New York Rangers: 4 midseason coaching changes that led teams to Cups

PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 21: Head coach Mike Sullivan of the Pittsburgh Penguins looks on against the Columbus Blue Jackets at PPG Paints Arena on December 21, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 21: Head coach Mike Sullivan of the Pittsburgh Penguins looks on against the Columbus Blue Jackets at PPG Paints Arena on December 21, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /
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COLUMBUS, OH – APRIL 21: Head Coach Dan Bylsma of the Pittsburgh Penguins talks with his team during a timeout against the Columbus Blue Jackets in Game Three of the First Round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs on April 21, 2014 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/NHLI via Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH – APRIL 21: Head Coach Dan Bylsma of the Pittsburgh Penguins talks with his team during a timeout against the Columbus Blue Jackets in Game Three of the First Round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs on April 21, 2014 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/NHLI via Getty Images) /

2008-2009 Pittsburgh Penguins

The Penguins made the Stanley Cup Finals in 2007-2008 and fell to the Detroit Red Wings in six games. They came back for the 2008-2009 season and started out very poorly. The Michel Therrien led squad floundered, posting a 27-25-5 record before he was fired. Dan Bylsma was brought into the fold after previously coaching the franchise’s AHL affiliate.

Bylsma’s Penguins took his message and ran with it all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals after finishing the regular season with a 18-3-4 run. They faced off against the Detroit Red Wings yet again in the finals, this time pulling out a victory.

Bylsma never ended up winning another Cup for the Penguins but they got one which is all that really matters.