1988–89 Pittsburgh Penguins season
The 1988–89 Pittsburgh Penguins season saw the Penguins finish in second place in the Patrick Division with a record of 40 wins, 33 losses, and 7 ties for 87 points. They swept the New York Rangers in the Division Semi-finals before losing the Division Finals in seven games to the Philadelphia Flyers.
1988–89 Pittsburgh Penguins | |
---|---|
Division | 2nd Patrick |
Conference | 4th Wales |
1988–89 record | 40–33–7 |
Home record | 24–13–3 |
Road record | 16–20–4 |
Goals for | 347 |
Goals against | 349 |
Team information | |
General Manager | Tony Esposito |
Coach | Gene Ubriaco |
Captain | Mario Lemieux |
Alternate captains | Paul Coffey Randy Cunneyworth |
Arena | Pittsburgh Civic Arena |
Team leaders | |
Goals | Mario Lemieux (85) |
Assists | Mario Lemieux (114) |
Points | Mario Lemieux (199) |
Penalty minutes | Jay Caufield (285) |
Wins | Tom Barrasso (18) |
Goals against average | Tom Barrasso and Frank Pietrangelo (4.04) |
Offseason
Regular season
This was Mario Lemieux's best season offensively. He led the league in goals (85), assists (114, tied with Wayne Gretzky), points (199), power-play goals (31) and shorthanded goals (13).
The Penguins finished the regular season with the most power-play opportunities against, with 482, the most power-play opportunities, with 491, and the most power-play goals scored, with 119.[1]
Highlights
- December 31, 1988 – Mario Lemieux scores five goals in an 8–6 win over the New Jersey Devils. Lemieux scores the five goals in five different ways: even strength, shorthanded, power play, penalty shot, and empty net.
Season standings
GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | Pts | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Washington Capitals | 80 | 41 | 29 | 10 | 305 | 259 | 92 |
Pittsburgh Penguins | 80 | 40 | 33 | 7 | 347 | 349 | 87 |
New York Rangers | 80 | 37 | 35 | 8 | 310 | 307 | 82 |
Philadelphia Flyers | 80 | 36 | 36 | 8 | 307 | 285 | 80 |
New Jersey Devils | 80 | 27 | 41 | 12 | 281 | 325 | 66 |
New York Islanders | 80 | 28 | 47 | 5 | 265 | 325 | 61 |
[2]Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against
Note: Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold.
Schedule and results
On January 4, 1989, the Penguins defeated the Red Army team 4–2 at the Civic Arena in an exhibition.
1988–89 Schedule | ||||||||
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October: 7–4–0 (Home: 5–0–0 ; Road: 2–4–0), 14 Points
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November: 7–6–0 (Home: 5–2–0 ; Road: 2–4–0), 14 Points
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December: 9–2–3 (Home: 6–1–1 ; Road: 3–1–2), 21 Points
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January: 5–6–1 (Home: 3–2–1 ; Road: 2–4–0), 11 Points
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February: 4–7–3 (Home: 2–2–1 ; Road: 2–3–2), 11 Points
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March: 6–9–0 (Home: 2–5–0 ; Road: 4–4–0), 12 Points
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April: 2–0–0 (Home: 1–0–0 ; Road: 1–0–0), 4 Points
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Legend: = Win = Loss = Tie |
Playoffs
After six frustrating and disappointing seasons, the Penguins finally managed to get into the playoffs for the first time since the 1981–82 season. They swept New York Rangers in the Semifinals, but lost to their rivals, the Philadelphia Flyers in seven games.
Playoff log
1989 Stanley Cup playoffs | ||||||||
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Patrick Division semi-finals vs No. 3 New York Rangers: 4–0 (Home: 2–0; Road: 2–0)
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Patrick Division finals vs No. 4 Philadelphia Flyers: 3–4 (Home: 2–2; Road: 1–2)
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Legend: = Win = Loss = Playoff series win |
Player statistics
- Skaters
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|
- Goaltenders
Player | GP | TOI | W | L | T | GA | GAA | SA | SV% | SO | G | A | PIM |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tom Barrasso† | 44 | 2406:21 | 18 | 15 | 7 | 162 | 4.04 | 1441 | 0.888 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 49 |
Wendell Young | 22 | 1150:18 | 12 | 9 | 0 | 92 | 4.80 | 673 | 0.863 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 |
Steve Guenette | 11 | 573:53 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 41 | 4.29 | 308 | 0.867 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Frank Pietrangelo | 15 | 669:20 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 45 | 4.03 | 408 | 0.890 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Rick Tabaracci | 1 | 33:05 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 7.25 | 21 | 0.810 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Total | 4832:57 | 40 | 33 | 7 | 344 | 4.27 | 2851 | 0.879 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 57 |
Player | GP | TOI | W | L | T | GA | GAA | SA | SV% | SO | G | A | PIM |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tom Barrasso | 11 | 631:10 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 40 | 3.80 | 388 | 0.897 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 8 |
Wendell Young | 1 | 38:38 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1.55 | 11 | 0.909 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Total | 669:48 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 41 | 3.68 | 399 | 0.897 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 8 |
†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
- Paul Coffey, Defence, NHL First All-Star Team
- Mario Lemieux, Center, NHL First All-Star Team
- Mario Lemieux, Art Ross Trophy
- Mario Lemieux, Center, NHL First All-Star Team
- Mario Lemieux became the first person to score 100 assists in a season for the Penguins. He did so in a 6–8 loss to Hartford on February 26.
- Mario Lemieux became the first person to score 170 points in a season for the Penguins. He did so in a 2–3 loss to Los Angeles on March 7.
- Mario Lemieux became the first person to score 180 points in a season for the Penguins. He did so in a 2–8 loss to Boston on March 14.
- Mario Lemieux became the first person to score 110 assists in a season for the Penguins. He did so in a 2–7 loss to Minnesota on March 20.
- Mario Lemieux became the first person to score 190 points in a season for the Penguins. He did so in a 6–4 win over New York on March 27.
- Mario Lemieux became the first person to score 80 goals in a season for the Penguins. He did so in a 5–9 loss to Hartford on March 30.
- Mario Lemieux became the first person to score 400 assists for the Penguins. He did so in a 6–8 loss to Hartford on February 26.
- Mario Lemieux became the first person to score 700 points for the Penguins. He did so in a 4–5 loss to Washington on March 22.
- Mario Lemieux established a new franchise record for goals (85), assists (114) and points (199) in a season. He had set all three records the previous season.
- Mario Lemieux established a new franchise record for assists (415) and points (715). He broke the previous records of 349 assists (Syl Apps Jr.) and 636 points (Rick Kehoe)
- Paul Coffey established a new franchise record for goals (30), assists (83) and points (113) in a season by a defenseman. He broke the records of 16 goals, 67 assists and 83 points all set by Randy Carlyle in 1981.
- Rod Buskas established a new franchise record for penalty minutes (946). He broke the previous records of 871 PIM held by Bryan Watson.
- Mario Lemieux established a new franchise record for highest plus-minus in a season (+41). He broke the previous high of +36 set by Lowell MacDonald in 1973.
