Twenty Years Later - Kings 8, Penguins 2 - 02-26-11
"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' 8-2 loss to the Kings, Feb. 26, 1991.
The Penguins extended a winless streak to three games at the Great Western Forum in Los Angeles. Right winger Tomas Sandstrom gave the Kings a 1-0 lead 5:31 into the game with a power play goal against goaltender Wendell Young. Left winger Tony Granato and center Wayne Gretzky recorded assists.
A shorthanded goal by Phil Bourque against goaltender Kelly Hrudey at the 8:06 mark tied the game, 1-1.
Exactly two minutes later at 8:06, left winger Mark Donnelly gave the Kings a 2-1 lead off an assist from center Steve Kasper.
At the 14:27 mark, left winger Luc Robitaille scored the eventual game-winning goal. Center Todd Elik and right winger Dave Taylor recorded assists.
It took the Kings all of nine seconds later to score again at 14:36. Center John McIntyre scored off assists from left wingers Jay Miller and Jay Tonelli.
Granato poured it on at the 9:38 mark of the second period with another goal. Sandstrom and Gretzky once again had assists.
Kasper made it 6-1 at 13:14 off an assist from Gretzky.
Donnelly scored an unassisted goal at 16:39 of the period to make it 7-1.
At 6:19 of the third, Tonelli scored the Kings' final goal of the game against goaltender Frank Pietrangelo off assists from Taylor and Robitaille.
The Penguins' final game came at the 9:57 mark. Right winger Mark Recchi scored with assists going to defenseman Larry Murphy and center Mario Lemieux.
Notes:
-Young recorded the loss after making 26 saves.
-The three stars were: 1.) Donnelly 2.) Gretzky 3.) Hrudey.
-Young left the game in the second period after suffering a shoulder injury. With goaltender Tom Barrasso dealing with a groin injury, the Penguins were forced to recall goaltender Bruce Racine from Muskegon of the IHL.
Patrick Division standings:
| Record | Points | |
| Rangers | 32-22-10 | 74 |
| Flyers | 31-27-8 | 70 |
| Penguins | 32-28-4 | 68 |
| Devils | 27-26-11 | 65 |
| Capitals | 28-32-4 | 60 |
| Islanders | 21-35-9 | 51 |
Also in the news that day:
-Guard Sean Miller scored 21 points for Pitt in an 88-76 win against Boston College at Conte Forum.
-In Operation Desert Storm, allied forces pushed the Iraqi military out of Kuwait City and liberated Kuwait's capital.