Penguins Wrap: A Late-Season Surge; Crosby Does it Again

The Pittsburgh Penguins played their past three games with urgency and commitment rarely seen this season, as if they believed their prospects for getting into the Stanley Cup playoffs depended on it.

Which they did.

Sidney Crosby, meanwhile, continued to perform at the rarefied level he has consistently reached since the season began.

Which resulted in him scrawling his signature in the NHL record book yet another time.

Here’s how the past seven days, some of the most memorable and eventful of 2023-24, unfolded for the Pittsburgh Penguins:

Saturday

The Blue Jackets score twice in the final 10-plus minutes of the third period en route to a 4-3 shootout victory over the Penguins.

Mike Sullivan says the Penguins “need to defend harder” after failing to protect their 3-1 lead in Columbus.

The Penguins’ short-term goaltending plans are rewarding Alex Nedeljkovic for his strong play.

Sunday

The Penguins’ defeat in Columbus was the fifth time this season they’ve lost a game in which they had a two-goal lead.

Monday

With their playoff hopes flickering, the Penguins get a goal 18 seconds into the first period to spark a 5-2 victory over the league-leading New York Rangers.

Sidney Crosby scores two goals and sets up another against the Rangers to join Wayne Gretzky as the only players in NHL history to average a point per game for 19 seasons.

The Penguins rise to the occasion in a way they rarely have this season during their victory at Madison Square Garden.

Mike Sullivan calls Sidney Crosby “one of the greatest players of all time” after his latest history-making feat.

Tristan Jarry and John Ludvig were late scratches for the Rangers game because of illness.

Tanking in their remaining games would not be in the Penguins’ best interest.

Most of the Penguins’ opponents for the balance of the regular season figure to have something for which to play.

Tuesday

The Penguins rally from a 3-1 deficit with a five-goal rampage in the third period to beat New Jersey, 6-3.

Some stellar goaltending by Alex Nedeljkovic helped the Penguins hang with the Devils until their offense roared to life during the final 20 minutes.

Marcus Pettersson said the Penguins are “still in this fight” after their comeback against the Devils.

With Tristan Jarry ailing, the Penguins recall Joel Blomqvist from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

A few playoff scenarios that would allow the Penguins to participate in postseason play are emerging.

Wednesday

With the end of the regular season coming into sight, the Penguins finally have started to perform to their potential.

Thursday

The Penguins get goals from defensemen Ryan Shea and P.O Joseph in a 4-1 victory in Washington.

There was a lot to like about the Penguins’ overall performance against the Capitals.

Sidney Crosby says the Penguins must continue playing the way they have lately if they want to continue challenge for a playoff spot.

The Penguins’ power-play struggles in 2023-24 have been compounded by their propensity for giving up shorthanded goals.

Hours before his team faced the Capitals, Rickard Rakell described it as the Penguins’ biggest game of the season.

College forward Collin Graf, a free agent the Penguins hoped to sign, accepts a contract from San Jose.

The Penguins announce plans for distributing those Jaromir Jagr bobbleheads.

Friday

Thanks to a few favorable results around the Eastern Conference, the Penguins regain control of their playoff fate.

The Penguins’ winning streak has inspired a growing sense of optimism about their chances of getting into the playoffs.

Four reasons for the Penguins’ recent surge.

Sidney Crosby is the Pittsburgh Penguins’ nominee for the Masterton Trophy, as chosen by members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association.