NHL fans danced on the Penguins’ grave after they…

NHL fans danced on the Penguins’ grave after they missed the playoffs for the first time in 16 years

For most of Sidney Crosby’s legendary career, the Pittsburgh Penguins have been a fixture in the NHL postseason picture. Largely every year, Crosby’s Penguins have made the second season in the spring their second home. They have three Stanley Cups since 2009 to show for it.

But none of that past success means anything tangible right now when all Pittsburgh can do is sabotage itself.

After the New York Islanders dispatched the Montreal Canadiens Wednesday night, New York’s officially eliminated Pittsburgh from this year’s playoff field. This development means we’ll see a rarity this April/May/June: a postseason without the Penguins for the first time since the 2006 season.

And with that, the Penguins 16-season playoff streak comes to an end. 😔

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) April 13, 2023

Whoa. That almost feels surreal to actually type into coherent words. Let me try this again: A team with Crosby and Evgeni Malkin won’t even have a shot at the Cup. Huh. Nope, still feels weird!

Given all the teams this iteration of the Penguins has humbled and stepped on over the years, NHL fans celebrated Pittsburgh’s unprecedented early demise.

Penguins fans watching the playoffs pic.twitter.com/HqPMFzABrw

— I Rink You Should Leave (@nhlleave) April 13, 2023

Any national NHL talking head: Can you imagine the playoffs without the Pittsburgh Penguins?

Me: pic.twitter.com/M0AoJCQCLh

— Dan (@cultureoflosing) April 13, 2023

The Pittsburgh Penguins have missed the playoffs. The streak is over. pic.twitter.com/3BZjbPo7FL

— Local Tank Enthusiast (@BuraGOATsky65) April 13, 2023

https://t.co/uGhC5JCMWL pic.twitter.com/elIBqROYz0

— Mary Clarke (@marycclarke) April 13, 2023

The Penguins not making the playoffs is the best thing to happen in a Flyer’s fans life since the 2010 cup run.

— Did The Flyers Win? (@DidTheFlyers_) April 13, 2023

Happy The-Penguins-Are-Missing-The-Playoffs-For-The-First-Time-Since-2005 to all who celebrate.

— kaylee (with her glasses on). 🐙🦕 (@natasharomanox) April 13, 2023