• Ron Francis (5)
• Sidney Crosby (4)
• Martin Straka (4)
• Larry Murphy (4)

Points

• Jaromir Jagr (10)
• Ron Francis (7)
• Evgeni Malkin (6)
• Sidney Crosby (6)
• Chris Kunitz (6)
• Mario Lemieux (6)

Plus/Minus (Best/Worst)

• Jaromir Jagr (plus-5)
• Ron Francis (plus-5)
• Evgeni Malkin (plus-4)
• Chris Kunitz (plus-4)

• Mario Lemieux (minus-4)
• Danton Heinen (minus-2)
• Ulf Samuelsson (minus-2)
• Paul Coffey (minus-2)

Penalty Minutes

• Mario Lemieux (6)
• Paul Coffey (6)
• Jaromir Jagr (4)
• Evgeni Malkin (4)
• Petr Nedved (4)
• Rick Tocchet (4)
• Phil Bourque (4)
• Bryan Rust (4)

Game Winners

• Bryan Rust (2)
• Jaromir Jagr (1)
• Jiri Hrdina (1)
• Chris Kunitz (1)
• Max Talbot (1)
• Norm Maciver (1)
• Bill Guerin (1)
• Darius Kasparaitis (1)
• Jan Hrdina (1)

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Overtime Heros

• Darius Kasparaitis (2001)
• Chris Kunitz (2017)

Best Game Performances

• Sidney Crosby (3 - goal, two assists)
• Ron Francis (3 - three assists)
• Martin Straka (3 - goal, two assists)
• Jaromir Jagr (3 - three assists)
• Chris Kunitz (3 - two goals, assist) 

Inside the Numbers: Opponents

As of 2025, 295 players have skated against the Penguins in Game 7. However, only one player in NHL history has managed to get into the opposing lineup on three occasions: Dominic Moore. Even though he skated 59 regular-season games with Pittsburgh in 2006-07, he did not advance to the playoffs with the club. But, as a member of the Montreal Canadiens (2010), Tampa Bay Lightning (2011), and Rangers (2014), Moore went a perfect 3-0 against the Penguins in Game 7.

Overall, 33 players have skated against Pittsburgh in Game 7 twice. Interestingly, 13 players played on both sides, skating at least one game with the Penguins and an opponent. The list of these players includes:

• Brooks Orpik - 5 (Pittsburgh: 2009, 2009, 2010, 2011 - Washington: 2017)
• Sergei Gonchar - 4 (Pittsburgh: 2009, 2009, 2010 - Washington: 1995)
• Martin Straka - 4 (Pittsburgh: 1993, 1999, 2001 - Florida: 1996)
• Miroslav Satan - 3 (Pittsburgh: 2009, 2009 - Buffalo: 2001)
• Kjell Samuelsson - 3 (Pittsburgh: 1993, 1995 - Philadelphia: 1989)
• Hal Gill - 3 (Pittsburgh: 2009, 2009 - Montreal: 2010)
• Carl Hagelin - 3 (Pittsburgh: 2016, 2017 - New York Rangers: 2014)
• Rick Tocchet - 2 (Pittsburgh: 1993 - Philadelphia: 1989)
• Kevin Hatcher - 2 (Pittsburgh: 1999 - Washington: 1992)
• Ken Wregget - 2 (Pittsburgh: 1995 - Philadelphia: 1989)
• Jim Johnson - 2 (Pittsburgh: 1989 - Washington: 1995)
• Dave Tippett - 2 (Pittsburgh: 1993 - Washington: 1992)
• Darius Kasparaitis - 2 (Pittsburgh: 2001 - New York Islanders: 1993)

Historically, Ken Wregget is the only goalie to win a Game 7 for the Penguins (1995) and defeat the franchise as an opponent (1989). As of 2025, he remains one of three netminders to pitch a shutout in Game 7 for Pittsburgh, along with Pietrangelo (1991) and Marc-Andre Fleury (2017).

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Inside the Numbers: Penguins Goalies

Nine goalies have backstopped the Penguins in Game 7, with Fleury skating in six contests, breaking the record formerly held by Tom Barrasso (five). Only Matt Murray appeared in more than one Game 7, making two appearances in 2016 and 2017.

Here's an extended look into the numbers of Penguins netminders in Game 7:

Wins

• Marc-Andre Fleury (3)
• Tom Barrasso (2)
• Matt Murray (2)
• Ken Wregget (1)
• Johan Hedberg (1)
• Frank Pietrangelo (1)

Losses

• Marc-Andre Fleury (3)
• Tom Barrasso (3)
• Tristan Jarry (1)
• Gary Inness (1)

Goals Against

• Tom Barrasso (13)
• Marc-Andre Fleury (10)
• Tristan Jarry (4)
• Matt Murray (3)
• Johan Hedberg (2)
• Brent Johnson (1)
• Gary Inness (1)
• Johan Hedberg (1)

Save Percentage

• Frank Pietrangelo (1.000)
• Ken Wregget (1.000)
• Gary Inness (.941)
• Matt Murray (.934)
• Johan Hedberg (.933)
• Marc-Andre Fleury (.923)
• Tom Barrasso (.891)
• Tristan Jarry (.867)
• Brent Johnson (.857)

Throughout their 18 appearances in Game 7, the Penguins have surrendered just one empty-net goal. Fleury remains the only goalie to start a game and get pulled, skating only 25:14 in 2010 against the Canadiens and getting relieved by Johnson. 

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Meanwhile, 18 goalies have played against Pittsburgh in Game 7, with no one playing more than once. This list includes several Hall of Famers: Martin Brodeur (W - 1995), Dominik Hasek (L - 2001), and Henrik Lundqvist (W - 2014)

Final Numbers

The Penguins are 10-8 in 18 Game 7 appearances and have struggled against the New York teams (0-4), but enjoy playing the team on the other side of the Hudson River, the Devils (3-0). Here's a look at their totals against other teams:

• New Jersey Devils (3-0)
• Washington Capitals (3-0)
• Buffalo Sabres (1-0)
• Ottawa Senators (1-0)
• Detroit Red Wings (1-0)
• Tampa Bay Lightning (1-1)
• Philadelphia Flyers (0-1)
• Florida Panthers (0-1)
• Montreal Canadiens (0-1)
• New York Rangers (0-2)
• New York Islanders (0-2)

Overall, the Penguins have been shut out twice (1-0) in Game 7, once in 1975 (Islanders) and again in 2011 (Lightning). On the flip side, they shut out the Capitals twice, first in 1995 (3-0) and again in 2017 (2-0). The franchise's first Game 7 win came via the shutout, against the Devils in 1991. 

The team's best Game 7 performance came in 2009 against the Capitals (6-2), with their worst coming in 2010 against the Canadiens (5-2). Regarding one-goal games, the Penguins are 4-5 in those contests, losing twice by shutout. Here's a look at their record in these games:

• 4-3 (0-2)
• 3-2 (2-0)

• 2-1 (2-1)
• 1-0 (0-2)

In 2009, the Penguins became the 15th team to win the Stanley Cup in Game 7, joining a list of 18 teams, including the Maple Leafs (1942, 1945, 1964), Red Wings (1950, 1954, 1955), Canadiens (1965, 1971), Edmonton Oilers (1987), Rangers (1994), Colorado Avalanche (2001), Devils (2003), Lightning (2004), Carolina Hurricanes (2006), Boston Bruins (2011), St. Louis Blues (2019), and Panthers (2024). 

Marc Bergevin and Mathieu Darche were two candidates reported to have interviewed for the New York Islanders' GM position earlier this month. Yesterday, Pierre LeBrun reported that Bergevin had a second interview, while Frank Seravalli added it was a two-horse race between the Montreal Canadiens’ former GM and alumnus Darche.

