1991–92 Pittsburgh Penguins season

The 1991–92 Pittsburgh Penguins season was the Penguins' 25th season in the National Hockey League (NHL). The team was coming off of its first-ever Stanley Cup victory in 1990–91, as they defeated the Minnesota North Stars in the Finals in six games. The Penguins, along with the Detroit Red Wings and New York Rangers, had five 30-goal scorers. Six players and three off-ice staff members from the 1991-92 team's year-end roster have been elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame.

1991–92 Pittsburgh Penguins
Stanley Cup champions
Wales Conference champions
Division3rd Patrick
Conference4th Wales
1991–92 record39–32–9
Home record21–13–6
Road record18–19–3
Goals for343 (1st)
Goals against308 (20th)
Team information
General managerCraig Patrick
CoachScotty Bowman
CaptainMario Lemieux
Alternate captainsBob Errey
Kevin Stevens
Bryan Trottier
ArenaCivic Arena
Average attendance15,993
Team leaders
GoalsKevin Stevens (54)
AssistsMario Lemieux (87)
PointsMario Lemieux (131)
Penalty minutesKevin Stevens (252)
WinsTom Barrasso (25)
Goals against averageTom Barrasso (3.53)

Off-season

In the off-season, Head Coach Bob Johnson was diagnosed with brain cancer, forcing him to step down, where the Penguins brought in former St. Louis Blues, Montreal Canadiens, and Buffalo Sabres head coach Scotty Bowman to replace Johnson. Bowman had previously led the Canadiens to five Stanley Cup championships in the 1970s. Johnson lost his battle to cancer on November 26, 1991, and the Penguins honored him by wearing a patch on the left sleeve of their jersey with his nickname "Badger" written on it along with his birth year and death year.

Regular season

Pittsburgh started the season off very well, and through their first 38 games, they had a record of 22–12–4, earning 48 points and fighting with the Washington Capitals and New York Rangers for first in the Division. The team, along with Mario Lemieux, who missed time due to a back injury, would slump in their next 24 games, going 5–15–4 to slide down to .500 and battling with the New York Islanders and Philadelphia Flyers for the final playoff position in the Division. The Penguins, facing losing defenseman Paul Coffey as a free agent after the season, would deal him to the Los Angeles Kings in a move that looked like they were giving up for the season, however, they would make a move to bring some more grit to the team, acquiring Rick Tocchet, Kjell Samuelsson and Ken Wregget from Philadelphia for Mark Recchi, and the club would have a 12–5–1 record to close out the season, finishing in third place in the Division and making the playoffs for the second-straight season.

Mario Lemieux led the club offensively, despite missing 16 games to injuries, as he earned an NHL-high 131 points from 44 goals and 87 assists to win the Art Ross Trophy. Kevin Stevens led the team with 54 goals and finished second in League scoring behind Lemieux with 123 points. Joe Mullen would also have a solid season, as he scored 42 goals and earned 87 points, while Jaromir Jagr continued to develop, as he recorded 69 points in 70 games. Larry Murphy put up a defense-high 77 points in his first full season with the Penguins.

In goal, Tom Barrasso played the majority of the games, earning a team high 25 victories, along with a team best 3.53 goals against average (GAA), while earning a shutout for the club.

Offensively, the Penguins led the NHL in scoring, with 343 goals for.[1]

On October 29, 1991, the Penguins were shut out at home 8–0 by the Washington Capitals. It was the first time the Penguins had been shut-out in a regular season game since January 2, 1989, when they coincidentally lost 8–0 on the road also to the Capitals. Prior to their home loss against the Caps, the Penguins had gone 211 consecutive regular season games without being shut-out.[2][3][4][5]

Season standings
Patrick Division[6]
GP W L T GF GA Pts
1 P - New York Rangers8050255321246105
2 Washington Capitals804527833025798
3 Pittsburgh Penguins803932934330887
4 New Jersey Devils8038311128925987
5 New York Islanders8034351129129979
6 Philadelphia Flyers8032371125227375

