# 2010–11 Pittsburgh Penguins season

The 2010–11 Pittsburgh Penguins season was the team's 44th season in the National Hockey League (NHL). The Penguins began the season in their new arena, CONSOL Energy Center, which is adjacent from their old facility, Mellon Arena, which had been the third smallest and oldest arena in the NHL. The Penguins also hosted the 2011 NHL Winter Classic against the Washington Capitals at Heinz Field, home of the National Football League's Pittsburgh Steelers and NCAA's's Pittsburgh Panthers football.

## Pre-season

On June 16, the Pittsburgh Penguins announced that they would play a six-game pre-season, including the first-ever game at the new Consol Energy Center on September 22 against the Detroit Red Wings.
On July 26, 2010, longtime Penguins PA announcer John Barbero died of brain cancer at age 65.

### Game log

2010 Pre-season: 5–1–0 (Home: 3–0–0; Road: 2–1–0)
#DateVisitorScoreHomeOTDecisionAttendanceRecordRecap
1September 22Detroit Red Wings1–5Pittsburgh PenguinsFleury18,0871–0–0Recap
2September 24Pittsburgh Penguins5–4Columbus Blue JacketsCurry10,6942–0–0Recap
3September 25Columbus Blue Jackets1–3Pittsburgh PenguinsFleury18,0873–0–0Recap
4September 28Chicago Blackhawks1–4Pittsburgh PenguinsJohnson18,0874–0–0Recap
5October 1Pittsburgh Penguins2–5Chicago BlackhawksJohnson19,9134–1–0
Recap
6October 3Pittsburgh Penguins5–2Detroit Red WingsFleury17,5015–1–0
Recap :
Legend:        = Win        = Loss        = OT/SO Loss :

## Regular season
### First half

The Penguins inaugurated their new arena on October 7 with a home opener against their in-state rivals, the Philadelphia Flyers, the defending Eastern Conference champions, whom they will play three times in the first month of the season. However, rookie Flyers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky made his NHL debut, leading his team to a 3–2 victory. Flyers forward Daniel Briere scored the first goal in the new building. In the first month of the season, goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury struggled, posting a 1–5 record for the month while backup goaltender Brent Johnson was 5–0–1 and posting a shutout in the final game of the month against the Carolina Hurricanes. Injuries were another trend for the first month of the season, with Jordan Staal failing to play the first month of the season with an infection in his foot. Other injuries to Zbynek Michalek and Brooks Orpik weakened the defensive unit during the first month. During the month of November, the Penguins went on a 12-game winning streak beginning with a 3-1 victory against the Vancouver Canucks on November 17. At the same time team captain Sidney Crosby went on a 25-game point streak during which he recorded 26 goals and 24 assists. The Penguins winning streak ended on December 14 with 3-2 loss in Philadelphia.
After 41 games, the midpoint of the season, the Penguins held a 26–12–3 record with 55 points, a two-point improvement over last season and good for second in the division behind the Philadelphia Flyers and fourth in the Eastern Conference.

### 2011 Winter Classic

The Penguins held the 2011 NHL Winter Classic at Heinz Field on January 1 against the Washington Capitals. This matchup pitted the two premiere stars of the game against each other, Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin. The Capitals won the contest however 3–1, overcoming a 1–0 Penguins lead in which Evgeni Malkin scored the lone Penguins goal. Jordan Staal made a return to the Penguins lineup in the Winter Classic after being held out all of the 2010 contests of the season due to foot and hand injuries.
Crosby suffered a concussion in an open ice hit in the Winter Classic but remained in the game and took part in the following contest with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Against Tampa Bay, however, he was hit again, this time behind the net against the boards and further aggravated his concussion. Crosby was held out games from January 7 through the end of the regular season.

### Second half

Defenseman Kris Letang had a breakout first half of the season, sitting second on the team in points scored behind center Sidney Crosby. Letang, Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury were named to the roster of the 2011 NHL All-Star Game, though only Letang and Fleury made appearances, as Crosby and Malkin were held out of the contest with head and lower body injures, respectively.
Malkin also missed multiple games in late January due to a lingering lower body injury and a sinus infection. He returned to the lineup against the Buffalo Sabres on February 4, but reactivated the injury during a hit by Tyler Myers in the second period, tearing his right medial collateral ligament (MCL) and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
Crosby and Malkin were injured for most of January and into February. In spite of these injuries, the Penguins still held onto second place in the Division and fourth place in the Conference for most of the first half and middle of the season, going 8–3–1 without Crosby, which includes 4–1–0 without both Crosby and Malkin during the same 8–3–1 span.
Due to the absence of Malkin and Crosby, the Penguin's offense was not nearly as productive. This led general manager Ray Shero to make personnel adjustments before the February trade deadline. On February 21, the Penguins traded defenseman Alex Goligoski to the Dallas Stars for left winger James Neal and defenseman Matt Niskanen. The organization also acquired right winger Alex Kovalev from the Ottawa Senators for a conditional draft pick on February 24.
On March 25, the Penguins defeated the New Jersey Devils 1–0 in a shootout. James Neal scored the lone goal, marking the fourth year in a row the Penguins have won a game on March 25 in a shutout and the first to go to overtime or a shootout.
On March 28, the Penguins set an NHL record by winning their fourth consecutive game in a shootout. During the stretch, the team defeated the Detroit Red Wings, Philadelphia Flyers, New Jersey Devils and Florida Panthers in a seven-day period.
The Penguins concluded the regular season with the best penalty-kill percentage in the NHL, at 86.11%

### Game log

2010–2011 Schedule :
October: 6–5–1 (Home: 2–4–0; Road: 4–1–1), 13 Points
#OctTime (ET)VisitorScoreHomeLocation/AttendanceRecordPoints
177:00 pmPhiladelphia Flyers3–2Pittsburgh PenguinsConsol Energy Center (18,289)0–1–00
297:00 pmMontreal Canadiens3–2Pittsburgh PenguinsConsol Energy Center (18,106)0–2–00
3114:00 pmPittsburgh Penguins3–1New Jersey DevilsPrudential Center (12,880)1–2–02
4137:30 pmToronto Maple Leafs4–3Pittsburgh PenguinsConsol Energy Center (18,112)1–3–02
5157:00 pmNew York Islanders2–3 OTPittsburgh PenguinsConsol Energy Center (18,195)2–3–04
6166:00 pmPittsburgh Penguins5–1Philadelphia FlyersWells Fargo Center (19,684)3–3–06
7187:00 pmOttawa Senators2–5Pittsburgh PenguinsConsol Energy Center (18,101)4–3–08
8218:00 pmPittsburgh Penguins4–3 OTNashville PredatorsBridgestone Arena (17,113)5–3–010
9238:00 pmPittsburgh Penguins0–1 OTSt. Louis BluesScottrade Center (19,150)5–3–111
10277:30 pmPittsburgh Penguins3–5Tampa Bay LightningAmalie Arena (17,226)5–4–111
11297:00 pmPhiladelphia Flyers3–2Pittsburgh PenguinsConsol Energy Center (18,275)5–5–111
12307:00 pmPittsburgh Penguins3–0Carolina HurricanesPNC Arena (18,680)6–5–113 :
November: 10–3–1 (Home: 5–1–1; Road: 5–2–0), 21 Points
#NovTime (ET)VisitorScoreHomeLocation/AttendanceRecordPoints
1338:30 pmPittsburgh Penguins2–5Dallas StarsAmerican Airlines Center (15,637)6–6–113
14510:00 pmPittsburgh Penguins2–3Anaheim DucksHonda Center (17,174)6–7–113
1569:00 pmPittsburgh Penguins4–3 SOPhoenix CoyotesGila River Arena (14,642)7–7–115
16107:00 pmBoston Bruins7–4Pittsburgh PenguinsConsol Energy Center (18,113)7–8–115
17127:00 pmTampa Bay Lightning1–5Pittsburgh PenguinsConsol Energy Center (18,275)8–8–117
18137:00 pmPittsburgh Penguins4–2Atlanta ThrashersPhilips Arena (16,710)9–8–119
19157:00 pmNew York Rangers3–2 OTPittsburgh PenguinsConsol Energy Center (18,125)9–8–220
20177:00 pmVancouver Canucks1–3Pittsburgh PenguinsConsol Energy Center (18,252)10–8–222
21197:00 pmCarolina Hurricanes4–5 SOPittsburgh PenguinsConsol Energy Center (18,264)11–8–224
22227:30 pmPittsburgh Penguins3–2Florida PanthersBB&T Center (16,543)12–8–226
23247:00 pmPittsburgh Penguins1–0Buffalo SabresFirst Niagara Center (18,250)13–8–228
24261:00 pmOttawa Senators1–2Pittsburgh PenguinsConsol Energy Center (18,299)14–8–230
25271:00 pmCalgary Flames1–4Pittsburgh PenguinsConsol Energy Center (18,317)15–8–232
26297:00 pmPittsburgh Penguins3–1New York RangersMadison Square Garden (IV) (18,200)16–8–234 :
December: 9–3–1 (Home: 6–1–0; Road: 3–2–1), 19 Points
#DecTime (ET)VisitorScoreHomeLocation/AttendanceRecordPoints
2727:00 pmAtlanta Thrashers2–3Pittsburgh PenguinsConsol Energy Center (18,223)17–8–236
2847:00 pmPittsburgh Penguins7–2Columbus Blue JacketsNationwide Arena (19,143)18–8–238
2967:00 pmNew Jersey Devils1–2Pittsburgh PenguinsConsol Energy Center (18,185)19–8–240
3087:00 pmToronto Maple Leafs2–5Pittsburgh PenguinsConsol Energy Center (18,158)20–8–242
31117:00 pmPittsburgh Penguins5–2Buffalo SabresFirst Niagara Center (18,690)21–8–244
32147:00 pmPittsburgh Penguins2–3Philadelphia FlyersWells Fargo Center (19,824)21–9–244
33157:00 pmNew York Rangers4–1Pittsburgh PenguinsConsol Energy Center (18,242)21–10–244
34207:00 pmPhoenix Coyotes1–6Pittsburgh PenguinsConsol Energy Center (18,262)22–10–246
35227:00 pmFlorida Panthers2–5Pittsburgh PenguinsConsol Energy Center (18,238)23–10–248
36237:00 pmPittsburgh Penguins3–2 SOWashington CapitalsVerizon Center (18,398)24–10–250
37267:30 pmPittsburgh Penguins1–3Ottawa SenatorsCanadian Tire Centre (20,146)24–11–250
38287:00 pmAtlanta Thrashers3–6Pittsburgh PenguinsConsol Energy Center (18,322)25–11–252
39297:00 pmPittsburgh Penguins1–2 SONew York IslandersNassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum (14,345)25–11–353 :
January: 6–4–1 (Home: 4–2-0; Road: 2–1–1), 13 Points
#JanTime (ET)VisitorScoreHomeLocation/AttendanceRecordPoints
4018:00 pmWashington Capitals3–1Pittsburgh PenguinsAcrisure Stadium (68,111)25–12–353
4157:00 pmTampa Bay Lightning1–8Pittsburgh PenguinsConsol Energy Center (18,261)26–12–355
