The Latest Breaking News from Mike Sullivan

PITTSBURGH — The Penguins went to bed Monday night out of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

There will be tougher games ahead, for sure. I can think of two later this week, Thursday night and Saturday night against these same New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. Then, of course, there will be a difficult first-round playoff series against Boston, Carolina or New Jersey.

It doesn't matter that the Philadelphia Flyers are one horrendous hockey club. That they will miss the playoffs for the third consecutive year. That they have just one postseason series win in the past 10 years. That they haven't won a Stanley Cup in 17,455 days.

PITTSBURGH — Coach Mike Sullivan’s willingness to switch up his lines in light of an unwelcome absence was rewarded against the Penguins’ hapless intrastate rivals to the east.

PITTSBURGH — The New York Islanders again had the Penguins right where they wanted them.

SUNRISE, Fla. — Not much has changed with Nick Bonino since he last wore the black and gold. But he did acknowledge a few key differences Saturday.

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.

PITTSBURGH — Tristan Jarry’s return to the crease was supposed to stabilize the Penguins. But the poor play of their No. 1 netminder cost them dearly in a pair of losses.

Given the fact that he was either injured or awful the past two postseasons — costing the Penguins two great chances to advance — Tristan Jarry's 2022-23 season was always going to be about playoff redemption.

PITTSBURGH — Savvy fans put on a lucky jersey and a happy face, but they knew what they were likely in for when they walked down Centre Ave. late Saturday afternoon.

ELMONT, N.Y. — The Penguins on Friday got an opportunity to leave the pesky New York Islanders in their dust in the Eastern Conference wild-card race.