Twenty Years Later - Penguins 5, Devils 4 - 04-05-11
"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 playoff win against the Devils, April 5, 1991.
The Penguins tied their Patrick Division semifinal series against the Devils, 1-1, in Game 2 of at the Civic Arena. Right winger John MacLean gave the Devils a 1-0 lead 2:50 into the game with a goal against goaltender Tom Barrasso. Center Jon Morris and defenseman Alexei Kasatonov had assists.
A power-play goal by left winger Kevin Stevens at 6:54 against goaltender Chris Terreri tied the game, 1-1. Assists went to right winger Mark Recchi and center Mario Lemieux.
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Just 1:44 into the second period, MacLean scored again to give the Devils a 2-1 lead off assists from Morris and left winger Brendan Shanahan.
The Penguins tied it again, 2-2, at 10:32 when defenseman Paul Coffey scored. Assists went to Lemieux and Recchi.
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New Jersey reclaimed the lead, 3-2, less than a minute later at 11:47 when Shanahan scored. Shanahan and defenseman Tommy Albelin netted assists.
At 17:01, left winger Phil Bourque tied the game once again, 3-3. Center Bryan Trottier and rookie right winger Jaromir Jagr were credited with assists.
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The Penguins took their first lead of the game at 3:21 of the third period when left winger Troy Loney scored off assists from Stevens and defenseman Gordie Roberts.
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Less than a minute later at 4:06, the Devils tied the game, 4-4, on a goal by Kasatonov. Assists went to center Laurie Boschman and right winger Doug Brown.
At the 8:52 mark of overtime, Jagr beat MacLean off the right wing, cut to the slot and flipped a wrister by Terreri to win the game. Bourque and center Jiri Hrdina had assists.
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Notes:
-Barrrasso earned the win by making 36 saves.
-The three stars were 1.) Jagr 2.) Steves 3.) MacLean.
-Lemieux's assist on Coffey's goal made him the all-time career leader in playoff scoring with 22 points in 13 games. He passed right winger Rick Kehoe who had 21 points in 37 games.
-Devils center Patrik Sundstrom missed the game due to a shoulder injury. He was replaced by Morris.
Also in the News that Day:
-In Game 2 of the other Patrick Division semifinal series, goaltender Don Beaupre made 35 saves for the Capitals in a 3-0 shutout of the Rangers at Madison Square Garden. The series was tied, 1-1.
-A hat trick by right winger Cam Neely led the Bruins to a 4-3 win against the Whalers at the Boston Garden in Game 2 of an Adams Division semfinal series. The series was tied, 1-1.
-Center Guy Carbonneau had a goal and two assists for the Canadiens who defeated the Sabres, 5-4, in Game 2 of the other Adams Division semfinal series. Montreal led the series, 2-0.
-The Pirates signed centerfielder Andy Van Slyke to a three-year contract extension worth $12.6 million. The contract made Van Slyke, a Gold Glove winner, the highest paid player in the history of the franchise at the time.