Penguins Clinch Playoff Spot With Win Over Devils

Malkin, Crosby, and Letang lead Pittsburgh to postseason return after 3-year drought.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 6:28am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a hockey game with overlapping planes of black, gold, red, and black, representing the Pittsburgh Penguins and New Jersey Devils in action.The Penguins' playoff-clinching victory over the Devils showcases the team's enduring talent and resilience after a three-year postseason drought.Today in Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Penguins clinched a playoff spot with a 5-2 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Thursday night. Evgeni Malkin scored and had two points, while Sidney Crosby set up two goals and Kris Letang had an assist. The Penguins are headed to the playoffs for the first time since 2022, ending a three-year drought after a streak of 16 straight postseason appearances. Newcomers Egor Chinakov and Stuart Skinner also contributed to the win, with Chinakov scoring a goal and two assists, and Skinner making 19 saves in net.

Why it matters

The Penguins' return to the playoffs is significant, as the team has been a perennial contender led by its core trio of Crosby, Malkin, and Letang. After missing the playoffs for three straight seasons, the Penguins are back in the hunt for another Stanley Cup championship, which would be their fourth with this core group.

The details

The Penguins jumped out to an early lead when Bryan Rust scored on their first shot of the game. Skinner, acquired in a trade in December, made several key saves before allowing two goals in the second period. But the Penguins pulled away with goals from Malkin, Tommy Novak, and an empty-netter from Erik Karlsson. The Devils' lone goals came from Jack Hughes and an assist from Jake Allen.

  • The Penguins clinched a playoff spot on Thursday, April 9, 2026.
  • The Penguins last made the playoffs in 2022, before missing the postseason for three straight years.

The players

Evgeni Malkin

A veteran center for the Pittsburgh Penguins who scored a goal and had two points in the game to help the team clinch a playoff spot.

Sidney Crosby

The long-time captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins who set up two goals in the game, continuing his leadership of the team as they return to the playoffs.

Kris Letang

A veteran defenseman for the Pittsburgh Penguins who had an assist in the game, contributing to the team's playoff-clinching victory.

Stuart Skinner

The Penguins' goaltender who was acquired in a trade in December and made 19 saves to help Pittsburgh secure the win.

Egor Chinakov

A Penguins winger who was also acquired in a trade in December and scored a goal and had two assists in the game.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

The takeaway

The Penguins' return to the playoffs after a three-year drought is a testament to the team's resilience and the continued excellence of its core players, Crosby, Malkin, and Letang. With the addition of new contributors like Skinner and Chinakov, the Penguins have reestablished themselves as a playoff contender and will look to make a deep run for another Stanley Cup championship.