The Pittsburgh Penguins were eliminated by Montreal Canadiens in Game 4 of Eastern Conference qualifications. John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

End of an era? Canadiens eliminate Penguins from playoffs

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 8/7/20

If Friday's result inside the Toronto NHL bubble site was the end of the era, it finished with more of a whimper than a bang.

The Montreal Canadiens, the lowest seed (No. 12) in the Eastern Conference Stanley Cup Qualifying Round, defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins (No. 5) 2-0 in Game 4 to close the series out and send Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and the Pens back to Pennsylvania.

Montreal won the series 3-1.

Friday's affair was largely missable for a neutral viewer, as Pittsburgh was unable to break the Canadiens down and seemed to grow frustrated and disinterested throughout 55 minutes of scoreless hockey. With 4:11 remaining in the contest, Paul Byron slid a pass out of the reach of Pittsburgh goaltender Tristan Jarry to teammate Artturi Lehkonen, who delivered the game and series winner:

The @CanadiensMTL break the deadlock late in the 3rd! #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/02XmiIPZsI
— #StanleyCup Qualifiers on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) August 7, 2020

Shea Weber iced the series away via an empty-netter with 32 seconds left to play.

Per Wes Crosby of NHL.com, neither Pittsburgh's captain nor Kris Letang were prepared to close the team's championship window while speaking with reporters following the game:

Crosby on if the window of being able to contend is closing: "It's a possibility, but I think this year ... obviously, I would've liked to stay a little healthier and play a full season. It's been a tough year and a half, not playing a lot of hockey."
— Wes Crosby (@OtherNHLCrosby) August 7, 2020