4267:30 pmPittsburgh Penguins1–2 SOMontreal CanadiensBell Centre (21,273)26–12–456
4387:00 pmMinnesota Wild4–0Pittsburgh PenguinsConsol Energy Center (18,263)26–13–456
44107:30 pmBoston Bruins4–2Pittsburgh PenguinsConsol Energy Center (18,245)26–14–456
45127:30 pmPittsburgh Penguins5–2Montreal CanadiensBell Centre (21,273)27–14–458
46151:00 pmPittsburgh Penguins3–2Boston BruinsTD Garden (17,565)28–14–460
47187:00 pmDetroit Red Wings1–4Pittsburgh PenguinsConsol Energy Center (18,284)29–14–462
48207:00 pmPittsburgh Penguins0–2New Jersey DevilsPrudential Center (14,890)29–15–462
49227:00 pmCarolina Hurricanes2–3Pittsburgh PenguinsConsol Energy Center (18,305)30–15–464
50257:00 pmNew York Islanders0–1Pittsburgh PenguinsConsol Energy Center (18,225)31–15–466 :
February: 6–6–2 (Home: 3–2–1; Road: 3–4–1), 14 Points
#FebTime (ET)VisitorScoreHomeLocation/AttendanceRecordPoints
5117:30 pmPittsburgh Penguins4–3 SONew York RangersMadison Square Garden (IV) (18,200)32–15–468
5227:00 pmNew York Islanders0–3Pittsburgh PenguinsConsol Energy Center (18,142)33–15–470
5347:00 pmBuffalo Sabres2–3Pittsburgh PenguinsConsol Energy Center (18,315)34–15–472
54612:30 pmPittsburgh Penguins0–3Washington CapitalsVerizon Center (18,398)34–16–472
5587:00 pmColumbus Blue Jackets4–1Pittsburgh PenguinsConsol Energy Center (18,147)34–17–472
56107:00 pmLos Angeles Kings1–2 OTPittsburgh PenguinsConsol Energy Center (18,208)35–17–474
57117:00 pmPittsburgh Penguins3–9New York IslandersNassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum (12,888)35–18–474
58133:00 pmPittsburgh Penguins3–5New York RangersMadison Square Garden (IV) (18,200)35–19–474
59169:00 pmPittsburgh Penguins3–2 OTColorado AvalanchePepsi Center (17,357)36–19–476
60203:30 pmPittsburgh Penguins2–3 SOChicago BlackhawksUnited Center (22,195)36–19–577
61217:30 pmWashington Capitals1–0Pittsburgh PenguinsConsol Energy Center (18,263)36–20–577
62237:30 pmSan Jose Sharks3–2 OTPittsburgh PenguinsConsol Energy Center (18,253)36–20–678
63257:00 pmPittsburgh Penguins1–4Carolina HurricanesPNC Arena (18,719)36–21–678
64267:00 pmPittsburgh Penguins6–5 SOToronto Maple LeafsAir Canada Centre (19,551)37–21–680 :
March: 8–4–2 (Home: 4–3–0; Road: 4–1–2), 18 Points
#MarTime (ET)VisitorScoreHomeLocation/AttendanceRecordPoints
6527:00 pmPittsburgh Penguins2–3 OTToronto Maple LeafsAir Canada Centre (19,473)37–21–781
6647:00 pmPittsburgh Penguins1–2 OTNew Jersey DevilsPrudential Center (17,625)37–21–882
6757:00 pmPittsburgh Penguins3–2 OTBoston BruinsTD Garden (17,565)38–21–884
6887:00 pmBuffalo Sabres1–3Pittsburgh PenguinsConsol Energy Center (18,314)39–21–886
69122:00 pmMontreal Canadiens3–0Pittsburgh PenguinsConsol Energy Center (18,310)39–22–886
70133:00 pmEdmonton Oilers1–5Pittsburgh PenguinsConsol Energy Center (18,197)40–22–888
71157:30 pmPittsburgh Penguins5–1Ottawa SenatorsCanadian Tire Centre (19,249)41–22–890
722012:30 pmNew York Rangers5–2Pittsburgh PenguinsConsol Energy Center (18,278)41–23–890
73217:30 pmPittsburgh Penguins5–4 SODetroit Red WingsJoe Louis Arena (20,066)42–23–892
74247:00 pmPittsburgh Penguins2–1 SOPhiladelphia FlyersWells Fargo Center (19,902)43–23–894
75257:00 pmNew Jersey Devils0–1 SOPittsburgh PenguinsConsol Energy Center (18,329)44–23–896
76271:00 pmFlorida Panthers1–2 SOPittsburgh PenguinsConsol Energy Center (18,270)45–23–898
77297:00 pmPhiladelphia Flyers5–2Pittsburgh PenguinsConsol Energy Center (18,335)45–24–898
78317:30 pmPittsburgh Penguins1–2Tampa Bay LightningAmalie Arena (20,126)45–25–898 :
April: 4–0–0 (Home: 1–0–0; Road: 3–0–0), 8 Points
#AprTime (ET)VisitorScoreHomeLocation/AttendanceRecordPoints
7927:00 pmPittsburgh Penguins4–2Florida PanthersBB&T Center (18,178)46–25–8100
8057:30 pmNew Jersey Devils2–4Pittsburgh PenguinsConsol Energy Center (18,331)47–25–8102
8187:00 pmPittsburgh Penguins4–3 SONew York IslandersNassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum (16,250)48–25–8104
82103:00 pmPittsburgh Penguins5–2Atlanta ThrashersPhilips Arena (16,085)49–25–8106 :
Legend:        = Win        = Loss        = OT/SO Loss :

