The Pittsburgh Penguins have been fortunate to host some incredible teams. This article lists the five Stanley Cup winning teams. While the Penguins have won the Stanley Cup five times, not all victories are created equal. Each of these championship teams brought something unique to the table. The main points considered are their regular season and playoff performances, as well as key moments that made these teams stand out.

The Penguins’ top five Stanley Cup teams

5. Pittsburgh Penguins 2016-17

The greatest strength of the 2017 Stanley Cup-winning Pittsburgh Penguins was their resilience. There were many factors that would have brought down a weaker team. The 2016–17 Penguins faced the daunting task of defending their 2016 Stanley Cup title and suffered significant setbacks along the way. For example, franchise defenseman Kris Letang suffered a neck injury that ended his season prematurely. Despite this setback, their regular season performance was impressive. The team finished the season 50-21-11 with 111 points. However, their road to the playoffs was anything but smooth. After a clear 5-game victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Penguins battled through seven-game series against the Washington Capitals and Ottawa Senators, narrowly escaping with a double-overtime win in Game 7 to keep their championship hopes alive. Eventually, the team defeated the up-and-coming Nashville Predators to win the franchise’s fifth Stanley Cup.

Among the most important performances is the outstanding performance of rookie Jake Guentzel, who led the playoffs with 13 goals. In addition, the goaltending duo of Marc-Andre Fleury and Matt Murray carried the team in crucial moments, especially against the Capitals. Compared to the other championship teams, the 2016-17 team had to dig deep to overcome its challenges, making it the most resilient but also the weakest team on this list.

4. 2008-09 Pittsburgh Penguins

The 2008–2009 Penguins were a team with a mission. After losing to the Detroit Red Wings in the 2008 Finals, the young team returned to win the Cup the following year. Their regular season was solid, finishing 45-28-9 with 99 points. Much like the 2017 team, it was their resilience in the playoffs that defined this team’s success. After harrowing battles against teams like the Philadelphia Flyers and Washington Capitals, they faced the Red Wings again in the Finals and avenged their previous loss with a Game 7 win in Detroit. Max Talbot’s two-goal performance in Game 7 as well as Marc-Andre Fleury’s legendary last-second save have become iconic moments in team history.

This team marked the beginning of the Crosby-Malkin era’s dominance. Sidney Crosby became the youngest captain to win the Stanley Cup, while Evgeni Malkin won the Conn Smythe Trophy. Despite their incredible determination and history of success, the team’s 2008-09 regular season was not as dominant as some other championship teams, earning them fourth place on this list.

3. 1990-91 Pittsburgh Penguins

The 1990-91 Pittsburgh Penguins hold a special place in team history as they were the team that won the first Stanley Cup for that organization. The Penguins finished the regular season 41-33-6 with a modest 88 points. However, they found their rhythm in the playoffs, defeating the Boston Bruins in the Conference Finals and defeating the Minnesota North Stars in six games to win the franchise’s first Stanley Cup.

This team was led by franchise legend Mario Lemieux, who won the Conn Smythe Trophy despite a few injuries. He was helped by a great supporting cast, including a young Jaromir Jagr and goalie Tom Barrasso. The 1990-91 Penguins laid the foundation for the organization’s future success. The team was not as dominant as the next two. However, their historic first championship title for the organization earns them the bronze medal on this list.

2. Pittsburgh Penguins 2015-16

The 2015–16 Penguins were a team filled with incredible talent. Not only did they win the franchise’s fourth Stanley Cup, they did so with an impressive level of dominance. After a mid-season coaching change that brought in Mike Sullivan, the Penguins quickly transformed into a high-powered offensive machine, finishing the regular season with 104 points, including two seven-game winning streaks in the final stretch of the regular season. More importantly, the team steamrolled its opponents in the playoffs. They defeated the President’s Trophy-winning Washington Capitals in the second round and edged the Tampa Bay Lightning in a hard-fought seven-game conference final. However, they easily defeated the San Jose Sharks in six games to win the Cup.

Key to their success is the creation of the “HBK Line” (Hagelin, Bonino, Kessel) and the outstanding play of rookie goaltender Matt Murray. Captain Sidney Crosby won the Conn Smythe Trophy, making him one of the best players in NHL history. The 2015-16 Penguins had a combination of speed, skill and relentless forechecking that made them one of the most dominant playoff teams in recent history.

1. 1991-92 Pittsburgh Penguins

First place goes to the 1991-92 Penguins, the team that not only defended its title but did so in a way that cemented its greatness. The regular season was respectable with a record of 39-32-9. In the playoffs, however, the Penguins were nearly unstoppable, finishing the tournament on an 11-game winning streak. This included victories over the New York Rangers, who won the Presidents’ Trophy in round three, and over the Chicago Blackhawks in the Stanley Cup Final. Mario Lemieux again led the pack, winning his second consecutive Conn Smythe Trophy with 34 points and 16 goals in just 15 games. Other key contributors included Ron Francis, Jaromir Jagr and Kevin Stevens.

The Penguins’ 1991-92 playoff dominance, combined with their ability to overcome adversity and injuries, makes them the greatest championship team in franchise history. Their performance in the playoffs, where they became unbeatable, secures their place as the best-constructed team in Penguins history.

Diploma

Ranking these five championship teams was no easy task, as each team brings its own history and accomplishments. The Penguins’ success across multiple eras is a testament to the importance of adaptability and balance in building a championship team. Whether it was the Mario Lemieux-led teams of the early ’90s that made the Penguins a force to be reckoned with, or the more recent teams led by Sidney Crosby, each of these teams holds an important place in team history. As the franchise continues to chase more championships, Penguins fans will forever remember the legacy of these five teams.

Main photo: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports