The Latest Breaking News from Kris Letang

The Stanley Cup playoffs will begin Monday night without the Penguins for the first time since Sid the Kid really was still a kid. The next two months will remind us of all the fun we are missing. We'll see Edmonton's Connor McDavid or Boston's Patrice Bergeron or perhaps, horror…

PITTSBURGH — Frustrated fans who chanted "Fire Hextall!" at PPG Paints Arena during Tuesday's devastating loss to the lowly Chicago Blackhawks got their wish Friday.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The cannon blasted late at Nationwide Arena, calling Thursday’s game to an end. But no one blinked. The battle was already over.

PITTSBURGH — The Penguins have officially missed the playoffs for the first time since 2006.

PITTSBURGH — The Penguins remained within striking distance of a playoff spot by defeating the Marc-Andre Fleury and the Minnesota Wild, 4-1, at PPG Paints Arena.

PITTSBURGH — The Penguins this calendar year have had few convincing wins, the rare complete game in which they actually displayed focus and fire from wire to wire.

PITTSBURGH — Once the Penguins start providing reasons to believe there might still be a Stanley Cup contender in there somewhere, they always deliver a dud like this.

PITTSBURGH — Kris Letang scored a power-play goal 1:38 into overtime Sunday to give the Penguins an emotional 3-2 win over the New York Rangers at PPG Paints Arena.

I don't write this as a criticism. It's more of a wondering.

TAMPA, Fla. — The Penguins would be forgiven if they were emotionally drained after the last few days, with trade winds swirling and a flurry of roster moves.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Penguins might not have started strong Tuesday. But they were the better team when it mattered to win their third straight game.