Sidney Crosby isn’t done. Honestly, if you watched the Pittsburgh Penguins earlier this month, you might have thought the wheels were finally coming off the wagon. They had just dropped three straight games. The defense looked shaky. Goaltending was a massive question mark. But then Thursday night happened, and the entire vibe in the Steel City shifted.
The Penguins' 6-3 shellacking of the Philadelphia Flyers on January 15, 2026, wasn't just another win in a long rivalry. It was a massive statement for the pittsburgh penguins playoff standings. With that victory, the Pens jumped back into a much more comfortable spot in the Metropolitan Division, reminding everyone that as long as Number 87 is on the ice, you can’t count them out.
Currently, the Penguins sit at 22-14-10. That gives them 54 points through 46 games. If you’re looking at the raw math, they are holding down the 3rd seed in the Metro. It's a tight race, though. The Washington Capitals are breathing down their necks with the exact same point total, though Washington has played two more games. In the NHL, those games in hand are basically gold.
Where the Penguins Stand Right Now
The Metropolitan Division is a total meat grinder this year. Carolina is leading the pack with 60 points, and the Islanders are holding steady in second with 57. Pittsburgh is right there in the mix.
What’s wild is how much the "loser point" has kept them afloat. Those 10 overtime/shootout losses are tied for the most in the Eastern Conference. It’s a double-edged sword. On one hand, it shows they can’t close out tight games. On the other, those single points are literally the only reason they aren't buried in the Wild Card basement right now.
- Current Record: 22-14-10
- Division Rank: 3rd in the Metropolitan
- Conference Rank: 8th in the Eastern Conference
- Points: 54
Basically, they are on the bubble. They’re in a playoff spot today, but a two-game skid could drop them to 10th in the East faster than you can say "Crosby for MVP." The Eastern Conference is so packed that only five points separate the 4th-place Canadiens (59 pts) from the 12th-place Panthers (51 pts). It is pure chaos.
The Skinner Factor
One of the biggest reasons for the recent surge is Stuart Skinner. Since Kyle Dubas brought him in from Edmonton, it’s been a bit of a roller coaster. But lately? He’s been locked in. Before the Flyers game, he had allowed just one goal in each of his previous four starts.
Even in losses, he’s giving them a chance. He’s got a 2.42 GAA right now, which is stellar considering the Penguins' defensive core isn't exactly the youngest in the league. When Skinner is "on," this team looks like a legitimate threat. When he struggles, the lack of depth scoring becomes a glaring problem.
What the Pittsburgh Penguins Playoff Standings Tell Us About the Future
If the season ended tonight, the Penguins would likely face the New York Islanders in the first round. That’s a matchup Pens fans have seen before, and it’s usually a defensive grind. However, the goal isn't just to make it; it's to avoid the Wild Card spots.
Why? Because the top Wild Card seed currently looks like a date with the Tampa Bay Lightning, who are on an absolute tear (W11 streak!). Nobody wants that.
Power Play Revival
Against Philly, the Penguins went 3-for-something ridiculous on the power play. Sidney Crosby, Justin Brazeau, and Bryan Rust all converted with the man advantage. For a team that has struggled with special teams consistency all year, seeing the power play click is huge.
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You’ve got to remember that Crosby just hit the 50-point mark for the 19th time in his career. That ties him with legends. He’s 38 years old and still playing like he’s 25. He has points in 29 of his last 34 games against the Flyers. That kind of dominance is what keeps the Penguins in the hunt.
The Road Ahead: The Olympic Break
Don't forget the February gap. The NHL is pausing for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. This 19-day break is going to be a massive turning point for the pittsburgh penguins playoff standings.
For an older roster like Pittsburgh’s—averaging over 30 years old—this rest could be a godsend. Or, it could kill their momentum. It really depends on how many of their stars (Crosby, Karlsson, etc.) head to Italy to play high-intensity minutes for their home countries. If they come back exhausted, the March push is going to be brutal.
Key Games to Watch
The schedule isn't doing them any favors. They host Columbus on Saturday, which should be a win, but the Blue Jackets have been surprisingly pesky lately.
The games that will actually decide their fate are the "four-pointers" against the Capitals and Flyers. The Metropolitan is so tightly bunched that these head-to-head matchups are essentially early playoff games.
Honestly, the Penguins' identity this year is "survival." They aren't the high-flying juggernaut of 2016. They are a gritty, veteran-heavy group relying on elite goaltending and a legendary captain to mask some depth issues.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're tracking the race, keep your eyes on the "Regulation Wins" (RW) column. In the event of a tie in the standings, RW is the first tiebreaker. Right now, the Pens have 18. That's decent, but they need to stop relying on the shootout to get their wins if they want to feel safe come April.
- Monitor the Wild Card Gap: Don't just look at the Metro. Keep an eye on the Atlantic teams like Buffalo and Boston. If they keep winning, the Wild Card floor rises.
- Watch the Injury Report: Specifically regarding the defensive pairings. Ryan Shea has been a surprising +14, but if the top four get banged up, the standings will slip.
- Check the Skinner/Jarry Split: If Stuart Skinner continues this run, he’s the clear #1. If he falters, the Penguins' playoff hopes hinge on Tristan Jarry finding his 2023 form again.
The win against Philadelphia snapped a three-game skid and put the Pens back in the driver's seat for a top-three seed. They’ve got the talent, they’ve got the experience, and for now, they’ve got the spot. Whether they can hold it through the Olympic break and into the spring is the only question that matters.