Pittsburgh’s Playoff Loss Could Also End the Crosby–Malkin–Letang Era

The trio won 3 Stanley Cups from 2009 to 2017 but haven’t had much postseason success since. Sidney Crosby wants to keep the trio intact, but that’s unlikely.

Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins handles the puck against the Flyers during their first-round playoff game at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia on April 29, 2026. Emilee Chinn/Getty Images

The Pittsburgh Penguins’ return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs didn’t go as planned, and longtime star center Sidney Crosby has a clear request of the team.

Pittsburgh fell 1–0 in overtime to the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday and lost the Eastern Conference quarterfinals series 4–2. It marked an abrupt end to Crosby’s 21st NHL season, all with the Penguins.