### Standings

Atlantic Division vte :
| | | GP | W | L | OTL | ROW | GF | GA | Pts |
| 1 | Philadelphia Flyers | 82 | 47 | 23 | 12 | 44 | 259 | 223 | 106 |
| 2 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 82 | 49 | 25 | 8 | 39 | 238 | 199 | 106 |
| 3 | New York Rangers | 82 | 44 | 33 | 5 | 35 | 233 | 198 | 93 |
| 4 | New Jersey Devils | 82 | 38 | 39 | 5 | 35 | 174 | 209 | 81 |
| 5 | New York Islanders | 82 | 30 | 39 | 13 | 26 | 229 | 264 | 73 |
Eastern Conference :
| R | vte | Div | GP | W | L | OTL | ROW | GF | GA | Pts |
| 1 | z – Washington Capitals | SE | 82 | 48 | 23 | 11 | 43 | 224 | 197 | 107 |
| 2 | y – Philadelphia Flyers | AT | 82 | 47 | 23 | 12 | 44 | 259 | 223 | 106 |
| 3 | y – Boston Bruins | NE | 82 | 46 | 25 | 11 | 44 | 246 | 195 | 103 |
| 4 | Pittsburgh Penguins | AT | 82 | 49 | 25 | 8 | 39 | 238 | 199 | 106 |
| 5 | Tampa Bay Lightning | SE | 82 | 46 | 25 | 11 | 40 | 247 | 240 | 103 |
| 6 | Montreal Canadiens | NE | 82 | 44 | 30 | 8 | 41 | 216 | 209 | 96 |
| 7 | Buffalo Sabres | NE | 82 | 43 | 29 | 10 | 38 | 245 | 229 | 96 |
| 8 | New York Rangers | AT | 82 | 44 | 33 | 5 | 35 | 233 | 198 | 93 |
| 8.5 |||||||||||
| 9 | Carolina Hurricanes | SE | 82 | 40 | 31 | 11 | 35 | 236 | 239 | 91 |
| 10 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NE | 82 | 37 | 34 | 11 | 32 | 218 | 251 | 85 |
| 11 | New Jersey Devils | AT | 82 | 38 | 39 | 5 | 35 | 174 | 209 | 81 |
| 12 | Atlanta Thrashers | SE | 82 | 34 | 36 | 12 | 29 | 223 | 269 | 80 |
| 13 | Ottawa Senators | NE | 82 | 32 | 40 | 10 | 30 | 192 | 250 | 74 |
| 14 | New York Islanders | AT | 82 | 30 | 39 | 13 | 26 | 229 | 264 | 73 |
| 15 | Florida Panthers | SE | 82 | 30 | 40 | 12 | 26 | 195 | 229 | 72 |
bold – qualified for playoffs; y – Won division; z – Placed first in conference (and division)
AT – Atlantic Division, NE – Northeast Division, SE – Southeast Division

