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The Penguins, hockey and more, by the PG's Seth Rorabaugh. |
"Twenty Years Later" is a segment with a highly unimaginative name which will appear on Empty Netters throughout the 2011-12 season. We will examine the Penguins' 1991-92 season which led to the second 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' 8-4 win against the Devils, Nov. 27, 1991.
Just over a minute later, right winger Jamie Leach put the Penguins up with a score at 11:18 of the first period. Right winger Mark Recchi had the only assist.
A goal off a slapper from above the left circle by left winger Phil Bourque at 17:15 put the Penguins up 3-0. Mullen and Roberts were credited with assists.
The Devils got on the scoreboard just 33 seconds into the second period when center Peter Stastny scored an unassisted goal on goaltender Tom Barrasso.
Left winger Claude Vilgrain scored a breakaway goal at 2:07 of the period off an assist from defenseman Eric Weinrich to make it a 3-2 game.
At 11:45, right winger Claude Lemieux tied the game, 3-3, with a power-play goal off assists from defenseman Scott Stevens and center Kevin Todd.
Recchi reclaimed the lead and made it 4-3 when he scored a power-play goal on a rebound at 16:01. Center Mario Lemieux and defenseman Paul Coffey were credited with assists.
At 2:50 of the first period, defenseman Grant Jennings scored the eventual game-winning goal off assists from Mario Lemieux and left winger Kevin Stevens.
Right winger Stephane Richer scored New Jersey's final goal on a slapper at 6:25 and made it a 5-4 game. Assists went to Vilgrain and Todd.
A goal by Coffey on a three-on-one at 10:44 made it 6-4. Bourque and Mullen netted assists.
Mario Lemieux scored on a backhander at 15:39 to make it a 7-4 game. Coffey had the only assist.
The game's final goal was scored by Francis with a wrister from the slot at 19:55 off assists from Coffey and Bourque.
Notes:
-Barrasso made 39 saves in the win.
-The three stars were 1.) Coffey 2.) Francis 3.) Barrasso.
-It was the Penguins' first game since the death of head coach "Badger" Bob Johnson No. 26 following a battle with brain cancer. A ceremony was held prior to the game:
-In tribute, Johnson's famous "It's a great day for hockey" quote were painted outside both blue lines. The team also began wearing patches on its jerseys in tribute to Johnson.
Statistics:
| Player Position |
Games Played |
Goals | Assists | Points |
| Kevin Stevens, LW | 23 | 16 | 20 | 36 |
| Mario Lemieux, C | 20 | 14 | 18 | 32 |
| Paul Coffey, D | 23 | 6 | 24 | 30 |
| Joe Mullen, RW | 23 | 10 | 17 | 27 |
| Jaromir Jagr, RW | 23 | 8 | 16 | 24 |
| Mark Recchi, RW | 23 | 9 | 13 | 22 |
| Larry Murphy, D | 22 | 2 | 14 | 16 |
| Phil Bourque, LW | 20 | 4 | 7 | 11 |
| Bob Errey, LW | 22 | 6 | 3 | 9 |
| Bryan Trottier, C | 23 | 3 | 5 | 8 |
| Gordie Roberts, D | 21 | 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Ron Francis, C | 13 | 4 | 3 | 7 |
| Jiri Hrdina, C | 16 | 2 | 4 | 6 |
| Troy Loney, LW | 20 | 2 | 4 | 6 |
| Grant Jennings, D | 175 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Jamie Leach, RW | 11 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Ulf Samuelsson, D | 13 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Ken Priestlay, C | 19 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Paul Stanton, D | 8 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Jim Paek, D | 20 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Glenn Mulvenna, C | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Todd Nelson, D | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jeff Daniels, LW | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jay Caufield, RW | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peter Taglianetti, D | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Patrick Division standings:
| Record | Points | |
| Capitals | 18-6-0 | 36 |
| Rangers | 14-10-1 | 29 |
| Devils | 13-10-1 | 27 |
| Penguins | 11-8-4 | 26 |
| Flyers | 8-11-1 | 18 |
| Islanders | 7-12-2 | 17 |
Also in the news that day:
-Los Angeles Kings coach Tom Webster was suspended 12 games for throwing a stick at referee Kerry Fraser.
-Center Darren Morningstar had 15 points for Pitt in a 74-63 Preseason NIT loss to Oklahoma State at Madison Square Garden in New York.
(Videos-Jay Korber)

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