1991–92 Pittsburgh Penguins season

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1991–92 Pittsburgh Penguins
Stanley Cup Champions
Wales Conference Champions
Division 3rd Patrick
Conference 4th Wales
1991–92 record 39–32–9
Home record 21–13–6
Road record 18–19–3
Goals for 343 (1st)
Goals against 308 (20th)
Team information
General Manager Craig Patrick
Coach Scotty Bowman
Captain Mario Lemieux
Alternate captains Bob Errey
Ron Francis
Kevin Stevens
Bryan Trottier
Arena Civic Arena
Average attendance 15,993
Team leaders
Goals Kevin Stevens (54)
Assists Mario Lemieux (87)
Points Mario Lemieux (131)
Penalties in minutes Kevin Stevens (252)
Wins Tom Barrasso (25)
Goals against average Tom Barrasso (3.53)
<1990–91 1992–93>

The 1991–92 Pittsburgh Penguins season was the Penguins' 25th season in the National Hockey League (NHL). The team was coming off of its first-ever Stanley Cup victory in 1990–91, as they defeated the Minnesota North Stars in the Finals in six games. The Penguins, along with the Detroit Red Wings and New York Rangers, had five 30-goal scorers.

Off-season

In the off-season, Head Coach Bob Johnson was diagnosed with brain cancer, forcing him to step down, where the Penguins would bring in former St. Louis Blues, Montreal Canadiens and Buffalo Sabres head coach Scotty Bowman to replace Johnson. Bowman had previously led the Canadiens to five Stanley Cup championships in the 1970s. Johnson would lose his battle to cancer on November 26, 1991, and the Penguins would honor him by wearing a patch on the left sleeve of their jersey with his nickname "Badger" written on it along with his birth year and death year.

Regular season

Pittsburgh started the season off very well, and through their first 38 games, they had a record of 22–12–4, earning 48 points and fighting with the Washington Capitals and New York Rangers for first in the Division. The team, along with Mario Lemieux, who missed time due to a back injury, would slump in their next 24 games, going 5–15–4 to slide down to .500 and battling with the New York Islanders and Philadelphia Flyers for the final playoff position in the Division. The Penguins, facing losing defenseman Paul Coffey as a free agent after the season, would deal him to the Los Angeles Kings in a move that looked like they were giving up for the season, however, they would make a move to bring some more grit to the team, acquiring Rick Tocchet, Kjell Samuelsson and Ken Wregget from Philadelphia for Mark Recchi, and the club would have a 12–5–1 record to close out the season, finishing in third place in the Division and making the playoffs for the second-straight season.

Mario Lemieux led the club offensively, despite missing 16 games to injuries, as he earned an NHL-high 131 points from 44 goals and 87 assists to win the Art Ross Trophy. Kevin Stevens led the team with 54 goals and finished second in League scoring behind Lemieux with 123 points. Joe Mullen would also have a solid season, as he scored 42 goals and earned 87 points, while Jaromir Jagr continued to develop, as he recorded 69 points in 70 games. Larry Murphy put up a defense-high 77 points in his first full season with the Penguins.

In goal, Tom Barrasso played the majority of the games, earning a team high 25 victories, along with a team best 3.53 goals against average (GAA), while earning a shutout for the club.

Offensively, the Penguins led the NHL in scoring, with 343 goals for.[1]

On October 29, 1991, the Penguins were shut out at home 8–0 by the Washington Capitals. It was the first time the Penguins had been shut-out in a regular season game since January 2, 1989, when they coincidentally lost 8–0 on the road also to the Capitals. Prior to their home loss against the Caps, the Penguins had gone 211 consecutive regular season games without being shut-out.[2][3][4][5]

Season standings

Patrick Division[6]
GP W L T GF GA Pts
1 P - New York Rangers 80 50 25 5 321 246 105
2 Washington Capitals 80 45 27 8 330 257 98
3 Pittsburgh Penguins 80 39 32 9 343 308 87
4 New Jersey Devils 80 38 31 11 289 259 87
5 New York Islanders 80 34 35 11 291 299 79
6 Philadelphia Flyers 80 32 37 11 252 273 75

