They call it the toughest trophy to win in sports.
Even though I don’t watch a lot of hockey, I always make an effort to see the waning minutes of the Stanley Cup Finals each year. The minutes that proceed the final buzzer are some of the most fun to watch in sports. That moment was further exemplified by the Pittsburgh Penguins Sunday night.
The team took down the San Jose Sharks 3-1 to clinch their second Stanley Cup in eight seasons.
Here’s a look at the best images of the celebration, in no particular order.
Josh Helmuth is the editor of Crave Sports. Follow him on Twitter or like the channel on Facebook here.
Penguins Stanley Cup 2016
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The initial piling
SAN JOSE, CA - JUNE 12: The Pittsburgh Penguins celebrate after their 3-1 victory to win the Stanley Cup against the San Jose Sharks in Game Six of the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Final at SAP Center on June 12, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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Birds (Penguins) eye view
SAN JOSE, CA - JUNE 12: The Pittsburgh Penguins celebrate after their 3-1 victory to win the Stanley Cup against the San Jose Sharks in Game Six of the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Final at SAP Center on June 12, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) -
Sidney Crosby got first dibs with the Cup
SAN JOSE, CA - JUNE 12: Assistant general manager Bill Guerin (L) receives the Stanley Cup from Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins after the Penguins won Game 6 of the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Final over the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center on June 12, 2016 in San Jose, California. The Penguins won the game 3-1 and the series 4-2. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/NHLI via Getty Images)
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It's the team's first Stanley Cup since 2009
SAN JOSE, CA - JUNE 12: Evgeni Malkin #71, Matthew Murray #30, Justin Schultz #4 and Nick Bonino #13 of the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrate after winning the Stanley Cup against the San Jose Sharks in Game Six of the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Final at the SAP Center at San Jose on June 12, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Don Smith/NHLI via Getty Images)
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It's the 4th Stanley Cup in franchise history
SAN JOSE, CA - JUNE 12: Eric Fehr #16 of the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrates with the Stanley Cup after their 3-1 victory to win the Stanley Cup against the San Jose Sharks in Game Six of the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Final at SAP Center on June 12, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
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Just Schultz takes his turn with Lord Stanley's Cup
SAN JOSE, CA - JUNE 12: Justin Schultz #4 of the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrates with the Stanley Cup after their 3-1 victory to win the Stanley Cup against the San Jose Sharks in Game Six of the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Final at SAP Center on June 12, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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Another view of the Penguin pile
SAN JOSE, CA - JUNE 12: The Pittsburgh Penguins celebrate winning the Stanley Cup against the San Jose Sharks in Game 6 of the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Final at SAP Center at San Jose on June 12, 2016 in San Jose California. (Photo by Rocky Widner/NHLI via Getty Images)
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Patric Hornqvist celebrates his empty net goal to solidify the win
SAN JOSE, CA - JUNE 12: Patric Hornqvist #72 of the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrates his empty net goal in the third period against the San Jose Sharks in Game Six of the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Final at SAP Center on June 12, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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Hornqvist #2
SAN JOSE, CA - JUNE 12: Patric Hornqvist #72 of the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrates his empty net goal in the third period against the San Jose Sharks in Game Six of the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Final at SAP Center on June 12, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
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Matty Murray had 18 saves in Game 6
SAN JOSE, CA - JUNE 12: Matt Murray #30 of the Pittsburgh Penguins makes a save against Melker Karlsson #68 of the San Jose Sharks during the third period in Game Six of the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Final at SAP Center on June 12, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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Phil Kessel led the Pens in goals and points this postseason
SAN JOSE, CA - JUNE 12: Phil Kessel #81 of the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrates with the Stanley Cup after their 3-1 victory to win the Stanley Cup against the San Jose Sharks in Game Six of the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Final at SAP Center on June 12, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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The first time millions of adults were jealous of a baby on the ice rink
SAN JOSE, CA - JUNE 12: Nick Bonino #13 of the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrates with guests and the Stanley Cup after their 3-1 victory to win the Stanley Cup against the San Jose Sharks in Game Six of the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Final at SAP Center on June 12, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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Team photo
SAN JOSE, CA - JUNE 12: The Pittsburgh Penguins pose for their photo with the Stanley Cup after their teams 3-1 victory to win the Stanley Cup against the San Jose Sharks in Game Six of the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Final at SAP Center on June 12, 2016 in San Jose, California. The Pittsburgh Penguins defeat the San Jose Sharks 3-1. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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Pascal Dupuis celebrates with fans
SAN JOSE, CA - JUNE 12: Pascal Dupuis #9 of the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrates with fans after his team won the Stanley Cup and Game 6 of the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Final over the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center on June 12, 2016 in San Jose, California. The Penguins won the series 4-2. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images)
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Crosby was awarded the Conn Smythe trophy as the Stanley Cup playoffs' MVP
SAN JOSE, CA - JUNE 12: Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrates with the Stanley Cup and teammates in the locker room after winning Game 6 of the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Final over the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center on June 12, 2016 in San Jose, California. The Penguins won the game 3-1 and the series 4-2. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/NHLI via Getty Images)
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Kris Letang celebrates in the locker room
SAN JOSE, CA - JUNE 12: Kris Letang #58 of the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrates with the Stanley Cup and teammates in the locker room after winning Game 6 of the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Final over the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center on June 12, 2016 in San Jose, California. The Penguins won the game 3-1 and the series 4-2. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/NHLI via Getty Images)
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The locker room shenanigans don't stop with the coach
SAN JOSE, CA - JUNE 12: Head coach Mike Sullivan of the Pittsburgh Penguins drinks from the Stanley Cup in the locker room after the Penguins won Game 6 of the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Final over the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center on June 12, 2016 in San Jose, California. The Penguins won the game 3-1 and the series 4-2. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/NHLI via Getty Images)
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Chris Kunitz walks off the ice with the Cup
SAN JOSE, CA - JUNE 12: Chris Kunitz #14 of the Pittsburgh Penguins walks off the ice holding the Stanley Cup after his team defeated the San Jose Sharks in Game 6 of the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Final at SAP Center on June 12, 2016 in San Jose, California. The Pittsburgh Penguins won the game 3-1 and the series 4-2. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/NHLI via Getty Images)
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"This means a lot to the city and the franchise," said Lemieux. "We are going to have a little party tonight."
SAN JOSE, CA - JUNE 12: Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins and co-owner and chairman Mario Lemieux celebrate with the Stanley Cup after the Penguins won Game 6 of the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Final over the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center on June 12, 2016 in San Jose, California. The Penguins won the game 3-1 and the series 4-2. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/NHLI via Getty Images)
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Hornqvist and Kessel embrace
SAN JOSE, CA - JUNE 12: Patric Hornqvist #72 (L) and Phil Kessel #81 (R) of the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrate winning the Stanley Cup after their 3-1 win over the San Jose Sharks in Game 6 of the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Final at SAP Center on June 12, 2016 in San Jose, California. The Penguins won the series 4-2. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images)
