Twenty Years Later - Penguins 7, Maple Leafs 1 - 02-18-12
"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' 7-1 win against the Maple Leafs, Feb. 18, 1992.
The Penguins snapped a six-game winless streak against at the Civic Arena. Just 6:42 into the game, right winger Joe Mullen opened the scoring with a goal off a rebound against goaltender Rick Wamsley. Center Mario Lemieux recorded the only assist.
Just over a minute later at 7:48 of the first period, center Ron Francis scored to put the Penguins up, 2-0. Right winger Mark Recchi and left winger Bob Errey had assists.
Mullen scored again at 12:43 to give the Penguins a 3-0 lead off assists from center Jiri Hrdina and defenseman Paul Stanton.
Late in the period, Mullen completed his hat trick with a power-play goal at 19:48. Assists were credited to left winger Kevin Stevens and Lemieux.
Francis scored again at 2:13 of the second period to make it a 5-0 game off assists from Recchi and defenseman Ulf Samuelsson.
At 17:10, defenseman Paul Coffey scored to give the Penguins a 6-0 lead. Mullen and Stevens were credited with assists.
Center Doug Gilmour scored the Maple Leafs' only goal at 5:23 of the third period against goaltender Tom Barrasso. Assists went to defenseman Dave Ellett and former Penguins right winger Kevin McClelland.
Stevens scored the game's final goal at the 12:54 mark off assists from Lemieux and Coffey.
Notes:
-Barrasso made 22 saves in the win.
-The three stars were 1.) Mullen 2.) Barrasso 3.) Francis.
-Mullen's hat trick was his third of the season and the 10th of his career.
-Defenseman Jim Paek returned to the lineup after missing 10 games due to a finger injury.
Statistics:
| Player Position |
Games Played |
Goals | Assists | Points |
| Kevin Stevens, LW | 58 | 39 | 53 | 91 |
| Mario Lemieux, C | 45 | 29 | 57 | 86 |
| Joe Mullen, RW | 58 | 35 | 34 | 70 |
| Mark Recchi, RW | 58 | 33 | 37 | 70 |
| Paul Coffey, D | 54 | 10 | 53 | 63 |
| Jaromir Jagr, RW | 48 | 23 | 28 | 51 |
| Larry Murphy, D | 56 | 13 | 35 | 48 |
| Ron Francis, C | 48 | 14 | 20 | 34 |
| Bob Errey, LW | 57 | 12 | 11 | 23 |
| Bryan Trottier, C | 44 | 9 | 13 | 22 |
| Troy Loney, LW | 55 | 8 | 14 | 22 |
| Gordie Roberts, D | 52 | 2 | 17 | 19 |
| Phil Bourque, LW | 39 | 7 | 11 | 18 |
| Jiri Hrdina, C | 32 | 3 | 12 | 15 |
| Ulf Samuelsson, D | 41 | 1 | 10 | 11 |
| Ken Priestlay, C | 47 | 2 | 8 | 10 |
| Jamie Leach, RW | 38 | 5 | 4 | 9 |
| Paul Stanton, D | 38 | 2 | 5 | 8 |
| Jim Paek, D | 40 | 0 | 6 | 6 |
| Grant Jennings, D | 42 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Peter Taglianetti, D | 41 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Gord Dineen, D | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Glenn Mulvenna, C | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Todd Nelson, D | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jeff Daniels, LW | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jay Caufield, RW | 32 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Patrick Division Standings
| Record | Points | |
| Rangers | 37-19-4 | 78 |
| Capitals | 33-20-5 | 71 |
| Devils | 32-18-7 | 71 |
| Penguins | 27-24-7 | 61 |
| Islanders | 24-26-7 | 55 |
| Flyers | 21-26-11 | 53 |
Also in the news that day:
-In the quarterfinal round of the Albertville Olympics, Islanders right winger prospect Marty McInnis had a goal and two assists for the United States which defeated France, 4-1, at Méribel Ice Palace in Méribel, France. Blackhawks goaltending prospect Ray LeBlanc made 34 saves in the victory.
-A shootout goal by center Eric Lindros gave Canada a 4-3 win against Germany.
-The Pirates re-signed pitcher John Smiley to a one-year contract worth $3.44 million.
(Photo: Penguins Hockey Cards)