Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby talks about his team's need to stay prepared despite the uncertainty surrounding their playoff chances. With their playoff hopes completely lost, the Pittsburgh Penguins played in a totally meaningless game for the first time since 2006. The Penguins took to the ice for the 82nd and final time in the 2022-23 season against the lowly Columbus Blue Jackets. Regardless of meaning to the game, the Penguins still hoped to put a strong effort on the ice and finish the season on a high of a note as possible. It officially marked the first time that Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin appeared in all 82 games in the same season, as they cap off outstanding personal seasons. With Tristan Jarry in net for what could be his final game with the team, the Penguins got off to the superior start. Kris Letang picked up his 40th point of the season with a power play goal in the opening five minutes to give the Penguins a 1-0 lead. A shot from the point might have been heading wide, but it deflected off of the glove of a Blue Jackets’ skater. The Penguins took their 1-0 lead into the first intermission and were carrying a good amount of momentum. Whatever momentum the Penguins had through the first period didn’t carry into the second. The Blue Jackets knotted the score just over two minutes into the second frame. A pretty large contingent of Penguins fans made the trip to Columbus to cheer for their favorite team, but also make their voice heard. Despite being in a visiting building, ‘fire Hextall’ chants rung out at Nationwide Arena. The second period trickled to an end with the score still tied at one apiece. In the early moments of the final period in the 2022-23 season, Jake Guentzel capitalized on the power play to give the Penguins a 2-1 lead. Sidney Crosby assisted on both Penguins’ goals giving him 60 helpers on the season. As the minutes ticked down on the Penguins' season, the Blue Jackets tied the game again with a power play goal of their own. There is no more fitting conclusion to the season than the Penguins letting one last third period lead slip out of their hands. With the score tied at two, the Penguins' season was extended by a few minutes as the game needed 3-on-3 overtime. Exactly a minute into the OT period, the Blue Jackets capitalized on their first shot to pick up the victory. The Penguins season finally comes to an end with a record of 40-31-11 for 91 total points and just outside of a playoff spot. Make sure you bookmark Inside the Penguins [http://insidethepenguins.com/]for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns and so much more! Marcus Pettersson, Drew O'Connor Will Play in Penguins' Season Finale [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/news/marcus-pettersson-drew-oconnor-play-pittsburgh-penguins-finale] FSG Will Likely Keep Mike Sullivan as Penguins Head Coach [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/pens-talk/fenway-sports-group-mike-sullivan-pittsburgh-penguins-head-coach] Report: Changes Coming to Penguins' Front Office [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/news/chages-coming-pittsburgh-penguins-front-office] Penguins vs. Blue Jackets: Go Out With a Bang [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/pens-talk/pittsburgh-penguins-columbus-blue-jackets-go-out-bang] Penguins Officially Eliminated from Playoff Contention [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/news/pittsburgh-penguins-officially-eliminated-playoff-contention] * undefined * undefined
