The Pittsburgh Penguins have had a storied franchise since day one including Stanley Cups, retired numbers, numerous Hall of Famers, just to name a few. However, aside from Stanley Cups, there are a couple of things they have done as a team that may even surprise the most loyal fans. They have done this twice in their history and it is something few teams have ever done. That is score 12 goals, not once, but twice. We look back at both games and relive two of the most memorable Penguins games in history.
Penguins defeat Capitals 12-2
The Penguins and Washington Capitals rivalry did not start until the Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin era of the 2005-26 season when they both hit the scene. However, before they hit the ice the rivalry was not the same as it was back then. Back then, there were fewer teams so they met often but there was not the same juice between the two teams. On March 15, 1975, the two teams collided at the Pittsburgh Civic Arena in a battle that may have been over at the opening faceoff.
Washington came into this game with a record of 6-59-5 while the Penguins sported a record of 32-24-14. Already Washington was behind. The opening period was not a good one for the visitors as the Penguins ripped home four goals to take an early lead. In fact, Pittsburgh had scored four goals in each of the three periods for their 12-goal outburst. If this was not bad enough for the Capitals, the Penguins had a franchise record 65 shots on goal.
Several individual stats to look at for this one. In an era where scoring was few and far between, Pittsburgh sure buried their chances in this one. Capitals goaltender Ron Low surrendered seven goals before making way for backup Michel Belhumeur, who gave up five additional goals. The Penguins had 15 players who had at least one point in this one but one player stood out from the rest. That player was defenseman Barry Wilkins. Wilkins produced one goal and four assists for five points and was a plus +8 in the game. Needless to say, this was Pittsburgh's best game of the season offensively while Washington suffered another ugly loss.
Penguins at it again, top Toronto 12-1
It would be another 16 years between scoring outburst for the Penguins, but it did happen again. This time, it happened on December 26, 1991, against the Toronto Maple Leafs as Pittsburgh defeated the team from Canada 12-1. This scoring avalanche would once again happen at the Pittsburgh Civic Arena as fans would be entertained with the surplus of goals by the home team. Pittsburgh came into the game with a record of 20-12-4 while Toronto had a 10-23-5 record.
The scoring for the Penguins was a bit more balanced in each period, scoring three goals in the first, four in the second, and five in the third to grab the 12 goals. For Toronto, it was future Hall of Famer Grant Fuhr who was left in goal for all 12 markers.
For the Penguins. it was everyone in the lineup adding to the offense as 13 players registered a point. To no one's surprise, Hall of Famer and Penguins legend Mario Lemieux had his name written all over this game as his line with Joe Mullen and Kevin Stevens were the story this game. Lemieux, Stevens, and Mullen were each a plus +6. Offensively, this line could not be stopped. They accounted for 19 points, with Lemieux grabbing seven points (two goals and five assists), Mullen had six points (four goals and two assists), and Stevens also having six points (two goals and four assists). This line was creating havoc all night and had chances every shift. Toronto had no answer for this lien and not even physical play could stop them.
The chances we see another 12-goal outburst by the Penguins any time soon is extremely rare because of the way the game is played today. However, moments from the past like this one are why we should embrace what hockey used to be. We will never see hockey like this from any team, yet 30 years ago this was common in the dead puck era. Some prefer the modern style of play., while others prefer the vintage style of play. Both ways are enjoyed. In 30 years from now, we may never see another Sidney Crosby or Kris Letang.
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