The 2000–01 Pittsburgh Penguins season was the team's 34th in the National Hockey League. The team played 82 games under new head coach Ivan Hlinka, who replaced Herb Brooks, who stepped down to remain a scout with the team. The Penguins' .585 points percentage meant that they were the only NHL team from the 1990–91 season to this one that had a points percentage above .500 every season.
The last remaining active member of the 2000–01 Pittsburgh Penguins was right wing Jaromir Jagr, who played his final NHL game in the 2017–18 season, although he missed the 2008–09, 2009–10, and 2010–11 seasons. His career is still going on as a member of the Czech Extraliga's Rytiri Kladno.
Offseason
Herb Brooks resigned as head coach at the end of the previous season, but remained with the team as a scout. Ivan Hlinka succeeded Brooks as head coach. Former Penguin Joe Mullen became an assistant coach along with his former teammate Randy Hillier.
Regular season
The Penguins opened the regular season by splitting a two-game series against the Nashville Predators in Japan.
On December 9, 2000, it was announced by owner Mario Lemieux that he intended to come back as a player. Lemieux returned to the ice on December 27, 2000. Prior to the game, his number 66 banner was lowered from the rafters of the Mellon Arena with son Austin watching. Lemieux scored a goal and set up two others (including one on his first shift) in the Penguins' 5–0 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Prior to Lemieux's return, the Penguins were 15–14–6–1. After his comeback, the Penguins went 27–14–3–2 for a regular season record of 42–28–9–3 and a third-place finish in the Atlantic Division for a playoff spot. The Penguins were shut out only once all year, on October 28 against the New Jersey Devils. Only New Jersey scored more goals than Pittsburgh during the regular season. Jaromir Jagr had a stellar year, leading the team in goals (52), assists (69) and points (121). Alexei Kovalev had a career year, finishing with 44 goals and 51 assists for 95 points. Martin Straka finished second on the team in assists (68) and had 27 goals for 95 points, while Robert Lang had 32 goals and 48 assists for 80 points. In just 43 games, Lemieux had 35 goals and 41 assists for 76 points.
Final standings
Playoffs
Eastern Conference Quarterfinals
The Penguins opened the playoffs against the Washington Capitals. It was their sixth meeting in the playoffs. The Penguins were shut out in Game 1, 1–0. Lemieux scored a goal and had an assist in Game 2, which was won by the Penguins, 2–1. Newcomer Johan Hedberg shut out the Capitals in Game 3. The Capitals won Game 4 in overtime, 4–3. However, game-winning goals by Lemieux and Martin Straka in Game 5 and 6 won the series for the Penguins, 4–2.
Eastern Conference Semifinals
The Penguins played the Buffalo Sabres in the conference semi-finals. The Penguins won Game 1 by the score of 3–0 and Game 2 by the score of 3–1. The Sabres won the next three games, pushing the Penguins to elimination. However, overtime-winning goals by Straka and Darius Kasparaitis in Game 6 and 7 won the series for the Penguins. Game 7 was Dominik Hasek's last game as a Sabre; he would sign with the Detroit Red Wings in the off-season.
Eastern Conference Finals
The Penguins and the New Jersey Devils split the first two games of the series before the Devils took games three, four, and five to eliminate the Penguins.
Schedule and results
Regular season
|- style="background:#fcf;" | 1 || 7 || Nashville Predators || 3–1 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 0–1–0–0 || 0 || |- style="background:#cfc;" | 2 || 8 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–1 || Nashville Predators || 1–1–0–0 || 2 || |- style="background:#cfc;" | 3 || 13 || Tampa Bay Lightning || 2–3 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–1–0–0 || 4 || |- style="background:#cfc;" | 4 || 14 || New York Rangers || 6–8 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–1–0–0 || 6 || |- style="background:#fcf;" | 5 || 18 || Carolina Hurricanes || 3–2 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–2–0–0 || 6 || |- style="background:#fff;" | 6 || 19 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–3 || Ottawa Senators || 3–2–1–0 || 7 || |- style="background:#cfc;" | 7 || 21 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 2–5 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 4–2–1–0 || 9 || |- style="background:#fcf;" | 8 || 25 || Ottawa Senators || 3–2 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 4–3–1–0 || 9 || |- style="background:#cfc;" | 9 || 27 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 4–1 || New York Rangers || 5–3–1–0 || 11 || |- style="background:#fcf;" | 10 || 28 || New Jersey Devils || 9–0 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 5–4–1–0 || 11 || |-