Twenty Years Later - Penguins 7, Red Wings 4 - 03-27-11

"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' 7-4 win against the Red Wings, March 27, 1991.

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The Penguins claimed the Patrick Division title - their first division title in franchise history - with a victory at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit. Right winger Kevin Miller gave the Red Wings a 1-0 lead 6:18 into the game with a goal against goaltender Frank Pietrangelo. Assists went to left winger Shawn Burr and defenseman Yves Racine.

Less than a minute later at 7:03, defenseman Paul Coffey scored on a power play against goaltender Tim Cheveldae to tie the game, 1-1. Left winger Kevin Stevens and right winger Mark Recchi netted assists.

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It took all of 12 seconds for rookie right winger Jaromir Jagr to put the Penguins up 2-1 off assists from defensemen Larry Murphy and Gordie Roberts.

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Late in the first period at 19:12, center Bryan Trottier scored to make it 3-1. Assists went to center Randy Gilhen and left winger Troy Loney.

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Defenseman Doug Crossman scored 1:52 into the second period to make it 3-2. Rookie centers Sergei Fedorov and left winger Brent Fedyk recorded assists.

A power-play goal by left winger Paul Yzebaert tied the game, 3-3. Left winger Bob Probert recorded the lone assist.

Late in the period at 19:28, Stevens scored on another power play to put the Penguins up 4-3. Coffey and Recchi netted assists.

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Center Ron Francis scored the eventual game-winning goal at the 1:57 mark of the third period off assists from Stevens and defenseman Ulf Samuelsson.

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Just over half a minute later, Jagr added an insurance goal. Assists went to defenseman Grant Jennings and Loney.

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The Penguins' final goal was scored at 8:53 of the period by right winger Scott Young. Jenning recorded the lone assists.

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Burr scored the game's final goal at 14:52. Assists went to Racine and center Steve Yzerman.

Notes:

-Pietrangelo recorded the win by making 28 saves.

-The three stars were 1.) Jagr 2.) Stevens 3.) Burr.

-Postgame video:

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-Loney, a member of the organization for eight years, told the Post-Gazette, "I can't even put into words how this feels. It's like when you first get your driver's license or something. All those years when things went wrong are behind us now."

-The Penguins tied a franchise mark with their 16th road win of the season.

-The Penguins improved to 9-2-1 since a blockbuster trade which brought Francis, Samuelsson and Jennings from the Hartford Whalers in exchange for center John Cullen, right winger Jeff Parker and defenseman Zarley Zalapski.

-Center Mario Lemieux did not play after suffering a cut over his left eye a night earlier in Philadelphia.

-Scotty Bowman, the Penguins' director of development and recruitment, was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame for his work as a coach with the Blues, Sabres and Canadiens. To that point of his career, Bowman had a record of 739-237-210 and had won five Stanley Cup titles with Montreal. Bowman was joined by Neil Armstrong, a linesman who held the record for regular season games by an official with 1,744.

Patrick Division standings:

	Record	Points
Penguins	41-32-5	87
Rangers	35-30-13	83
Devils	32-31-15	79
Capitals	35-35-7	77
Flyers	33-36-9	75
Islanders	23-44-10	56

(Photo: Penguins Hockey Cards)