Thanks to their stunning loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday night, as well as the New York Islanders' win over the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday night, the Pittsburgh Penguins are officially eliminated from postseason contention.

It is the first time since the 2005-06 season that they have failed to qualify for the playoffs, and it is a stunning end to one of the biggest regular-season failures in franchise history.

It presents the team's ownership, Fenway Sports Group, with its first big, franchise-altering decision since it purchased the team nearly two years ago.

NHL

Penguins eliminated from NHL playoffs, ending the longest postseason streak of the four major sports leagues

That decision should be easy after missing the playoffs.

It has to clean house in its front office and fire general manager Ron Hextall and president of hockey operations Brian Burke.

There is no way that duo can return for another season and potentially waste one of the few remaining years the Penguins have with their core of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang.