1995–96 Pittsburgh Penguins season

The 1995–96 Pittsburgh Penguins season saw the return of Mario Lemieux after missing an entire season due to injuries. The Penguins improved to first in the Northeast Division and second overall in the Eastern Conference. In the 1996 Stanley Cup playoffs, the Penguins progressed to the Conference Finals before losing to the Florida Panthers.

1995–96 Pittsburgh Penguins
Northeast Division champions
Division1st Northeast
Conference2nd Eastern
1995–96 record49–29–4
Home record32–9–0
Road record17–20–4
Goals for362
Goals against284
Team information
General managerCraig Patrick
CoachEddie Johnston
CaptainMario Lemieux
Alternate captainsRon Francis
Jaromir Jagr
ArenaPittsburgh Civic Arena
Team leaders
GoalsMario Lemieux (69)
AssistsMario Lemieux (92)
PointsMario Lemieux (161)
Penalty minutesFrancois Leroux (161)
WinsTom Barrasso (29)
Goals against averageKen Wregget (3.24)

Regular season

Mario Lemieux's return to the NHL after missing the entire 1994–95 season energized the Penguins and re-instituted the team's finesse game for the 1995–96 season. The Penguins finished second in the Eastern Conference with 102 points, leading all League teams in goals (362), even-strength goals (235), power-play goals (109), power-play percentage (25.95%) and shooting percentage while scoring 362 goals on just 2,645 shots (13.7%).[1][2] Despite missing 12 regular-season games, Lemieux led the NHL in goals (69), assists (92), points (161) power-play goals (31) and shorthanded goals (8). Czech superstar Jaromir Jagr had a career year, scoring 62 goals (second in the League), 87 assists (third in the League) and 149 points (second in the League). The third 100-point scorer on the team was Ron Francis, who tallied 27 goals and 92 assists (tied for first in the NHL with Lemieux) for 119 points. Petr Nedved scored 45 goals and had 54 assists for 99 points in 80 games—he finished second in the NHL in shooting percentage, with 22.1%.[3] Despite missing over a quarter of the season, Tomas Sandstrom also had a strong year, scoring 35 goals and picking up 35 assists for 70 points in 58 games.

Lemieux scored three goals or more in a game six times, and four goals or more in a game twice. On March 26, 1996, he scored five goals in a home game against the St. Louis Blues. Lemieux tallied two even-strength goals, two power-play goals and one short-handed goal in the game, which the Penguins won 8–4.

Season standings
Northeast Division
No. GP W L T GF GA PTS
1Pittsburgh Penguins8249294362284102
2Boston Bruins8240311128226991
3Montreal Canadiens8240321026524890
4Hartford Whalers823439923725977
5Buffalo Sabres823342724726272
6Ottawa Senators821859519129141
Eastern Conference[4]
R Div GP W L T GF GA Pts
1Philadelphia FlyersATL82452413282208103
2Pittsburgh PenguinsNE8249294362284102
3New York RangersATL8241271427223796
4Florida PanthersATL8241311025423492
5Boston BruinsNE8240311128226991
6Montreal CanadiensNE8240321026524890
7Washington CapitalsATL8239321123420489
8Tampa Bay LightningATL8238321223824888
9New Jersey DevilsATL8237331221520286
10Hartford WhalersNE823439923725977
11Buffalo SabresNE823342724726273
12New York IslandersATL8222501022931554
13Ottawa SenatorsNE821859519129141

