Twenty Years Later - Penguins 5, Rangers 4 - 03-21-11
"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' 5-4 overtime win against the Penguins, March 21, 1991.
The Penguins extended a home unbeaten streak to 14 games at the Civic Arena. The Rangers needed all of 22 seconds to score the game's first goal when right winger Mike Gartner beat goaltender Tom Barrasso. Assists went to left winger John Ogrodnick and center Bernie Nicholls.
At the 3:56 mark, center Darren Turcotte made it 2-0. Right winger Jan Erixon had the lone assist.
Right winger Jamie Leach scored the Penguins' first goal at 12:51 against goaltender John Vanbiesbrouck off assists from center Ron Francis and Barrasso.
A power play goal at 14:22 by left winger Kevin Stevens tied the game, 2-2. Defenseman Paul Coffey and right winger Mark Recchi netted assists.
At the 3:00 mark of the second period, Gartner scored his second goal and gave the Rangers a 3-2 lead. Nicholls and defenseman Brian Leetch were credited with assists.
Less than half a minute later at 3:26, left winger Troy Loney scored to tie the game again, 3-3. Assists went to center Bryan Trottier and right winger Jaromir Jagr.
Center Kelly Kisio put the Rangers back up, 4-3 at 13:30 on a power play. Gartner and defenseman James Patrick recorded assists.
At the 7:52 mark of the third period, Francis tied the game, 4-4. Defenseman Ulf Samuelsson recorded the only assist.
Just 13 seconds into the overtime period, Stevens was credited with a goal after Vanbiesbrouck mishandled a bouncing puck off the boards. Right winger Scott Young and defenseman Gordie Roberts had assists.
Notes:
-Barrasso made 21 save to record the win. Barrasso set a franchise record with his 26th win of the season.
-The three stars were 1.) Gartner 2.) Jagr 3.) Stevens.
-The win clinched a playoff berth for the Penguins.
-Barrasso also tied his own franchise record for assists by a goaltender with his fifth assist of the season.
Patrick Division standings:
| Record | Points | |
| Penguins | 39-31-5 | 83 |
| Rangers | 34-29-12 | 80 |
| Devils | 31-31-13 | 75 |
| Capitals | 34-34-6 | 74 |
| Flyers | 32-34-9 | 73 |
| Islanders | 23-42-10 | 56 |
(Photo: Penguins Hockey Cards)