Penguins Wrap: Playoff Push Heartbreak; Farewell, Jeff Carter

For the second year in a row, the Pittsburgh Penguins’ season has ended before the Stanley Cup playoffs get started.

Their late run at a spot in the postseason, and they’re moving into a spring and summer with a lot of questions and, most likely, plenty of changes.

Here’s a look back at the final days of the Penguins’ 2023-24 season and their immediate aftermath:

Saturday

The Penguins’ playoff prospects take a potentially lethal blow when Boston defeats them, 6-4, at PPG Paints Arena.

The Penguins play hard and show some heart against the Bruins, but it isn’t enough.

Mike Sullivan explains why he pulled Alex Nedeljkovic after Boston scored its third goal.

Before the game, the Penguins honor defenseman Erik Karlsson, who was to appear in his 1,000th NHL game.

The Penguins’ late-season surge assures that they will not finish in the bottom 10 of the NHL standings.

Tristan Broz, a second-round draft choice in 2021 and member of Denver University’s NCAA title-winning team, plans to meet with the Penguins to discuss his future.

Former Penguins goalie Louie Domingue scores a goal in the American Hockey League.

Sunday

The Penguins don’t have the luxury of dwelling on their loss to the Bruins if the hope to remain alive in the playoff race.

Boston defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk is fined $2,734.38 for an unspecified action against Michael Bunting during the game Saturday.

Former Penguins goalie Matt Murray begins his comeback after a lengthy absence by playing a game for Toronto’s American Hockey League farm team.

Monday

The Pittsburgh Penguins avoid elimination from playoff contention with a 4-2 victory over Nashville.

The Penguins looked awfully good in defeating the Predators at PPG Paints Arena, but was it too little, too late?

Evgeni Malkin admits that the Penguins’ chances of climbing out of the hole they dug for themselves are not great.

The Penguins got the better of Nashville despite having two goals disallowed during the first period.

Goalie Alex Nedeljkovic’s ultra-competitive nature has been rubbing off on his teammates.

The Boston game notwithstanding, Alex Nedeljkovic is the logical choice to start in goal against Nashville.

Tuesday

Washington’s victory in Philadelphia snuffs the Penguins’ playoff hopes, giving them they earned with their performance over the course of the season.

The Penguins’ performance against Nashville was one of their better ones in 2023-24.

The Penguins enter the day hoping to get some favorable results that would keep them alive in the playoff hunt.

Wednesday

The Penguins close out the regular season with a 5-4 loss to the New York Islanders.

Jeff Carter confirms after the Islanders game that he is retiring.

Kyle Dubas has to decide whether Mike Sullivan, the only coach to lead the Penguins to multiple Stanley Cups, is the right coach for this team.

The morning after their playoff hopes were dashed, the Penguins reflect on what might have been. (+)

There’s more to Mike Sullivan’s decision to start Alex Nedeljkovic in the regular-season finale than meets the eye.

Marc-Andre Fleury isn’t ready to retire just yet.

Thursday

Sidney Crosby is noncommittal about his short-term plans for the offseason, including whether he will participate in the world championships.

Mike Sullivan says that giving Alex Nedeljkovic the final 13 starts of the season is not evidence that the Penguins have lost confidence in Tristan Jarry.

Kris Letang acknowledges that he was hampered by some physical issues during the final weeks of the season.

Believe it or not, the Penguins have some valid reasons for optimism heading into next season.

Here’s a rundown of the Penguins’ statistical leaders, with Sidney Crosby atop quite a few categories.

Friday

Kris Letang has a “significant” injury and might undergo surgery, per Kyle Dubas.

Kyle Dubas says he was “surprised and disappointed” by his players’ reaction in the days before and after Jake Guentzel was traded.

Kyle Dubas made it clear that he wasn’t pleased with defenseman Ryan Graves’ first season with the Penguins.

Mike Sullivan points to an underachieving power play and inability to defend leads as two areas in which the Pittsburgh Penguins must improve next season.

A personal look back at the Penguins’ 2023-24 season.

Kyle Dubas is named associate GM of Team Canada for the upcoming world championships.