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"Twenty Years Later" is a segment, with a highly unimaginative name, which will appear on Empty Netters throughout the 2010-11 season. We will examine the Penguins' 1990-91 season which led to the first Stanley Cup title in franchise history. We will look back on games on a particular date and catch up with former players, coaches, executives and media members who were a part or around that team.

Today, we look at the Penguins' 6-4 win against the Islanders, Oct. 13, 1990.

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The Penguins completed their three-game road trip by breaking up a two-game losing streak at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, N.Y. but they had to stage another comeback to do it.

Islanders left winger David Volek put a puck behind Penguins goaltender Frank Pietrangelo at 3:17 of the first and gave New York and early 1-0 lead. Right winger Brad Dalgarno earned the only assist.

Volek struck again just over three minutes later at 6:22 on an assisted to goal to make it 2-0.

Just over half a minute later at 6:57, Penguins center Randy Gilhen scored his first goal of the season by tipping a pass from former Islanders center Bryan Trottier by New York goaltender Glenn Healy and narrowed the lead to 2-1. Trottier and right winger Joe Mullen had assists.

The Penguins tied, 2-2 it at 10:15 when Kevin Stevens re-directed a pass from right winger Mark Recchi through the five hole of Healy. Recchi and fellow "Option Line" teammate John Cullen were credited with assists.

The Penguins took the lead for good at 15:23 of the period when left winger Bob Errey deflected a shot by defenseman Chris Dahlquist by Healy. Dahlquist and Recchi had assists.

At 2:06 of the second, right winger Rob Brown got his first goal of the season by putting a backhander by goaltender Jeff Hackett and made it 4-2. Assists went to Cullen and Stevens. Hackett replaced Healy due to an injury.

The Islanders narrowed the lead to 4-3 at 2:56 of the third period when center Hubie McDonough put a shot by Pietrangelo from the slot off assists from defenseman Doug Crossman and left winger Bill Berg.

It took the Penguins all of 41 seconds to get that goal back at 3:37. Rookie right winger Jaromir Jagr took a pass from Recchi in front of the New York cage and beat Hackett on a backhander and made it 5-3. Recchi recorded the only assist.

The Penguins got an insurance goal from center Barry Pederson blew a 55-foot slap shot by Hackett at 13:32 to give the Penguins a 6-3 lead. Assists went to defenseman Paul Coffey and Mullen.

-The final goal came from Islanders left winger Dean Chyzowski beat Pietrangelo at 17:03. Assists when to right winger Pat Flatley and center Randy Wood.

Notes:

-Pietrangelo got the win by making 18 saves.

-The three stars were 1.) Recchi 2.) Volek 3.) Stevens.

-Trottier, a vital part of the Islanders' Stanley Cup dynasty in the 1980s, made his first visit to Long Island as a visiting player. He left the Islanders as a free agent in the 1990 offseason and signed with the Penguins. Prior to the game, New York fans chanted his first name.

-Islanders star center Pat LaFontaine left the game it first period after injuring a hamstring when he was hit by Penguins defenseman Randy Hillier.

-Healy left the game in the second period when Stevens was checked into him.

-Stevens, who led the NHL with 14 points, extended a scoring streak to five games.

-Rookie defenseman Jim Paek made his NHL debut. He was the first Korean-born player in NHL history.

Also in the news that day:

-The 30th anniversary of Pirates second baseman Bill Mazeroski dramatic Game 7 home run in the 1960 World Series was celebrated.

-Quarterback Alex Van Pelt threw for 238 yards and two touchdowns, and ran for a score as well as Pitt routed Rutgers, 45-21 at Pitt Stadium.

-Penn State got 138 yards pass, one touchdown pass and one touchdown run from quarterback Tony Sacca in a 27-21 defeat of Syracuse at Beaver Stadium.

-The Lebanese Civil War officially came to an end.

(Photo: Penguins Hockey Cards)

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