For two decades, Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang have defined the Pittsburgh Penguins, building one of the longest-running partnerships in North American professional sports while collecting three Stanley Cup titles together. Crosby earned playoff MVP honors in 2016 and 2017, Malkin claimed the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2009, and Letang’s 25 postseason goals remain the highest total among active NHL defensemen.
Now, that celebrated trio is attempting to extend its story once more. After dropping the opening three games of their Eastern Conference First Round matchup with the Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh has responded with consecutive victories to force Game 6 at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Wednesday.
Crosby emphasized the team’s straightforward reality following Monday’s 3-2 victory: every game is now a must-win. That urgency, he said, has sharpened the group’s focus as the Penguins try to complete what once seemed unlikely.
Those two victories have not only revived Pittsburgh’s postseason hopes but also prolonged what could be the final playoff run for this core group.
An uncertain future adds weight to the present
While Crosby and Letang appear firmly tied to the franchise beyond this season, Malkin’s long-term status remains unresolved. Crosby, 38, is signed through next season, and Letang, who recently turned 39, remains under contract through 2027-28.
Malkin, however, is completing the final year of the four-year contract he signed in July 2022. The veteran center is expected to revisit negotiations with agent J.P. Barry and general manager Kyle Dubas during the offseason.
Despite that uncertainty, Malkin has made his wishes clear: he wants to continue playing in Pittsburgh and ultimately finish his career there. His comments came even when the team still trailed 3-0 in the series, reflecting both loyalty and hope.
That backdrop has added extra significance to each playoff game as the Penguins fight to keep their season alive.
Crosby and Letang drive the response
Letang has been one of Pittsburgh’s biggest difference-makers during this turnaround. After scoring only three times in 74 regular-season appearances, the defenseman delivered game-winning goals in both Games 4 and 5.
His first came in Saturday’s 4-2 victory, when he restored a two-goal advantage early in the third period. He followed that with another decisive moment Monday, breaking a 2-2 deadlock late in the second period when his shot took an unusual path past Philadelphia goaltender Dan Vladar.
Letang said success in elimination situations comes from concentrating on every shift and every small battle, whether that means winning puck contests, blocking attempts, or controlling individual sequences.
Crosby, meanwhile, has also raised his level after a quiet start. Held to just one assist over the first three games, Pittsburgh’s captain has produced four points across the past two contests, helping restore momentum.
Experience shapes belief
Even with consecutive victories, the Penguins remain one defeat away from a sixth straight playoff series loss since last advancing in 2018, when they defeated these same Flyers in six games.
Crosby acknowledged the challenge ahead but said the team’s confidence comes from years of overcoming difficult situations. He pointed to the group’s belief and history of responding under pressure as reasons they trust themselves now.
This is not the first time Crosby, Malkin, and Letang have faced a 3-0 deficit against Philadelphia. In the 2012 first round, Pittsburgh also rallied with wins in Games 4 and 5 before falling in Game 6. Crosby, however, stressed that each postseason matchup stands on its own, even if past experiences can provide perspective.
For coach Dan Muse, the value of his veteran leaders is rooted not only in their playoff history but also in their competitive nature. He praised their ability to elevate when circumstances become most difficult, saying their example has helped guide the team with its season on the line.
One more chance awaits
The Penguins now head to Philadelphia, needing another road victory to force a decisive Game 7. Their veteran core has experienced nearly every possible playoff circumstance, from championships to heartbreak, and that history has shaped their response.
Pittsburgh’s path remains narrow, but with Crosby, Malkin, and Letang leading the charge, the franchise is leaning on familiar figures to try to extend its season once again.