Report: Penguins to fire coach, GM

— -- The Pittsburgh Penguins will fire coach Dan Bylsma and general manager Ray Shero on Friday, according to multiple media reports.

TSN first reported that the Penguins, who lost in the second round of the playoffs after blowing a 3-1 series lead against the New York Rangers, have called a news conference for 11:30 a.m. ET Friday to announce the firings.

Bylsma led the Penguins to a 51-24-7 record this season, and he has a franchise-record 252 wins since taking over for Michel Therrien in the late stages of the 2008-09 season.

Shero was hired as GM in 2006, leading the Penguins to the Stanley Cup finals in 2008 and 2009.

Sidney Crosby said Thursday that blame for the Penguins' playoff collapse falls on the shoulders of the players, not the coaches.

"At the end of the day, we feel responsible," Crosby said Thursday. "We are the guys that go out there and want to perform and want to win, and we have that expectation.

"It's difficult to win, and I don't think there's been any lack of effort from players, coaches, anybody in the conversation," Crosby said. "I don't think it's been a lack of trying."

The Penguins have been knocked out of the playoffs by a lower-seeded team in five consecutive seasons.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.