P - Clinched Presidents Trophy

Wales Conference[7]
R Div GP W L T GF GA Pts
1 p – New York RangersPAT8050255321246105
2 Washington CapitalsPAT804527833025798
3 Montreal CanadiensADM8041281126720793
4 Pittsburgh PenguinsPAT803932934330887
5 New Jersey DevilsPAT8038311128925987
6 Boston BruinsADM8036321227027584
7 New York IslandersPAT8034351129129979
8 Philadelphia FlyersPAT8032371125227375
9 Buffalo SabresADM8031371228929974
10 Hartford WhalersADM8026411324728365
11 Quebec NordiquesADM8020481225531852

Divisions: ADM – Adams, PAT – Patrick

p – Clinched Presidents' Trophy
bold – Qualified for playoffs

Schedule and results
1991–92 Schedule
October: 5–5–2 (Home: 2–3–2 ; Road: 3–2–0), 12 Points
November: 8–3–2 (Home: 4–1–2 ; Road: 4–2–0), 18 Points
December: 9–5–0 (Home: 3–3–0 ; Road: 6–2–0), 18 Points
January: 3–7–1 (Home: 1–4–0 ; Road: 2–3–0), 7 Points
February: 3–7–3 (Home: 3–2–2 ; Road: 0–5–1), 9 Points
March: 10–3–1 (Home: 7–0–0 ; Road: 3–3–1), 21 Points
April: 1–2–0 (Home: 1–0–0 ; Road: 0–2–0), 2 Points
Legend:        = Win        = Loss        = Tie

Playoffs
Main article: 1992 Stanley Cup playoffs

Division Semifinals

In the playoffs, the Penguins would open up against the Washington Capitals, who they defeated in the second round in the previous season en route to the Stanley Cup championship. The Capitals finished the season 11 points ahead of Pittsburgh, and had home ice for the series. Washington would open the series up with two solid victories at home, however, Pittsburgh responded with a Game 3 victory to cut the Caps series lead in half. Washington would demolish the Penguins in the fourth game, going up 3–1 in the series, and returning home in hopes of closing it out. Pittsburgh had no trouble beating the Capitals in Game 5, winning 5–2, and evened the series up at home in Game 6 with a 6–4 win. In the seventh and deciding game of the series, Tom Barrasso would step up, allowing only one goal as Pittsburgh won the final game by a 3–1 scoreline to upset the favored Capitals and complete the series comeback.

Division Finals

Up next was the Patrick Division-winning New York Rangers, who had 18 more points than Pittsburgh during the regular season. Pittsburgh would surprise the Rangers with a 4–2 victory in the opening game, however, New York tied the series up in the second game. The Rangers took a 2–1 series lead with 6–5 overtime victory. The Penguins would tie the series up with their own overtime win in the fourth game, as the series returned to New York for the fifth game. Pittsburgh would hang on for a 3–2 victory in the fifth game, and close out the series at home with a 5–1 win, to upset the Rangers, and return to the Conference Finals.

Conference Finals

The Penguins next opponent was the Boston Bruins, who they defeated in the playoffs the previous year in six games. The Bruins had 84 points during the regular season, three less than the Penguins, giving Pittsburgh home ice advantage. The Pens opened up the series with a 4–3 overtime win, then went up 2–0 in the series with a 5–2 win, as the series would shift to Boston. The Penguins stayed hot, winning Games 3 and 4 by identical 5–1 scorelines, to sweep the Bruins, and reach the Stanley Cup finals for the second-straight season.

Stanley Cup Finals
Main article: 1992 Stanley Cup Finals

Pittsburgh had to defeat the Chicago Blackhawks in hopes of a second-straight Stanley Cup. The 'Hawks finished the season with 87 points, the same amount as the Penguins, and had defeated the St. Louis Blues, Detroit Red Wings and Edmonton Oilers en route to the Finals, entering the series with an NHL playoff record ten-game winning streak. The Penguins, however, were on their own seven-game winning streak, as they won the last three games of the Rangers series and four in the Boston series. Pittsburgh stayed hot, with a 5–4 victory in Game 1, and then defeated Chicago 3–1 in Game 2 to go up 2–0 as the series would move to Chicago Stadium. The Penguins would then shut-out Chicago 1–0 in the third game to win their tenth in a row, with Pittsburgh finishing off the sweep after a 6–5 Game 4 win, setting an NHL playoff record with their 11th-straight win as they would become the first team since the 1986–87 and 1987–88 Edmonton Oilers to win back-to-back Stanley Cups. Mario Lemieux won the Conn Smythe Trophy for the second straight year, as he recorded a League-high 34 points in just 15 playoff games.

Playoff log
1992 Stanley Cup playoffs
Patrick Division semi-finals vs No. 2 Washington Capitals: 4–3 (Home: 2–1; Road: 2–2)
Patrick Division finals vs No. 1 New York Rangers: 4–2 (Home: 2–1; Road: 2–1)
Wales Conference finals vs No. 2 Boston Bruins: 4–0 (Home: 2–0; Road: 2–0)
Stanley Cup Finals vs No. 2 Chicago Blackhawks: 4–0 (Home: 2–0; Road: 2–0)
Legend:        = Win        = Loss        = Playoff series win
  • Scorer of game-winning goal in italics

Player statistics
Skaters
Goaltenders
Regular Season[10]
Player GP TOI W L T GA GAA SA SV% SO G A PIM
Tom Barrasso573329:29252291963.5317020.88510430
Wendell Young18837:40760533.804760.8890000
Ken Wregget†9448:10530314.152020.8470002
Frank Pietrangelo‡5225:19210205.331300.8460000
Total4840:38393293003.7225100.88010432
Playoffs[11]
Player GP TOI W L T GA GAA SA SV% SO G A PIM
Tom Barrasso211232:591650583.006220.9071024
Ken Wregget140:0000041.55160.7500000
Total1272:591650622.926380.9031024

†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.

Awards and records
  • Mario Lemieux became the first person to score 900 points for the Penguins. He did so in a 5–6 loss to Hartford on November 2.
  • Mario Lemieux became the first person to score 400 goals for the Penguins. He did so in a 3–6 loss to Toronto on March 14.
  • Mario Lemieux became the first person to score 1000 points for the Penguins. He did so in a 3–4 loss to Detroit on March 24.
  • Mario Lemieux became the first person to score 600 assists for the Penguins. He did so in a 7–3 win over Vancouver on March 26.
  • Paul Coffey established franchise records for goals (108) assists (332) and points (440) by a defenseman. He had set record for each category within the previous two seasons.

Awards
PlayerAward
Phil BourqueEdward J. DeBartolo Community Service Award
Mario LemieuxBowser Pontiac Leading Point Scorer Award
Booster Club Award
Foodland Most Valuable Player Award
Art Ross Trophy
NHL Second All-Star Team
Conn Smythe Trophy
Troy LoneyEdward J. DeBartolo Community Service Award
Joe MullenUnsung Hero Award
Pittsburgh Penguins Masterton Nominee
Murray Hill Jewelers Player's Player Award
Larry MurphyBaz Bastien Memorial "Good Guy" Award
Jim PaekMichel Briere Memorial Rookie of the Year Award
Kevin StevensNHL First All-Star Team

Transactions

The Penguins were involved in the following transactions during the 1991–92 season:[12]

Trades
February 19, 1992 To Los Angeles Kings

Paul Coffey

 To Pittsburgh Penguins

Brian Benning
Jeff Chychrun
1992 1st round pick

February 19, 1992 To Philadelphia Flyers

Brian Benning
Mark Recchi
1992 1st round pick

 To Pittsburgh Penguins

Kjell Samuelsson
Rick Tocchet
Ken Wregget
1993 conditional 3rd round pick

March 10, 1992 To Quebec Nordiques

rights to Scott Young

To Pittsburgh Penguins

Bryan Fogarty

March 10, 1992 To Hartford Whalers

Frank Pietrangelo

 To Pittsburgh Penguins

1994 3rd round pick
1994 7th round pick

Free agents
Player Acquired from Lost to Date
Kim IsselVancouver CanucksAugust 1, 1991
Barry PedersonHartford WhalersSeptember 5, 1991