Divisions: ATL – Atlantic, NE – Northeast

bold – Qualified for playoffs

Schedule and results
1995–96 Schedule
October: 4–2–2 (Home: 2–1–0 ; Road: 2–1–2), 10 Points
#DateVisitorScoreHomeRecordPoints
1Oct 7Toronto Maple Leafs3–8Pittsburgh Penguins1–0–02
2Oct 9Pittsburgh Penguins6–6 OTColorado Avalanche1–0–13
3Oct 12Pittsburgh Penguins1–5Chicago Blackhawks1–1–13
4Oct 14Mighty Ducks of Anaheim2–5Pittsburgh Penguins2–1–15
5Oct 20Pittsburgh Penguins2–2 OTHartford Whalers2–1–26
6Oct 21Los Angeles Kings3–2 OTPittsburgh Penguins2–2–26
7Oct 26Pittsburgh Penguins7–5New York Islanders3–2–28
8Oct 28Pittsburgh Penguins5–3New Jersey Devils4–2–210
November: 10–3–1 (Home: 6–1–0 ; Road: 4–2–1), 21 Points
#DateVisitorScoreHomeRecordPoints
9Nov 1Tampa Bay Lightning0–10Pittsburgh Penguins5–2–212
10Nov 3Pittsburgh Penguins3–3 OTBuffalo Sabres5–2–313
11Nov 4Philadelphia Flyers4–7Pittsburgh Penguins6–2–315
12Nov 8Pittsburgh Penguins7–1Ottawa Senators7–2–317
13Nov 10Pittsburgh Penguins9–1San Jose Sharks8–2–319
14Nov 11Pittsburgh Penguins2–3Los Angeles Kings8–3–319
15Nov 14Dallas Stars2–4Pittsburgh Penguins9–3–321
16Nov 17Pittsburgh Penguins3–2 OTWashington Capitals10–3–323
17Nov 18Washington Capitals0–3Pittsburgh Penguins11–3–325
18Nov 21Pittsburgh Penguins4–9New York Rangers11–4–325
19Nov 22New York Rangers4–3Pittsburgh Penguins11–5–325
20Nov 25Buffalo Sabres3–5Pittsburgh Penguins12–5–327
21Nov 28Ottawa Senators2–7Pittsburgh Penguins13–5–329
22Nov 30Pittsburgh Penguins9–6Boston Bruins14–5–331
December: 10–4–0 (Home: 7–1–0 ; Road: 3–3–0), 20 Points
#DateVisitorScoreHomeRecordPoints
23Dec 1Florida Panthers1–2Pittsburgh Penguins15–5–333
24Dec 3Pittsburgh Penguins5–4Tampa Bay Lightning16–5–335
25Dec 5Pittsburgh Penguins6–3New York Islanders17–5–337
26Dec 7Montreal Canadiens5–7Pittsburgh Penguins18–5–339
27Dec 9Hartford Whalers0–6Pittsburgh Penguins19–5–341
28Dec 13Pittsburgh Penguins3–6Mighty Ducks of Anaheim19–6–341
29Dec 15Pittsburgh Penguins5–1Dallas Stars20–6–343
30Dec 17Pittsburgh Penguins5–6Philadelphia Flyers20–7–343
31Dec 19Calgary Flames1–7Pittsburgh Penguins21–7–345
32Dec 22Montreal Canadiens4–2Pittsburgh Penguins21–8–345
33Dec 23Pittsburgh Penguins0–1Montreal Canadiens21–9–345
34Dec 26Buffalo Sabres3–6Pittsburgh Penguins22–9–347
35Dec 28Hartford Whalers4–9Pittsburgh Penguins23–9–349
36Dec 30Florida Panthers5–6Pittsburgh Penguins24–9–351
January: 7–7–0 (Home: 5–3–0 ; Road: 2–4–0), 14 Points
#DateVisitorScoreHomeRecordPoints
37Jan 1Pittsburgh Penguins2–4Washington Capitals24–10–351
38Jan 3Ottawa Senators1–4Pittsburgh Penguins25–10–353
39Jan 5Detroit Red Wings2–5Pittsburgh Penguins26–10–355
40Jan 6Pittsburgh Penguins2–3St. Louis Blues26–11–355
41Jan 8Vancouver Canucks5–8Pittsburgh Penguins27–11–357
42Jan 12Montreal Canadiens6–5Pittsburgh Penguins27–12–357
43Jan 13San Jose Sharks10–8Pittsburgh Penguins27–13–357
44Jan 16Colorado Avalanche5–2Pittsburgh Penguins27–14–357
45Jan 17Pittsburgh Penguins1–0Buffalo Sabres28–14–359
46Jan 22Boston Bruins6–7 OTPittsburgh Penguins29–14–361
47Jan 24Pittsburgh Penguins4–3Ottawa Senators30–14–363
48Jan 27Philadelphia Flyers4–7Pittsburgh Penguins31–14–365
49Jan 29Pittsburgh Penguins1–2Florida Panthers31–15–365
50Jan 31Pittsburgh Penguins1–4Tampa Bay Lightning31–16–365
February: 6–5–1 (Home: 4–0–0 ; Road: 2–5–1), 13 Points
#DateVisitorScoreHomeRecordPoints
51Feb 3Pittsburgh Penguins0–3Detroit Red Wings31–17–365
52Feb 6Boston Bruins5–6Pittsburgh Penguins32–17–367
53Feb 7Pittsburgh Penguins1–1 OTNew Jersey Devils32–17–468
54Feb 10Chicago Blackhawks3–6Pittsburgh Penguins33–17–470
55Feb 12Pittsburgh Penguins1–4Toronto Maple Leafs33–18–470
56Feb 16Pittsburgh Penguins1–0Winnipeg Jets34–18–472
57Feb 18New York Rangers3–4 OTPittsburgh Penguins35–18–474
58Feb 21Pittsburgh Penguins3–6Buffalo Sabres35–19–474
59Feb 23Hartford Whalers4–5Pittsburgh Penguins36–19–476
60Feb 24Pittsburgh Penguins3–7Montreal Canadiens36–20–476
61Feb 27Pittsburgh Penguins7–4Vancouver Canucks37–20–478
62Feb 29Pittsburgh Penguins3–7Calgary Flames37–21–478
March: 9–5–0 (Home: 6–2–0 ; Road: 3–3–0), 18 Points
#DateVisitorScoreHomeRecordPoints
63Mar 1Pittsburgh Penguins5–4Edmonton Oilers38–21–480
64Mar 5Winnipeg Jets4–9Pittsburgh Penguins39–21–482
65Mar 7Ottawa Senators1–5Pittsburgh Penguins40–21–484
66Mar 9New Jersey Devils4–3 OTPittsburgh Penguins40–22–484
67Mar 13Pittsburgh Penguins2–3Hartford Whalers40–23–484
68Mar 14Pittsburgh Penguins2–4Boston Bruins40–24–484
69Mar 16New York Islanders2–4Pittsburgh Penguins41–24–486
70Mar 21Edmonton Oilers4–5Pittsburgh Penguins42–24–488
71Mar 23Buffalo Sabres7–5Pittsburgh Penguins42–25–488
72Mar 24Pittsburgh Penguins8–2New York Rangers43–25–490
73Mar 26St. Louis Blues4–8Pittsburgh Penguins44–25–492
74Mar 28Pittsburgh Penguins3–2Florida Panthers45–25–494
75Mar 30New Jersey Devils1–2Pittsburgh Penguins46–25–496
76Mar 31Pittsburgh Penguins1–4Philadelphia Flyers46–26–496
April: 3–3–0 (Home: 2–1–0 ; Road: 1–2–0), 6 Points
#DateVisitorScoreHomeRecordPoints
77Apr 4Washington Capitals2–4Pittsburgh Penguins47–26–498
78Apr 6Tampa Bay Lightning1–2Pittsburgh Penguins48–26–4100
79Apr 8Pittsburgh Penguins4–5Hartford Whalers48–27–4100
80Apr 10New York Islanders6–2Pittsburgh Penguins48–28–4100
81Apr 11Pittsburgh Penguins5–3Ottawa Senators49–28–4102
82Apr 14Pittsburgh Penguins5–6Boston Bruins49–29–4102
Legend:        = Win        = Loss        = Tie

