The 1991–92 Pittsburgh Penguins season was the Penguins' 25th season in the National Hockey League (NHL). The team was coming off of its first-ever Stanley Cup victory in 1990–91, as they defeated the Chicago Black Hawks in the Final in six games. The Penguins, along with the Detroit Red Wings and New York Rangers, had five 30-goal scorers. Seven players and three off-ice staff members from the 1991–92 team's year-end roster have been elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Off-season In the off-season, Head Coach Bob Johnson was diagnosed with brain cancer, forcing him to step down, where the Penguins brought in former St. Louis Blues, Montreal Canadiens, and Buffalo Sabres head coach Scotty Bowman to replace Johnson. Bowman had previously led the Canadiens to five Stanley Cup championships in the 1970s. Johnson lost his battle to cancer on November 26, 1991, and the Penguins honored him by wearing a patch on the left sleeve of their jersey with his nickname "Badger" written on it along with his birth year and death year.
Regular season Pittsburgh started the season off very well, and through their first 38 games, they had a record of 22–12–4, earning 48 points and fighting with the Washington Capitals and New York Rangers for first in the Division. The team, along with Mario Lemieux, who missed time due to a back injury, would slump in their next 24 games, going 5–15–4 to slide down to .500 and battling with the New York Islanders and Philadelphia Flyers for the final playoff position in the Division. The Penguins, facing losing defenseman Paul Coffey as a free agent after the season, would deal him to the Los Angeles Kings in a move that looked like they were giving up for the season, however, they would make a move to bring some more grit to the team, acquiring Rick Tocchet, Kjell Samuelsson, Ken Wregget, and a 1993 conditional third-round pick from Philadelphia for Mark Recchi, Brian Benning, and a 1992 first-round pick. Pittsburgh had a 12–5–1 record to close out the season, finishing in third place in the Division and making the playoffs for the second-straight season.
Mario Lemieux led the club offensively, despite missing 16 games to injuries, as he earned an NHL-high 131 points from 44 goals and 87 assists to win the Art Ross Trophy. Kevin Stevens led the team with 54 goals and finished second in League scoring behind Lemieux with 123 points. Joe Mullen also had a solid season, as he scored 42 goals and earned 87 points, while Jaromír Jágr continued to develop, as he recorded 69 points in 70 games. Larry Murphy put up a defense-high 77 points in his first full season with the Penguins.
In goal, Tom Barrasso played the majority of the games, earning a team high 25 victories, along with a team best 3.53 goals against average (GAA), while earning a shutout for the club.
Offensively, the Penguins led the NHL in scoring, with 343 goals for.
On October 29, 1991, the Penguins were shut out at home 8–0 by the Washington Capitals. It was the first time the Penguins had been shut-out in a regular season game since January 2, 1989, when they coincidentally lost 8–0 on the road also to the Capitals. Prior to their home loss against the Caps, the Penguins had gone 211 consecutive regular season games without being shut-out.
Sale to Baldwin and Belzberg Although owner Edward DeBartolo, Sr. had enjoyed his team winning the Stanley Cup, the elder DeBartolo sought to sell the Penguins, but did not have a deal in place prior to the start of the season. Minnesota North Stars co-owners Howard Baldwin and Morris Belzberg had sold their stakes in that team to fellow co-owner Norman Green following a dispute between the owners, with Baldwin having sold his interest in August and Belzberg selling off in October. Baldwin and Belzberg partnered together to purchase the Penguins, and the NHL approved the deal on November 18, 1991.
