The Pittsburgh Penguins are celebrating their first trip to the Stanley Cup playoffs since 2022. Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin keep making history, and the Pirates are among eight MLB teams to show off their new City Connect uniforms in Friday’s “On Sports,” stepping in for “First Call.”

Flip the script

The Penguins kept the receipts.

After hockey analysts and media personalities around the league wrote them off before the season even began, the Penguins stunned the NHL world by clinching a berth in the Stanley Cup playoffs with a 5-2 win at New Jersey on Thursday night. They locked up second place in the Metropolitan Division and home-ice advantage in the first round.

The social media team had a highlight reel prepared for the accomplishment and called out Vegas oddsmakers who pegged the Penguins with a 91% chance of missing the postseason for a fourth straight season.

The Penguins return to the ice with a home-and-home series against the Washington Capitals on Saturday at PPG Paints Arena and in Washington, D.C. on Sunday. Puck drop for both games is 3 p.m.

They will conclude the regular season in St. Louis on Tuesday. The playoffs begin April 18.

Good company

Montreal’s Cole Caufield scored his 50th goal of the season in a 2-1 win over Tampa Bay on Thursday night.

He joined some elite company among active players who have reached the 50-goal milestone in a single season, including Penguins’ Sidney Crosby (2009-10) and Evgeni Malkin (2011-12).

Here’s a look at the entire list.

Another milestone

Crosby and Malkin reached a milestone of their own Thursday night. Malkin had a goal and assist, and Crosby had two assists. They became the first set of teammates in NHL history to tally 60-plus points in the same season at age 38 or older.

Crosby has 29 goals and 45 assists for a team-high 74 points, and Malkin has 19 goals and 42 helpers for 61 points.

Additionally, Crosby notched his 263rd career multi-assist game to move into seventh place on the NHL’s all-time list. Jaromir Jagr (266) is in sixth place.

Staying connected

Eight major league baseball teams revealed their City Connect uniforms for the 2026 season Thursday, including the Pirates.

There also were flashy new looks from the Braves, Brewers, Orioles, Padres, Rangers, Reds and Royals meant to reflect the “energy and pride of each club’s community, offering bold and expressive interpretations that celebrate both team history and what’s ahead for the game.”

Trib beat writer Kevin Gorman details the Bucs’ hat, jersey combo.

Here’s a look at the others.

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