It’s the most wonderful (and the most terrible) time of the year.
The regular season is over, and it’s time for the Penguins’ sixteenth straight trip to the postseason.
In case you’ve forgotten— or forcibly pushed it out of your mind— here’s a rundown of how the playoffs have gone for Pittsburgh ever since Sidney Crosby lifted his third Stanley Cup on June 11, 2017.
2018: Philadelphia Flyers, Washington Capitals
Games played: 12 (six to beat the Flyers, six to lose to the Capitals)
Round eliminated: 2
Postseason highlight: Almost exactly a year after his first career (and playoff) hat trick, Jake Guentzel records his second career (and playoff) hatty when he scores four times, including three unanswered goals in a span of under 13 minutes, to eliminate the Flyers during Game 6 of Round 1 in Philadelphia.