The 2020–21 Pittsburgh Penguins season was the
54th season for the
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League (NHL; , ''LNH'') is a professional ice hockey league in North America composed of 32 teams25 in the United States and 7 in Canada. The NHL is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Cana ...
team that was established on June 5, 1967. On December 20, 2020, the league temporarily realigned into four divisions with no conferences due to the
COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic (also known as the coronavirus pandemic and COVID pandemic), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), began with an disease outbreak, outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China, in December ...
and the ongoing closure of the
Canada–United States border
The international border between Canada and the United States is the longest in the world by total length. The boundary (including boundaries in the Great Lakes, Atlantic, and Pacific coasts) is long. The land border has two sections: Canada' ...
. As a result of this realignment, the Penguins would play this season in the
East Division and would only play against the other teams in their new division during the regular season and potentially the first two rounds of the playoffs.
On April 29, 2021, the Penguins clinched a playoff berth with a 5–4 overtime win over the
Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals (colloquially known as the Caps) are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. The Capitals compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NH ...
, extending their playoff streak to 15 seasons – the longest active streak among the four North American major leagues, after the
San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio. The Spurs compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Southwest Division (NBA), Southwest Division of the Western Conference (NBA ...
of
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a professional basketball league in North America composed of 30 teams (29 in the United States and 1 in Canada). The NBA is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Ca ...
missed the playoffs for the first time in 22 years. (including
MLB
Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball league composed of 30 teams, divided equally between the National League (baseball), National League (NL) and the American League (AL), with 29 in the United States and 1 in Canada. MLB i ...
, the
NFL
The National Football League (NFL) is a professional American football league in the United States. Composed of 32 teams, it is divided equally between the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC). The N ...
, and the
NBA
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a professional basketball league in North America composed of 30 teams (29 in the United States and 1 in Canada). The NBA is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Ca ...
). On May 8, the team clinched the East Division title after defeating the
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. The Sabres compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Con ...
1-0, for their first division championship since the
2013–14 season. The Penguins were then defeated in the First Round in six games by the
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders (colloquially known as the Isles) are a professional ice hockey team based in Elmont, New York. The Islanders compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (N ...
. On April 20, 2021, the Penguins barreled through the first two periods en route to a 6-0 lead at the end of the second period. The Devils outscored them 6-1 in the third period, but the Penguins still won, 7-6. The Penguins became the first team in NHL history to be outscored by 5 goals in the third period of a game but still be on the winning end.
Standings
Divisional standings
Schedule and results
Regular season
The regular season schedule was published on December 23, 2020.
, - style="background:#fcf;"
, 1 , , January 13 , , Pittsburgh ,
3–6, ,
Philadelphia
Philadelphia ( ), colloquially referred to as Philly, is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania, most populous city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and the List of United States cities by population, sixth-most populous city in the Unit ...
, ,
Jarry , , 0 , , 0–1–0 , , 0
, - style="background:#fcf;"
, 2 , , January 15 , , Pittsburgh ,
2–5, , Philadelphia , , Jarry , , 0 , , 0–2–0 , , 0
, - style="background:#cfc;"
, 3 , , January 17 , ,
Washington
Washington most commonly refers to:
* George Washington (1732–1799), the first president of the United States
* Washington (state), a state in the Pacific Northwest of the United States
* Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States
** A ...
,
3–4 , , Pittsburgh , ,
DeSmith , , 0 , , 1–2–0 , , 2
, - style="background:#cfc;"
, 4 , , January 19 , , Washington ,
4–5 , , Pittsburgh , , DeSmith , , 0 , , 2–2–0 , , 4
, - style="background:#cfc;"
, 5 , , January 22 , ,
NY Rangers ,
3–4 , , Pittsburgh , , Jarry , , 0 , , 3–2–0 , , 6
, - style="background:#cfc;"
, 6 , , January 24 , , NY Rangers ,
2–3, , Pittsburgh , , Jarry , , 0 , , 4–2–0 , , 8
, - style="background:#ffc;"
, 7 , , January 26 , , Pittsburgh ,
2–3 , ,
Boston
Boston is the capital and most populous city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the United States. The city serves as the cultural and Financial centre, financial center of New England, a region of the Northeas ...
, , Jarry , , 0 , , 4–2–1 , , 9
, - style="background:#fcf;"
, 8 , , January 28 , , Pittsburgh ,
1–4, , Boston , , Jarry , , 0 , , 4–3–1 , , 9
, - style="background:#cfc;"
, 9 , , January 30 , , Pittsburgh ,
5–4 , , NY Rangers , , DeSmith , , 0 , , 5–3–1 , , 11
, -
, - style="background:#fcf;"
, 10 , , February 1 , , Pittsburgh ,
1–3, ,
NY Rangers , ,
DeSmith , , 0 , , 5–4–1 , , 11
, - style="background:#ccc;"
, — , , February 2 , ,
New Jersey
New Jersey is a U.S. state, state located in both the Mid-Atlantic States, Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States, Northeastern regions of the United States. Located at the geographic hub of the urban area, heavily urbanized Northeas ...
