1967/68: More then 30 years after their first team known as the Pirates was forced to fold during The Great Depression the NHL return to Pittsburgh, as the Penguins are one of 6 new teams added to the league. Playing in the all-expansion Western Division the Penguins make their debut on October 11th at the Civic Arena, which is better known as the Igloo because of its unique shape losing to the Montreal Canadiens 2-1. Two nights later the Penguins would get their first win when they beat the Blues 3-1 in St. Louis. The Penguins would go on to finish in 5th place with a 27-34-13 record missing the playoffs by 2 points despite losing just 1 of their final 7 games.

1990/91: Under new Coach Bob Johnson the Penguins would face adversity right away as a back injury limited Mario Lemieux to just 26 games. However, the Penguins managed to stay competitive as Mark Recchi notched 113 points as defenseman Paul Coffey, a proven winner added 93. Also contributing was rookie Jaromir Jagr who scored 27 goals while adding 30 assists. Lemieux would return and the Penguins would finish the season on a roll as they obtained Ron Francis, Ulf Samuelsson and Grant Jennings from the Hartford Whalers for John Cullen, Zarley Zalapski and Jeff Parker. The now reinforced Penguins would win their first division title with a record of 41-33-6. In the playoffs the Penguins would be tested right away as they fell behind the New Jersey Devils 3 games to 2. However, the Pens would rally to win Game 6 on the road 4-3, and advanced to the division finals with a 4-0 win at The Igloo. After losing Game in the Patrick Division Finals to the Washington Capitals the Penguins would begin to grab a little momentum as they beat the Capitals 7-6 in overtime on a goal by Kevin Stevens to even the series. After winning the next 2 in Washington 3-1 the Penguins closed out the series at home in Game 5 to advance to the Conference Finals. In the Wales Conference Finals the Penguins had their backs to the wall as they dropped the first 2 games on the road to the Boston Bruins. However, upon arriving back in Pittsburgh the Penguins evened the series with two straight 4-1 wins. After blowing the Bruins out 7-2 in Game 5 in Boston the Penguins made it to their first Stanley Cup Finals with a 5-3 win at the Igloo in Game 6. In the first Stanley Cup match up involving 2 teams that have never won the Stanley Cup in over 50 years the Penguins got off to a shaky start losing Game 1 to the Minnesota North Stars at The Igloo 5-4. After rebounding to win Game 2 at home the Penguins would fall in Game 3 on the road 3-1. Facing the prospect of falling behind 3 games to 1 the Penguins exploded for 3 goals in the first 2:58 in Game to take even the series 2 games apiece with a 5-3 win. The Penguins would take control of the series with a 6-4win at the Igloo in Game 5. In Game 6 in Minnesota the Penguins would end all doubt as the walloped the North Stars 8-0 to win their first ever Stanley Cup, as Mario Lemieux who had 12 points in the Finals earned the Conn Smythe trophy as playoff MVP. Following the season the Penguins would be sold to an ownership group headed by Howard Baldwin, Morris Belzberg and Thomas Ruta.

1991/92: The joy of their first Stanley Cup Championship would be short lived as Coach Bob Johnson affectionately known as Badger Bob is diagnosed with brain cancer early in the season. While Johnson recovered from brain surgery director of scouting Scotty Bowman, a legendary coach in his won right would take over. Sadly Badger Bob, who was always said, "It's a great night for hockey died on November 26th. A night later the Penguins would hold a candlelight ceremony in honor of their fallen coach before beating the New Jersey Devils 8-4 at The Igloo. Under Bowman who was coaching for the first time in nearly 5 years the Penguins would go on to finish in 3rd place with a record of 39-32-9 as Mario Lemieux won the scoring title despite missing 16 games due to injury, as he beat out teammate Kevin Stevens by 8 points. In the playoffs the Penguins were pushed to the brink right away as they fell behind 3 games to 1 against the Washington Capitals. However, the Champions would not go out quietly as they rallied to win the series in 7 games. The Penguins would face a more precarious situation in the 2nd round as Mario Lemieux suffered a broken wrist in an overtime Game 3 loss to the New York Rangers in game 3. In Game 4 the Penguins were starring a 3-1 deficit in the face trailing 4-2 in the 3rd period. However, the Penguins would rally again tying the game on a crazy shot by Ron Francis from center ice. In overtime Francis would be the hero again evening the series 2:47 into the extra session. After their dramatic comeback the Penguins were unstoppable, as they knocked the Rangers in 6 games. Still playing without Mario Lemieux the Penguins continued to roll in the Wales Conference Finals as they jumped out to a 3-0 lead against the Boston Bruins. In Game 4 the Penguins would get an added boost as Mario returned to the lineup as the Penguins completed the sweep with a 4-1 win to reach the Stanley Cup Finals for the second straight season. Facing the Chicago Blackhawks who were also on a roll with a record 11 straight playoff wins the Penguins found themselves trailing 4-1 midway through the 2nd period at The Igloo. However, the Penguins would rally drawing to within 1 goal as the 2nd period ended, and tying the game with 5 minutes left on a goal by Rick Tocchet. With time winding down and overtime on the horizon Mario Lemieux completed the comeback scoring the game winner with 13 seconds left in regulation. Mario Lemieux would add another 2 goals in the 2nd game as the Penguins headed to Chicago with a 2-0 series lead. In Chicago for Game 3 the Penguins continued to roll as they won 1-0 as goalie Tom Barasso stopped all 27 shots. The Penguins would go on to complete the sweep with a 6-5 win in Game tying the Blackhawks record with 11 straight playoff wins as Mario Lemieux becomes the just the 2nd player to win the Conn Smythe Trophy 2 years in a row.