Twenty Years Later: Kings 5, Penguins 2 - 01-07-12
"Twenty Years Later" is a segment with a highly unimaginative name which will appear on Empty Netters throughout the 2011-12 season. We will examine the Penguins' 1991-92 season which led to the second 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' 5-2 loss against the Kings, Jan. 7, 1992.
The Penguins suffered their third loss in four games at the Civic Arena. Center Bryan Trottier opened the scoring at 6:24 of the first period with a goal against goaltender Kelly Hrudey. Trottier's centering pass from the left wing hit the skate of Kings defenseman Brian Benning and deflects into the cage. Defenseman Gordie Roberts recorded the only assist.
The Kings tied the game at 11:46 of the second period when defenseman Charlie Huddy scored a shorthanded goal with a wrister from the left circle against goaltender Tom Barrasso. Centers Wayne Gretzky and John McIntyre had assists.
Late in the period at 18:53, left winger Tony Granato scored to put Los Angeles up, 2-1. Right winger Dave Taylor and left winger Luc Robitaille were credited with assists.
At 13:35 of the third period, Granato scored the eventual game-winning goal with a slapper off assists from Robitaille and defenseman Rob Blake.
Center Corey Millen scored at 14:11 to give Los Angeles a 4-1 lead. Left winger Mike Donnelly and center Bob Kudelski netted assists.
At 15:55, Taylor scored the Kings' final goal off assists from Robitaille and rookie defenseman Peter Ahola.
Right winger Mark Recchi scored a power-play goal late in the game at 19:45. Assists went to Center Ken Priestlay and defenseman Paul Coffey.
Notes:
-Barrasso made 17 saves in the loss.
-The three stars were 1.) Hrudey 2.) Granato 3.) Robitaille.
-Penguins center Mario Lemieux missed his second consecutive game due to a back injury.
-Penguins defenseman Larry Murphy was able to play in the game despited attending to his wife as she gave birth to a daughter one hour prior to the start of the contest.
Statistics:
| Player Position |
Games Played |
Goals | Assists | Points |
| Mario Lemieux, C | 38 | 28 | 46 | 74 |
| Kevin Stevens, LW | 41 | 30 | 39 | 69 |
| Joe Mullen, RW | 41 | 26 | 28 | 54 |
| Mark Recchi, RW | 41 | 23 | 24 | 47 |
| Paul Coffey, D | 41 | 8 | 39 | 47 |
| Jaromir Jagr, RW | 41 | 18 | 26 | 44 |
| Larry Murphy, D | 40 | 6 | 26 | 32 |
| Ron Francis, C | 31 | 9 | 12 | 21 |
| Bob Errey, LW | 40 | 10 | 9 | 19 |
| Phil Bourque, LW | 34 | 6 | 10 | 16 |
| Gordie Roberts, D | 36 | 2 | 13 | 15 |
| Troy Loney, LW | 38 | 4 | 10 | 14 |
| Jiri Hrdina, C | 25 | 3 | 8 | 11 |
| Bryan Trottier, C | 26 | 5 | 5 | 10 |
| Jamie Leach, RW | 24 | 4 | 4 | 8 |
| Ken Priestlay, C | 33 | 2 | 6 | 8 |
| Ulf Samuelsson, D | 27 | 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Jim Paek, D | 37 | 0 | 6 | 6 |
| Paul Stanton, D | 21 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| Grant Jennings, D | 30 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Peter Taglianetti, D | 27 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Glenn Mulvenna, C | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Todd Nelson, D | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jeff Daniels, LW | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jay Caufield, RW | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Patrick Division Standings:
| Record | Points | |
| Capitals | 26-14-3 | 55 |
| Rangers | 27-15-1 | 55 |
| Penguins | 23-15-4 | 50 |
| Devils | 20-14-6 | 46 |
| Islanders | 14-20-6 | 34 |
| Flyers | 12-19-8 | 32 |
Also in the news that day:
-Former Mets/Reds/White Sox/Red Sox pitcher Tom Seaver and former Athletics/Padres/Brewers pitcher Rollie Fingers were elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
(Photo: Penguins Hockey Cards)