Molinari: Was This Win Pivotal Point in Penguins’ Season? (+)

It was, ultimately, just another one-game snapshot of the Pittsburgh Penguins’ season.

In that sense, their 2-1 overtime victory against Colorado Tuesday night at PPG Paints Arena was no different than the 49 games that preceded it, or the 32 that will follow.

But under the circumstances, it might be the most significant they have played this season.

And the way it played out could — could — have a profound impact on how the final two-plus months of their 2022-23 season play out.

Which is to say, when it finally is determined whether the Penguins will participate in the Stanley Cup playoffs for the 17th consecutive year, it’s conceivable that the roots of their resting place in the Metropolitan Division and Eastern Conference races can be traced back to their Feb. 7 collision with the defending Cup champions.

It’s not so much that the Penguins realized their oft-stated (but rarely realized) objectives of “getting to our game” or performing at a consistent level for 60 minutes when they faced the Avs.

Frankly, they were quite fortunate that the game didn’t end after 60.