Twenty Years Later - Penguins 6, Oilers 5 - 03-17-12
"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' win against the Oilers, March. 17, 1992.
The Penguins opened a two-game homestand at the Civic Arena. Left winger Kevin Stevens gave the Penguins a 1-0 lead late in the first period at the 18:26 mark with a power-play goal against goaltender Bill Ranford. Center Mario Lemieux and right winger Jaromir Jagr netted assists.
Just 2:29 into the second period, Phil Bourque made it a 2-0 game when he scored off assists from center Ron Francis and defenseman Jim Paek.
Former Penguins left winger Craig Simpson scored the Oilers' first goal at the 13:12 mark against goaltender Tom Barrasso. Right winger Scott Mellanby and defenseman Greg Hawgood recorded assists.
Edmonton tied the game, 2-2, wen center Craig MacTavish scored off assists from right winger Martin Gelinas and left winger Kelly Buchberger.
At the 17:59 mark, center Bernie Nicholls scored to give the Oilers a 3-2 lead. Left winger Vincent Damphousse recorded the lone assist.
The Oilers went up 4-2 when Buchberger scored a shorthanded goal at 4:36 of the third period. The only assist went to MacTavish.
Just over a minute later at 5:39, defenseman Larry Murphy scored to make it a 4-3 game. Assists went to right winger Joe Mullen and Stevens.
At the 7:46 mark, the Penguind tied the game, 4-4, on a power-play goal by Mullen. Murphy and Lemieux were credited with assists.
Edmonton regained the lead, 5-4, when Gelinas scored again at 8:51 off assists from right winger Joe Murphy and defenseman Dave Manson.
The Penguins tied the game again, 5-5, with a goal by Stevens at 13:13. Jagr had the only assist.
At 14:02, Francis scored the game-winning goal off assists from left winger Bob Errey and Mullen.
Notes:
-Barrasso made 32 saves in the win.
-The three stars were 1.) Mullen 2.) Stevens 3.) Buchberger.
-Mullen's goal was the 400th of his career.
-At 15:33 of the second period, Ranford stopped Lemieux on a penalty shot. It was the first time in six career attempts Lemieux had been denied on a penalty shot.
-Penguins right winger Rick Tocchet (jaw) and center Bryan Trottier (back) each missed the game.
Statistics:
| Player Position |
Games Played |
Goals | Assists | Points |
| Kevin Stevens, LW | 71 | 47 | 63 | 110 |
| Mario Lemieux, C | 57 | 36 | 74 | 110 |
| Joe Mullen, RW | 71 | 43 | 43 | 86 |
| Larry Murphy, D | 69 | 21 | 49 | 70 |
| Jaromir Jagr, RW | 61 | 29 | 33 | 62 |
| Ron Francis, C | 61 | 19 | 29 | 48 |
| Rick Tocchet, RW | 53 | 22 | 24 | 45 |
| Bob Errey, LW | 69 | 15 | 16 | 31 |
| Bryan Trottier, C | 56 | 10 | 16 | 26 |
| Troy Loney, LW | 67 | 8 | 15 | 23 |
| Gordie Roberts, D | 64 | 2 | 21 | 23 |
| Phil Bourque, LW | 49 | 9 | 14 | 22 |
| Kjell Samuelsson, D | 67 | 5 | 10 | 15 |
| Jiri Hrdina, C | 51 | 3 | 12 | 15 |
| Ulf Samuelsson, D | 53 | 1 | 11 | 12 |
| Ken Priestlay, C | 50 | 2 | 8 | 10 |
| Jamie Leach, RW | 38 | 5 | 4 | 9 |
| Paul Stanton, D | 45 | 2 | 7 | 9 |
| Jim Paek, D | 49 | 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Grant Jennings, D | 44 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Peter Taglianetti, D | 44 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| Shawn McEachern, C | 7 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Jeff Chychrun, D | 36 | 0 | 3 | 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 | 45 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Patrick Division standings:
| Record | Points | |
| Rangers | 45-23-4 | 94 |
| Capitals | 41-24-7 | 89 |
| Devils | 34-26-10 | 78 |
| Penguins | 34-29-8 | 76 |
| Islanders | 30-33-8 | 68 |
| Flyers | 27-32-11 | 65 |
Also in the news that day:
-The Pirates traded pitcher John Smiley to the Twins in exchange for pitcher Denny Neagle and outfielder Midre Cummings.
(Photo: Penguins Hockey Cards)