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Sunday, 03 April 2011 14:00

Written by Seth Rorabaugh

"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' 3-1 playoff loss against the Devils, April 3, 1991.

The Penguins opened the Stanley Cup playoffs with a loss in Game 1 of a Patrick Division semifinal series at the Civic Arena. After a scoreless first period, center Mario Lemieux gave the Penguins a 1-0 lead at the 10:48 mark of the second period with a power play goal against goaltender Chris Terreri. Assists went to left winger Kevin Stevens and right winger Mark Recchi.

Just under five minutes later at 15:42, center Peter Stastny tied the game, 1-1, with a power-play goal against goaltender Tom Barrasso. Left winger Brendan Shanahan and defenseman Alexei Kasatonov recorded assists.

Stastny gave New Jersey the lead for good and made it 2-1 with a goal at 4:12 of the third period. Right winger Jeff Madill and rookie defenseman Eric Weinrich netted assists.

Less than a minute later at 4:02, Center Laurie Boschman scored to give the Devils' a 3-1 lead. Defenseman Ken Danyeko recorded the only assist.

Notes:

-Barrasso made 32 saves in the loss. 

-The three stars were 1.) Stastny 2.) Terreri 3.) Boschman.

-Stevens suffered a broken nose on the play to set up Lemieux's goal when long-time nemesis Danyeko struck him in the face with his stick.

-Devils center Patrik Sundstrom left the game due to a shoulder injury.

-Penguins defenseman Grant Jennings missed the game due to a shoulder injury.

-The Penguins recalled defenseman Jim Paek from Muskegon of the IHL.

Also in the news that day:

-Goaltender Mike Richter made 28 saves for the Rangers in a 2-1 defeat of the Capitals at Madison Square Garden in Game of the other Patrick Division semifinal series.

-Former Penguins center John Cullen had a goal and two assist for the Whalers in 5-2 defeat of the Bruins at the Boston Garden in Game 1 of an Adams Division semfinal series.

-The Canadiens got two goals from right winger Russ Courtnall in a 7-5 win against the Sabres in Game 1 of an Adams Division semifinal series at the Montreal Forum.

-Former Royals all-star outfielder Bo Jackson signed a three-year contract with the Chicago White Sox. Jackson, a star in both baseball and football, had suffered a severe hip injury Jan. 13 while playing for the Los Angeles Raiders in a playoff game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The Royals waived him in February.

-Demolition began at Chicago's old Comiskey Park,which was the oldest major league baseball stadium in Major League Baseball at the time. The White Sox moved to new Comiskey Park across the street.

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