Bergevin spent over nine years at the helm of the Canadiens and had good and bad moments. In 2021, he led the team to its first Stanley Cup final since 1993 but was fired the following season when the team crumbled. Shea Weber and Carey Price’s health and inability to play resulted in the team’s collapse.

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During his time with the Canadiens, Bergevin’s most notable winning moves included trading for Jeff Petry, sending two veterans well past their prime to the Chicago Blackhawks for Philip Danault, trading P.K. Subban for Weber, sending disgruntled captain Max Pacioretty to the Vegas Golden Knights for Nick Suzuki, acquiring Eric Staal from the Buffalo Sabres and signing free agents Tyler Toffoli and Corey Perry.

Bergevin also signed some generous contract extensions that didn’t age well, such as Brendan Gallagher’s six-year pact with a $6.5 M cap hit and Josh Anderson’s seven-year deal with a $5.5 M cap hit. While Gallagher’s body of work deserved a sizeable raise, it was written in the sky that he couldn’t keep the same level of performance for much longer, given his style of play. As for Anderson, he was signed purely on potential, but he never lived up to the GM’s lofty expectations.

The GM also lost two centers on the free agent market when Danault signed with the Los Angeles Kings as a free agent, and Jesperi Kotkaniemi signed an offer sheet that wasn’t worth matching.

His drafting record was far from perfect, but he did make some great selections in later years, and players he drafted like Kaiden Guhle and Cole Caufield are now key cogs in the Canadiens’ core.

For most of Bergevin’s reign, though, he focused on building a big, punishing defense around Carey Price while the league increasingly moved to a more skillful and talented approach. If he gets the job, it will be interesting to see if he has evolved or will still prioritize that kind of player. It would also be interesting to see how he would handle the Noah Dobson case. Since being fired by the Canadiens, he has worked as a special advisor to the Kings’ GM.

As for Darche, he played 250 NHL games over a nine-year NHL career. The left winger picked up 72 points in that span and played the last three seasons of his career with the Canadiens. He has been working for the Tampa Bay Lightning since 2019, starting as the director of hockey operations, a function he still holds along with his assistant GM role. We’ll closely monitor the Islanders’ ongoing GM search and report any progress.

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The Pittsburgh Penguins just wrapped up their 57th season, missing the Stanley Cup playoffs for the third consecutive season. Despite their recent lack of success, the franchise has appeared in the playoffs 37 times and won five championships.

Our newest series will reflect on how the Penguins performed on specific days leading up to the 2025 Stanley Cup Final.

Today, May 20, Pittsburgh has compiled a 3-1 record in three games on this date.

• 1995 - Game 1 Win vs. New Jersey Devils (3-2)
• 1996 - Game 2 Win vs. Florida Panthers (3-2)
• 2016 - Game 4 Loss vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (4-3)
• 2021 - Game 3 Win vs. New York Islanders (5-4)

Notable Penguins Performances On This Day

May 20, 1995 - The Penguins open up their series with the Devils by winning 3-2 thanks to three assists from Hall of Famer Larry Murphy. This was his fourth and final three-point playoff game of his legendary career. 

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May 20, 1996 - Pittsburgh evened their Eastern Conference Final series with the Panthers thanks to a 3-2 victory. Mario Lemieux had a goal and an assist, while Petr Nedved collected two assists. This would be the final time Nedved would score two points in a playoff game, achieving the feat for the 10th and final time. 

May 20, 2021 - Kris Letang helps the Penguins take a 2-1 series lead with three points (goal, two assists) in a 5-4 Game 3 victory over the Islanders. Meanwhile, Jeff Carter (two goals) and Evgeni Malkin (two assists) had productive nights as eight players found their names on the scoresheet. As of 2025, this was Letang's fifth and final time recording three points in a playoff game. Moreover, it was Carter's last multi-point playoff game before retiring in 2024.