, , – , , Pittsburgh , , colspan="4", Postponed due to COVID-19.
Rescheduled for March 21.
, - style="background:#ccc;"
, — , , February 4 , , New Jersey , , – , , Pittsburgh , , colspan="4", Postponed due to COVID-19. Rescheduled for April 20.
, - style="background:#fcf;"
, 11 , , February 6 , , Pittsburgh ,
3–4, ,
NY Islanders , ,
Jarry , , 0 , , 5–5–1 , , 11
, - style="background:#cfc;"
, 12 , , February 11 , , Pittsburgh ,
4–3 , , NY Islanders , , DeSmith , , 0 , , 6–5–1 , , 13
, - style="background:#cfc;"
, 13 , , February 14 , ,
Washington
Washington most commonly refers to:
* George Washington (1732–1799), the first president of the United States
* Washington (state), a state in the Pacific Northwest of the United States
* Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States
** A ...
,
3–6, , Pittsburgh , , Jarry , , 0 , , 7–5–1 , , 15
, - style="background:#fcf;"
, 14 , , February 16 , , Washington ,
3–1, , Pittsburgh , , Jarry , , 0 , , 7–6–1 , , 15
, - style="background:#cfc;"
, 15 , , February 18 , , NY Islanders ,
1–4, , Pittsburgh , , Jarry , , 0 , , 8–6–1 , , 17
, - style="background:#cfc;"
, 16 , , February 20 , , NY Islanders ,
2–3, , Pittsburgh , , Jarry , , 0 , , 9–6–1 , , 19
, - style="background:#cfc;"
, 17 , , February 23 , , Pittsburgh ,
3–2 , , Washington , , Jarry , , 0 , , 10–6–1 , , 21
, - style="background:#fcf;"
, 18 , , February 25 , , Pittsburgh ,
2–5, , Washington , , Jarry , , 0 , , 10–7–1 , , 21
, - style="background:#cfc;"
, 19 , , February 27 , , Pittsburgh ,
4–3 , , NY Islanders , , Jarry , , 0 , , 11–7–1 , , 23
, - style="background:#fcf;"
, 20 , , February 28 , , Pittsburgh ,
0–2, , NY Islanders , , DeSmith , , 0 , , 11–8–1 , , 23
, -
, - style="background:#cfc;"
, 21 , , March 2 , ,
Philadelphia
Philadelphia ( ), colloquially referred to as Philly, is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania, most populous city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and the List of United States cities by population, sixth-most populous city in the Unit ...
,
2–5, , Pittsburgh , ,
Jarry , , 2,800 , , 12–8–1 , , 25
, - style="background:#fcf;"
, 22 , , March 4 , , Philadelphia ,
4–3, , Pittsburgh , , Jarry , , 2,800 , , 12–9–1 , , 25
, - style="background:#cfc;"
, 23 , , March 6 , , Philadelphia ,
3–4, , Pittsburgh , , Jarry , , 2,800 , , 13–9–1 , , 27
, - style="background:#cfc;"
, 24 , , March 7 , ,
NY Rangers ,
1–5, , Pittsburgh , ,
DeSmith , , 2,800 , , 14–9–1 , , 29
, - style="background:#cfc;"
, 25 , , March 9 , , NY Rangers ,
2–4, , Pittsburgh , , Jarry , , 2,800 , , 15–9–1 , , 31
, - style="background:#cfc;"
, 26 , , March 11 , , Pittsburgh ,
5–2, ,
Buffalo , , Jarry , , 0 , , 16–9–1 , , 33
, - style="background:#cfc;"
, 27 , , March 13 , , Pittsburgh ,
3–0, , Buffalo , , DeSmith , , 0 , , 17–9–1 , , 35
, - style="background:#cfc;"
, 28 , , March 15 , ,
Boston
Boston is the capital and most populous city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the United States. The city serves as the cultural and Financial centre, financial center of New England, a region of the Northeas ...
,
1–4, , Pittsburgh , , Jarry , , 2,800 , , 18–9–1 , , 37
, - style="background:#fcf;"
, 29 , , March 16 , , Boston ,
2–1, , Pittsburgh , , DeSmith , , 2,800 , , 18–10–1 , , 37
, - style="background:#fcf;"
, 30 , , March 18 , , Pittsburgh ,
2–3, ,
New Jersey
New Jersey is a U.S. state, state located in both the Mid-Atlantic States, Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States, Northeastern regions of the United States. Located at the geographic hub of the urban area, heavily urbanized Northeas ...
