1978–79 Pittsburgh Penguins season

The 1978–79 Pittsburgh Penguins season was their 12th in the National Hockey League. They finished second in the Norris Division, qualifying for the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time since 1977. Their regular season was a marked improvement over the previous season, from 68 to 85 points.

1978–79 Pittsburgh Penguins
Division2nd Norris
Conference4th Wales
1978–79 record36-31-13
Goals for281
Goals against279
Team information
General managerBaz Bastien
CoachJohnny Wilson
CaptainOrest Kindrachuk
Alternate captainsNone
ArenaPittsburgh Civic Arena
Team leaders
GoalsGreg Malone (35)
AssistsOrest Kindrachuk (42)
PointsGreg Malone (65)
Penalty minutesDave Schultz (157)
WinsDenis Herron (22)
Goals against averageDenis Herron (3.37)

Regular season

Final standings

Norris Division
GP W L T GF GA Pts
Montreal Canadiens80521711337204115
Pittsburgh Penguins8036311328127985
Los Angeles Kings8034341229228680
Washington Capitals8024411527333863
Detroit Red Wings8023411625229562

[1]

Note: W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, GF = Goals For, GA = Goals Against, Pts = Points
       Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold.

Schedule and results

1978–79 Schedule
Legend:        = Win        = Loss        = Tie

Playoffs

Preliminary Round vs. Buffalo

Pittsburgh won series 2–1

Quarterfinals vs. Boston

Boston won series 4–0

Player statistics

Skaters
Goaltenders
Regular Season[4]
Player GP W L T GA SO
Denis Herron562219121800
Gregory Millen2814111862
Gordon Laxton101080
Total3631132742
Playoffs[5]
Player GP W L T GA SO
Denis Herron7250240
Total250240

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 Penguins only.

Transactions

The Penguins were involved in the following transactions during the 1978–79 season:

Trades

September 6, 1978 To Boston Bruins

Jean Pronovost

To Pittsburgh Penguins

Gregg Sheppard

October 9, 1978 To Chicago Blackhawks

1980 2nd round pick

To Pittsburgh Penguins

Dale Tallon

October 18, 1978 To Montreal Canadiens

1981 1st round pick

To Pittsburgh Penguins

Rod Schutt

November 17, 1978 To Vancouver Canucks

Dunc Wilson

To Pittsburgh Penguins

cash

February 6, 1979 To Buffalo Sabres

Dave Schultz

To Pittsburgh Penguins

Gary McAdam

June 9, 1979 To Winnipeg Jets

1980 7th round pick

To Pittsburgh Penguins

Jets promise not to claim Kim Clackson as a priority selection from its WHA franchise

August 3, 1979 To Detroit Red Wings

Pete Mahovlich

To Pittsburgh Penguins

Nick Libett

Additions and subtractions

Additions
PlayerFormer teamVia
Subtractions
PlayerNew teamVia
Gene CarrAtlanta Flamesfree agency (1978-06-06)
Ed GilbertCincinnati Stingers (WHA)free agency (1978-10)

Roster

# Nat Player Pos S/G Age NHL Draft Birthplace
7 Russell Anderson D L 24 1975 Minneapolis, Minnesota
14 Wayne Bianchin RW L 25 1973 Nanaimo, British Columbia
2 Thomas Bladon D R 26 1972 Edmonton, Alberta
6 Colin Campbell D L 26 1973 Toronto, Ontario
25 Randy Carlyle D L 23 1976 Sudbury, Ontario
9 Blair Chapman RW R 22 1976 Lloydminster, Saskatchewan
27 Jacques Cossette RW R 24 1974 Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec
16 Kim Davis C L 21 1977 Flin Flon, Manitoba
11 George Ferguson C R 26 1972 Trenton, Ontario
13 James Hamilton RW L 22 1977 Barrie, Ontario
1 Denis Herron G L 26 1972 Chambly, Quebec
5 Alexander Hudson D L 23 1975 Winnipeg, Manitoba
17 Rick Kehoe RW R 27 1971 Windsor, Ontario
26 Orest Kindrachuk (C) C L 28 Undrafted Nanton, Alberta
30 Gordon Laxton G L 24 1975 Montreal, Quebec
10 Peter Lee RW R 23 1976 Ellesmere, Great Britain
18 David Lonsberry LW L 32 Undrafted Humboldt, Saskatchewan
20 Peter Mahovlich C L 32 1963 Timmins, Ontario
12 William Malone C L 23 1976 Fredericton, New Brunswick
16 Gary McAdam RW L 23 1975 Smiths Falls, Ontario
16 Michael Meeker RW 21 1978 Kingston, Ontario
29 Gregory Millen G R 21 1977 Toronto, Ontario
24 Robert Paradise D L 35 Undrafted St. Paul, Minnesota
28 Thomas Price D 24 1974 Toronto, Ontario
23 Rodney Schutt LW L 22 1976 Bancroft, Ontario
19 Gregory Sheppard C L 30 Undrafted North Battleford, Saskatchewan
22 Brian Spencer LW L 29 1969 Fort St. James, British Columbia
3 Ronald Stackhouse D R 29 1969 Haliburton, Ontario
4 Dale Tallon D L 28 1970 Noranda, Quebec

Draft picks

The 1978 NHL Entry Draft was held on June 15, 1978 in Montreal, Quebec.[6]

Round # Player Pos Nationality College/Junior/Club Team (League)
2 25 Michael Meeker Right Wing  Canada Peterborough Petes (OHA)
4 61 Shane Pearsall Left Wing  Canada Ottawa 67's (OHA)
5 75 Robert Garner Center  Canada Toronto Marlboros (OHA)

References

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