The Penguins have been a part of plenty of Game 7's in their history, especially three recently in the past 16 years. Three performances by certain players were noteworthy as one won them the Stanley Cup, and two won them a trip to the Stanley Cup Final where they would go on to win the cup.
These performances are remembered by all Penguins fans as they were all part of the Penguins 16-year playoff streak and really helped turn the Penguins into a dynasty.
Let's jump into these performances, shall we?
Max Talbot Game 7 against the Detroit Red Wings
This game 7 performance by Max Talbot can be classified as one of the best in Penguins history. The Penguins were facing the Red Wings again in back-to-back years in the Stanley Cup Final.
The Red Wings had quite the team in both years, and the Penguins had to win game 6 to send it back for a winner-take-all game 7 and someone outside of Crosby and Malkin had to step up.
And low and behold, Max Talbot showed up and scored both Penguins goals in a 2-1 victory as the Penguins won the Stanley Cup in Detroit.
There was NO stopping Max Talbot in 2009.
— NBC Sports Hockey (@NBCSportsHockey) March 26, 2020
No Game 7 Stanley Cup Final nerves here. @penguins
📺: NBCSN
💻: https://t.co/5TdqG74krL pic.twitter.com/SCPUSyroam
Bryan Rust Game 7 against the Tampa Bay Lightning
Like the Stanley Cup run in 2009, the Penguins had to win games 6 and 7 to advance to the Stanley Cup Final. The Penguins beat the Lightning in game 6 in Tampa Bay and forced a winner take all game 7 back in Pittsburgh.
A very young fourth line Bryan Rust that was bumped up to the second line in those playoffs, found a way for the Penguins as like Talbot, he scored both Penguins goals in a 2-1 game 7 home victory.
The Penguins advanced to play the San Jose Sharks and win the Stanley Cup and Rust's game 7 performance is a major reason why they won it all.
On this day, 8 years ago, the Pittsburgh Penguins, led by Bryan Rust, beat the Tampa Bay Lightning, 2-1 in game 7 of the ECF to punch their ticket to the SCF.
— ChelPenguins (@ChelPenguins) May 26, 2024
This game is when the hockey world knew Rust had ice in his veins. A Pittsburgh hero, as Bonino would say. pic.twitter.com/QCw5vf0GQv
Chris Kunitz Game 7 against the Ottawa Senators
This game is one that all hockey fans should remember as it was that game where Kunitz broke the Ottawa Senators and they didn't make the playoffs again for years after this game.
Erik Karlsson played on a broken foot and the Senators did all they could and forced double overtime, but Kunitz scored a massive goal to send the Penguins to back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals as the Penguins would play the Nashville Predators and beat them in 6 games.
Kunitz had a goal and an assist in this game 7, the goal being one that completely turned the tide for the Penguins as if he had not scored there, the outcome could have been vastly different.
On this day, 7 years ago, Chris Kunitz scores the double overtime game-winning goal to send the penguins to the Stanley Cup Finals for the second year in a row.
— ChelPenguins (@ChelPenguins) May 25, 2024
Not only was this one of the most electric goals in penguins history, but in NHL history too.
Absolute scenes at PPG. pic.twitter.com/cewUke1F0p