Twenty Year Later - Penguins 6, Oilers 1 - 01-08-11
"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' 6-1 defeat of the Oilers, Jan. 6, 1991.
The Penguins hosted the defending Stanley Cup champion Oilers at the Civic Arena. At 8:12 of the first period, center Barry Pederson gave the Penguins a 1-0 lead with a goal against goaltender Bill Ranford. Assists went to right winger Joe Mullen and left winger Kevin Stevens.
Just over a minute later at 9:25, right winger Scott Young put the Penguins up, 2-0, on a power play off assists from right winger Mark Recchi and Stevens.
The Penguins cashed in on another power play at the 15:27 mark of the first. Center John Cullen scored off assists from defenseman Larry Murphy and center Jiri Hrdina.
Late in the period at the 19:13 mark, Hrdina scored with the lone assist going to rookie right winger Jaromir Jagr.
At 15:24 of the second, Hrdina scored again, this time on goaltender Kari Takko. Jagr once again recorded the lone assist.
Just 37 seconds into the third period, left winger Martin Gelinas scored the Oilers' lone goal against goaltender Tom Barrasso. Assists went to left winger Joe Murphy and defenseman Geoff Smith.
At 12:43, Cullen scored the game's final goal off an assist by Recchi.
Notes:
-Barrasso earned the win after making 25 saves.
-The three stars were: 1.) Hrdina 2.) Cullen 3.) Barrasso.
-Hrdina, 31, had a chance to record a hat trick but missed an open net. Said the 18-year-old Jagr, "He's too old for a hat trick."
Patrick Division standings:
| Record | Points | |
| Rangers | 25-13-7 | 57 |
| Penguins | 23-20-3 | 49 |
| Flyers | 21-20-6 | 48 |
| Devils | 19-17-9 | 47 |
| Capitals | 20-22-2 | 42 |
| Islanders | 15-22-5 | 35 |
Also in the news that day:
-Rod Carew, Feguson Jenkins and Gaylord Perry were each voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
(Photo: Penguins Hockey Cards)