At home on October 18, 2006, the Penguins lost 2-1 in regulation to the New Jersey Devils.
The loss felt like an unremarkable regular-season game. Evgeni Malkin’s late tying goal in the second period wasn’t enough to down the Devils, who struck in the third period before effectively stifling the Penguins’ offense.
But that day may have ended up becoming one of the most momentous games in Penguins history. It was the first time Malkin, Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang skated together in the same contest.
Jake Guentzel had just turned twelve years old. Martin Brodeur and Nicklas Lidström had just been featured in the NHL All-Star game.