Twenty Years Later - Rangers 4, Penguins 2 - 05-05-12
"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' 4-2 loss to the Rangers in Game 2 of a Patrick Division final series, May 5, 1992.
The Rangers tied the series, 1-1, at Madison Square Garden in New York. Just 1:29 into the game, left winger Kevin Stevens gave the Penguins a 1-0 lead 1:29 into the game with a goal on the first shot of the game against goaltender Mike Richter. Assists went to left winger Troy Loney and defenseman Jim Paek.
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At 5:05 of the first period, Rangers left winger Adam Graves received a minor penalty for slashing Penguins center Mario Lemieux on the left wrist. Lemieux would not return to the game.
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A goal by defenseman Brian Leetch against goaltender Tom Barrasso at 13:53 of the second period tied the game, 1-1. Rookie center Doug Weight recorded the only assist.
At the 16:13 mark, an unassisted goal by defenseman Larry Murphy restored the lead for the Penguins, 2-1.
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The Rangers tied the game again, 2-2, when defenseman Jeff Beukeboom scored off an assist from right winger Mike Gartner at 12:36 of the third period.
Left winger Kris King scored the eventual game-winning goal at 14:36. Defenseman Joe Cirella and rookie right winger Tony Amonte netted assists.
Jeff Beukeboom secured the win late in the game at 19:57 with an empty-net goal.
Notes:
-Barrasso made 35 saves in the loss.
-In addition to Lemieux, the Penguins saw right winger Joe Mullen leave the game due to an undisclosed leg injury after a hit by King in the first period.
-The three stars were: 1.) King 2.) Leetch 3.) Rangers right winger Paul Broten.
-Rangers centers Mark Messier (back) and Darren Turcotte (wrist) were scratched due to injuries.
Postseason statistics:
| Player Position |
Games Played |
Goals | Assists | Points |
| Mario Lemieux, C | 8 | 7 | 12 | 19 |
| Kevin Stevens, LW | 9 | 5 | 6 | 11 |
| Ron Francis, C | 9 | 1 | 9 | 10 |
| Larry Murphy, D | 9 | 4 | 4 | 8 |
| Jaromir Jagr, RW | 9 | 3 | 5 | 8 |
| Phil Bourque, LW | 9 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| Joe Mullen, RW | 9 | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| Bryan Trottier, C | 9 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Troy Loney, LW | 9 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Bob Errey, LW | 9 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Rick Tocchet, RW | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Gordie Roberts, D | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Shawn McEachern, C | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Kjell Samuelsson, D | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Jim Paek, D | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Ulf Samuelsson, D | 9 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Paul Stanton, D | 9 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Jay Caufield | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jiri Hrdina, C | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Grant Jennings, D | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Also in the news that day:
-An overtime goal by right winger Peter Douris gave the Bruins a 3-2 win against the rival Canadiens in Game 2 of the Adams Division final in the Montreal Forum. Boston took a 2-0 series lead.
-Outfielder Andy Van Slyke went 3 for 4 with a home run, an RBI and three runs for the Pirates who beat the Reds, 5-2, at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati.
(Photo: Penguins Hockey Cards; Videos: Jay Korber)