The 2020–21 Pittsburgh Penguins season was the 54th season for the National Hockey League 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 and the ongoing closure of the Canada–United States border. 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, extending their playoff streak to 15 seasons – the longest active streak among the four North American major leagues, after the San Antonio Spurs of National Basketball Association missed the playoffs for the first time in 22 years. (including MLB, the NFL, and the NBA). On May 8, the team clinched the East Division title after defeating the Buffalo Sabres 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. 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 || 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 || 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 || 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 || – || 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 || 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 || 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 || 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 || 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 || 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 || 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 || 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 || Jarry || 2,133 || 33–15–3 || 69

|- style="background:#cfc;" | 52 || May 1 || Pittsburgh || 3–0 || Washington || Jarry || 2,133 || 34–15–3 || 71 |- style="background:#fcf;" | 53 || May 3 || Pittsburgh || 2–7 || Philadelphia || 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

Regular season Player 55 24 38 62 8 26 56 23 34 57 7 28 55 7 38 45 19 32 56 22 20 42 9 18 43 14 18 32 17 8 40 11 19 30 15 7 33 8 20 28 -4 24 43 7 15 22 10 16 38 9 9 18 -8 21 53 4 13 17 18 10 32 7 9 16 12 22 44 5 11 16 9 28 45 9 6 15 10 15 35 7 7 14 -3 6 41 4 10 14 18 12 52 3 10 13 5 8 † 14 9 2 11 9 0 45 4 7 11 4 6 46 5 5 10 0 2 19 2 8 10 10 2 47 2 7 9 8 22 34 0 6 6 -6 25 16 1 4 5 1 6 19 2 2 4 4 8 8 2 2 4 4 4 † 5 2 1 3 3 5 17 0 2 2 3 14 10 0 1 1 -2 2 2 0 0 0 -3 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 -3 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 Total 193 324 517 — 377

Playoffs Player 6 1 5 6 -2 6 6 4 1 5 0 4 4 1 4 5 -2 8 6 2 1 3 -1 2 6 2 1 3 -3 4 6 1 2 3 3 2 6 1 2 3 -3 0 6 1 1 2 -2 2 6 1 1 2 -6 6 6 1 1 2 0 2 6 0 2 2 -1 2 6 0 2 2 -3 0 6 1 0 1 -2 0 6 0 1 1 1 2 6 0 1 1 -1 0 2 0 1 1 1 0 6 0 0 0 -2 0 6 0 0 0 -2 2 6 0 0 0 -1 6 Total 16 26 42 — 48

Goaltenders Regular season Player 39 38 2185:18 25 9 3 100 2.75 1100 0.909 2 0 4 8 20 17 1132:19 11 7 0 48 2.54 543 0.912 2 0 1 0 1 1 60:00 1 0 0 0 0 29 1.000 1 0 0 0 Total 56 3377:37 37 16 3 148 2.63 1672 0.911 5 0 5 8 Playoffs Player 6 6 396:07 2 4 0 21 3.18 187 0.888 0 0 0 0 Total 6 396:07 2 4 0 21 3.18 187 0.888 0 0 0 0 †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 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 on February 20.

Transactions The Penguins have been involved in the following transactions during the 2020–21 season.

Trades Date Details To Ottawa SenatorsMatt MurrayTo Pittsburgh PenguinsJonathan Gruden2nd-round pick in 2020 To Los AngelesConditional 3rd-round pick in 2022Conditional 4th-round pick in 2023To Pittsburgh PenguinsJeff Carter

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, Quebec, but was postponed on March 25, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was instead held on October 6–7, 2020, virtually via video conference call from the NHL Network studio in Secaucus, New Jersey.

Round # Player Pos Nationality College/Junior/Club team (League)252 Joel Blomqvist G Finland Oulun Kärpät U20 (Jr. A SM-liiga)377 Calle Clang G Sweden Kristianstads IK (HockeyAllsvenskan)4108 Lukas Svejkovsky C United States Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)6170 Chase Yoder C United States U.S. NTDP (USHL)

Notes

References