### Detailed records

Final
Eastern Conference :
| Atlantic | GP | W | L | OT | SHOTS | GF | GA | PP | PK | FO W–L |
| Philadelphia Flyers | 6 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 172–162 | 15 | 16 | 6–29 | 5–27 | 183–163 |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | | | | | | | | | | |
| New York Rangers | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 189–160 | 15 | 21 | 2–22 | 7–22 | 170–171 |
| New Jersey Devils | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 167–154 | 11 | 8 | 2–20 | 2–17 | 139–152 |
| New York Islanders | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 197–173 | 15 | 16 | 6–32 | 4–28 | 183–187 |
| Division Total | 24 | 12 | 9 | 3 | 725–649 | 56 | 61 | 16–103 | 18–94 | 675–673 |
| Northeast | GP | W | L | OT | SHOTS | GF | GA | PP | PK | FO W–L |
| Boston Bruins | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 146–142 | 12 | 15 | 2–11 | 3–13 | 108–122 |
| Montreal Canadiens | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 132–92 | 8 | 10 | 4–17 | 0–13 | 113–105 |
| Buffalo Sabres | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 123–125 | 12 | 5 | 0–20 | 1–12 | 130–112 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 120–90 | 16 | 14 | 2–11 | 4–20 | 122–114 |
| Ottawa Senators | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 155–124 | 13 | 7 | 4–17 | 4–15 | 107–120 |
| Division Total | 20 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 676–573 | 61 | 51 | 12–76 | 12–73 | 580–573 |
| Southeast | GP | W | L | OT | SHOTS | GF | GA | PP | PK | FO W–L |
| Washington Capitals | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 121–114 | 4 | 9 | 0–14 | 3–15 | 123–132 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 129–103 | 17 | 9 | 2–18 | 2–21 | 128–127 |
| Carolina Hurricanes | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 132–114 | 12 | 10 | 2–11 | 1–18 | 125–108 |
| Atlanta Thrashers | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 112–128 | 18 | 9 | 3–13 | 4–20 | 107–118 |
| Florida Panthers | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 122–134 | 14 | 7 | 2–11 | 0–12 | 97–125 |
| Division Total | 20 | 14 | 6 | 0 | 616–593 | 65 | 44 | 9–67 | 10–86 | 580–610 |
| Conference Total | 64 | 38 | 21 | 5 | 2017–1815 | 182 | 156 | 37–246 | 40–253 | 1835–1856 |
Western Conference :
| Central | GP | W | L | OT | SHOTS | GF | GA | PP | PK | FO W–L |
| Detroit Red Wings | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 54–78 | 9 | 5 | 0–4 | 2–8 | 47–75 |
| Nashville Predators | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 38–24 | 4 | 3 | 0–5 | 1–4 | 30–28 |
| Chicago Blackhawks | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 26–31 | 2 | 3 | 0–4 | 0–3 | 26–44 |
| St. Louis Blues | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 31–24 | 0 | 1 | 0–4 | 0–3 | 21–25 |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 68–48 | 8 | 6 | 4–6 | 1–7 | 62–48 |
| Division Total | 7 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 217–205 | 23 | 18 | 4–23 | 4–25 | 186–220 |
| Northwest | GP | W | L | OT | SHOTS | GF | GA | PP | PK | FO W–L |
| Vancouver Canucks | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 29–30 | 3 | 1 | 0–2 | 0–5 | 26–39 |
| Calgary Flames | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 43–31 | 4 | 1 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 30–36 |
| Minnesota Wild | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 26–37 | 0 | 4 | 0–4 | 0–5 | 20–38 |
| Colorado Avalanche | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 36–31 | 3 | 2 | 1–5 | 0–2 | 25–29 |
| Edmonton Oilers | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 33–29 | 5 | 1 | 1–6 | 0–4 | 36–21 |
| Division Total | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 167–158 | 15 | 9 | 3–20 | 0–20 | 137–163 |
| Pacific | GP | W | L | OT | SHOTS | GF | GA | PP | PK | FO W–L |
| San Jose Sharks | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 26–38 | 2 | 3 | 0–2 | 1–4 | 33–30 |
| Anaheim Ducks | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 32–19 | 2 | 3 | 1–4 | 0–2 | 22–18 |
| Phoenix Coyotes | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 74–55 | 10 | 4 | 4–10 | 0–12 | 56–67 |
| Los Angeles Kings | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 26–33 | 2 | 1 | 0–2 | 0–3 | 30–21 |
| Dallas Stars | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 23–29 | 2 | 5 | 0–4 | 0–5 | 30–28 |
| Division Total | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 181–174 | 18 | 16 | 5–22 | 1–26 | 171–164 |
| Conference Total | 18 | 11 | 4 | 3 | 565–537 | 56 | 43 | 12–65 | 5–71 | 494–547 |
| NHL Total | 82 | 49 | 25 | 8 | 2582–2352 | 238 | 199 | 49–311 | 45–324 | 2329–2403 |

## Playoffs

The Pittsburgh Penguins qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the fifth consecutive season. Their opponent in the first round were the Tampa Bay Lightning.
In Game 4 of the series on April 20, the Penguins defeated the Lightning on the road, 3–2 in double overtime. James Neal once again scored the winning goal. It marked the second time James Neal that Neal had scored the game-winning goal for the Penguins; the first time had been the shootout-winning goal on March 25 in a 1–0 victory over the New Jersey Devils.
On April 27, the Penguins were officially eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoffs with a 1–0 loss to the Lightning in Game 7; it marked the second time in two years that the Penguins had lost a Game 7 on home ice and it was the first time that they had been eliminated in the first round of the playoffs since 2007. Furthermore, the Penguins were the third team to be knocked out of the playoffs in the debut of their new facility.

