Penguins Inch Closer to Playoff Spot with Sweep of Panthers

Pittsburgh takes two games from battered Florida team to move within three points of clinching a postseason berth.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 10:11pm

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The Pittsburgh Penguins (40-22-16) completed a two-game sweep of the Florida Panthers (37-37-3) with a 5-1 victory on Sunday at PPG Paints Arena. The win moves the Penguins' magic number to clinch a playoff spot down to three, with four games remaining in the regular season.

Why it matters

The Penguins are in a tight race to secure a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, and this series sweep over a struggling Panthers team puts them in a strong position to extend their postseason streak to 17 consecutive years.

The details

After a high-flying 6-2 win on Saturday, the Penguins grinded out a more physical victory on Sunday. They capitalized on mistakes by the battered Panthers and finished their chances with enthusiasm to complete the two-game sweep.

  • The Penguins won 5-1 on Sunday, April 5, 2026.
  • The Penguins' magic number to clinch a playoff spot is now down to three.

The players

Pittsburgh Penguins

An NHL hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that has qualified for the playoffs in 16 consecutive seasons.

Florida Panthers

An NHL hockey team based in Sunrise, Florida that has struggled this season and was overmatched in this series against the Penguins.

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What’s next

The Penguins have four games remaining in the regular season as they look to clinch a playoff spot for the 17th straight year.

The takeaway

The Penguins' two-game sweep of the Panthers puts them in a strong position to extend their remarkable playoff streak, demonstrating their ability to grind out wins even against a struggling opponent.