The Penguins were the last of the Pittsburgh franchises to be established.  The Penguins joined the NHL in 1967-68.  But the Penguins weren't the first hockey team in Pittsburgh.  The first team was the ill-fated Pirates, which lasted for five years from 1925-1930.  The Penguins were 1 of 6 new teams that were added to the NHL.  The other 5 were Philadelphia, Minnesota, St. Louis, Los Angeles, and Oakland.

The Penguins did not have a winning season in their first seven years as a franchise  In the 1972-75 season, the Penguins finally made it to the playoffs with a record of (37-28-15).  The Penguins then prepared for the playoffs.

The penguins defeated St. Louis 2 games to 0 in the best of 3 series.  Then they won the next 3 games against the Islanders in the best of 7 series.

   The Penguins were one game away from the Championship.  Then the dream ended.  The Islanders came back and won the next 4 games against the Penguins, kicking them out of the playoffs.    After that the franchise barely had enough money to keep the team.  They made the playoffs the next three years but lost in the first round in each.