Twenty Years Later - Rangers 7, Penguins 5 - 01-03-11
"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' 7-5 loss to the Rangers, Jan. 3, 1991.
The Penguins started off the new year with a loss at the Civic Arena. The Penguins took a 1-0 lead late in the first period when right winger Mark Recchi scored against goaltender John Vanbiesbrouck off assists from center John Cullen and defenseman Zarley Zalapski.
Left winger Troy Mallette tied the game, 1-1, 3:49 into the second period with a goal against goaltender Tom Barrasso. Assists went to right winger Ray Sheppard and center Kelly Kisio.
Less than three minutes later at 6:40, right winger Brian Mullen gave the Rangers a 2-1 lead with a goal off an assist from defenseman James Patrick.
Less than two minutes after at 8:32, center Darren Turcotte put New York up 3-1 on a power play off assists from Patrick and defenseman Brian Leetch.
It took the Rangers all of 14 seconds to go up 4-1. Center Kevin Miller scored with left winger John Ogrodnick recording the lone assist at the 8:46 mark.
Another power play goal by the Rangers at 13:07 put them up 5-1. Kisio scored off assists from Ogrodnick and defenseman Miroslav Horava.
The Penguins finally answered at 14:04 when right winger Scott Young cashed in on a power play. Assists went to left winger Kevin Stevens and Cullen.
The Rangers went up 6-1 at the 15:12 mark when Sheppard scored off assists from Kisio and Patrick.
A power play goal 47 seconds into the third period by Stevens made it 6-3. Assists went to Zalapski and Cullen.
Less than a minute later at 1:32, defenseman Gordie Roberts netted his second goal of the season off assists from rookie right winger Jaromir Jagr and center Jiri Hrdina.
At the 9:21 mark, Mallette cashed in his second goal of the night against goaltender Wendell Young. Sheppard was credited with the lone assist.
The game's final goal came at 14:32. Cullen scored on a re-direction off assists from defenseman Paul Coffey and Scott Young.
Notes:
-Barrasso recorded the loss after making 13 saves.
-The three stars were: 1.) Kisio 2.) Mallette 3.) Cullen.
-The Penguins set a franchise record by allowing six goals in the second period.
Patrick Division Standings:
| Record | Points | |
| Rangers | 23-13-7 | 53 |
| Flyers | 21-18-5 | 47 |
| Devils | 19-15-9 | 47 |
| Penguins | 21-19-3 | 45 |
| Capitals | 19-22-1 | 39 |
| Islanders | 14-21-5 | 33 |
Also in the news that day:
-Kings center Wayne Gretzky recorded his 700th career goal in a 6-3 win against the Islanders. The only other players in NHL history to reach that mark were Gordie Howe (801), Marcel Dionne (731) and Phil Esposito (717).