Pittsburgh: home to Steelers, Pirates and … Penguins. You bet your ass. Penguins. Penguins that very well may be the greatest hockey team of the decade.
The Pittsburgh Penguins captured their second Stanley Cup in as many seasons after a Game 6, 2-0 defeat of the Nashville Predators Sunday night. It’s also their third Stanley Cup since 2009.
The only other team to win three Stanley Cups this decade? The Chicago Blackhawks. However, the Pens are the first team to repeat as champions since the ’97-’98 Detroit Red Wings.
As for Sidney Crosby, he became the first player to lead the regular-season in goals and win the Stanley Cup in the same season since Wayne Gretzky did it in 1986-87 — the same year Crosby was born. Crosby was also awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy (playoff MVP) for the second year in a row.
It should also be noted that the Pens’ Matt Murray became the first goalie to roll off consecutive shut-outs in the Finals since 2008.
Congrats to Pittsburgh on a well-deserved championship. And if they win another, could very well be the greatest hockey team of this generation.
Josh Helmuth is the editor of Crave Sports.
Photos: Getty
Pittburgh Penguins Cup Champions 2017
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Crosby, the greatest player since Gretzky?
NASHVILLE, TN - JUNE 11: Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrates with the Stanley Cup Trophy after they defeated the Nashville Predators 2-0 to win the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Final at the Bridgestone Arena on June 11, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
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The famous group photo on the ice
NASHVILLE, TN - JUNE 11: The Pittsburgh Penguins pose for a group photo with the Stanley Cup Trophy after they defeated the Nashville Predators 2-0 in Game Six of the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Final at the Bridgestone Arena on June 11, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
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View from the stands
NASHVILLE, TN - JUNE 11: Matt Murray #30 of the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrates with teammates after they defeated the Nashville Predators 2-0 to win the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Final at the Bridgestone Arena on June 11, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
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Birds-eye view
NASHVILLE, TN - JUNE 11: The Pittsburgh Penguins mob goalie Matt Murray #30 as they celebrate their, 2-0, win over the Nashville Predators to win the 2017 Stanley Cup in Game Six of the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Final at the Bridgestone Arena on June 11, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
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The nail in the coffin
NASHVILLE, TN - JUNE 11: Carl Hagelin #62 of the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrates with Sidney Crosby #87 after scoring a empty net goal against the Nashville Predators during the third period in Game Six of the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Final at the Bridgestone Arena on June 11, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
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View from net
NASHVILLE, TN - JUNE 11: The Pittsburgh Penguins celebrate their 2-0 victory over the Nashville Predators in Game Six of the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Final at the Bridgestone Arena on June 11, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
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Drinking from the cup!
NASHVILLE, TN - JUNE 11: Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins drinks out of the Stanley Cup in the locker room after Game Six of the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Final at the Bridgestone Arena on June 11, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Dave Sandford - Pool/Getty Images)
