Twenty Year Later - Canadiens 4, Penguins 4 - 03-12-11
"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' 4-4 tie against the Canadiens, March 12, 1991.
The Penguins had a franchise record 11-game winning streak snapped at the Civic Arena. Center Mario Lemieux started the scoring with a goal against goal against goaltender Patrick Roy 4:58 into the game. Assists went to left winger Kevin Stevens and defenseman Peter Taglianetti.
The Canadiens tied the game at the 11:10 mark when defenseman Sylvain Lefebvre beat goaltender Tom Barrasso on a power play. Right winger Russ Courtnall and center Guy Carbonneau were credited with assists.
Montreal took a 2-1 lead when center Denis Savard scored at 16:48 off assists from right winger Mike Keane and left winger Brent Gilchrist.
All of 1:40 into the second period, Savard scored his second goal of the game to make it 3-1. Gilchrist and defenseman J.J. Daigneault had assists.
At 10:19, left winger Troy Loney scored to make it 3-2. Center Bryan Trottier and rookie right winger Jaromir Jagr netted assists.
Left winger Mike McPhee scored at 13:45 to give Montreal a 4-2 lead. Defenseman Petr Svoboda and Kean had the assists.
Right winger Jamie Leach scored his career NHL goal at the 15:48 mark to make it 4-3. Rookie defenseman Paul Stanton had the lone assist.
Stevens scored the game's final goal at the 18:42 mark off assists from center Ron Francis and defenseman Gordie Roberts.
Notes:
-Barrasso made 33 saves and recorded a tie.
-The three stars were 1.) Savard 2.) Jagr 3.) Lemieux.
-The Canadiens outshot the Penguins, 5-0, in overtime.
-Loney extended a scoring streak to three games.
-On his first goal, Leach, the son of former Flyers star Reggie Leach, told the Post-Gazette, "It's a feeling you can't really describe, the first one."
Patrick Division standings:
| Record | Points | |
| Rangers | 34-25-12 | 82 |
| Penguins | 36-30-5 | 77 |
| Flyers | 31-31-9 | 71 |
| Capitals | 31-33-6 | 68 |
| Devils | 28-30-12 | 68 |
| Islanders | 23-39-9 | 55 |
Also in the news that day:
-Wide receiver Derek Hill left the Steelers via Plan B free agency and signed with the Phoenix Cardinals. A third-round pick in 1989, Hill had 25 receptions for 391 yards in 1990.
(Photo: Penguins Hockey Cards)