Twenty Years Later - Oilers 7, Penguins 5 - 02-11-11

"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 defending Stanley Cup champion Oilers, Feb. 11, 1991.

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The Penguins extended a losing streak to three games at Northlands Coliseum in Edmonton. Left winger Anatoli Semenov gave Edmonton a  1-0 lead with a shorthanded goal against goaltender Tom Barrasso 5:38 into the game. Assists went to right winger Joe Murphy and defenseman Craig Muni.

Just 38 seconds into the second period, an unassisted power-play goal by left winger Peter Klima gave the Oilers a 2-0 lead.

Less than five minutes later at 5:36, defenseman Zarley Zalapski put the Penguins on the board with a power-play goal against goaltender Bill Ranford. Assists were credited to center Mario Lemieux and right winger Scott Young.

Center Mark Messier put the Oilers up 3-1 at the 12:00 mark off assists from Semenov and right winger Glenn Anderson.

At 13:08, Anderson made it 4-1. Assists were credited to center Ken Linseman and defenseman Charlie Huddy.

Edmonton struck again at 14:15 when Klima scored off assists from Linseman and defenseman Steve Smith.

Just over two minutes later at 16:18, rookie right winger Jaromir Jagr scored to make it 5-2. Left winger Bob Errey and defenseman Larry Murphy were credited with assists.

Semenov scored the eventual game-winning goal at 2:48 of the third off assists from Smith and left winger Adam Graves.

Center John Cullen's goal at 3:27 made it 6-3. Assists went to left winger Kevin Stevens and defenseman Gordie Roberts.

At the 6:30 mark, Lemieux scored off assists from former Oilers defenseman Paul Coffey and Barrasso.

A second goal by Jagr at 12:13 pulled the Penguins within one goal. Lemieux recorded the lone assist.

Hopes of a tie game were snuffed out when Joe Murphy scored to give Edmonton a 7-5 lead. Graves had the only assist.

Notes:

-Barrasso recorded the loss after making 39 saves.

-The three stars were 1.) Semenov 2.) Klima 3.) Jagr.

-In six games since coming back from a back ailment, Lemieux had recorded 11 points.

Patrick Division standings:

	Record	Points
Rangers	29-20-9	67
Penguins	29-25-3	61
Flyers	27-26-6	60
Devils	24-23-10	58
Capitals	27-28-3	57
Islanders	18-31-8	44

(Photo: Penguins Hockey Cards)