Twenty Years Later - Capitals 3, Penguins 1 - 04-19-12
"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' 3-1 loss against the Capitals in Game 1 of a Patrick Division semifinals series, April 19, 1992.
The Penguins opened the playoffs at the Capital Centre in Landover, Md. Following a scoreless first period, Capitals right winger Peter Bondra opened the scoring at 3:03 of the seond period with a goal against goaltender Tom Barrasso. Assists went to center Michal Pivonka and left winger Randy Burridge.
Shortly after that at the 3:41 mark, left winger Troy Loney scored against goaltender Don Beaupre to tie the game, 1-1. Right winger Joe Mullen and defenseman Ulf Samuelsson netted assists.
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Just over 10 minutes later at 13:42, right winger John Druce scored the eventual game-winning goal off an assist from defenseman Calle Johansson.
Late in the game at 17:52 of the third period, Bondra scored again at 17:52 to give Washington a 3-1 lead. Defenseman Al Iafrate and left winger Dmitri Khristich had assists.
Notes:
-Barrasso made 28 saves in the loss.
-The three stars were 1.) Beaupre 2.) Bondra 3.) Druce.
-Penguins center Mario Lemieux did not play due to a bruise shoulder.
Postseason statistics:
| Player Position |
Games Played |
Goals | Assists | Points |
| Troy Loney, LW | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Joe Mullen, RW | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Ulf Samuelsson, D | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Phil Bourque, LW | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jay Caufield | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bob Errey, LW | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ron Francis, C | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jiri Hrdina, C | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jaromir Jagr, RW | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Grant Jennings, D | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Shawn McEachern, C | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Larry Murphy, D | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Gordie Roberts, D | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Kjell Samuelsson, D | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Paul Stanton, D | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Kevin Stevens, LW | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rick Tocchet, RW | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bryan Trottier, C | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Also in the news that day:
-Right winger Mike Gartner had a goal and an assist for the Rangers who beat the rival Devils, 2-1, in Game 1 of their Patrick Division semifinal series at Madison Square Garden.
-Goaltender Patrick Roy made 32 saves for the Canadiens who beat the Whalers, 2-0, in Game 1 of an Adams Division semifinal series at the Forum in Montreal.
-Goaltender Tom Draper made 36 saves for the Sabres in a 3-2 win against the Bruins in Game 1 of their Adams Division semifinal series at the Boston Garden.
-Outfielder Gary Varsho went 1 for 3 with a home run and two RBIs for the Pirates who routed the Phillies, 11-0, at Three Rivers Stadium.
(Photo: Penguins Hockey Cards; Video: Jay Korber)