The Pittsburgh Penguins simply can’t catch a break in their deflating 2024–25 NHL season. After missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the third straight year, head coach Mike Sullivan confirmed that five players will be sidelined for the remainder of the campaign. Though Sidney Crosby and the Pens are playing for little more than pride in their final three games, the absences still deal a tough blow to the team’s morale.
It’s been yet another NHL season in which fans in Pittsburgh were treated to anything but a successful campaign. Sidney Crosby broke Wayne Gretzky’s record for the most point-per-game seasons, but that alone feels like too little of a reward.
Especially when rival Capitals fans got to witness Alex Ovechkin set the all-time goals record — all while Washington finished atop the Metropolitan Division, and likely the Eastern Conference as well.
While fans in The City of Bridges remain grateful for the dynasty years of the 2010s, they’d love to stop reminiscing about the glory days and start enjoying playoff hockey again. Maybe next season. This year hasn’t been kind to the Penguins — and to add insult to injury, quite literally, the team has now confirmed that five of Crosby’s teammates will miss the remainder of the season.
Rutger McGroarty #2 of the Pittsburgh Penguins handles the puck against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the 1st period in an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on October 12, 2024.The Maple Leafs defeated the Penguins 4-2.
“Noel Acciari, Blake Lizotte, Matt Nieto, Rutger McGroarty, and Tommy Novak are out for the remainder of the season,” head coach Mike Sullivan confirmed.
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Impactful
Among those injured, Acciari’s absence is perhaps the biggest for the Penguins, as the veteran center is a key player, both on and off the ice. Morevoer, McGroarty’s injury has big implications on AHL affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
The rookie would’ve been a key addition to their roster ahead of the Calder Cup Playoffs, though he could still return to that lineup if they go on a long playoffs run.
Pittsburgh Penguins Head Coach Mike Sullivan answers questions during an interview after the First Round Stanley Cup Playoff game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers on April 18, 2018 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA.
“It’s disappointing, because he was playing real well, and we thought it was a great experience for him to get NHL games,” Sullivan stated about McGroarty’s time with the NHL squad, via PensInsideScoop on X. “We’re hopeful that Rutger’s injury will come around. We’re hopeful that Wilkes-Barre will play long enough that he has an opportunity to help them continue to have success down there. That’s an important experience for him as well.”
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Slowly living off the past
There’s no denying that the Penguins’ core of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang will be etched into NHL history. However, many fans believe the legendary trio deserves a stronger supporting cast, as Pittsburgh hasn’t reached the playoffs in three straight seasons.
SurveyShould Sidney Crosby pursue a change of scenery next season, in hopes of one last shot at a Stanley Cup?
Should Sidney Crosby pursue a change of scenery next season, in hopes of one last shot at a Stanley Cup?
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Since their last series win in 2018, the Penguins have either bowed out in the first round or missed the postseason altogether. Now, fans in Pittsburgh are staring down another miserable, playoff-less spring, left to drown their sorrows in memories of past Cup runs — though the shine of those titles has dulled after nearly a decade of disappointment.
