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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' 6-5 win against the Nordiques, Jan. 26, 1991.

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With captain Mario Lemieux returning to the lineup after missing the first 50 games of the season due to a back infection, the Penguins extended their winning streak to three games at Le Colisee at Quebec City. Defenseman Shawn Anderson gave the Nordiques an 1-0 lead 7:36 into the game with a power-play goal against goaltender Wendell Young. Assists went to defensemen Alexei Gusarov and center Joe Sakic.

At 16:47 of the first period, left winger Kevin Stevens tied the game by re-direction a shot on a power-play against goaltender Ron Tugnutt. Defensemen Larry Murphy and Paul Coffey recorded assists.

At the 1:31 mark of the second, right winger Mark Recchi gave the Penguins a 2-1 lead off assists from Lemieux and left winger Bob Errey.

Errey scored to give the Penguins a 3-1 lead at 5:57. Lemieux and Recchi netted assists.

At 14:58, center Jiri Hrdina's goal made it 4-1. Assists went to left winger Phil Bourque and rookie right winger Jaromir Jagr.

Early in the third at the 1:57 mark right winger Guy Lafleur made it 4-2. Left winger Mike Hough and center Stephane Morin netted assists.

At 11:25, center John Cullen scored on a power play to give the Penguins a 5-2 lead. Assists went to Coffey and Lemieux.

Coffey scored his 20th goal of the season at 13:14 to increase the lead to 6-2. Stevens and Cullen were credited with assists.

At 14:32, Sakic scored to make it 6-3. The only assist was credited to center Mats Sundin.

Less than a minute later, the Noridques struck again. A goal by Hough made it 6-4. Assists went to Lafleur and Morin.

Sundin scored the game's final goal at 17:37 off assists from Anderson and Morin.

Notes:

-Young earned the win by making 23 saves.

-The three stars were 1.) Lemieux 2.) Morin 3.) Cullen.

-Lemieux told the Pittsburgh Press: "I felt pretty good. I'm just a little sore, but that's muscle soreness."

-Murphy's assist was the 500th of his NHL career.

-Penguins goaltender Tom Barrasso was sidelined due to a finger infection.

Patrick Divison standings:

	Record	Points
Rangers	27-17-8	62
Flyers	26-22-6	58
Penguins	27-21-3	57
Devils	20-21-10	50
Capitals	22-26-3	47
Islanders	17-26-6	40

Also in the news that day:

-Former kicker Jan Stenerud, Bears defensive lineman Stan Jones, Patriots guard John Hannah, Oilers running back Earl Campbell and Cowboys executive Tex Schramm were chosen to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Jones was a native of Altoona.

(Photo: Penguins Hockey Cards)

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