### Game log

2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs :
Eastern Conference quarterfinals vs No. 5 Tampa Bay Lightning: 3–4 (Home: 1–3; Road: 2–1)
#DateVisitorScoreHomeOTPIT goalsTBL goalsDecisionAttendanceSeriesRecap
1April 13Tampa Bay0–3PittsburghKovalev, Asham, KunitzFleury (1–0)18,3901–0
2April 15Tampa Bay5–1PittsburghAdamsBrewer, Lecavalier, Thompson, St. Louis, OhlundFleury (1–1)18,5071–1
3April 18Pittsburgh3–2Tampa BayTalbot, Asham, KennedySt. Louis, St. LouisFleury (2–1)20,5452–1
4April 20Pittsburgh3–2Tampa Bay2OTKennedy, Asham, NealSt. Louis, BergenheimFleury (3–1)20,3263–1
5April 23Tampa Bay8–2PittsburghRupp, ConnerGagne, Stamkos, Lecavalier, Gagne, Stamkos, Kubina, Kubina, MooreFleury (3–2)18,5353–2
6April 25Pittsburgh2–4Tampa BayDupuis, StaalPurcell, Bergenheim, Downie, MaloneFleury (3–3)20,3093–3
7April 27Tampa Bay1–0PittsburghBergenheimFleury (3–4)18,5073–4 :
Legend:        = Win        = Loss        = OT/SO Loss :
* Scorer of game-winning goal in italics.

## Player statistics
### Skaters

Regular Season :
| Player | GP | G | A | Pts | +/− | PIM |
| Sidney Crosby | 41 | 32 | 34 | 66 | 20 | 31 |
| Kris Letang | 82 | 8 | 42 | 50 | 15 | 101 |
| Chris Kunitz | 66 | 23 | 25 | 48 | 18 | 47 |
| Tyler Kennedy | 80 | 21 | 24 | 45 | 1 | 37 |
| Pascal Dupuis | 81 | 17 | 20 | 37 | 16 | 59 |
| Evgeni Malkin | 43 | 15 | 22 | 37 | -4 | 18 |
| Alex Goligoski$^‡$ | 60 | 9 | 22 | 31 | 20 | 28 |
| Matt Cooke | 67 | 12 | 18 | 30 | 14 | 129 |
| Jordan Staal | 42 | 11 | 19 | 30 | 7 | 24 |
| Mark Letestu | 64 | 14 | 13 | 27 | 4 | 13 |
| Paul Martin | 77 | 3 | 21 | 24 | 9 | 16 |
| Max Talbot | 82 | 8 | 13 | 21 | -3 | 66 |
| Zbynek Michalek | 73 | 5 | 14 | 19 | 0 | 30 |
| Mike Rupp | 81 | 9 | 8 | 17 | -4 | 124 |
| Ben Lovejoy | 47 | 3 | 14 | 17 | 11 | 48 |
| Chris Conner | 60 | 7 | 9 | 16 | 5 | 10 |
| Craig Adams | 80 | 4 | 11 | 15 | -5 | 76 |
| Brooks Orpik | 63 | 1 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 66 |
| Dustin Jeffrey | 25 | 7 | 5 | 12 | 5 | 4 |
| Arron Asham | 44 | 5 | 6 | 11 | 0 | 46 |
| Deryk Engelland | 63 | 3 | 7 | 10 | -5 | 123 |
| Alex Kovalev$^†$ | 20 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 3 | 16 |
| Mike Comrie | 21 | 1 | 5 | 6 | -4 | 18 |
| James Neal$^†$ | 20 | 1 | 5 | 6 | -1 | 6 |
| Brett Sterling | 7 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 16 |
| Matt Niskanen$^†$ | 18 | 1 | 3 | 4 | -2 | 20 |
| Nick Johnson | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 5 |
| Eric Tangradi | 15 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -4 | 10 |
| Eric Godard | 19 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 105 |
| Joe Vitale | 9 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 13 |
| Andrew Hutchinson | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -3 | 6 |
| Ryan Craig | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -3 | 22 |
| Corey Potter | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brian Strait | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1 | 0 |
| Tim Wallace | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -3 | 5 |
| Total | Total | 228 | 388 | 616 | — | 1,338 |
Playoffs :
| Player | GP | G | A | Pts | +/− | PIM |
| Arron Asham | 7 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| Max Talbot | 7 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 14 |
| Kris Letang | 7 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 10 |
| Tyler Kennedy | 7 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| Jordan Staal | 7 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -2 | 2 |
| Brooks Orpik | 7 | 0 | 3 | 3 | -2 | 14 |
| Alex Kovalev | 7 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -3 | 10 |
| Mike Rupp | 7 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| James Neal | 7 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 6 |
| Paul Martin | 7 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Ben Lovejoy | 7 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| Craig Adams | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Pascal Dupuis | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -2 | 2 |
| Chris Kunitz | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 6 |
| Chris Conner | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Zbynek Michalek | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Matt Niskanen | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -3 | 0 |
| Mark Letestu | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -3 | 0 |
| Eric Tangradi | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | Total | 14 | 24 | 38 | — | 80 |