- Mario Lemieux, NHL Record, Most Shorthanded Goals, One Season (13) [7]
Transactions
Trades
September 1, 1988 | To Philadelphia Flyers
1990 3rd round pick |
To Pittsburgh Penguins
Wendell Young |
October 3, 1988 | To Buffalo Sabres
Wayne Van Dorp |
To Pittsburgh Penguins
1990 7th round pick |
November 1, 1988 | To Minnesota North Stars
rights to Rob Gaudreau |
To Pittsburgh Penguins
Richard Zemlak |
November 12, 1988 | To Buffalo Sabres
Doug Bodger |
To Pittsburgh Penguins
Tom Barrasso |
December 17, 1988 | To Minnesota North Stars
Steve Gotaas |
To Pittsburgh Penguins
Scott Bjugstad |
January 9, 1989 | To Calgary Flames
Steve Guenette |
To Pittsburgh Penguins
1989 6th round pick |
March 6, 1989 | To Los Angeles Kings
Pat Mayer |
To Pittsburgh Penguins
Tim Tookey |
Free agents lost
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Waiver Draft
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Player signings
Player | Date | Contract terms |
---|---|---|
John Cullen | June 21, 1988 | Unknown |
Mark Recchi | August 17, 1988 | Multi-year contract |
Steve Guenette | August 29, 1988 | Multi-year contract |
Darrin Shannon | September 7, 1988 | Multi-year contract |
Bruce Racine | September 21, 1988 | Multi-year contract |
Mario Lemieux | November 1, 1988 | 1 year/$1.6 million |
Dan Quinn | November 5, 1988 | Multi-year contract |
Jamie Leach | March 22, 1989 | Multi-year contract |
Dave Michayluk | May 24, 1989 | Unknown |
Other
Player | Date | Details |
---|---|---|
Pierre Creamer | June 14, 1988 | Replaced as head coach |
Gene Ubriaco | June 28, 1988 | Hired as head coach |
Dave Hunter | October 3, 1988 | Sent to Oilers as compensation for claiming Dave Hannan in waiver draft |
Roster
# | Nat | Player | Pos | S/G | Age | NHL Draft | Birthplace |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
35 | Tom Barrasso | G | R | 24 | 1983 | Boston, Massachusetts | |
27 | Barry Bjugstad | LW | L | 27 | 1981 | St. Paul, Minnesota | |
29 | Phil Bourque | LW | L | 26 | Undrafted | Chelmsford, Massachusetts | |
44 | Robert Brown | RW | L | 21 | 1986 | Kingston, Ontario | |
7 | Rod Buskas | D | R | 28 | 1981 | Wetaskiwin, Alberta | |
14 | Jock Callander | RW | R | 28 | Undrafted | Regina, Saskatchewan | |
16 | Jay Caufield | RW | R | 28 | Undrafted | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | |
77 | Paul Coffey (A) | D | L | 27 | 1980 | Weston, Ontario | |
11 | John Cullen | C | R | 24 | 1986 | Puslinch, Ontario | |
15 | Randy Cunneyworth (A) | LW | L | 28 | 1980 | Etobicoke, Ontario | |
4 | Christopher Dahlquist | D | L | 26 | Undrafted | Fridley, Minnesota | |
5 | Gordon Dineen | D | R | 26 | 1981 | Quebec City, Quebec | |
22 | Steve Dykstra | LW | R | 26 | Undrafted | Edmonton, Alberta | |
12 | Bob Errey | LW | L | 24 | 1983 | Montreal, Quebec | |
28 | William Frawley | RW | R | 26 | 1980 | Sturgeon Falls, Ontario | |
20 | Perry Ganchar | RW | R | 25 | 1982 | Saskatoon, Saskatchewan | |
30 | Steve Guenette | G | L | 23 | Undrafted | Gloucester, Ontario | |
32 | David Hannan | C | L | 27 | 1981 | Sudbury, Ontario | |
23 | Randy Hillier | D | L | 29 | 1980 | Toronto, Ontario | |
6 | James Johnson | D | L | 26 | Undrafted | New Hope, Minnesota | |
26 | Mark Kachowski | LW | L | 24 | Undrafted | Edmonton, Alberta | |
66 | Mario Lemieux (C) | C | R | 23 | 1984 | Montreal, Quebec | |
