Even though it’s been an all-but-inevitable reality for a couple weeks now, it’s a huge relief to finally see an “X” next to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the standings. Especially with just one game remaining in their 82-game regular season slate.
By virtue of their 4-1 win in Detroit tonight, the Penguins officially clinched their 13th-straight playoff berth and keep their impressive consecutive postseason record in the salary cap era alive.
The Penguins’ emotional roller coaster of a season was saved by an incredible March once again (as if that isn’t expected by now), and all of our concerns and doubts from the beginning of the year can be wiped away.