The Pittsburgh Penguins franchise has been blessed to host incredible teams, this article ranks the five Stanley Cup-winning teams. While the Penguins have won the Stanley Cup five times, not every victory is created equal. Each of these championship teams brought something unique to the table. The main points that will be considered will be their regular season and playoff performances, as well as key moments produced by these teams.
Penguins Five Best Stanley Cup Teams
5. 2016-17 Pittsburgh Penguins
The biggest strength of the 2017 Stanley Cup-winning Pittsburgh Penguins was their resilience. There were many factors that would have sunk a lesser team. The 2016-17 Penguins had the daunting task of defending their 2016 Stanley Cup title while battling significant setbacks. Namely, franchise defenceman Kris Letang suffered a neck injury that ended his season prematurely. Even with this setback, their regular season performance was impressive. The team finished 50-21-11 with 111 points. However, their playoff journey was anything but smooth. After handily defeating the Columbus Blue Jackets in 5 games, the Penguins battled through consecutive seven-game series against the Washington Capitals and Ottawa Senators, where they narrowly escaped with their championship hopes alive with a win in double-overtime Game 7. Finally, the team would outplay the upstart Nashville Predators to win the franchise’s fifth Stanley Cup.
Key performances include rookie Jake Guentzel‘s breakout performance, leading the playoffs in goals with 13. Additionally, the goaltending tandem of Marc-Andre Fleury and Matt Murray carried the team at crucial moments, especially against the Capitals. Compared to the other championship teams, the 2016-17 squad had to dig deep to overcome their challenges, making them the most resilient but weakest team in this list.
4. 2008-09 Pittsburgh Penguins
The 2008-09 Penguins were a team on a mission. After losing to the Detroit Red Wings in the 2008 Finals, the young squad returned the following year, eager to claim the Cup. Their regular season was solid, finishing 45-28-9 with 99 points. Similar to the 2017 team, it was their resilience in the playoffs that defined this team’s success. Following harrowing battles against teams like the Philadelphia Flyers and Washington Capitals, they faced the Red Wings once again in the Finals, avenging their previous loss with a Game 7 victory in Detroit. Max Talbot’s two-goal performance in game seven along with Marc-Andre Fleury’s iconic last-second save have become iconic moments in team history.
This team marked the beginning of the Crosby-Malkin era’s dominance. Sidney Crosby became the youngest captain to hoist the Stanley Cup, while Evgeni Malkin won the Conn Smythe Trophy. Despite their incredible determination and redemption story, the 2008-09 team’s regular season was not as dominant as some of the other championship squads, placing them fourth on this list.
3. 1990-91 Pittsburgh Penguins
The 1990-91 Pittsburgh Penguins have a special place in team history as the squad that got the first Stanley Cup for this organization. The Penguins finished the regular season 41-33-6 with a modest 88 points. However, they found their stride in the playoffs, overcoming the Boston Bruins in the Conference Finals and defeating the Minnesota North Stars in six games to capture the franchise’s first Stanley Cup.
This team was led by franchise legend Mario Lemieux, who won the Conn Smythe Trophy despite battling injuries. He was aided by a great supporting cast including a young Jaromir Jagr and goaltender Tom Barrasso. The 1990-91 Penguins laid the foundation for the organization’s future success. The team was not as dominant as the next two. However, their historic first championship for the organization earns him the bronze in this list.
2. 2015-16 Pittsburgh Penguins
The 2015-16 Penguins were a team filled with incredible talent. Not only did they capture the franchise’s fourth Stanley Cup, but did so with an impressive level of dominance. Following a mid-season coaching change that brought in Mike Sullivan, the Penguins quickly transformed into a high-octane offensive machine. They finished the regular season with 104 points including two seven-game win streams down the stretch of the regular season. More importantly, the team steamrolled opponents through the playoffs. They defeated the President’s Trophy-winning Washington Capitals in the Second Round and outlasted the Tampa Bay Lightning in a hard-fought seven-game Conference Final. However, they dispatched the San Jose Sharks in six games with ease to capture this Cup.
Keys to their success include the emergence of the “HBK Line” (Hagelin, Bonino, Kessel) and the stellar play of rookie goaltender Matt Murray. Captain Sidney Crosby won the Conn Smythe Trophy, adding to his legacy as one of the greatest players in NHL history. The 2015-16 Penguins’ had a combination of speed, skill, and relentless forechecking that made them one of the most dominant playoff teams in recent memory.
1. 1991-92 Pittsburgh Penguins
The top spot goes to the 1991-92 Penguins. The team that not only defended their title but did so in a manner that cemented their greatness. The regular season was respectable, with a 39-32-9 record. However, the Penguins were nearly unstoppable in the playoffs, going on an 11-game winning streak to close out the tournament. This includes sweeps of both the Presidents’ Trophy-winning New York Rangers in round three, and the Chicago Blackhawks in the Stanley Cup Finals. Mario Lemieux once again led the charge, winning his second consecutive Conn Smythe Trophy with 34 points and 16 goals in just 15 games. Other key contributors included Ron Francis, Jaromir Jagr, and Kevin Stevens.
The 1991-92 Penguins’ playoff dominance, combined with their ability to overcome adversity and injuries, makes them the greatest championship team in franchise history. Their performance in the playoffs, where they became unbeatable, earns their spot as the best-constructed team in Penguins history.
Conclusion
Ranking these five championship-winning teams was not an easy task, each squad brings their own unique story and achievements to the table. The Penguins’ success across multiple eras is a testament to the importance of adaptability and roster balance when building a championship roster. Whether it’s the early ’90s Mario Lemieux-led teams that established the Penguins as a force to be reckoned with or the more recent squads led by Sidney Crosby, each of these teams have an important spot in the teams history. As the franchise continues to chase more championships, the legacy of these five teams will be remembered by Penguins fans forever.
Main Photo: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
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