, , Jarry , , 1,800 , , 18–11–1 , , 37
, - style="background:#cfc;"
, 31 , , March 20 , , Pittsburgh ,
3–1, , New Jersey , , DeSmith , , 1,800 , , 19–11–1 , , 39
, - style="background:#ffc;"
, 32 , , March 21 , , New Jersey ,
2–1 , , Pittsburgh , , Jarry , , 2,800 , , 19–11–2 , , 40
, - style="background:#cfc;"
, 33 , , March 24 , , Buffalo ,
2–5, , Pittsburgh , , Jarry , , 2,800 , , 20–11–2 , , 42
, - style="background:#cfc;"
, 34 , , March 25 , , Buffalo ,
0–4, , Pittsburgh , , DeSmith , , 2,800 , , 21–11–2 , , 44
, - style="background:#cfc;"
, 35 , , March 27 , ,
NY Islanders ,
3–6, , Pittsburgh , , Jarry , , 2,800 , , 22–11–2 , , 46
, - style="background:#cfc;"
, 36 , , March 29 , , NY Islanders ,
1–2, , Pittsburgh , , Jarry , , 2,800 , , 23–11–2 , , 48
, -
, - style="background:#cfc;"
, 37 , , April 1 , , Pittsburgh ,
4–1, ,
Boston
Boston is the capital and most populous city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the United States. The city serves as the cultural and Financial centre, financial center of New England, a region of the Northeas ...
, ,
DeSmith , , 2,191 , , 24–11–2 , , 50
, - style="background:#fcf;"
, 38 , , April 3 , , Pittsburgh ,
5–7, , Boston , , DeSmith , , 2,191 , , 24–12–2 , , 50
, - style="background:#fcf;"
, 39 , , April 6 , , Pittsburgh ,
4–8, ,
NY Rangers , , DeSmith , , 1,693 , , 24–13–2 , , 50
, - style="background:#cfc;"
, 40 , , April 8 , , Pittsburgh ,
5–2, , NY Rangers , ,
Jarry , , 1,800 , , 25–13–2 , , 52
, - style="background:#cfc;"
, 41 , , April 9 , , Pittsburgh ,
6–4, ,
New Jersey
New Jersey is a U.S. state, state located in both the Mid-Atlantic States, Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States, Northeastern regions of the United States. Located at the geographic hub of the urban area, heavily urbanized Northeas ...
, , DeSmith , , 3,600 , , 26–13–2 , , 54
, - style="background:#cfc;"
, 42 , , April 11 , , Pittsburgh ,
5–2, , New Jersey , , Jarry , , 3,600 , , 27–13–2 , , 56
, - style="background:#ffc;"
, 43 , , April 15 , ,
Philadelphia
Philadelphia ( ), colloquially referred to as Philly, is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania, most populous city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and the List of United States cities by population, sixth-most populous city in the Unit ...
,
2–1 , , Pittsburgh , , Jarry , , 4,672 , , 27–13–3 , , 57
, - style="background:#cfc;"
, 44 , , April 17 , , Pittsburgh ,
3–2, ,
Buffalo , , Jarry , , — , , 28–13–3 , , 59
, - style="background:#fcf;"
, 45 , , April 18 , , Pittsburgh ,
2–4, , Buffalo , , DeSmith , , 0 , , 28–14–3 , , 59
, - style="background:#cfc;"
, 46 , , April 20 , , New Jersey ,
6–7, , Pittsburgh , , Jarry , , 4,672 , , 29–14–3 , , 61
, - style="background:#cfc;"
, 47 , , April 22 , , New Jersey ,
1–5, , Pittsburgh , , Jarry , , 4,672 , , 30–14–3 , , 63
, - style="background:#cfc;"
, 48 , , April 24 , , New Jersey ,
2–4, , Pittsburgh , , DeSmith , , 4,672 , , 31–14–3 , , 65
, - style="background:#cfc;"
, 49 , , April 25 , , Boston ,
0–1, , Pittsburgh , , Jarry , , 4,672 , , 32–14–3 , , 67
, - style="background:#fcf;"
, 50 , , April 27 , , Boston ,
3–1, , Pittsburgh , , Jarry , , 4,672 , , 32–15–3 , , 67
, - style="background:#cfc;"
, 51 , , April 29 , , Pittsburgh ,
5–4 , ,
Washington
Washington most commonly refers to:
* George Washington (1732–1799), the first president of the United States
* Washington (state), a state in the Pacific Northwest of the United States
* Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States
** A ...
, , Jarry , , 2,133 , , 33–15–3 , , 69
, -
, - style="background:#cfc;"
, 52 , , May 1 , , Pittsburgh ,
3–0, ,
Washington
Washington most commonly refers to:
* George Washington (1732–1799), the first president of the United States
* Washington (state), a state in the Pacific Northwest of the United States
* Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States
** A ...
, ,
Jarry , , 2,133 , , 34–15–3 , , 71
, - style="background:#fcf;"
, 53 , , May 3 , , Pittsburgh ,
2–7, ,
Philadelphia
Philadelphia ( ), colloquially referred to as Philly, is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania, most populous city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and the List of United States cities by population, sixth-most populous city in the Unit ...
