Twenty Years Later - Penguins 5, Islanders 2 - 02-14-11
"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 Islanders, Feb. 14, 1991.
The Penguins snapped a three-game losing streak at the Civic Arena. The Islanders jumped out to a 1-0 lead 1:20 into the game when center Pat LaFontaine beat goaltender Tom Barrasso for a goal. Assists went to left winger David Volek and defenseman Gary Nylund.
Just over two minutes later at 3:21, the Penguins responded and tied the game with a goal by left winger Phil Bourque against goaltender Glenn Healy. Right winger Mark Recchi and rookie defenseman Paul Stanton were credited with assists.
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Late in the first period, defenseman Jeff Norton put the Islanders back up, 2-1, with a power-play goal at 19:28. Left winger Derek King and defenseman Wayne McBean had assists.
The Penguins tied the game at the 4:35 mark of the second period with a goal by Recchi off assists from Bourque and center John Cullen.
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Just 2:47 into the third period, Cullen scored the eventual game-winning goal. Assists went to defensemen Larry Murphy and Gordie Roberts.
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At 15:09, center Mario Lemieux scored off assists from left winger Bob Errey and rookie right winger Jaromir Jagr.
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Late in the game, at 19:37, Errey added an unassisted shorthanded empty-net goal.
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Notes:
-Barrasso made 30 saves to earn the win.
-The three stars were 1.) Bourque, 2.) Cullen 3.) Barrasso.
-Penguins center Bryan Trottier returned to the lineup after missing 13 games due to an abdomen injury.
-King left the game in the second period after suffering separated shoulder following a hit by Errey.
Patrick Division standings:
| Record | Points | |
| Rangers | 30-20-9 | 69 |
| Penguins | 30-25-3 | 63 |
| Flyers | 28-26-6 | 62 |
| Devils | 24-24-11 | 59 |
| Capitals | 27-28-3 | 57 |
| Islanders | 19-32-8 | 46 |
Also in the news that day:
-Pirates pitcher Doug Drabek, the reigning National League Cy Young winner, became the first player to ever clear the $3 million mark in arbitration when he was awarded $3.335 million. That made him the highest-paid pitcher in the National League.
-On the 30th day of the Gulf War, Iraq offerd to withdraw its forces from neighboring Kuwait provided allied forces made a complete pullout from the Gulf region.