P - Clinched Presidents Trophy

Wales Conference[7]
R Div GP W L T GF GA Pts
1 p – New York Rangers PAT 80 50 25 5 321 246 105
2 Washington Capitals PAT 80 45 27 8 330 257 98
3 Montreal Canadiens ADM 80 41 28 11 267 207 93
4 Pittsburgh Penguins PAT 80 39 32 9 343 308 87
5 New Jersey Devils PAT 80 38 31 11 289 259 87
6 Boston Bruins ADM 80 36 32 12 270 275 84
7 New York Islanders PAT 80 34 35 11 291 299 79
8 Philadelphia Flyers PAT 80 32 37 11 252 273 75
9 Buffalo Sabres ADM 80 31 37 12 289 299 74
10 Hartford Whalers ADM 80 26 41 13 247 283 65
11 Quebec Nordiques ADM 80 20 48 12 255 318 52

Divisions: ADM – Adams, PAT – Patrick

p – Clinched Presidents' Trophy
bold – Qualified for playoffs


Schedule and results

1991–92 Schedule
October : 5–5–2 (Home: 2–3–2 ; Road: 3–2–0), 12 Points
November : 8–3–2 (Home: 4–1–2 ; Road: 4–2–0), 18 Points
December : 9–5–0 (Home: 3–3–0 ; Road: 6–2–0), 18 Points
January : 3–7–1 (Home: 1–4–0 ; Road: 2–3–0), 7 Points
February : 3–7–3 (Home: 3–2–2 ; Road: 0–5–1), 9 Points
March : 10–3–1 (Home: 7–0–0 ; Road: 3–3–1), 21 Points
April : 1–2–0 (Home: 1–0–0 ; Road: 0–2–0), 2 Points
Legend:           = Win           = Loss           = Tie

Playoffs

Division Semifinals

In the playoffs, the Penguins would open up against the Washington Capitals, who they defeated in the second round in the previous season en route to the Stanley Cup championship. The Capitals finished the season 11 points ahead of Pittsburgh, and had home ice for the series. Washington would open the series up with two solid victories at home, however, Pittsburgh responded with a Game 3 victory to cut the Caps series lead in half. Washington would demolish the Penguins in the fourth game, going up 3–1 in the series, and returning home in hopes of closing it out. Pittsburgh had no trouble beating the Capitals in Game 5, winning 5–2, and evened the series up at home in Game 6 with a 6–4 win. In the seventh and deciding game of the series, Tom Barrasso would step up, allowing only one goal as Pittsburgh won the final game by a 3–1 scoreline to upset the favored Capitals and complete the series comeback.

Pittsburgh Penguins Win Series (4-3)


Division Finals

Up next was the Patrick Division-winning New York Rangers, who had 18 more points than Pittsburgh during the regular season. Pittsburgh would surprise the Rangers with a 4–2 victory in the opening game, however, New York tied the series up in the second game. The Rangers took a 2–1 series lead with 6–5 overtime victory. The Penguins would tie the series up with their own overtime win in the fourth game, as the series returned to New York for the fifth game. Pittsburgh would hang on for a 3–2 victory in the fifth game, and close out the series at home with a 5–1 win, to upset the Rangers, and return to the Conference Finals.

Pittsburgh Penguins Win Series (4-2)


Conference Finals

The Penguins next opponent was the Boston Bruins, who they defeated in the playoffs the previous year in six games. The Bruins had 84 points during the regular season, three less than the Penguins, giving Pittsburgh home ice advantage. The Pens opened up the series with a 4–3 overtime win, then went up 2–0 in the series with a 5–2 win, as the series would shift to Boston. The Penguins stayed hot, winning Games 3 and 4 by identical 5–1 scorelines, to sweep the Bruins, and reach the Stanley Cup finals for the second-straight season.