24 | Troy Loney | LW | L | 25 | 1982 | Bow Island, Alberta | |
19 | Dave McLlwain | C | L | 21 | 1986 | Seaforth, Ontario | |
40 | Frank Pietrangelo | G | L | 24 | 1983 | Niagara Falls, Ontario | |
10 | Dan Quinn | C | L | 23 | 1983 | Ottawa, Ontario | |
8 | Mark Recchi | RW | L | 21 | 1988 | Kamloops, British Columbia | |
25 | Kevin Stevens | LW | L | 24 | 1983 | Brockton, Massachusetts | |
31 | Richard Tabaracci | G | L | 20 | 1987 | Toronto, Ontario | |
1 | Wendell Young | G | L | 25 | 1981 | Halifax, Nova Scotia | |
33 | Zarley Zalapski | D | L | 21 | 1986 | Edmonton, Alberta | |
18 | Richard Zemlak | C | R | 26 | 1981 | Wynyard, Saskatchewan |
Draft picks
Pittsburgh Penguins' picks at the 1988 NHL Entry Draft.[8]
Round | # | Player | Pos | Nationality | College/Junior/Club Team (League) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 4 | Darrin Shannon | L | Windsor Compuware Spitfires (OHL) | |
2 | 25 | Mark Major | L | North Bay Centennials (OHL) | |
3 | 62[a] | Daniel Gauthier | L | Victoriaville Tigres (QMJHL) | |
4 | 67 | Mark Recchi | R | Kamloops Blazers (WHL) | |
5 | 88 | Greg Andrusak | D | U. of Minnesota-Duluth (NCAA) | |
7 | 130 | Troy Mick | L | Portland Winter Hawks (WHL) | |
8 | 151 | Jeffrey Blaeser | L | St. John's Prep (Mass H.S.) | |
9 | 172 | Robert Gaudreau | C | Bishop Hendricken H.S. (RI) | |
10 | 193 | Donald Pancoe | L | Hamilton Steelhawks (OHL) | |
11 | 214 | Cory Laylin | L | St. Cloud Apollo H.S. (Minn.) | |
12 | 235 | Darren Stolk | D | Lethbridge Broncos (WHL) | |
S | 4 | Paul Polillo | C | Western Michigan University (CCHA) | |
S | 9 | Shawn Lillie | C | Colgate University (ECAC) |
- Draft notes[9]
- The Pittsburgh Penguins' third-round pick went to the Montreal Canadiens as the result of a December 17, 1987, trade that sent Perry Ganchar and future considerations (1988 third-round pick (#62-Daniel Gauthier)) to the Penguins in exchange for a future considerations (this pick).
- a The Montreal Canadiens' third-round pick went to the Pittsburgh Penguins as a result of a December 17, 1987, trade that sent future considerations (1988 third-round pick (#46-Neil Carnes)) to the Candiens in exchange for Perry Ganchar and future considerations (this pick).
- The Pittsburgh Penguins' sixth-round pick went to the Los Angeles Kings as the result of a February 4, 1988, trade that sent Bryan Erickson to the Penguins in exchange for Chris Kontos and future considerations (this pick).
References
- https://www.hockey-reference.com/leagues/NHL_1989.html
- Dinger, Ralph, ed. (2011). The National Hockey League Official Guide & Record Book 2012. Dan Diamond & Associates. p. 153. ISBN 9781894801225.
- "1988–1989 – Regular Season – Pittsburgh Penguins – All Skaters – Summary – Points – NHL.com – Stats". NHL.
- "1988–1989 – Playoffs – Pittsburgh Penguins – All Skaters – Summary – Points – NHL.com – Stats". NHL.
- "1988–1989 – Regular Season – Pittsburgh Penguins – Goalie – Summary – Wins – NHL.com – Stats". NHL.
- "1988–1989 – Playoffs – Pittsburgh Penguins – Goalie – Summary – Wins – NHL.com – Stats". NHL.
- National Hockey League Official Guide and Record Book 2006, p.181, Dan Diamond & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, ISBN 0-920445-98-5
- "NHL Entry Draft Year by Year Results". NHL.com.
- "1988 NHL Entry Draft Pending Transactions". Pro Sports Transactions.