The Pittsburgh Penguins [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins] just wrapped up their 57th season, missing the Stanley Cup playoffs for the third consecutive season. Despite their recent lack of success, the franchise has appeared in the playoffs 37 times and won five championships. Our newest series will reflect on how the Penguins performed on specific days leading up to the 2025 Stanley Cup Final. Today, May 20, Pittsburgh has compiled a 3-1 record in three games on this date. * 1995 - Game 1 Win vs. New Jersey Devils (3-2) * 1996 - Game 2 Win vs. Florida Panthers (3-2) * 2016 - Game 4 Loss vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (4-3) * 2021 - Game 3 Win vs. New York Islanders (5-4) NOTABLE PENGUINS PERFORMANCES ON THIS DAY May 20, 1995 - The Penguins open up their series with the Devils by winning 3-2 thanks to three assists from Hall of Famer Larry Murphy. This was his fourth and final three-point playoff game [https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/m/murphla01/gamelog/playoffs] of his legendary career. Like Pittsburgh Before Them, The Florida Panthers Are Reinventing The Wheel [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/f177b148-543c-4d26-9f3a-63355b471b01.jpeg] Like Pittsburgh Before Them, The Florida Panthers Are Reinventing The Wheel Anyone who has been invested in the National Hockey League over the years knows that, as the seasons pile on, the game evolves. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/like-pittsburgh-before-them-the-florida-panthers-are-reinventing-the-wheel] May 20, 1996 - Pittsburgh evened their Eastern Conference Final series with the Panthers thanks to a 3-2 victory. Mario Lemieux had a goal and an assist, while Petr Nedved collected two assists. This would be the final time Nedved would score two points in a playoff game [https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/n/nedvepe01/gamelog/playoffs], achieving the feat for the 10th and final time. May 20, 2021 - Kris Letang helps the Penguins take a 2-1 series lead with three points (goal, two assists) in a 5-4 Game 3 victory over the Islanders. Meanwhile, Jeff Carter (two goals) and Evgeni Malkin (two assists) had productive nights as eight players found their names on the scoresheet. As of 2025, this was Letang's fifth and final time recording three points [https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/l/letankr01/gamelog/playoffs] in a playoff game. Moreover, it was Carter's last multi-point playoff game [https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/c/carteje01/gamelog/playoffs] before retiring in 2024.