Signings
Player Date Contract terms
Bryan TrottierAugust 19, 19911-year contract
Ron FrancisOctober 25, 1991Multi-year contract

Other
Name Date Details
Bob JohnsonOctober 1, 1991Replaced as head coach due to medical condition
Pierre McGuireOctober 1, 1991Hired as assistant coach
Scotty BowmanOctober 1, 1991Hired as interim head coach
Howard BaldwinNovember 19, 1991Transfer of ownership
Morris Belzberg
Tom Ruta
Craig PatrickJanuary 30, 1992Re-signed as GM and VP to a 5-year contract
Peter TaglianettiJune 18, 1992Lost in expansion draft to Tampa Bay Lightning
Wendell YoungJune 18, 1992Lost in expansion draft to Tampa Bay Lightning

Roster
# Nat Player Pos S/G Age NHL Draft Birthplace
35 Tom Barrasso G R 27 1983 Boston, Massachusetts
29 Phil Bourque LW L 29 Undrafted Chelmsford, Massachusetts
16 Jay Caufield RW R 31 Undrafted Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
6 Jeff Chychrun D R 26 1984 LaSalle, Quebec
43 Jeff Daniels LW L 23 1986 Oshawa, Ontario
4 Gordon Dineen D R 29 1981 Quebec City, Quebec
12 Bob Errey (A) LW L 27 1983 Montreal, Quebec
10 Ron Francis C L 29 1981 Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
38 Jiri Hrdina C L 34 1984 Prague, Czech Republic
68 Jaromir Jagr RW L 20 1990 Kladno, Czech Republic
3 Grant Jennings D L 27 Undrafted Hudson Bay, Saskatchewan
20 Jamie Leach RW R 22 1987 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
66 Mario Lemieux (C) C R 26 1984 Montreal, Quebec
24 Troy Loney LW L 28 1982 Bow Island, Alberta
15 Shawn McEachern LW L 23 1987 Waltham, Massachusetts
7 Joe Mullen RW R 35 Undrafted New York City, New York
45 Glenn Mulvenna C L 25 Undrafted Calgary, Alberta
55 Larry Murphy D R 31 1980 Scarborough, Ontario
44 Todd Nelson D L 23 1989 Prince Albert, Saskatchewan
2 Jim Paek D L 25 1985 Seoul, South Korea
18 Ken Priestlay C L 24 1985 Richmond, British Columbia
28 Gordon Roberts D L 34 1977 Detroit, Michigan
23 Kjell Samuelsson D R 33 1984 Tyngsryd, Sweden
5 Ulf Samuelsson D L 28 1982 Fagerstad, Sweden
22 Paul Stanton D R 24 1985 Boston, Massachusetts
25 Kevin Stevens (A) LW L 27 1983 Brockton, Massachusetts
32 Peter Taglianetti D L 28 1983 Framingham, Massachusetts
92 Rick Tocchet RW R 28 1983 Scarborough, Ontario
19 Bryan Trottier (A) C L 35 1974 Val Marie, Saskatchewan
31 Ken Wregget G L 28 1982 Brandon, Manitoba
1 Wendell Young G L 28 1981 Halifax, Nova Scotia

Draft picks

Pittsburgh's draft picks at the 1991 NHL Entry Draft.[13]

