Twenty Years Later - Capitals 6, Penguins 2- 04-21-12
"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' 6-2 loss against the Capitals in Game 2 of a Patrick Division semifinals series, April 21, 1992.
The Penguins fell into a 2-0 series deficit at the Capital Centre in Landover, Md. Former Capitals defenseman Larry Murphy gave the Penguins a 1-0 lead 5:16 into the game with a power-play goal against goaltender Don Beaupre. Assists went to center Mario Lemieux and right winger Rick Tocchet.
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Just under two minutes later, the Penguisn went up 2-0 when left winger Kevin Stevens scored on another power play off assists from Lemieux and Tocchet.
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The Capitals responded at 10:04 when left winger Dmitri Khristich scored on a power play against goaltender Tom Barrasso. Center Dale Hunter and defenseman Kevin Hatcher netted assists.
Washington tied the game, 2-2, at 13:24 when right winger Peter Bondra cashed in off assist from defenseman Rod Langway and center Michal Pivonka.
Late in the period, at 19:32, Pivonka scored the eventual game-winning goal on a power play. Khristich and Hatcher recorded assists.
The Capitals took a 4-2 lead at 2:49 of the second period when defenseman Sylvan Cote scored off assists from Bondra and Pivonka.
At 9:47, right winger Dino Ciccarelli scored on another power play to make it a 5-2 game. Assists went to center Mike Ridley and Bondra.
The game's final goal was scored by left winger Kelly Miller at 6:13 of the third period. Ciccarelli and Ridley were credited with assists.
Notes:
-Barrasso made 26 saves in the loss.
-The three stars were 1.) Bondra 2.) Pivonka 3.) Beaupre.
-Lemieux returned to the lineup after missing Game 1 due to a shoulder injury.
-Capitals left winger Randy Burridge left the game in the first period due to a hyper-extended left knee.
Playoff statistics:
| Player Position |
Games Played |
Goals | Assists | Points |
| Mario Lemieux, C | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Rick Tocchet, RW | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Troy Loney, LW | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Larry Murphy, D | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Kevin Stevens, LW | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Joe Mullen, RW | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Ulf Samuelsson, D | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Shawn McEachern, C | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Phil Bourque, LW | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jay Caufield | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bob Errey, LW | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ron Francis, C | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jiri Hrdina, C | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jaromir Jagr, RW | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Grant Jennings, D | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Gordie Roberts, D | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Kjell Samuelsson, D | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Paul Stanton, D | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bryan Trottier, C | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Also in the news that day:
-Two goals by left winger Claude Lemieux helped the Devils rout the rival Rangers, 7-3, in Game 2 of the other Patrick Division semifinal series at Madison Square Garden in New York. The series was tied, 1-1.
-An overtime goal by center Adam Oates gave the Bruins a 3-2 win against the Sabres in Game 2 of an Adams Division semifinal series at the Boston Garden. Boston had a 2-0 series lead.
-Left winger Brent Gilchrist scored two goals for the Canadiens who beat the Whalers, 5-2, in Game 2 of the other Adams Division semifinal series at the Montreal Forum. The win gave Montreal a 2-0 series lead.
-Outfielder Andy Van Slyke went 2 for 4 with three RBIs and led the Pirates to an 8-7 defeat of the Expos at Olympic Stadium in Montreal. It was the Pirates' eighth consecutive win.
(Photo: Penguins Hockey Cards: Video: Jay Korber)