Season standings
Schedule and results
| 1 || 4 || 7:35 PM || Pittsburgh Penguins || 5–4 || Buffalo Sabres || Buffalo Memorial Auditorium || 1–0–0 || 2
| 2 || 6 || 7:35 PM || Philadelphia Flyers || 2–2 OT || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 1–0–1 || 3
| 3 || 10 || 7:35 PM || Pittsburgh Penguins || 6–3 || Philadelphia Flyers || The Spectrum || 2–0–1 || 5
| 4 || 12 || 7:45 PM || Pittsburgh Penguins || 1–4 || New Jersey Devils || Brendan Byrne Arena || 2–1–1 || 5
| 5 || 15 || 7:35 PM || Pittsburgh Penguins || 7–6 OT || New York Islanders || Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum || 3–1–1 || 7
| 6 || 17 || 7:35 PM || New York Islanders || 5–8 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 4–1–1 || 9
| 7 || 19 || 7:35 PM || New York Rangers || 5–4 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 4–2–1 || 9
| 8 || 22 || 7:35 PM || Chicago Blackhawks || 4–4 OT || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 4–2–2 || 10
| 9 || 24 || 7:35 PM || New Jersey Devils || 4–2 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 4–3–2 || 10
| 10 || 26 || 8:05 PM || Pittsburgh Penguins || 1–4 || Montreal Canadiens || Montreal Forum || 4–4–2 || 10
| 11 || 29 || 7:35 PM || Washington Capitals || 8–0 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 4–5–2 || 10
| 12 || 31 || 7:35 PM || Minnesota North Stars || 1–8 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 5–5–2 || 12
| 13 || 2 || 7:35 PM || Hartford Whalers || 6–5 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 5–6–2 || 12
| 14 || 5 || 7:35 PM || Boston Bruins || 5–5 OT || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 5–6–3 || 13
| 15 || 8 || 8:35 PM || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–1 || Winnipeg Jets || Winnipeg Arena || 6–6–3 || 15
| 16 || 9 || 8:05 PM || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–2 || Minnesota North Stars || Met Center || 7–6–3 || 17
| 17 || 11 || 7:35 PM || Pittsburgh Penguins || 1–3 || New York Rangers || Madison Square Garden (IV) || 7–7–3 || 17
| 18 || 13 || 7:35 PM || Edmonton Oilers || 4–5 OT || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 8–7–3 || 19
| 19 || 15 || 8:05 PM || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–6 || Washington Capitals || Capital Centre || 8–8–3 || 19
| 20 || 18 || 7:35 PM || Pittsburgh Penguins || 7–3 || Quebec Nordiques || Colisée de Québec || 9–8–3 || 21
| 21 || 20 || 7:35 PM || Philadelphia Flyers || 2–5 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 10–8–3 || 23
| 22 || 23 || 7:35 PM || New York Islanders || 2–2 OT || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 10–8–4 || 24
| 23 || 27 || 7:35 PM || New Jersey Devils || 4–8 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 11–8–4 || 26
| 24 || 29 || 1:05 PM || Pittsburgh Penguins || 9–3 || Philadelphia Flyers || The Spectrum || 12–8–4 || 28
| 25 || 30 || 7:35 PM || Philadelphia Flyers || 1–5 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 13–8–4 || 30
| 26 || 3 || 9:35 PM || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–5 || Edmonton Oilers || Northlands Coliseum || 13–9–4 || 30
| 27 || 5 || 10:35 PM || Pittsburgh Penguins || 8–0 || San Jose Sharks || Cow Palace || 14–9–4 || 32
| 28 || 7 || 8:35 PM || Pittsburgh Penguins || 1–6 || St. Louis Blues || St. Louis Arena || 14–10–4 || 32
| 29 || 10 || 7:35 PM || New York Rangers || 3–5 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 15–10–4 || 34
| 30 || 13 || 7:45 PM || Pittsburgh Penguins || 4–3 || New Jersey Devils || Brendan Byrne Arena || 16–10–4 || 36
| 31 || 14 || 7:35 PM || Washington Capitals || 7–2 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 16–11–4 || 36
| 32 || 17 || 7:35 PM || San Jose Sharks || 2–10 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 17–11–4 || 38
| 33 || 19 || 7:35 PM || Pittsburgh Penguins || 6–4 || Boston Bruins || Boston Garden || 18–11–4 || 40
| 34 || 21 || 7:35 PM || New York Rangers || 7–5 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 18–12–4 || 40
| 35 || 23 || 7:35 PM || Pittsburgh Penguins || 6–3 || New York Islanders || Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum || 19–12–4 || 42
| 36 || 26 || 7:35 PM || Toronto Maple Leafs || 1–12 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 20–12–4 || 44
| 37 || 28 || 7:35 PM || Pittsburgh Penguins || 6–2 || Washington Capitals || Capital Centre || 21–12–4 || 46