, ,
DeSmith , , 2,542 , , 34–16–3 , , 71
, - style="background:#cfc;"
, 54 , , May 4 , , Pittsburgh ,
7–3, , Philadelphia , , Jarry , , 2,961 , , 35–16–3 , , 73
, - style="background:#cfc;"
, 55 , , May 6 , ,
Buffalo ,
4–8, , Pittsburgh , , Jarry , , 4,672 , , 36–16–3 , , 75
, - style="background:#cfc;"
, 56 , , May 8 , , Buffalo ,
0–1, , Pittsburgh , ,
Lagace , , 4,672 , , 37–16–3 , , 77
, -
, - style="text-align:center;"
, ''Legend: = Win = Loss = OT/SO Loss = Postponement''
Playoffs
, - style="background:#fcf;"
, 1 , , May 16 , , NY Islanders , , 4–3 , , Pittsburgh , , OT , ,
Jarry , , 4,672 , , 0–1 ,
Recap, - style="background:#cfc;"
, 2 , , May 18 , , NY Islanders , , 1–2 , , Pittsburgh , , , , Jarry , , 9,344 , , 1–1 ,
Recap, - style="background:#cfc;"
, 3 , , May 20 , , Pittsburgh , , 5–4 , , NY Islanders , , , , Jarry , , 6,800 , , 2–1 ,
Recap, - style="background:#fcf;"
, 4 , , May 22 , , Pittsburgh , , 1–4 , , NY Islanders , , , , Jarry , , 6,800 , , 2–2 ,
Recap, - style="background:#fcf;"
, 5 , , May 24 , , NY Islanders , , 3–2 , , Pittsburgh , , 2OT , , Jarry , , 9,344 , , 2–3 ,
Recap, - style="background:#fcf;"
, 6 , , May 26 , , Pittsburgh , , 3–5 , , NY Islanders , , , , Jarry , , 9,000 , , 2–4 ,
Recap
, -
, -
, ''Legend: = Win = Loss''
Player statistics
;Skaters
;Goaltenders
†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining the Penguins. Stats reflect time with the Penguins only.
‡Denotes player was traded mid-season. Stats reflect time with the Penguins only.
Awards and records
*
Sidney Crosby
Sidney Patrick Crosby (born August 7, 1987) is a Canadian professional ice hockey Centre (ice hockey), centre and Captain (ice hockey), captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League (NHL). Nicknamed "Sid the Kid" and dubb ...
became the first person to play 1,000 games for the Pittsburgh Penguins. He set the mark in a game against the
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders (colloquially known as the Isles) are a professional ice hockey team based in Elmont, New York. The Islanders compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (N ...
on February 20.
Transactions
The Penguins have been involved in the following
transactions during the 2020–21 season.
Trades
Draft picks
Below are the Pittsburgh Penguins' selections at the
2020 NHL entry draft, which was originally scheduled for June 26–27, 2020 at the
Bell Center in
Montreal
Montreal is the List of towns in Quebec, largest city in the Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Quebec, the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, second-largest in Canada, and the List of North American cit ...
,
Quebec
Quebec is Canada's List of Canadian provinces and territories by area, largest province by area. Located in Central Canada, the province shares borders with the provinces of Ontario to the west, Newfoundland and Labrador to the northeast, ...
, but was postponed on March 25, 2020, due to the
COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic (also known as the coronavirus pandemic and COVID pandemic), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), began with an disease outbreak, outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China, in December ...
. It was instead held on October 6–7, 2020, virtually via
video conference call
Videotelephony (also known as videoconferencing or video calling) is the use of audio signal, audio and video for simultaneous two-way communication. Today, videotelephony is widespread. There are many terms to refer to videotelephony. ''Vide ...
from the
NHL Network studio in
Secaucus, New Jersey
Secaucus ( ) is a Town (New Jersey), town in Hudson County, New Jersey, Hudson County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the town's population was 22,181, an increase of 5,917 (+36.4%) from the 2010 United St ...
.
Notes
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:2020-21 Pittsburgh Penguins season
Pittsburgh Penguins seasons
Penguins
Penguins are a group of aquatic flightless birds from the family Spheniscidae () of the order Sphenisciformes (). They live almost exclusively in the Southern Hemisphere. Only one species, the Galápagos penguin, is equatorial, with a sm ...
2020 in sports in Pennsylvania
2021 in sports in Pennsylvania
2020 in Pittsburgh
2021 in Pittsburgh