The 1990–91 Pittsburgh Penguins season was the Penguins 24th season in the NHL, and they were coming off of a disappointing 1989–90 season, having finished one point behind the New York Islanders for the final playoff spot in the Patrick Division, failing to qualify for post-season play for the seventh time in eight seasons. The Penguins placed first in their division, third-overall in the Wales Conference, on the way to the first-ever Stanley Cup championship for the team. Eight players and three off-ice staff members from the 1990-91 team have been elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame. This was the first of eleven consecutive playoff appearances for the Penguins.
As of 2025, the only remaining active member of the 1990–91 Pittsburgh Penguins is Jaromir Jagr. He is a member of Rytíři Kladno of the Czech Extraliga.
Off-season In the off-season, general manager Craig Patrick, who finished the previous season coaching the club, would name Bob Johnson as the new head coach of the Penguins. Patrick also named Scotty Bowman as his director of player development and recruitment. Johnson had previously been the head coach of the Calgary Flames from 1982 to 1987. The team also acquired veteran Bryan Trottier, who helped lead the New York Islanders to four-straight Stanley Cups from 1980 to 1983, to help out with his leadership abilities.
Pre-season
| || September 24 ||Los Angeles||4–1 || Pittsburgh || ||Young ||10,413|| ||
| || September 28 || Pittsburgh ||3–1||Minnesota|| ||Barrasso ||9,497|| ||
| || September 30 || Pittsburgh ||7–0||NY Islanders|| ||Pietrangelo ||9,873|| ||
Legend:
Regular season The Penguins would begin the season without Mario Lemieux, as he would miss the first half of the season recovering from a back injury that he suffered in a game against the New York Rangers on February 14, 1990, which caused him to miss the remainder of the 1989–90 season.
Pittsburgh would begin the season slow, and in their opening 31 games, the team had a 12–16–3 record, good for 27 points, and nine points out of a playoff spot. As the season progressed, the team began playing better, had Lemieux return to the lineup, and Patrick would make some trades, acquiring defenseman Larry Murphy from the Minnesota North Stars and Scott Young from the Hartford Whalers. The Penguins eventually came into playoff contention, and on March 4, when the team had a 32–30–4 record, sitting in third place in the Division, the club pulled off a blockbuster deal with the Whalers, trading John Cullen, Zarley Zalapski, and Jeff Parker to Hartford for Ron Francis, Ulf Samuelsson, and Grant Jennings. The deal helped the Penguins finish the season off 9–3–2, and win their first ever Division championship, finishing three points ahead of the second place New York Rangers.
With Lemieux missing the majority of the season due to his back injury, Mark Recchi stepped up and had a breakout season, scoring a team-high 40 goals and 73 assists for 113 points. Kevin Stevens would tie Recchi for the team lead in goals with 40, and add 46 assists for 86 points. Rookie Jaromir Jagr had a solid season, scoring 27 goals and earning 57 points, while Lemieux recorded 19 goals and 45 points in only 26 games. Paul Coffey led the defense with 93 points in 76 games. The 342 goals the Penguins scored was the second-highest tally in the NHL, only two goals fewer than the Calgary Flames.
In goal, Tom Barrasso had the majority of playing time, winning a team high 27 games and posting a 3.59 goals against average (GAA), along with one shutout. Frank Pietrangelo appeared in 25 games, finishing with a 10–11–1 record and a 3.94 GAA.
Season standings
Schedule and results
| 1 || 5 || 8:05 pm || Pittsburgh Penguins || 7–4 || Washington Capitals || Capital Centre || 1–0–0 || 2
| 2 || 7 || 7:35 pm || New Jersey Devils || 4–7 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 2–0–0 || 4
| 3 || 9 || 8:35 pm || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–4 || St. Louis Blues || St. Louis Arena || 2–1–0 || 4
| 4 || 11 || 8:35 pm || Pittsburgh Penguins || 1–4 || Chicago Blackhawks || Chicago Stadium || 2–2–0 || 4
| 5 || 13 || 7:35 pm || Pittsburgh Penguins || 6–4 || New York Islanders || Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum || 3–2–0 || 6
| 6 || 16 || 7:35 pm || Philadelphia Flyers || 5–1 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 3–3–0 || 6
| 7 || 19 || 7:35 pm || Pittsburgh Penguins || 4–4 OT || Buffalo Sabres || Buffalo Memorial Auditorium || 3–3–1 || 7
| 8 || 20 || 7:35 pm || New York Rangers || 4–3 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 3–4–1 || 7
| 9 || 23 || 7:35 pm || Montreal Canadiens || 5–4 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 3–5–1 || 7
| 10 || 25 || 7:35 pm || Quebec Nordiques || 3–6 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 4–5–1 || 9
| 11 || 27 || 7:45 pm || Pittsburgh Penguins || 5–7 || New Jersey Devils || Brendan Byrne Arena || 4–6–1 || 9
| 12 || 28 || 7:35 pm || New York Islanders || 3–8 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 5–6–1 || 11
| 13 || 30 || 7:35 pm || Pittsburgh Penguins || 6–2 || Philadelphia Flyers || The Spectrum || 6–6–1 || 13
| 14 || 3 || 7:35 pm || New York Rangers || 1–3 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 7–6–1 || 15
| 15 || 6 || 7:35 pm || Calgary Flames || 5–6 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 8–6–1 || 17
| 16 || 8 || 7:35 pm || St. Louis Blues || 3–2 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 8–7–1 || 17
| 17 || 10 || 7:05 pm || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–3 OT|| Boston Bruins || Boston Garden || 8–7–2 || 18
| 18 || 13 || 8:35 pm || Pittsburgh Penguins || 4–1 || Minnesota North Stars || Met Center || 9–7–2 || 20
| 19 || 14 || 8:35 pm || Pittsburgh Penguins || 6–4 || Winnipeg Jets || Winnipeg Arena || 10–7–2 || 22
| 20 || 17 || 10:35 pm || Pittsburgh Penguins || 1–2 OT|| Los Angeles Kings || Great Western Forum || 10–8–2 || 22
| 21 || 21 || 7:35 pm || Philadelphia Flyers || 5–4 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 10–9–2 || 22
| 22 || 23 || 8:05 pm || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–7 || Washington Capitals || Capital Centre || 10–10–2 || 22
| 23 || 24 || 7:35 pm || Washington Capitals || 2–3 OT|| Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 11–10–2 || 24
| 24 || 27 || 7:35 pm || Edmonton Oilers || 7–3 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 11–11–2 || 24
| 25 || 29 || 7:35 pm || Hartford Whalers || 6–4 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 11–12–2 || 24
| 26 || 1 || 8:35 pm || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–6 || Minnesota North Stars || Met Center || 11–13–2 || 24
| 27 || 3 || 7:35 pm || Pittsburgh Penguins || 9–4 || New York Rangers || Madison Square Garden (IV) || 12–13–2 || 26
| 28 || 5 || 7:35 pm || Washington Capitals || 3–1 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 12–14–2 || 26
| 29 || 7 || 7:35 pm || Vancouver Canucks || 2–2 OT || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 12–14–3 || 27
| 30 || 8 || 7:35 pm || Pittsburgh Penguins || 1–3 || Hartford Whalers || Hartford Civic Center || 12–15–3 || 27
| 31 || 11 || 7:35 pm || Chicago Blackhawks || 4–1 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 12–16–3 || 27
| 32 || 13 || 7:35 pm || New Jersey Devils || 5–9 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 13–16–3 || 29
| 33 || 14 || 7:35 pm || Pittsburgh Penguins || 4–3 || Buffalo Sabres || Buffalo Memorial Auditorium || 14–16–3 || 31
| 34 || 16 || 7:35 pm || Detroit Red Wings || 1–4 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 15–16–3 || 33
| 35 || 18 || 7:35 pm || Winnipeg Jets || 2–9 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 16–16–3 || 35
| 36 || 20 || 7:35 pm || Minnesota North Stars || 3–4 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 17–16–3 || 37
| 37 || 22 || 7:35 pm || Pittsburgh Penguins || 4–3 || New York Islanders || Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum || 18–16–3 || 39
| 38 || 23 || 7:35 pm || New York Islanders || 4–3 OT || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 18–17–3 || 39
| 39 || 26 || 7:35 pm || Pittsburgh Penguins || 7–3 || Washington Capitals || Capital Centre || 19–17–3 || 41
| 40 || 28 || 7:35 pm || Detroit Red Wings || 0–5 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 20–17–3 || 43
| 41 || 29 || 8:05 pm || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–6 || Toronto Maple Leafs || Maple Leaf Gardens || 20–18–3 || 43
| 42 || 31 || 6:05 pm || St. Louis Blues || 3–4 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 21–18–3 || 45
| 43 || 3 || 7:35 pm || New York Rangers || 7–5 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 21–19–3 || 45
| 44 || 5 || 1:35 pm || New Jersey Devils || 2–5 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 22–19–3 || 47
| 45 || 6 || 7:05 pm || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–6 || Montreal Canadiens || Montreal Forum || 22–20–3 || 47
| 46 || 8 || 7:35 pm || Edmonton Oilers || 1–6 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 23–20–3 || 49
| 47 || 10 || 7:35 pm || Calgary Flames || 1–5 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 24–20–3 || 51
| 48 || 15 || 7:35 pm || Pittsburgh Penguins || 4–5 || Philadelphia Flyers || The Spectrum || 24–21–3 || 51
| 49 || 17 || 7:35 pm || Pittsburgh Penguins || 6–5 OT || Toronto Maple Leafs || Maple Leaf Gardens || 25–21–3 || 53
| 50 || 22 || 7:35 pm || New Jersey Devils || 3–5 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 26–21–3 || 55
| 51 || 26 || 7:35 pm || Pittsburgh Penguins || 6–5 || Quebec Nordiques || Colisée de Québec || 27–21–3 || 57
| 52 || 29 || 7:35 pm || Washington Capitals || 2–3 OT || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 28–21–3 || 59
| 53 || 31 || 7:35 pm || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–4 || Philadelphia Flyers || The Spectrum || 28–22–3 || 59
| 54 || 2 || 1:35 pm || Boston Bruins || 2–6 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 29–22–3 || 61
| 55 || 3 || 7:05 pm || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–6 || Boston Bruins || Boston Garden || 29–23–3 || 61
| 56 || 8 || 8:35 pm || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–6 || Winnipeg Jets || Winnipeg Arena || 29–24–3 || 61
| 57 || 11 || 9:35 pm || Pittsburgh Penguins || 5–7 || Edmonton Oilers || Northlands Coliseum || 29–25–3 || 61
| 58 || 14 || 7:35 pm || New York Islanders || 2–5 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 30–25–3 || 63
| 59 || 16 || 7:35 pm || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–4 || New York Islanders || Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum || 30–26–3 || 63
| 60 || 19 || 7:35 pm || Buffalo Sabres || 3–6 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 31–26–3 || 65
| 61 || 21 || 7:35 pm || Toronto Maple Leafs || 4–11 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 32–26–3 || 67
| 62 || 22 || 7:45 pm || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–5 || New Jersey Devils || Brendan Byrne Arena || 32–27–3 || 67
| 63 || 24 || 1:35 pm || Pittsburgh Penguins || 5–5 OT || Washington Capitals || Capital Centre || 32–27–4 || 68
| 64 || 26 || 10:35 pm || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–8 || Los Angeles Kings || Great Western Forum || 32–28–4 || 68
| 65 || 27 || 10:35 pm || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–4 || Vancouver Canucks || Pacific Coliseum || 32–29–4 || 68
| 66 || 1 || 9:35 pm || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–6 || Calgary Flames || Olympic Saddledome || 32–30–4 || 68
| 67 || 5 || 7:35 pm || Vancouver Canucks || 1–4 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 33–30–4 || 70
| 68 || 7 || 7:35 pm || Los Angeles Kings || 2–3 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 34–30–4 || 72
| 69 || 9 || 7:35 pm || Pittsburgh Penguins || 5–2 || Hartford Whalers || Hartford Civic Center || 35–30–4 || 74
| 70 || 10 || 5:05 pm || Pittsburgh Penguins || 4–3 || New York Islanders || Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum || 36–30–4 || 76
| 71 || 12 || 7:35 pm || Montreal Canadiens || 4–4 OT || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 36–30–5 || 77
| 72 || 16 || 1:35 pm || Quebec Nordiques || 3–6 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 37–30–5 || 79
| 73 || 17 || 1:35 pm || Pittsburgh Penguins || 4–2 || New York Rangers || Madison Square Garden (IV) || 38–30–5 || 81
| 74 || 19 || 7:45 pm || Pittsburgh Penguins || 4–5 || New Jersey Devils || Brendan Byrne Arena || 38–31–5 || 81
| 75 || 21 || 7:35 pm || New York Rangers || 4–5 OT || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 39–31–5 || 83
| 76 || 23 || 1:35 pm || Chicago Blackhawks || 7–5 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 39–32–5 || 83