Twenty Years Later - Penguins 5, Devils 2 - 01-05-11
"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' 5-2 defeat of the Devils, Jan. 5, 1991.
The Penguins won their first game of the calendar year at the Civic Arena. Left winger Kirk Muller gave New Jersey a 1-0 lead on a power play 4:18 into the game. He scored against goaltender Tom Barrasso off assists from center Peter Stastny and defenseman Bruce Driver.
Defenseman Larry Murphy tied the game, 1-1, at 4:44 of the second period with a goal against goaltender Chris Terreri. Assists went to Jiri Hrdina and right winger Mark Recchi.
It took the Devils all of eight seconds to regain the lead, 2-1. At 4:52, right winger Claude Lemieux scored his 20th goal of the season off assists from Stastny and rookie defenseman Eric Weinrich.
At 6:19 of the periods, defenseman Paul Coffey tied it again, 2-2 with a shot from the slot. Center John Cullen and Recchi were credited with assists.
Recchi gave the Penguins the lead for good at 14:33 of the period. Assists went to Hrdina and rookie defenseman Paul Stanton.
Only 10 seconds later, rookie right winger Jaromir Jagr gave the Penguins a 4-2 lead. Hrdina and defenseman Zarley Zalapski recorded assists.
Late in the game at 18:37, left winger Bob Errey capped off the scoring with his first career penalty shot.
Notes:
-Barrasso earned the win by making 26 saves.
-The three stars were 1.) Recchi 2.) Barrasso 3.) Hrdina.
-Coffey's goal was the 300th of his career. At the time, former Islanders captain Denis Potvin (310) was the only other defenseman to reach the mark.
-Stastny's first assist was the 1,100th point of his NHL career.
Patrick Division Standings:
| Record | Points | |
| Rangers | 23-13-7 | 53 |
| Flyers | 21-19-6 | 48 |
| Penguins | 22-19-3 | 47 |
| Devils | 19-16-9 | 47 |
| Capitals | 20-22-1 | 41 |
| Islanders | 15-21-5 | 35 |
Also in the news that day:
-Guard Jason Matthews scored 17 points for No. 12 Pitt in an 81-76 loss at No. 11 Connecticut.
-Quarterback Dan Marino threw for 221 yards and two touchdown for the Dolphins in a 17-16 defeat of the Kansas City Chiefs in an AFC Wild Card playoff game at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami.
-Quarterback Mark Rypien threw for 206 yards and two touchdown for the Redskins in a 20-6 win against the Philadelphia Eagles at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia.