Twenty Years Later - Penguins 5, Blackhawks 4 - 05-26-12

"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' 5-4 win against the Blackhawks in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final, May 26, 1992.

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The Penguins took a 1-0 series lead at the Civic Arena. Just 6:34 into the game a power-play goal by defenseman Chris Chelios against goaltender Tom Barrasso gave Chicago a 1-0 lead. Center Brent Sutter recorded the only assist.

The Blackhawks took a 2-0 lead when left winger Michel Goulet scored an unassited goal at 13:17 of the first period.

A goal by right winger Dirk Graham made it a 3-0 game at 13:43. Chelios had the lone assist.

Late in the period at 17:26, left winger Phil Bourque got the Penguins on the scoreboard with a power-play wraparound goal against goaltender Ed Belfour. Right winger Rick Tocchet and center Bryan Trottier netted assists.

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A goal by Sutter at 11:36 of the second period gave the Blackhawks a 4-1 lead. Right winger Steve Larmer and Chelios were credited with assists.

At 15:24, Tocchet scored off a re-direction to make it 4-2. Defenseman Paul Stanton and center Shawn McEachern recorded assists.

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Less than a minute later at 16:23, center Mario Lemieux scored from a bad angle off an assist from left winger Kevin Stevens to make it a 4-3 game.

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The Penguins tied the game at 15:05 when right winger Jaromir Jagr dodged several Chicago defenders to score an unassisted backhanded goal.

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Late in the game, at 19:47, Lemieux scored a rebound goal to win the game off assists from defenseman Larry Murphy and Francis.

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Notes:

-Barrasso made 30 saves in the victory.

-The three stars were 1.) Lemieux 2.) Jagr 3.) Chelios.

-The Penguins extended their franchise record postseason winning streak to eight games.

-The Blackhawks had their NHL-record postseason 11-game winning streak snapped.

-Of Jagr's goal, Lemieux said: "That was probably the greatest goal I've ever seen."

-Penguins interim coach Scotty Bowman said: "I've seen a lot of goals but I haven't seen one like that."

-On the penalty to Blackhawks defenseman Steve Smith which set up Lemieux's power-play goal, Lemieux said: "I actually didn't dive on that one."

-Jagr extended a scoring streak to eight games.

-Penguins left winger Bob Errey returned to the lineup after missing eight games due to a shoulder injury.

Postseason statistics:

Player Position	Games Played	Goals	Assists	Points
Mario Lemieux, C	12	13	16	29
Ron Francis, C	18	7	19	26
Kevin Stevens, LW	18	11	13	24
Jaromir Jagr, RW	18	10	13	23
Larry Murphy, D	17	5	9	14
Rick Tocchet, RW	11	5	8	13
Troy Loney, LW	18	4	4	8
Shawn McEachern, C	16	2	6	8
Paul Stanton, D	18	1	7	8
Bryan Trottier, C	18	4	3	7
Phil Bourque, LW	18	2	5	7
Joe Mullen, RW	9	3	1	4
Jock Callender, RW	9	1	2	3
Dave Michayluk, LW	6	1	1	2
Kjell Samuelsson, D	12	0	2	2
Bob Errey, LW	12	2	0	2
Gordie Roberts, D	15	0	2	2
Jiri Hrdina, C	18	0	2	2
Ulf Samuelsson, D	18	0	2	2
Mike Needham, RW	5	1	0	1
Jim Paek, D	16	0	1	1
Jay Caufield, LW	9	0	0	0
Grant Jennings, D	10	0	0	0

Also in the news that day:

-Catched Don Slaught went 1 for 2 with an RBI for the Pirates who lost to the Padres, 6-3, at Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego.

(Photo: Penguins Hockey Cards; Videos: Jay Korber)