### Goaltenders

Regular Season :
| Player | GP | GS | TOI | W | L | OT | GA | GAA | SA | SV% | SO | G | A | PIM |
| Marc-Andre Fleury | 65 | 62 | 3695:10 | 36 | 20 | 5 | 143 | 2.32 | 1742 | 0.918 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 10 |
| Brent Johnson | 23 | 20 | 1296:42 | 13 | 5 | 3 | 47 | 2.17 | 604 | 0.922 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 24 |
| Total | Total | 82 | 4991:52 | 49 | 25 | 8 | 190 | 2.28 | 2346 | 0.919 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 34 |
Playoffs :
| Player | GP | GS | TOI | W | L | OT | GA | GAA | SA | SV% | SO | G | A | PIM |
| Marc-Andre Fleury | 7 | 7 | 405:12 | 3 | 4 | -- | 17 | 2.52 | 168 | 0.899 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brent Johnson | 1 | 0 | 34:29 | 0 | 0 | -- | 4 | 6.96 | 11 | 0.636 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Total | Total | 7 | 439:41 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 21 | 2.87 | 179 | 0.883 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
$^†$Denotes player spent time with another team before joining the Penguins. Stats reflect time with the Penguins only. $^‡$Denotes player was traded mid-season. Stats reflect time with the Penguins only.

## Transactions

The Penguins have been involved in the following transactions during the 2010–11 season.

### Trades

| May 28, 2010 | To Anaheim Ducks: 6th-round pick in 2010 | To Pittsburgh Penguins: Mattias Modig |
| June 25, 2010 | To Philadelphia Flyers: 3rd-round pick in 2011 | To Pittsburgh Penguins: Dan Hamhuis |
| June 26, 2010 | To San Jose Sharks: 7th-round pick in 2010 | To Pittsburgh Penguins: 7th-round pick in 2011 |
| February 21, 2011 | To Dallas Stars: Alex Goligoski | To Pittsburgh Penguins: James Neal Matt Niskanen |
| February 24, 2011 | To Ottawa Senators: Conditional 7th-round pick in 2011 | To Pittsburgh Penguins: Alexei Kovalev |

### Player signings

| Player | Date | Contract terms |
| Deryk Engelland | May 19, 2010 | 1 year/$500,000 (two-way) |
| Nick Petersen | May 27, 2010 | 3 years/$1.7 million (entry-level) |
| Mattias Modig | May 28, 2010 | 2 years/$1.2 million (entry-level) |
| Nick Johnson | June 8, 2010 | 1 year/$500,000 (two-way) |
| Steve Wagner | June 14, 2010 | 1 year/$500,000 (two-way) |
| Ben Lovejoy | June 21, 2010 | 3 years/$1.575 million (two-way first year) |
| Matt Cooke | June 22, 2010 | 3 years/$5.4 million |
| Chris Conner | July 13, 2010 | 1 year/$550,000 (two-way) |
| Deryk Engelland | January 3, 2011 | 3 years/$1.7 million |
| Mark Letestu | January 18, 2011 | 2 years/$1.25 million |
| Tom Kuhnhackl | March 22, 2011 | 3 years/$1.83 million (entry-level) |
| Philip Samuelsson | April 12, 2011 | 3 years/$1.845 million (entry-level) |

## Notable achievements
### Awards

Regular Season :
| Player | Award | Awarded |
| Sidney Crosby | NHL Second Star of the Week | November 15, 2010 |
| Sidney Crosby | NHL Third Star of the Week | November 29, 2010 |
| Sidney Crosby | NHL First Star of the Month | November 2010 |
| Sidney Crosby | NHL First Star of the Week | December 6, 2010 |
| Marc-Andre Fleury | NHL Second Star of the Week | December 13, 2010 |
| Sidney Crosby | NHL Third Star of the Week | December 27, 2010 |
| Sidney Crosby | NHL First Star of the Month | December 2010 |
| Dan Bylsma | Jack Adams Award (Best Coach) | June 2011 |

### Team awards

| Player | Award | Notes |
| Mark Letestu | Michel Brière Rookie of the Year Award | Presented to the Penguins player judged to be the best rookie on the team. The trophy is presented in memory of the late Michel Briere, who was an outstanding forward in his only season with the Penguins in 1969–70. |
| Mike Rupp | Baz Bastien Memorial Award | Presented by the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Association to the player who the local media of the PHWA want to acknowledge for his cooperation throughout the year. The award is presented in memory of the late Aldege "Baz" Bastien, Penguins general manager from 1976 to 1983. Sponsor: UPMC Sports medicine |
| Deryk Engelland | Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy nominee | The Pittsburgh Chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Association votes for the Penguins' Masterton nominee. Each NHL team selects a Masterton candidate from which the overall winner is chosen. The Masterton candidate is nominated as the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. Sponsor: Trib Total Media |
| Marc-Andre Fleury | A. T. Caggiano Memorial Booster Club Cup | Presented in memory of A.T. Caggiano, long-time Penguins' locker room attendant & Booster Club supporter, the award is presented by Penguins Booster Club members, who vote for the three stars after every home game and tally votes at the end of the regular season. |
| Brooks Orpik | Player's Player Award | The players hold a vote at the end of the season for the player they feel exemplifies leadership for the team, both on and off the ice, a player dedicated to teamwork. Sponsor: Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield |
| Maxime Talbot Mike Rupp | Edward J. DeBartolo Award | The award recognizes the player who has donated a tremendous amount of time and effort during the season working on community and charity projects. Sponsor: Verizon Wireless |
| Brooks Orpik | Defensive Player of the Year | This award honors the defensive skills of an individual player on the team. Sponsor: PNC Wealth Management |
| Marc-Andre Fleury | Most Valuable Player | Based on the overall contribution the player makes to the team. Sponsor: Consol Energy |

