The Pittsburgh Penguins celebrated the fourth Stanley Cup championship in team history this week after defeating the San Jose Sharks in six games. In a season of change for the Penguins, it was some steady hands that guided them to the Cup. The Penguins squad that clinched the championship had seven new players and a new coach since opening night. Mike Sullivan took over as coach for Mike Johnston on December 12. After that the Penguins rattled off a 33-16-5 record. But even with so many new faces, it was captain Sidney Crosby who made the difference. Crosby won his first Conn Smythe Trophy as the Most Valuable Player of the Stanley Cup playoffs. After hoisting the Stanley Cup for the second time in his career, Crosby handed it off to defenseman Trevor Daley, who then gave it to Pascal Dupuis. Dupuis played on a line with Crosby for much of his career but was forced to retire this season due to a medical condition. Another longtime Penguin, Kris Letang, pitched in by scoring the game and series-winning goal in Game 6.
