Well, the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs are moving on without the Pittsburgh Penguins. Did you know the Penguins had not been swept out of the playoffs in the first round since 1972? So that’s something.
For the neutral people out there, the second half of the playoffs could be very interesting, as none of the favorites nor any of the division winners have survived the first round. For Penguins fans, perhaps there aren’t many teams really worthy of our support. Three of the four Eastern Conference teams remaining are also three of the last four teams to eliminate the Penguins in the playoffs. So, who should Penguins fans root for at this point? I have for you here a very definitive and scientific breakdown of who we should be supporting and why.
Carolina Hurricanes (visiting New York Islanders)
Most recent series vs. Penguins: 2009 ECF (CAR lost 4-0)
Any other playoff history vs. Penguins?: No (total: 0-1)
Last postseason appearance: 2009 (ten years)
Any Stanley Cups?: 2006
The Hurricanes have already been a favorite of many Penguins fans, and with their 4-3 double overtime win in Game 7 to eliminate the Washington Capitals in the first round, I would be shocked if there were many holdouts left. Carolina hasn’t been much of an antagonist to the Penguins over the years, as they were bounced quite rapidly by Pittsburgh en route to the Penguins’ 2009 Cup win, and they also took Jordan Staal off their hands. The ‘Canes are also a lot of fun to watch, although they need to work on their play in the first half of games. Nevertheless, I am firmly in support of their campaign to rid the playoffs of recent Penguins’ foes, starting with the Islanders.
Colorado Avalanche (visiting San Jose Sharks)
Most recent series vs. Penguins: None
Any other playoff history vs. Penguins?: No
Last postseason appearance: 2018 (one year)
Any Stanley Cups?: 1996, 2001
1996 is the closest the Penguins and Avalanche ever came to meeting in the playoffs, but for the intervention of the Florida Panthers in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Somewhat surprisingly, the Penguins and Quebec Nourdiques never met in the playoffs, but the early-1990s weren’t that good for Quebec, which is part of the reason they moved to Colorado (then immediately won a Cup, go figure). All told, there’s no good reason to have animosity towards the Avalanche/Nourdiques franchise, and since Sidney Crosby’s buddy Nathan MacKinnon plays for them, I guess that’s a good reason to support them.
St. Louis Blues (hosting Dallas Stars)
Most recent series vs. Penguins: 1981 first round (STL won 3-2)
Any other playoff history vs. Penguins?: 1970, 1975 (total: 2-1)
Last postseason appearance: 2017 (two years)
Any Stanley Cups?: No
Not much unlike the 2009 Penguins, St. Louis was waaaaaay out of the playoff race in January, but went on an ungodly tear to not only make the playoffs but also knock off a swooning Winnipeg Jets team in the first round. As a fellow 1967 expansion team to the Penguins, the Blues are the only team in that group that is still active and has yet to win the Stanley Cup. Maybe it’s high time they did?
Columbus Blue Jackets (visiting Boston Bruins)
Most recent series vs. Penguins: 2017 first round (CBJ lost 4-1)
Any other playoff history vs. Penguins?: 2014 (total: 0-2)
Last postseason appearance: 2018 (one year)
Any Stanley Cups?: No
The Blue Jackets are riding a wave of Big Dick Energy, having eliminated the President’s Trophy-winning Tampa Bay Lightning in a remarkable sweep. Out of all the remaining Eastern Conference teams, they have the least history against the Penguins, and none of it has been to their benefit, so I guess they’re cool. I’d still prefer that they don’t get too far in the playoffs, because there’s nothing worse than a bunch of cocksure Blue Jackets fans, who are probably already thrilled to have advanced past the first round for once.
Dallas Stars (visiting St. Louis Blues)
Most recent series vs. Penguins: 1991 SCF (MIN lost 4-2)
Any other playoff history vs. Penguins?: No (total: 0-1)
Last postseason appearance: 2016 (three years)
Any Stanley Cups?: 1999
The Stars may not be a hot pick, what with their rude front office, but like the Sharks there is no good reason for Penguins fans to have much animosity towards the franchise. Those 1991 North Stars were not much opposition for the Penguins, and since then they’ve not run into each other besides in the regular season. If you want to pick nits, their one Stanley Cup came somewhat controversially against the Buffalo Sabres and with Brett Hull’s skate in the crease, but that was a dumb rule to begin with and they abolished it rather quickly. Anyway, root for the Stars…or don’t!
San Jose Sharks (hosting Colorado Avalanche)
Most recent series vs. Penguins: 2016 SCF (SJS lost 4-2)
Any other playoff history vs. Penguins?: No (total: 0-1)
Last postseason appearance: 2018 (one year)
Any Stanley Cups?: No
I’m guessing most Penguins fans are turned off by the Sharks, as they dispatched the seeming favorite of the fanbase, the Vegas Golden Knights. I’m not as offended by them beating Vegas so much as how they did it, with the refs handing the Sharks a five-minute power-play for something that should have just been a minor. I also don’t like the sense of inevitability that old man Joe Thornton MUST win a Cup before he retires; some guys just don’t get there! Still, the Sharks as a franchise have yet to win the Stanley Cup, so I guess there’s something to support there.
Boston Bruins (hosting Columbus Blue Jackets)
Most recent series vs. Penguins: 2013 ECF (BOS won 4-0)
Any other playoff history vs. Penguins?: 1979, 1980, 1991, 1992 (total: 3-2)
Last postseason appearance: 2018 (one year)
Any Stanley Cups?: 1929, 1939, 1941, 1970, 1972, 2011
The first of the three teams in a row I mentioned above as being responsible for eliminating the Penguins, the Bruins are also the most historically successful team left in the playoffs this year. Based on that alone, they’re probably not going to get much support from Penguins fans, and given the long history between the two franchises, they probably don’t want it anyway. They are my local team, which I guess is some reason for me to support them, but considering that Boston teams have won two straight championships (Red Sox, Patriots) and the Celtics are in the second round of the NBA playoffs too, we can’t let them get away with it, can we?!
New York Islanders (hosting Carolina Hurricanes)
Most recent series vs. Penguins: 2019 first round (NYI won 4-0)
Any other playoff history vs. Penguins?: 1975, 1982, 1993, 2013 (total: 4-1)
Last postseason appearance: 2016 (three years)
Any Stanley Cups?: 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983
Unless you’re the sort of person who throws their support behind the team that beats the Penguins (you weirdo), the Islanders don’t deserve any of our support. They have the best record historically of any team remaining in the playoffs against the Penguins, and of course they just became the first team to sweep the Penguins out of the playoffs since the Bruins in 2013. The Islanders are still frauds – apparently less so than the Penguins were this year – and they will be exposed soon enough.