The Pittsburgh Penguins have extended their NHL-best postseason streak to 16 seasons with a 6-3 victory over the New York Islanders at PPG Paints Arena on Thursday night. Pittsburgh's run is also the best among teams in the NFL, NBA and MLB.
The Penguins clinched this postseason berth without star center Evgeni Malkin, who is serving a suspension. But captain Sidney Crosby has eight points in his last three games.
The Penguins have made the playoffs in every season that Crosby and Malkin have been teammates. The duo has combined to win three Hart and Conn Smythe Trophies in addition to four scoring titles while spearheading three Stanley Cup wins and four Cup Final appearances.
However, the Penguins have won only one of five playoff series since winning back-to-back Cup titles in 2016 and 2017, and thus will enter this postseason facing the prospect of a first-round exit for a fourth consecutive year.
(Photo: Bruce Bennett / Getty Images)