### Milestones

Regular Season :
| Player | Award | Awarded |
| Eric Tangradi | 1st Career NHL Assist | October 11, 2010 |
| Eric Tangradi | 1st Career NHL Point | October 11, 2010 |
| Mark Letestu | 1st Career NHL Assist | October 15, 2010 |
| Eric Tangradi | 1st Career NHL Goal | October 15, 2010 |
| Craig Adams | 600th Career NHL Game | November 3, 2010 |
| Pascal Dupuis | 600th Career NHL Game | November 5, 2010 |
| Tyler Kennedy | 200th Career NHL Game | November 5, 2010 |
| Chris Kunitz | 400th Career NHL Game | November 6, 2010 |
| Deryk Engelland | 1st Career NHL Goal | November 12, 2010 |
| Aaron Asham | 100th Career NHL Assist | November 13, 2010 |
| Evgeni Malkin | 400th Career NHL Point | November 19, 2010 |
| Sidney Crosby | 200th Career NHL Goal | November 27, 2010 |
| Kris Letang | 100th Career NHL Point | November 27, 2010 |
| Sidney Crosby | 400th Career NHL Game | December 6, 2010 |
| Ben Lovejoy | 1st Career NHL Goal | December 22, 2010 |
| Chris Conner | 100th Career NHL Game | December 26, 2010 |
| Tyler Kennedy | 100th Career NHL Point | January 18, 2011 |
| Maxime Talbot | 100th Career NHL Point | February 2, 2011 |
| Joe Vitale | 1st Career NHL Game | February 10, 2011 |
| Brooks Orpik | 500th Career NHL Game | February 11, 2011 |
| Joe Vitale | 1st Career NHL Assist | February 11, 2011 |
| Joe Vitale | 1st Career NHL Point | February 11, 2011 |
| Joe Vitale | 1st Career NHL Goal | February 17, 2011 |
| Brian Strait | 1st Career NHL Game | February 21, 2011 |
| Matt Cooke | 800th Career NHL Game | March 5, 2011 |
| Zbynek Michalek | 100th Career NHL Assist | March 5, 2011 |
| Matt Cooke | 300th Career NHL Point | March 13, 2011 |
| Jordan Staal | 100th Career NHL Assist | April 2, 2011 |
| Alexei Kovalev | 1,300th Career NHL Game | April 5, 2011 |
| Kris Letang | 100th Career NHL Assist | April 8, 2011 |
Playoffs :
| Player | Award | Awarded |
| Ben Lovejoy | 1st Career NHL Playoff Game | April 13, 2011 |
| James Neal | 1st Career NHL Playoff Game | April 13, 2011 |
| James Neal | 1st Career NHL Playoff Assist | April 13, 2011 |
| James Neal | 1st Career NHL Playoff Point | April 13, 2011 |
| Ben Lovejoy | 1st Career NHL Playoff Assist | April 18, 2011 |
| Ben Lovejoy | 1st Career NHL Playoff Point | April 18, 2011 |
| James Neal | 1st Career NHL Playoff Goal | April 20, 2011 |
| Eric Tangradi | 1st Career NHL Playoff Game | April 20, 2011 |
| Chris Conner | 1st Career NHL Playoff Goal | April 23, 2011 |
| Chris Conner | 1st Career NHL Playoff Point | April 23, 2011 |
| Alexei Kovalev | 100th Career NHL Playoff Point | April 23, 2011 |

## Draft picks

Pittsburgh Penguins' picks at the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, held on June 25–26 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
| Round | Pick # | Player | Position | Nationality | College/junior/club team (league) |
| 1 | 20 | Beau Bennett | RW | United States | Penticton Vees (BCHL) |
| 3 | 80 | Bryan Rust | RW | United States | U.S. National Team Development Program (USHL) |
| 4 | 110 | Tom Kuhnhackl | RW | Germany | Landshut Cannibals (2nd Bundesliga) |
| 5 | 140 | Kenny Agostino | LW | United States | Delbarton School (USHS-NJ) |
| 6 | 152 | Joe Rogalski | D | United States | Sarnia Sting (OHL) |
| 6 | 170 | Reid McNeill | D | Canada | London Knights (OHL) |

### Draft notes

* The Pittsburgh Penguins' second-round pick went to the Florida Panthers as the result of a March 1, 2010, trade that sent Jordan Leopold to the Penguins in exchange for this pick.
* $^a$ The Toronto Maple Leafs' sixth-round pick went to the Pittsburgh Penguins as a result of a March 3, 2010, trade that sent Chris Peluso to the Maple Leafs in exchange for this pick.
* The Pittsburgh Penguins' seventh-round pick went to the San Jose Sharks as the result of a June 26, 2010, trade that sent 2011 seventh-round pick to the Penguins in exchange for this pick.