Pittsburgh Penguins History: Revisiting 1993 Patrick Division Finals

The Pittsburgh Penguins dream of winning three consecutive championships was ended by the New York Islanders in Overtime of Game 7 of the Patrick Division Finals, here is a look back at a few things you may not have known about the series.

The Pittsburgh Penguins chased immortality during the 1992-93 season and adding a third consecutive Stanley Cup to the trophy case would have been the best bookend possible to an already unforgettable season.

While the season did become unforgettable for another reason, here are a few things you may not have known about the 1993 Patrick Divison Finals.

Early Series Developments

The Islanders were without their leading scorer Pierre Turgeon following a nasty post-goal hit from Dale Hunter in the first round, that left Turgeon with a separated right shoulder and what was supposed to be a prolonged absence from the lineup. Turgeon’s improbable return for Game 7 exceeded expectations and provided the Islanders with emotional uplift.

Mario Lemieux only played two and a half minutes in Game 1, due to back spasms and the flare-up left him unavailable for Game 2, although that decision was made 10 minutes prior to the warm-ups. Treatment in between games for Lemieux involved being placed in traction for 30-minute sessions.

Dual of the Gloves

Tom Barrasso and Glenn Healy took turns playing the hot hand in the series.

Between the second period of Game 1 and the second period of Game, Barrasso played nearly one hundred and fifty-five minutes of shutout hockey.

Healy’s big game happened in Game 7, where he turned aside 19 shots in the first period of the game and despite allowing two late goals, gave the Islanders the opportunity to win the series. Healy finished with 45 saves in the game and made 183 saves on 208 shots through seven games.

Not so Special

The Penguins went 0-5 on the powerplay in Game 1 and were 3 for 37 including the regular season. On the other side of the ice, the Islanders scored six shorthanded goals (including Benoit Hogue‘s goal in Game 1) against Pittsburgh on those 37 powerplays.

By the Numbers

• The Penguins were 5-1 in playoffs without Lemieux, but during the regular season, the Penguins went 49-11-5 with Lemieux and 11-11-2 without.
• The Islanders finished 32 points behind the Penguins in the standings but won three of seven regular-season games.
• With the Game 7 loss, the Penguins dropped to 0-7 in elimination games vs. the Islanders.
• Mario Lemieux’s goal in Game 6, marked the 52nd time in 59 games he registered a point in the playoffs.
• The Islanders hero, David Volek, ended a three-year playoff point dry spell ended when he scored two goals in Game 7. Volek’s first goal broke a 1-1 tie and his second goal ended the Penguins season.
• Pittsburgh became the third regular-season champion to face an early exit in the playoffs.

What are your favorite memories from the Pittsburgh Penguins 1993 season? Drop your comments in the box below.