The Penguins' first-round playoff loss to the Rangers is the fourth consecutive early exit for the team. It is their third straight first-round loss, and it was a series they all but had won and blew. The Penguins led 3-1 in the series, they had a two-goal lead in Games 5 and 6 and lost, and then in Game 7 entered the third period with a 3-2 lead and couldn't hold it.
There are many who believe it could be the end of the Sidney Crosby-Evgeni Malkin-Kris Letang era.
And it is not because Crosby is going anywhere or has declined to the point where he can't lead a team to a championship, although Father Time is catching up to him a bit. Crosby is going to retire a Penguin, but that won't happen any time soon as he seems destined to play into his 40s. And what a glorious ride he has led the Penguins on — 16 consecutive playoff seasons, three Stanley Cups, four Eastern Conference finals.
