Can Penguins Break Season Opening Trend?

When the Pittsburgh Penguins won the Stanley Cup in 2016, they began the season under former head coach Mike Johnston by going 6-4-0. However, they plateaued, and the club fired him after 28 games (15-10-3).

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As everyone knows, Mike Sullivan took over and has been behind the bench ever since. During his first season as Penguins head coach, the defending champions began the year with a 7-2-1 record, their best mark since the 2014-15 season (7-2-1).

Interestingly, Pittsburgh has yet to win seven games through the first ten contests of any season since repeating as Stanley Cup winners in 2017. Unfortunately, they have won fewer and fewer games with each passing season.

Under Sullivan, who is now entering his eighth full season as Penguins head coach, here’s a look at how the team has performed:

In the final season of the franchise-record 16-year playoff streak in 2021-22, the Penguins salvaged the campaign after starting 4-3-3. Since the streak ended, Pittsburgh has continued its trend of winning only four of its first ten games and has yet to qualify for the postseason.

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After a blowout loss to begin their 2024-25 season, the Penguins bounced back with a 6-3 statement win in game two. Their first ten games this year feature some contenders, playoff hopefuls, and the yearly trip through Western Canada.

Even though a team can still advance to the playoffs after a slow start, the Penguins must win at least five or six games this year to set themselves up for success later in the season.

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