Playoffs

In the 1996 Playoffs, the Penguins advanced to the third round for the first time since 1992, defeating the Washington Capitals in six games and the New York Rangers in five games. In the Eastern Conference finals, the heavily favored Penguins were upset in seven games by the defense-oriented Florida Panthers.

1996 Stanley Cup Playoffs
Eastern Conference Quarterfinals: 4–2 (Home: 1–2 ; Road: 3–0)
#DateVisitorScoreHomeAttendanceRecord
1Apr 17Washington Capitals6–4Pittsburgh Penguins16,2380–1
2Apr 19Washington Capitals5–3Pittsburgh Penguins17,1810–2
3Apr 22Pittsburgh Penguins4–1Washington Capitals18,1301–2
4Apr 24Pittsburgh Penguins3–2 4OTWashington Capitals18,1302–2
5Apr 26Washington Capitals1–4Pittsburgh Penguins17,2153–2
6Apr 28Pittsburgh Penguins3–2Washington Capitals17,2564–2
Eastern Conference Semifinals: 4–1 (Home: 2–1 ; Road: 2–0)
#DateVisitorScoreHomeAttendanceRecord
1May 3New York Rangers3–4Pittsburgh Penguins17,1811–0
2May 5New York Rangers6–3Pittsburgh Penguins17,1810–1
3May 7Pittsburgh Penguins3–2New York Rangers18,2002–1
4May 9Pittsburgh Penguins4–1New York Rangers18,2003–1
5May 11New York Rangers3–7Pittsburgh Penguins17,3554–1
Eastern Conference Finals: 4–3 (Home: 2–2 ; Road: 1–2)
#DateVisitorScoreHomeAttendanceRecord
1May 18Florida Panthers5–1Pittsburgh Penguins17,3550–1
2May 20Florida Panthers2–3Pittsburgh Penguins17,1811–1
3May 24Pittsburgh Penguins2–5Florida Panthers14,7031–2
4May 26Pittsburgh Penguins2–1Florida Panthers14,7032–2
5May 28Florida Panthers0–3Pittsburgh Penguins17,3553–2
6May 30Pittsburgh Penguins3–4Florida Panthers14,7033–3
7Jun 1Florida Panthers3–1Pittsburgh Penguins17,3553–4
Legend:        = Win        = Loss

Suspensions
PlayerLengthDateReason
Ron Francis2 gamesFebruary 27, 1996Checking from behind

Injuries
PlayerInjuryDate
Tom BarrassoPulled Groin (DTD)December 7, 1995
Tom BarrassoShoulder injury (Out Indefinitely)February 5, 1996
Stefan BergkvistAppendectomyFebruary 21, 1996

Player statistics
Skaters
Goaltenders
Regular Season[7]
Player GP TOI W L T GA GAA SA SV% SO G A PIM
Tom Barrasso492799:01291621603.4316260.90220318
Ken Wregget372132:15201321153.2412050.9053028
Total4931:16492942753.3528310.90350526
Playoffs[8]
Player GP TOI W L T GA GAA SA SV% SO G A PIM
Ken Wregget9598:47720232.303280.930010
Tom Barrasso10557:30450262.803370.9231008
Total1156:171170492.546650.9261018

†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining the Penguins. Stats reflect time with the Penguins only.
‡Denotes player was traded mid-season. Stats reflect time with the Penguins only.

Awards and records

Awards
PlayerAward
Ron FrancisPlayer's Player Award
Pittsburgh Penguins Masterton Nominee
Jaromir JagrBob Johnson Memorial Award
NHL First All-Star Team
Mario LemieuxMost Valuable Player Award
Booster Club Award
Leading Point Scorer Award
Hart Memorial Trophy
Art Ross Trophy
Lester B. Pearson Award
NHL First All-Star Team
Petr NedvedUnsung Hero Award
Disaster Specialists "Baz" Bastien Memorial "Good Guy" Award
Dave RocheEdward J. DeBartolo Community Service Award

Transactions

The Penguins have been involved in the following transactions during the 1995–96 season:[9]

Trades
July 8, 1995 To Toronto Maple Leafs

Larry Murphy

 To Pittsburgh Penguins

Dmitri Mironov
1996 2nd round pick

August 1, 1995 To Boston Bruins

Kevin Stevens
Shawn McEachern

 To Pittsburgh Penguins

Glen Murray
Bryan Smolinski
1996 3rd round pick

August 31, 1995 To New York Rangers

Luc Robitaille
Ulf Samuelsson

 To Pittsburgh Penguins

Petr Nedved
Sergei Zubov

December 28, 1995 To Winnipeg Jets

Norm MacIver

 To Pittsburgh Penguins

Neil Wilkinson

March 1, 1996 To Ottawa Senators

1996 8th round pick

 To Pittsburgh Penguins

Dave McLlwain

March 20, 1996 To Vancouver Canucks

Markus Naslund

 To Pittsburgh Penguins

Alek Stojanov

March 20, 1996 To St. Louis Blues

1996 6th round pick

 To Pittsburgh Penguins

Jean-Jacques Daigneault

March 20, 1996 To San Jose Sharks

1996 5th round pick

 To Pittsburgh Penguins

Kevin Miller

Free agents
Player Acquired from Lost to Date
Troy MurrayColorado AvalancheAugust 7, 1995
Corey FosterOttawa SenatorsAugust 7, 1995
Peter TaglianettiBoston BruinsAugust 9, 1995
Peter AllenBoston BruinsAugust 10, 1995
Mike HudsonToronto Maple LeafsAugust 28, 1995
Joe MullenBoston BruinsSeptember 8, 1995
John CullenTampa Bay LightningSeptember 11, 1995
Ladislav KarabinBuffalo SabresSeptember 20, 1995

Signings
Player Date
Brad LauerAugust 10, 1995
Evgeny DavydovAugust 10, 1995
Troy CrowderAugust 10, 1995
Glen MurraySeptember 8, 1995

Other
Name Date Details
Evgeny DavydovSeptember 25, 1995Released
Perry GancharOctober 15, 1995Retired

Draft picks
See also: List of Pittsburgh Penguins draft picks

Pittsburgh Penguins' picks at the 1995 NHL Entry Draft.[10]

Round # Player Pos Nationality College/Junior/Club Team (League)
1 24 Aleksey Morozov Right Wing  Russia Krylja Sovetov (Russia)
3 76 Jean-Sebastien Aubin Goaltender  Canada Sherbrooke Faucons (QMJHL)
4 102 Oleg Belov Center  Russia CSKA Moscow (Russia)
5 128 Jan Hrdina Center  Czech Republic Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
6 154 Alexei Kolkunov Center  Russia Krylja Sovetov (Russia)
7 180 Derrick Pyke Right Wing  Canada Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
8 206 Sergei Voronov Defense  Russia Moscow Dynamo (Russia)
9 232 Frank Ivankovic Goaltender  Canada Oshawa Generals (OHL)
Draft notes[11]

Farm teams

The Hampton Roads Admirals of the East Coast Hockey League finished in fifth place in the East Division, but lost in the first round of the playoffs to the Richmond Renegades.

The Cleveland Lumberjacks of the International Hockey League (IHL) finished in third place in the Central Division, but were swept in the first round of the playoffs by the Michigan K-Wings.

References
  1. "1995-96 NHL Summary".
  2. "1995-96 Pittsburgh Penguins Roster and Statistics".
  3. "1995-96 NHL Summary".
  4. "1995–1996 Conference Standings". National Hockey League. Retrieved July 3, 2014.
  5. "1995–1996 – Regular Season – Pittsburgh Penguins – All Skaters – Summary – Points – NHL.com – Stats". NHL.
  6. "1995–1996 – Playoffs – Pittsburgh Penguins – All Skaters – Summary – Points – NHL.com – Stats". NHL.
  7. "1995–1996 – Regular Season – Pittsburgh Penguins – Goalie – Summary – Wins – NHL.com – Stats". NHL.
  8. "1995–1996 – Playoffs – Pittsburgh Penguins – Goalie – Summary – Wins – NHL.com – Stats". NHL.
  9. "Hockey Transactions Search Results". ProSportsTransactions. Retrieved September 10, 2012.
  10. "NHL Entry Draft Year by Year Results". NHL.com. Retrieved July 14, 2012.
  11. "1995 NHL Entry Draft Pending Transactions". Pro Sports Transactions. Retrieved July 14, 2012.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.