They have a chance to put the past behind them now—a season that started out with more bad than good games, more losses than wins, and more players fighting their game than enjoying it.

The Penguins have a huge opportunity right now.

They have the opportunity to put the past behind them, a season that began with more bad than good games, more losses than wins, and more players arguing rather than enjoying their game.

Having defeated the Carolina Hurricanes and New York Islanders, the Penguins have won five of their previous seven games, snapping long losing streaks. After losing to Carolina in the 2021–2022 NHL season, the Penguins defeated the team in a shootout, 2-1, thanks to their composure and patience.

The Penguins laid waste to the Islanders Wednesday night and filled the net with a six-goal second period. Kris Letang set multiple records, including being the first defenseman to have five assists in one period, and tied the NHL record for most assists by a defenseman in a single game.

Statistically, the Penguins might be even with the Eastern Conference wild cards. They trail Carolina by four points but have two games in hand.

They also trail the third-place Philadelphia Flyers by four points without games in hand.

With 49 games remaining, which team would you bet on to win more, the Flyers or the Penguins?

And that’s the reason, for the first time since early October, there can be the faintest whiff of optimism. The Penguins have forced themselves back into the race. No, they have not played well recently.

The Penguins stole a point with a torrid third period against Ottawa on Dec. 23. Letang referenced that OT loss and fortunate point Wednesday night.

“You know, we lost the last game going into the break after coming back into the game,” said Letang. “So it’s always a tough, tough loss. But when you come back, and you’re able to win a game against a division rival like this and somebody you’re chasing, it’s huge.”

By the grace of Sidney Crosby, they beat the Montreal Canadiens on Dec. 13, despite most of the team submitting a performance not worthy of a dog’s breakfast. And, of course, no recounting of the Penguins’ journey would be complete without the utter embarrassment in Toronto on Dec. 16.

As of Wednesday, the Penguins flipped that 7-0 loss to Toronto into a 7-0 win over New York. Just like the Penguins did against Toronto, the Islanders called themselves to task.

“Unacceptable” and “brutal” were the words the Islanders’ locker room spat out, according to our NYI Hockey Now colleague Andrew Fantucchio.

Now it’s all square. The Penguins have balanced the universe. They’ve won a few games through December in which they didn’t play well, balancing a few in November when they didn’t win despite outplaying their opponent.

Rickard Rakell is scoring again.

Valtteri Puustinen is providing a fun-size punch in the middle of the lineup. And if history is any indication, Evgeni Malkin’s two goals on Wednesday won’t be temporary reclamation but convalescence of his game.

According to MoneyPuck.com, the Penguins now have a  50.8% chance to make the playoffs.

For a team with at least four future  Hall of Famers, a 50% shot at the playoffs might seem paltry, but compare that to the dismal outlook that more closely resembled Pittsburgh weather after the wretched OT loss to Ottawa, which was too close to the tumbles up north in the week prior.

Sure, the Penguins power play was 0-for-3 on Wednesday and has quickly reverted into the hockey equivalent of a blank stare, but there are more reasons for optimism than not.

The Penguins goaltending is the envy of most of the league. Tristan Jarry has a .916 save percentage and four shutouts. Alex Nedeljkovic has a .917 save percentage and one shutout. Jarry also shares a shutout with Magnus Hellberg (LA Kings).

Sidney Crosby is playing at a Hart Trophy level. He and Jake Guentzel have more than a point-per-game average. Crosby has 35 points in 33 games. Guentzel has 39. Almost inexplicably, Crosby didn’t register a point in the Penguins 7-0 win Wednesday.

With a distinct youthful spark not seen in these parts since 2016 and 2017, Puustinen, 23, is a rare talent.

No. 1 overall pick Erik Karlsson appears to be working out his differences with his team.

Yep, and Malkin as well as Letang.

The Penguins definitely had gasoline on their hands as they played with fire. In regulation, they might have been almost ten points behind if they had lost to Carolina and the Islanders. That would be an embarrassing conclusion and an unbeatable obstacle.

Nothing but an opportunity has been earned by the Penguins. Nonetheless, a chance is the best outcome considering the abyss they were gazing into a week ago.