Tribute to Mike Lange serves as emotional backdrop before Penguins' game vs. Capitals

As puck drop between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals approached Saturday, signs of a memorable afternoon at PPG Paints Arena grew in abundance.

There were countless signs held by fans, showing phrases such as “Buy Sam a drink and get his dog one, too!” or “Scratch my back with a hacksaw!”

Justin Guerriero | TribLive

A memorial for longtime Penguins broadcaster Mike Lange is displayed on the Jumbotron on Feb. 22, 2025, at PPG Paints Arena.

Then, up in the press box, there was the bouquet of flowers and retro, decades-old headset.

Justin Guerriero | TribLive

A memorial for longtime Penguins broadcaster Mike Lange is displayed in the press box Feb. 22, 2025, at PPG Paints Arena.

Everything was in place for the Penguins organization and its fans to pay tribute to iconic Hall of Fame broadcaster Mike Lange, who died Wednesday at the age of 76.

Lange, who handled play-by-play duties for the Penguins starting in 1974 and, uninterrupted either on television or radio from 1976 until his retirement in 2021, was saluted on the jumbo screen before Saturday’s game with a video celebrating his many years of calling the club’s games.

Pittsburgh ????’s Mikey. pic.twitter.com/ZpFZDpYCZE

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) February 22, 2025

“It was an emotional few moments for, particularly, the guys who have been here a while that had the privilege to know (Lange) and interacted with him,” said coach Mike Sullivan. “For those guys, I’m sure it was an emotional moment. But also I just thought it was a great tribute to Mike — what he means to Pittsburgh, what he means to the Penguins organization.”

The pregame pageantry paying homage to Lange served as backdrop to Saturday’s nationally broadcasted contest on ABC between the Penguins and Capitals, the first for both clubs following the 4 Nations Face-Off break.

Washington, which arrived in Pittsburgh with the most points in the Eastern Conference, won a 8-3 blowout.

Before things got underway, the Penguins invited Lange’s sons and their families to the ice for the tribute video.

The Lange clan was joined by club broadcasters Joe Brand, Josh Getzoff, Phil Bourque and Paul Steigerwald in addition to Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang.

Together, they, along with the crowd at PPG Paints Arena, were treated to the video recognizing Lange. Over parts of six decades, the beloved figure narrated the Penguins’ most memorable moments, including Stanley Cup championships in 1991, 1992, 2009, 2016 and 2017, for multiple generations of fans.

The Penguins and Capitals wore stickers on their helmets in honor of Lange.

Honoring a legendary voice of our game.

The Capitals send their condolences to the Pittsburgh Penguins organization on the passing of Mike Lange. pic.twitter.com/4HGlcVeuTy

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 22, 2025

Some things are bigger than hockey. Thanks for everything, Mike Lange ???? pic.twitter.com/7eaDRfgtv8

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) February 22, 2025

While the game itself got out of control late in the second period, with goalie Alex Nedeljkovic being pulled in favor of Joel Blomqvist after allowing five goals on 13 shots, Crosby and Letang scored goals.

Letang netted the Penguins’ first goal on a power play late in the first period, assisted by Evgeni Malkin.

Then, in the second, Crosby fired a backhand shot past Washington’s Logan Thompson to tie the score 2-2.

After that, the Capitals largely took over the game and turned it into a rout.

But the Penguins’ Big Three, whose careers Lange chronicled on-air for roughly 15 years, added a nice touch despite the lopsided loss.

“Obviously, he was a great person and means a lot to a lot of people — here, the organization, the fans, the city,” said Crosby, who returned to action Saturday after missing the club’s final two pre-4 Nations games because of injury. “I think the tribute was really nice and to have his family here to recognize him. He’s going to be missed for sure.”