Pittsburgh Penguins Win Series (4-0)


Stanley Cup Finals

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Main article: 1992 Stanley Cup Finals

Pittsburgh had to defeat the Chicago Blackhawks in hopes of a second-straight Stanley Cup. The 'Hawks finished the season with 87 points, the same amount as the Penguins, and had defeated the St. Louis Blues, Detroit Red Wings and Edmonton Oilers en route to the Finals, entering the series with an NHL playoff record ten-game winning streak. The Penguins, however, were on their own seven-game winning streak, as they won the last three games of the Rangers series and four in the Boston series. Pittsburgh stayed hot, with a 5–4 victory in Game 1, and then defeated Chicago 3–1 in Game 2 to go up 2–0 as the series would move to Chicago Stadium. The Penguins would then shut-out Chicago 1–0 in the third game to win their tenth in a row, with Pittsburgh finishing off the sweep after a 6–5 Game 4 win, setting an NHL playoff record with their 11th-straight win as they would become the first team since the 1986–87 and 1987–88 Edmonton Oilers to win back-to-back Stanley Cups. Mario Lemieux would win his scond Conn Smythe Trophy in as many years, as he recorded a League-high 34 points in just 15 playoff games.

Pittsburgh Penguins Win Series (4-0)


Player statistics

Skaters
Goaltenders
Regular Season[12]
Player GP TOI W L T OT GA GAA SA SV% SO G A PIM
Tom Barasso 57 3,329:29 25 22 9 0 196 3.53 1702 0.885 1 0 4 30
Wendell Young 18 837:40 7 6 0 1 53 3.80 476 0.889 0 0 0 0
Ken Wregget† 9 448:10 5 3 0 0 31 4.15 202 0.847 0 0 0 2
Frank Pietrangelo‡ 5 225:19 2 1 0 0 20 5.33 130 0.846 0 0 0 0
Total 4,840:38 39 32 9 1 300 3.72 4,681 0.905 1 0 4 32
Playoffs[13]
Player GP TOI W L OT GA GAA SA SV% SO G A PIM
Tom Barasso 21 1,232:59 16 5 1 58 2.82 622 0.907 1 0 2 4
Ken Wregget 1 40:00 0 0 0 4 6.00 16 0.750 0 0 0 0
Total 1,272:59 16 5 1 62 2.92 638 0.903 1 0 2 4

†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining the Penguins. Stats reflect time with the Penguins only.
‡Denotes player was traded mid-season. Stats reflect time with the Team only.
Bold/italics denotes franchise record.

Awards and records

Awards

Player Award
Phil Bourque Edward J. DeBartolo Community Service Award
Mario Lemieux Bowser Pontiac Leading Point Scorer Award
Booster Club Award
Foodland Most Valuable Player Award
Art Ross Memorial Trophy
NHL Second All-Star Team
Conn Smythe Trophy
Troy Loney Edward J. DeBartolo Community Service Award
Joe Mullen Unsung Hero Award
Pittsburgh Penguins Masterton Nominee
Murray Hill Jewelers Player's Player Award
Larry Murphy Baz Bastien Memorial "Good Guy" Award
Jim Paek Michel Briere Memorial Rookie of the Year Award
Kevin Stevens NHL First All-Star Team

Transactions

The Penguins were involved in the following transactions during the 1991–92 season:[14]

Trades

February 19, 1992 To Los Angeles Kings:

Paul Coffey

 To Pittsburgh Penguins:

Jeff Chychrun
Brian Benning
1992 first round pick (#15–Jason Bowen)
February 19, 1992 To Philadelphia Flyers:

Mark Recchi
Brian Benning
1992 first round pick (#15–Jason Bowen)

 To Pittsburgh Penguins:

Kjell Samuelsson
Rick Tocchet
Ken Wregget
1993 third round pick (#62–Dave Roche)
March 10, 1992 To Hartford Whalers:

Frank Pietrangelo

 To Pittsburgh Penguins:

1994 third round pick (#57–Sven Butenschon)
1994 seventh round pick (#161–Serge Aubin)
March 10, 1992 To Quebec Nordiques:

Rights to Scott Young

 To Pittsburgh Penguins:

Bryan Fogarty

Free agents

Player Acquired from Lost to Date
Kim Issel Vancouver Canucks August 1, 1991
Barry Pederson Hartford Whalers September 5, 1991

Signings

Player Date Contract terms
Bryan Trottier August 19, 1991 1-year contract
Ron Francis October 25, 1991 Multi-year contract

Other

Name Date Details
Bob Johnson October 1, 1991 Replaced as head coach due to medical condition
Pierre McGuire October 1, 1991 Hired as assistant coach
Scotty Bowman October 1, 1991 Hired as interim head coach
Howard Baldwin November 19, 1991 Transfer of ownership
Morris Belzberg
Tom Ruta
Craig Patrick January 30, 1992 Resigned as GM and VP to a 5-year contract
Peter Taglianetti June 18, 1992 Lost in expansion draft to Tampa Bay Lightning
Wendell Young June 18, 1992 Lost in expansion draft to Tampa Bay Lightning

Roster

1991-92 Pittsburgh Penguins
Goaltenders

Defensemen

Wingers

Centers

Draft picks

Pittsburgh's draft picks at the 1991 NHL Entry Draft.[15]

Round # Player Pos Nationality College/Junior/Club Team (League)
1 16 Markus Naslund Left Wing  Sweden Modo Hockey (Sweden)
2 38 Rusty Fitzgerald Center  United States Duluth East High School (USHS–MN)
3 60 Shane Peacock Defense  Canada Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL)
4 82 Joe Tamminen Center  United States Virginia High School (USHS–MN)
5 104 Rob Melanson Defense  Canada Hull Olympiques (QMJHL)
6 126 Brian Clifford Center  United States Nichols School (USHS–NY)
7 148 Ed Patterson Right Wing  Canada Swift Current Broncos (WHL)
8 170 Peter McLaughlin Defense  United States Belmont High School (USHS–MA)
9 192 Jeff Lembke Goaltender  United States Omaha Lancers (USHL)
10 214 Chris Tok Defense  United States Greenway High School (USHS–MN)
11 236 Paul Dyck Defense  Canada Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)
12 258 Pasi Huura Defense  Finland Ilves (Finland)

Pittsburgh Penguins 1992 Stanley Cup champions

Roster

  Centres
  Wingers
  Defencemen
  Goaltenders


* Mike Needham did not play any regular season games for Pittsburgh (played in the minors), but played 5 playoff games(not in the finals), Jeff Daniels played 2 regular season games for Pittsburgh, and spent the rest of the season in the minors. Their names were engraved on the Stanley Cup, even though they did not qualify. Ken Priestlay played 49 regular season games, but was playing in the minors during the playoffs. Priestlay was also included on the Stanley Cup.

  Coaching and administrative staff

Stanley Cup engraving

Bob Johnson died on November 28, 1991 of cancer. The NHL allowed his name to be included with the 1991–92 Pittsburgh Penguins.

Pierre McGuire, Les Binkley, John Gill, Charlie Hodge, Ralph Cox were with the team as Scouts in 1990–91, but names were not included on the Stanley Cup that year. All five members have two Stanley Cup rings with Pittsburgh.

Farm teams

The IHL's Muskegon Lumberjacks finished second in the East Division with a 41-28-13 record. They defeated the Milwaukee Admirals and Kalamazoo Wings before being swept by the Kansas City Blades in the Turner Cup Finals. This finals loss came as a result of the Penguins recalling Jock Callander, Mike Needham, and Dave Michayluk to fill open spots left by injuries to both Mario Lemieux and Joe Mullen. Michayluk still won the Ironman Award by the IHL for playing in all of his team's games while displaying outstanding offensive and defensive abilities.

The East Coast Hockey League's Knoxville Cherokees finished last overall in the standings with a record of 20-36-8.

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://www.hockey-reference.com/leagues/NHL_1992.html
  2. ↑ http://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/PIT/1989_games.html
  3. ↑ http://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/PIT/1990_games.html
  4. ↑ http://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/PIT/1991_games.html
  5. ↑ http://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/PIT/1992_games.html
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