The core leadership trio of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang have set the standard of what it means to be a Pittsburgh Penguin for a very long time. Under those three and their insatiable appetite to win, the expectation is to compete for the Stanley Cup every year.
Despite Disappointing Finish, Penguins' Leadership Trio Carries Team
That didn't change this season, even with the disappointing finish. Those three did everything they could to try and lead their team to a 17th-consecutive playoff berth, with the team falling just short of their goal.
"They carried us throughout the whole year," winger Jake Guentzel said.
The Penguins fell to the Blue Jackets in overtime in their regular-season finale on Thursday in Columbus, finishing just one point out of the second Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference after going 40-31-11, which means Pittsburgh's incredible streak - which featured three Stanley Cups and four trips to the Final - ends at 16 straight seasons.
It had been the longest active run in all of the major North American professional sports leagues, and no NHL team was more dominant over that stretch, with Pittsburgh's 768 regular-season wins and 103 playoff victories ranking first.
It began with the 2006-07 season, and it's no coincidence that was the first year all three of them appeared in the lineup for the Penguins - with Crosby coming off an incredible rookie year; Malkin winning the Calder Trophy that spring; and Letang making his NHL debut and playing in a handful of games.
They were all teenagers then. Now, in their mid-thirties, each Penguins superstar is still performing at an elite level… and has made it look easy, which is such a testament to them.
"Despite the doubters and what people might say about their age and all that stuff, they brought it every night, and they're guys who've led by example - both on and off the ice," winger Bryan Rust said.
Crosby in particular, who is just the 12th player in NHL history to have 90 or more points in their age 35 or older season. Not only does he keep setting the bar for his team; he continues to amaze the hockey world, as Josh Getzoff detailed in his piece about Captain Consistent.
Crosby and Malkin combined for 176 points, the third-most in a single season by a pair of teammates age 35 or older - behind Detroit's Gordie Howe/Alex Delvecchio (186 points in 1968-69), and NY Rangers' Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier (181 points, 1996-97).
Crosby marvels at the way Malkin came back following major knee surgery, the second of his career. It's actually pretty remarkable how many people doubted he would be able to get back into form, with Rust saying back in training camp that Malkin might have a chip on his shoulder to prove he's still got it, and can still be an elite player in this league.
That's exactly what Geno went on to do at age 36, finishing with 27 goals and 56 assists on his way to the 12th 70-point season of his career, a year that featured him playing in his 1,000th game with the Penguins in November, and recording his 1,200th point in February.
"He's had two ACL repairs, I mean, that's really tough. One of those could derail someone's career," Crosby said. "It's not easy, and that'd be understood. But he continues to fight and continues to want to be the best, and I think just kind of having that commitment over the years says a lot."
And Letang … where to even begin with what he accomplished this season? His fitness level has always been what sets him apart from other players, as he can effortlessly handle 25-30 minutes a night like it's nothing. "He's kind of just one of those freak athlete guys who's in really good shape all the time. You can see on the ice, he can kind of just skate forever," Rust said.
But the mental toughness Letang displayed to come back stronger than ever after suffering the second stroke of his lifetime, and dealing with the passing of his father, Claude, all in the span of a couple months… it's truly extraordinary. Letang scored nine of his 11 goals after returning to the lineup for good at the end of January, despite saying after Thursday's game that he was never really able to get into a groove from a mental perspective with how difficult the year was.
"He can do everything. He is like, a warrior," Malkin said. "He plays like 25 minutes every night. He never gives up. He does everything. Blocking shots, power play, nice teammate. He's good in the locker room. He has lots of injuries, but he's always back, and always back strong."
It hurts that the Penguins won't be competing for the Stanley Cup this year. It's a feeling we're not used to here in Pittsburgh - because the core leadership trio has made sure of that. This is only the second time in Crosby's career that he's missed the playoffs, while Malkin and Letang are experiencing it for the first time.
So, while it really stings, we should take this opportunity to be grateful for how the Big Three have led the Penguins during this run - and feel optimistic knowing they'll be hungrier than ever next year to get another one started.
"We have the leadership," Guentzel said. "We have the experience, and we're capable."