| 38 || 29 || 7:35 PM || Pittsburgh Penguins || 6–3 || New York Rangers || Madison Square Garden (IV) || 22–12–4 || 48
| 39 || 31 || 6:05 PM || New Jersey Devils || 7–4 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 22–13–4 || 48
| 40 || 2 || 7:45 PM || Pittsburgh Penguins || 0–4 || New Jersey Devils || Brendan Byrne Arena || 22–14–4 || 48
| 41 || 4 || 1:35 PM || Winnipeg Jets || 2–3 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 23–14–4 || 50
| 42 || 7 || 7:35 PM || Los Angeles Kings || 5–2 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 23–15–4 || 50
| 43 || 10 || 9:35 PM || Pittsburgh Penguins || 5–7 || Calgary Flames || Olympic Saddledome || 23–16–4 || 50
| 44 || 12 || 5:05 PM || Pittsburgh Penguins || 4–3 || Vancouver Canucks || Pacific Coliseum || 24–16–4 || 52
| 45 || 16 || 7:35 PM || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–3 OT || Detroit Red Wings || Joe Louis Arena || 24–16–5 || 53
| 46 || 23 || 7:35 PM || Buffalo Sabres || 5–4 OT || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 24–17–5 || 53
| 47 || 25 || 2:05 PM || Pittsburgh Penguins || 5–3 || New York Islanders || Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum || 25–17–5 || 55
| 48 || 26 || 12:05 PM || Pittsburgh Penguins || 4–6 || Washington Capitals || Capital Centre || 25–18–5 || 55
| 49 || 28 || 7:35 PM || Winnipeg Jets || 4–0 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 25–19–5 || 55
| 50 || 30 || 7:35 PM || New York Islanders || 8–5 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 25–20–5 || 55
| 51 || 1 || 1:35 PM || St. Louis Blues || 1–4 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 26–20–5 || 57
| 52 || 3 || 7:35 PM || Detroit Red Wings || 4–4 OT || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 26–20–6 || 58
| 53 || 5 || 7:35 PM || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–4 || New York Rangers || Madison Square Garden (IV) || 26–21–6 || 58
| 54 || 8 || 2:05 PM || Los Angeles Kings || 4–3 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 26–22–6 || 58
| 55 || 9 || 1:35 PM || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–6 || Boston Bruins || Boston Garden || 26–23–6 || 58
| 56 || 15 || 8:05 PM || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–5 || Minnesota North Stars || Met Center || 26–24–6 || 58
| 57 || 16 || 7:05 PM || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–3 OT || Philadelphia Flyers || The Spectrum || 26–24–7 || 59
| 58 || 18 || 7:35 PM || Toronto Maple Leafs || 1–7 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 27–24–7 || 61
| 59 || 20 || 7:35 PM || Quebec Nordiques || 4–4 OT || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 27–24–8 || 62
| 60 || 22 || 8:05 PM || Pittsburgh Penguins || 1–2 || Montreal Canadiens || Montreal Forum || 27–25–8 || 62
| 61 || 25 || 7:35 PM || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–5 || Washington Capitals || Capital Centre || 27–26–8 || 62
| 62 || 27 || 7:35 PM || Hartford Whalers || 8–4 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 27–27–8 || 62
| 63 || 29 || 1:35 PM || Buffalo Sabres || 2–5 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 28–27–8 || 64
| 64 || 3 || 9:35 PM || Pittsburgh Penguins || 6–3 || Calgary Flames || Olympic Saddledome || 29–27–8 || 66
| 65 || 6 || 10:35 PM || Pittsburgh Penguins || 7–3 || San Jose Sharks || Cow Palace || 30–27–8 || 68
| 66 || 7 || 10:35 PM || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–5 || Los Angeles Kings || Great Western Forum || 30–28–8 || 68
| 67 || 10 || 7:35 PM || Calgary Flames || 2–5 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 31–28–8 || 70
| 68 || 12 || 7:35 PM || New York Islanders || 4–6 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 32–28–8 || 72
| 69 || 14 || 8:05 PM || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–6 || Toronto Maple Leafs || Maple Leaf Gardens || 32–29–8 || 72
| 70 || 15 || 8:35 PM || Pittsburgh Penguins || 4–3 || Chicago Blackhawks || Chicago Stadium || 33–29–8 || 74
| 71 || 17 || 7:35 PM || Edmonton Oilers || 5–6 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 34–29–8 || 76
| 72 || 19 || 7:35 PM || Quebec Nordiques || 3–6 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 35–29–8 || 78
| 73 || 22 || 7:05 PM || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–2 OT || Hartford Whalers || Hartford Civic Center || 35–29–9 || 79
| 74 || 24 || 7:35 PM || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–4 || Detroit Red Wings || Joe Louis Arena || 35–30–9 || 79