With our Penguins on the brink of eliminating the Rangers (and being the hockey nerd that I am) I decided to delve into our history to see how we’ve fared when up 3-1 in a playoff series.
We’ve been in this spot 18 previous times over the course of our 36 postseason appearances. We won six of our first seven Game 5’s when holding a 3-1 series advantage, up through the 2008 playoffs.
Since then? We’ve gone a less-than-robust 3-8 for an overall record of 9-9 when up 3-1 in a series. We’re 8-7 at home and 1-2 on the road in these situations.
The good news? Victorious in Game 5 or not, we’ve gone on to win the series 15 times in 18 tries. Our only three series losses? The infamous 1975 series when we went up 3-0 on the Islanders, only to drop four straight and send the franchise spiraling into receivership. In 2011 to Tampa Bay when Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin were hurt. And…gulp…in 2014 to the Rangers.
However, we’ve beaten the Blueshirts in Game 5 when up 3-1 on three other occasions. In 1996, 2008 and 2016.
For the record, overall we’re 2-4 in these Game 5 situations under Mike Sullivan. But we’ve gone on to win the series all six times. During the Cup seasons? We’re 3-4. Ditto winning each series.
Oh…Jaromir Jagr has two game-winners in series-clinching Game 5’s, the most of any Penguin. Hence his photo.
Without further ado, here are our Game 5 results when up 3-1 in a series. Italics denotes a Stanley Cup champion.
| Season | Playoff Round | Opponent | Home/Away | Game 5 Result | Series Result |
| 1974-75 | NHL Quarter-Finals | NY Islanders | Home | 4-2 Loss | 4-3 Loss |
| 1990-91 | Patrick Div. Finals | Washington | Home | 4-1 Win | 4-1 Win |
| 1992-93 | Patrick Div. Semi-Finals | New Jersey | Home | 5-3 Win | 4-1 Win |
| 1995-96 | Eastern Conf. Semi-Finals | NY Rangers | Home | 7-3 Win | 4-1 Win |
| 1999-00 | Eastern Conf. Quarter-Finals | Washington | Away | 2-1 Win | 4-1 Win |
| 2007-08 | Eastern Conf. Semi-Finals | NY Rangers | Home | 3-2 (OT) Win | 4-1 Win |
|
| Eastern Conf. Finals | Philadelphia | Home | 6-0 Win | 4-1 Win |
| 2008-09 | Eastern Conf. Quarter-Finals | Philadelphia | Home | 3-0 Loss | 4-2 Win |
| 2009-10 | Eastern Conf. Quarter-Finals | Ottawa | Home | 4-3 (3 OT) Loss | 4-2 Win |
| 2010-11 | Eastern Conf. Quarter-Finals | Tampa Bay | Home | 8-2 Loss | 4-3 Loss |
| 2012-13 | Eastern Conf. Semi-Finals | Ottawa | Home | 6-2 Win | 4-1 Win |
| 2013-14 | Eastern Conf. Second Round | NY Rangers | Home | 5-1 Loss | 4-3 Loss |
| 2015-16 | Eastern Conf. First Round | NY Rangers | Home | 6-3 Win | 4-1 Win |
|
| Eastern Conf. Second Round | Washington | Away | 3-1 Loss | 4-2 Win |
|
| Stanley Cup Final | San Jose | Home | 4-2 Loss | 4-2 Win |
| 2016-17 | Eastern Conf. First Round | Columbus | Home | 5-2 Win | 4-1 Win |
|
| Eastern Conf. Second Round | Washington | Away | 4-2 Loss | 4-2 Win |
| 2017-18 | Eastern Conf. First Round | Philadelphia | Home | 4-2 Loss | 4-2 Win |
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Hey all.
I messed up my original post. I forgot to include our 1975 loss to the Islanders when we went up 3-0, then proceeded to lose 4 straight...including Game 5. So we're 9-9 in Game 5's when we're up 3-1.
Rick
Rick
As you know it's the toughest game to win when trying to close out a series. Rangers will throw everything but
the kitchen sink at the Pen's tonight and I'm sure Black & Gold bodies will be flying everywhere. This will definitely be
a game where Louie Domingue's metal will be tested. Go PENS
One quick question: Who goes to the press box when Rakell returns??
Crosby, Guentzel, Rust
Malkin, Heinen, Kapanen
Carter, Zucker, McGinn
Blueger, Boyle, Rodrigues
I look forward to your feedback.
Hey Mike.
Yeah...I expect the Rangers to come out loaded for bear. However, if we can withstand what's surely going to be a big opening push and get back to playing the way we did in Game 4, I like our chances.
We definitely need to insulate Domingue. Although he's done a great job all things considered, Louis isn't the quickest goalie on the planet.
In terms of who we sit when Rakell comes back? Man, I don't know. All four of our lines are working right now, although there's room for improvement on the Carter line. If everybody's healthy, my guess is Sullivan will sit Boyle, although he wouldn't be my choice. I might be tempted to sit McGinn, although he's actually playing pretty well.
Truth be told, Carter hasn't been great despite his three goals. But he is good on faceoffs and gives us center depth.
I know you're not an E-Rod fan. But he does make things happen when he's out there and he does a good job of driving possession, even when he's not scoring. (Yes, shades of Simon.)
Then again, I don't think we'll have to worry about it because we're never 100 percent healthy. How's that for a cop-out...lol?
Rick