Twenty Years Later - Penguins 7, Capitals 3 - 12-26-10
"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' 7-3 defeat of the Capitals, Dec. 26, 1990.
The Penguins won their seventh of eighth game at the Capital Centre in Landover, Md. Defenseman Paul Coffey put the Penguins up, 1-0, with a goal against goal against goaltender Mike Liut at 6:07 of the first period off assists from Phil Bourque and Tony Tanti.
Coffey struck again less than a minute later at 6:45. Center Randy Gilhen and rookie right winger Jaromir Jagr recorded assists.
Just over a minute after that at 7:48, center Bryan Trottier scored to give the Penguins a 3-0 lead. Assists went to right winger Scott Young and defenseman Zarley Zalapski.
Almost immediately after at at 8:23, center Barry Pederson scored from the right faceoff circle off assists from left winger Kevin Stevens and right winger Joe Mullen. That goal ended the night for Liut.
At 12:04 of the period, Zalapski scored on a power play from the right circle against goaltender Don Beaupre. Mullen was credited with the lone assist.
The Capitals finally got on the board at 14:21 of the period when center Dale Hunter scored on a power play against goaltender Tom Barrasso.
At 9:31 of the second period, right winger Stephen Leach made it 5-2 with assists going to center Peter Zezel and right winger John Druce.
Less than a minute later at 10:14, Jagr scored his 10th goal of the season. Gilhen and left winger Bob Errey were credited with assists.
Right winger Alan May made it 6-3 at 5:41 of the third off assists from defenseman Bob Rouse and Hunter.
Defenseman Peter Taglianetti scored the game's final goal at 7:00. Jagr recorded the lone assist.
Notes:
-Barrasso made 24 saves to earn the win.
-The three stars were: 1.) Coffey 2.) Jagr 3.) Leach.
-Trottier moved into a tie with former Red Wings and Bruins forward John Bucyk for sixth place on the NHL's all-time scoring list with 1,369 points.
-Jagr's three points established a career high.
-Taglianetti's goal was his first with the Penguins.
-Young's assist was his first point with the Penguins.
-Errey played in his 400th career game.
-Right winger Mark Recchi was scratched due to a shoulder injury.
-Mullen returned to the game after missing two games due to a pinched nerve.
Patrick Division Standings:
| Record | Points | |
| Rangers | 20-13-6 | 46 |
| Devils | 19-13-6 | 44 |
| Flyers | 19-17-5 | 43 |
| Penguins | 19-17-3 | 41 |
| Capitals | 18-20-1 | 37 |
| Islanders | 13-18-4 | 30 |
(Photo: Penguins Hockey Cards)