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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