Twenty Years Later - Penguins 6, Capitals 4 - 04-29-12
"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 6 of a Patrick Division semifinals series, April 29, 1992.
The Penguins tied the series, 3-3, at the Civic Arena. Just 2:48 into the game, left winger Kevin Stevens gave the Penguins a 1-0 lead with a goal against goaltender Don Beaupre. Assists went to centers Mario Lemieux and Shawn McEachern.
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Stevens scored his second goal of the game at the 5:05 mark of the first period on a power play off assists from Lemieux and former Capitals defenseman Larry Murphy.
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Washington got onto the scoreboard at 12:30 when center Dale Hunter scored against goaltender Tom Barrasso. Center Michal Pivonka recorded the only assist.
A goal by right winger Peter Bondra tied the game, 2-2, at 15:19. Defenseman Calle Johansson and left winger Todd Krygier netted assists.
The Capitals took a 3-2 lead when Bondra scored his second goal of the game on a power play off assists from defenseman Al Iafrate and right winger Dino Ciccarelli.
A goal by Iafrate at 3:55 of the second period put Washington up 4-2. Center Mike Ridley and left winger Kelly Miller were credited with assists.
Right winger Joe Mullen made it a 4-3 game with a goal at the 9:10 mark. The lone assist went to center Ron Francis.
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Just under two minutes later, left winger Phil Bourque tied the game, 4-4, with a power-play goal off assists from Lemieux and Stevens.
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At the 15:19 mark, Lemieux scored the eventual game-winning goal on a power play. Right winger Jaromir Jagr and Murphy netted assists.
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A power-play goal by Lemieux at 14:41 of the third period secured the win. Francis and Stevens had assists.
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Notes:
-Barrasso made 25 saves in the win.
-The game's three stars were 1.) Lemieux 2.) Stevens 3.) Beaupre.
-Stevens set a postseason franchise record with 12 shots on net.
-Lemieux tied his own franchise records for points (15) and assists (nine) in a playoff series.
-Murphy set a franchise record for defenseman with his 27th career postseason point for the Penguins.
Postseason statistics:
| Player Position |
Games Played |
Goals | Assists | Points |
| Mario Lemieux, C | 5 | 6 | 9 | 15 |
| Kevin Stevens, LW | 6 | 3 | 5 | 8 |
| Jaromir Jagr, RW | 6 | 2 | 4 | 6 |
| Larry Murphy, D | 6 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| Phil Bourque, LW | 6 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Ron Francis, C | 6 | 0 | 5 | 5 |
| Joe Mullen, RW | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Bryan Trottier, C | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Bob Errey, LW | 6 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Rick Tocchet, RW | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Troy Loney, LW | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Gordie Roberts, D | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Shawn McEachern, C | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Kjell Samuelsson, D | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Ulf Samuelsson, D | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Paul Stanton, D | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Jim Paek, D | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jay Caufield | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jiri Hrdina, C | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Grant Jennings, D | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Also in the news that day:
-Two goals by center Peter Stastny led the Devils to a 5-3 win against the rival Rangers in Game 6 of the other Patrick Division semifinal series at Brendan Byrne Arena in East Rutherford, N.J. The series was tied, 3-3.
-Center Pat LaFontaine had two goals and two assists for the Sabres who routed the Bruins, 9-3, in Game 6 of an Adam Division semifinal seris at the Buffalo Memorial Auditorium. The series was tied, 3-3.
-An over time goal by Yvon Corriveau gave the Whalers a 2-1 win against the Canadiens in Game 6 of the other Adams Division semifinal series at the Hartford Civict Center. The series was tied, 3-3.
-Pitcher Zane Smith had one strikeout and allowed four hits over nine innings in a 4-0 shutout of Reds at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati.
-Steelers running back Tim Worley received a one-years suspension from the NFL for failing a drug test.
-Riots broke out in Los Angeles after for Los Angeles police officers were acquitted of all but one assault charge related to a 1991 beating of motorist Rodney King.
(Photo: Penguins Hockey Cards; Video: Jay Korber)