Crosby Excited for Penguins' Return to Playoffs

After three straight seasons out of the postseason, the Penguins captain is eager to compete in 'the best time of year'.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 9:59am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a hockey game in motion, with the players and rink broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color and abstract shapes, conveying a sense of energy and dynamism.Crosby and the Penguins' veteran core return to the NHL playoffs, seeking to add to their championship legacy.Today in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby expressed his excitement about the team's return to the NHL playoffs after a three-year absence. Crosby, who has led the Penguins to three Stanley Cup championships, emphasized how difficult it is to qualify for the postseason and how much he values the opportunity to compete at that level again with his veteran teammates Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang.

Why it matters

The Penguins' playoff drought was uncharacteristic for a team that had made the postseason for 16 straight seasons prior. Crosby's comments highlight the significance of the team's return to the playoffs, especially given the uncertainty of how much longer the Penguins' core trio of Crosby, Malkin, and Letang will continue playing at an elite level.

The details

After Friday's 5-2 win over the Devils, the Penguins clinched a playoff berth for the first time since 2022. Crosby noted that the previous three seasons of missing the playoffs served as a 'harsh reminder' of how difficult it is to qualify. The Penguins had some close calls in recent years, being eliminated on the eve of the final game of the regular season. But Crosby's belief in the team's ability to return to the playoffs never wavered, even as they struggled at times last season.

  • The Penguins clinched a playoff spot on April 10, 2026.
  • Crosby and the Penguins had missed the playoffs for the previous three seasons.

The players

Sidney Crosby

The captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins, a three-time Stanley Cup champion and future Hall of Famer.

Evgeni Malkin

A veteran center for the Pittsburgh Penguins and a key member of the team's core along with Crosby and Letang.

Kris Letang

A veteran defenseman for the Pittsburgh Penguins and a key member of the team's core along with Crosby and Malkin.

Kyle Dubas

The general manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins, who has publicly stated a goal of returning the team to playoff contention while Crosby is still playing.

Stuart Skinner

A Penguins player who expressed his appreciation for the team's veteran core of Crosby, Malkin, and Letang, calling them 'legends' and 'G.O.A.T.S.'

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What they’re saying

“That's why you play. To know that we're going to be there, to set out to do that and even more, it's nice to get rewarded.”

— Sidney Crosby

“I know how hard it is. I think I understand that. You don't ever know . But I thought right from camp, we've had those intentions and had that belief. Our start was a good example of that. The belief was there, but it takes everybody. We've got a great group here, and just really happy to know that we're going back there.”

— Sidney Crosby

“I mean, they're they're legends, Hall of Famers, the G.O.A.T.S. They've done so much in this league. It's seriously impressive how they just keep on going. They have so much success every single year. You know, it really, really takes a special person to be able to do that for a long time. And there's no sign of them slowing down.”

— Stuart Skinner, Penguins player

What’s next

The Penguins will now prepare to compete in the 2026 NHL playoffs, where they will look to add to their legacy of three Stanley Cup championships led by their veteran core of Crosby, Malkin, and Letang.

The takeaway

The Penguins' return to the playoffs after a three-year drought highlights the difficulty of consistently qualifying for the postseason, even for a team with as much talent and experience as Pittsburgh. Crosby's excitement to compete in the 'best time of year' again underscores the value he and his teammates place on the opportunity to chase another championship.