Penguins takes victory lap on haters after clinching playoff spot

The Pittsburgh Penguins have clinched a playoff spot after defeating the New Jersey Devils 5-2. After starting the season with doubters, the Penguins proved their critics wrong and took a victory lap afterward, as the Penguins’ X account celebrated.

“They wrote us off. We flipped the script,” the Penguins wrote on X.

They wrote us off. We flipped the script. pic.twitter.com/5bwplXzqdr

— x – Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) April 10, 2026

The Penguins have thrived all season, staying consistent and avoiding long lulls. With the win, they have clinched a playoff spot and will finish in second place in the Metropolitan Division. Now, they await their opponent. The Philadelphia Flyers currently sit in third place with 92 points. However, the New York Islanders are right behind them with 91 points. The Columbus Blue Jackets have 90 points.

The Penguins jumped on the Devils with a goal five minutes into the game. After allowing a goal in the second, the Pens tallied two goals in nine seconds to build a two-goal lead. While the Devils brought the deficit to 3-2, they could not bridge the gap as Evgeni Malkin scored in the third and Erik Karlsson finished it off with an empty-net goal.

The Pens are in the playoffs for the first time since the 2021-22 season. It’s been a long journey back for a team that has won three Stanley Cups over the last 16 years, including two in the last decade. Now, the Pens could have a good playoff run as they attempt to win their fourth in 16 years.

With a playoff spot and first-round home-ice advantage locked up, the Pens could use the final three games to wind up for the playoffs. The Penguins will have their final regular-season home game against the Washington Capitals before playing them in D.C. the following day. Finally, they will end the regular season on the road against the St. Louis Blues.

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