A Glimpse at Penguins History in Deciding Games

Hello all. It’s hockey nerd time again. With our Penguins facing a winner-take-all Game 7 tonight at Madison Square Garden, I thought it would be an appropriate time to take a gander at our record in deciding games.

The Pens’ Game 7 record? A decent 10-7, including a rather remarkable 6-0 on the road. We’re 3-0 in Game 7’s under Mike Sullivan, including a road triumph over Washington during the 2017 Second Round.

To digress, Game 7’s have provided some of the most memorable moments and impassioned performances in franchise history. Who can forget Jaromir Jagr’s courageous two-assist effort against New Jersey during the ‘99 Eastern Conference Quarter-Finals when he could barely skate due to a chronically sore groin? Or Darius Kasparaitis’ overtime winner and joyous belly-flop while his teammates piled on against Buffalo two seasons later?

Sid’s two-goal, three-point outburst to vanquish Washington in the 2009 Semi’s. Chris Kunitz’ double-OT winner against Ottawa in the ‘17 Conference Finals. And the piece de resistance…”Mad” Max Talbot’s epically clutch and equally unforgettable two-goal effort to capture the ’09 Cup.

On the flip side, those soul-crushing (and franchise-altering) defeats at the hands of the Islanders in ’75 and ’93. Eddie Westfall. Chico Resch. [Bleeping] David Volek.

Switching gears, many younger fans may be surprised to learn that our history includes several series-deciding affairs that were not Game 7’s.

Due in part to rapid expansion in the early 1970s and the NHL’s desire to build fan support for the fledgling teams, the Stanley Cup playoffs featured a best-of-three Preliminary Round beginning in 1974-75 and running through the 1978-79 season. Similar in concept to the Qualifying Round instituted during the 2019-20, Covid-shortened season.

Under the new format, 12 of the 18 clubs then in the league qualified for the postseason.

With the addition of four WHA teams, starting in 1979-80, the Preliminary Round was expanded to a best-of-five format. Due to a league realignment that emphasized division rivalries, the series was renamed the divisional Semi-Finals in 1981-82. The best-of-five format remained in effect until 1986-87, when it expanded to a best-of-seven.

The Pens played in six deciding games during that era, three of the best-of-three variety and three best-of-fives.

Our record? A rather uninspired 1-5. Which brings our overall record in deciding games to a pedestrian 11-12.

For a complete list of deciding-game results, see the table at the end of the article.

All Hands on Deck?

Not to be Captain Obvious. But heading into our clash with the Rangers, it would be huge to get as many of our wounded back into the lineup as possible.

Pensburgh published an article citing a couple of different sources who reported that, barring any unforeseen setbacks, Sidney Crosby and Tristan Jarry will likely suit up for the black and gold tonight.

GREAT news.

As of this post, no official word on the status of forward Rickard Rakell, who’s been skating with the team since suffering a suspected concussion in Game 1. Brian Boyle, who hobbled off during the early stages of Game 6 with what appeared to be an ankle/knee injury, is likely out for tonight’s game. Stalwart defender Brian Dumoulin, who hasn’t been skating, is definitely out.

Depending on who rejoins the lineup and how things shake out, comparative youngsters Drew O’Connor and/or Radim Zohorna could see action.

End of an Era?

While I choose to remain positive about our chances tonight (I won’t predict a victory because of the dreaded PenguinPoop curse), I’d been remiss if I didn’t mention that a loss could signal the end of perhaps the most significant and successful era in Pens history.

Indeed, a defeat would most likely bring the final curtain down on our Big Three core of Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang. Hopefully that looming possibility will provide our guys with an additional jolt of adrenalin and inspiration. One that’ll put us over the top.

Here’s that table I spoke of. Italics denotes a Stanley Cup winning season.

LET’S GO PENS!