Twenty Years Later - Penguins 6, Capitals 4 - 04-23-12
"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' 6-4 win against the Capitals in Game 3 of a Patrick Division semifinals series, April 23, 1992.
The Penguins won their first game of the series at the Civic Arena. Defenseman Kevin Hatcher gave Washington a 1-0 lead 1:33 into the game with a shorthanded goal against goaltender Tom Barrasso. Assists went to center Mike Ridley and defenseman Calle Johansson.
At 6:27 of the first period, the Penguins tied the game, 1-1, when left winger Phil Bourque scored against goaltender Don Beaupre. Center Mario Lemieux and right winger Jaromir Jagr netted assists.
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Washington regained the lead, 2-1, when left winger Dmitri Khristich scored a power-play goal off assists from center Dale Hunter and Michal Pivonka.
The Penguins tied the game again, 2-2, when right winger Joe Mullen scored on a power play just 1:46 into the second period. Lemieux and center Ron Francis were credited with assists.
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Jagr scored on a power play at the 7:35 mark off assists from Lemieux and defenseman Kjell Samuelsson to give the Penguins a 3-2 lead.
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Just under ten minutes later at 17:18, Lemieux scored off an assist from defenseman Paul Stanton to make it a 4-2 game.
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Late in the period at the 19:07 mark, Lemieux netted his second goal of the game on another power play making it 5-2. Assists went to left winger Kevin Stevens and Francis.
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Washington responded at 13:57 of the third period when defenseman Al Iafrate scored on a power play to make it a 5-3 game. Ridley and right winger Dino Ciccarelli nette assists.
Hatcher scored his second goal of the game at the 17:48 mark. Assists went to defenseman Sylvain Cote and Ridley.
Lemieux secured the win with an empty-net goal at 19:09. The goal was unassisted.
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Notes:
-Barrasso made 30 saves in the win.
-The three stars were 1.) Lemieux 2.) Jagr 3.) Hatcher.
-Penguins right winger Rick Tocchet was scratched due to a right shoulder injury.
-The teams combined for 35 penalties and 89 penalty minutes.
Postseason statistics:
| Player Position |
Games Played |
Goals | Assists | Points |
| Mario Lemieux, C | 2 | 3 | 5 | 8 |
| Jaromir Jagr, RW | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Joe Mullen, RW | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Kevin Stevens, LW | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Ron Francis, C | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Rick Tocchet, RW | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Phil Bourque, LW | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Troy Loney, LW | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Larry Murphy, D | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Kjell Samuelsson, D | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Ulf Samuelsson, D | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Paul Stanton, D | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Jim Paek, D | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Shawn McEachern, C | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Gordie Roberts, D | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jay Caufield | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bob Errey, LW | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jiri Hrdina, C | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Grant Jennings, D | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bryan Trottier, C | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Also in the news that day:
-Goaltender Chris Terreri made 34 saves for the Devils in a 3-1 win against the Rangers in Game 3 of the other Patrick Division semifinal series at Brendan Byrne Arena in East Rutherford, N.J. New Jersey took a 2-1 series lead.
-Former Penguins defenseman Zarley Zalapski had a goal and an assist for the Whalers who defeated the Canadiens, 5-2, in Game 3 of an Adams Division semifinal series at the Hartford Civic Center. Montreal led the series, 2-1.
-Defenseman Raymond Bourque had a goal and two assists and led the Bruins to a 3-2 win against the Sabres in Game 3 of the other Adams Division semifinal series at the Buffalo Memorial Auditorium. Boston had a 2-1 series lead.
-Outfielder Andy Van Slyke went 2 for 3 with an RBI for the Pirates who lost to the Expos, 6-3, at Olympic Stadium in Montreal. The loss snapped a nine-game winning streak for the Pirates.
(Photo: Penguins Hockey Cards; Video: Jay Korber)