Round # Player Pos Nationality College/Junior/Club Team (League)
1 16 Markus Naslund Left Wing  Sweden Modo Hockey Ornskoldsvik (SEL)
2 38 Rusty Fitzgerald Center  United States Duluth East H.S. (Minn.)
3 60 Shane Peacock Defense  Canada Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL)
4 82 Joe Tamminen Center  United States Virginia H.S. (Minn.)
5 104 Robert Melanson Defense  Canada Hull Olympiques (QMJHL)
6 126 Brian Clifford Center  United States Nichols (N.Y. H.S.)
7 148 Ed Patterson Right Wing  Canada Kamloops Blazers (WHL)
8 170 Peter McLaughlin Defense  United States Belmont Hill H.S. (Massachusetts)
9 192 Jeff Lembke Goaltender  United States Omaha Lancers (USHL)
10 214 Chris Tok Defense  United States Greenway (Minn H.S.)
11 236 Paul Dyck Defense  Canada Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)
12 258 Pasi Huura Defense  Finland Ilves Tampere (FNL)
S22Greg CarvelCenter United StatesSt. Lawrence University (ECAC)

Pittsburgh Penguins 1992 Stanley Cup champions

Players

* Mike Needham did not play any regular season games for Pittsburgh (played in the minors), but played 5 playoff games(not in the finals), Jeff Daniels played 2 regular season games for Pittsburgh, and spent the rest of the season in the minors. Their names were engraved on the Stanley Cup, even though they did not qualify. Ken Priestlay played 49 regular season games, but was playing in the minors during the playoffs. Priestlay was also included on the Stanley Cup.

Coaching and administrative staff

Stanley Cup engraving

Bob Johnson died on November 28, 1991, of cancer. The NHL allowed his name to be included with the 1991–92 Pittsburgh Penguins.

Pierre McGuire, Les Binkley, John Gill, Charlie Hodge, Ralph Cox were with the team as Scouts in 1990–91, but names were not included on the Stanley Cup that year. All five members have two Stanley Cup rings with Pittsburgh.

Farm teams

The IHL's Muskegon Lumberjacks finished second in the East Division with a 41-28-13 record. They defeated the Milwaukee Admirals and Kalamazoo Wings before being swept by the Kansas City Blades in the Turner Cup Finals. This finals loss came as a result of the Penguins recalling Jock Callander, Mike Needham, and Dave Michayluk to fill open spots left by injuries to both Mario Lemieux and Joe Mullen. Michayluk still won the Ironman Award by the IHL for playing in all of his team's games while displaying outstanding offensive and defensive abilities.

The East Coast Hockey League's Knoxville Cherokees finished last overall in the standings with a record of 20-36-8.

Media affiliates

Radio

Flagship station Play-by-play Color commentator Studio host
KDKA-AM 1020 (main)
WDVE-FM 102.5 (backup)		 Mike Lange Paul Steigerwald

Some of the games broadcast on WDVE because of KDKA-AM's broadcast conflict with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Television

Local TV Play-by-play Color commentator
KDKA-TV 2
KBL		 Mike Lange Paul Steigerwald

See also

References
  1. https://www.hockey-reference.com/leagues/NHL_1992.html
  2. https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/PIT/1989_games.html
  3. https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/PIT/1990_games.html
  4. https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/PIT/1991_games.html
  5. https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/PIT/1992_games.html
  6. "1991-1992 Division Standings". National Hockey League. Retrieved March 25, 2012.
  7. "1991-1992 Conference Standings". National Hockey League. Retrieved March 25, 2012.
  8. "1991–1992 – Regular Season – Pittsburgh Penguins – All Skaters – Summary – Points – NHL.com – Stats". NHL.
  9. "1991–1992 – Playoffs – Pittsburgh Penguins – All Skaters – Summary – Points – NHL.com – Stats". NHL.
  10. "1991–1992 – Regular Season – Pittsburgh Penguins – Goalie – Summary – Wins – NHL.com – Stats". NHL.
  11. "1991–1992 – Playoffs – Pittsburgh Penguins – Goalie – Summary – Wins – NHL.com – Stats". NHL.
  12. "Hockey Transactions Search Results". ProSportsTransactions.
  13. "NHL.com – NHL Entry Draft Year by Year Results". National Hockey League. Retrieved 6 March 2012.
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