During the NHL’s hiatus, we at the Last Word on Hockey are going to look back at each date’s historical significance to the game. We’ll remember the moments that shaped the sport of hockey that happened on this day. Here’s our look at this date in hockey history for June 1st, featuring the 1991-92 Pittsburgh Penguins.
Today in Hockey History
1991-92 Pittsburgh Penguins Win Second Stanley Cup
1992: Larry Murphy scores early in the third period and Ron Francis gets an empty-netter as the Pens sweep the Chicago Blackhawks. Pittsburgh overcomes a hat trick by Dirk Graham to take Game 4 of the Final, 6-5. Jeremy Roenick also adds a pair of goals for the Blackhawks.
Mario Lemieux wins the Conn Smythe Trophy for the second straight post-season. Lemieux gets 34 points in 15 playoff games, including two assists in the clinching game.
Other Notable Events
1949: The NHL increases the schedule from 60 games to 70 for the upcoming season.
1993: The Los Angeles Kings win their first Stanley Cup Final game in franchise history. Wayne Gretzky notches three assists in the Kings’ 4-1 Game 1 win over the Montreal Canadiens.
1994: New York Islanders head coach Al Arbour retires after 1,606 career games coached. He won four Cups with the team, but does return for one game 2007-08.
1995: Nicklas Lidstrom scores 1:01 into overtime as the Detroit Red Wings win their first home playoff overtime game since 1960. His goal helps the Wings beat the Blackhawks, 2-1, in Game 1 of the Western Conference Final.
1996: The Florida Panthers reach the Stanley Cup Final in just their third season. John Vanbiesbrouck makes 39 saves as Florida tops Pittsburgh, 3-1, in Game 7 of the Eastern Final.
2011: Roberto Luongo is the sixth goalie to get a shutout in his Stanley Cup Final debut. Luongo makes 36 saves and Raffi Torres scores the only goal in the Vancouver Canucks‘ 2-1 Game 1 victory over the Boston Bruins.
2014: Alec Martinez scores 5:47 into overtime as the Kings beat the Blackhawks, 5-4, in Game 7. Justin Williams ties Glenn Anderson‘s record of seven goals in a Game 7.
2016: Conor Sheary scores 2:35 into overtime of Game 2 to help Pittsburgh beat the San Jose Sharks. Sheary is the first rookie since Brian Skrudland to get an OT-winner in a Cup Final game in the 2-1 win.
2019: Boston scores four power-play goals in a 7-2 Game 3 win over the St. Louis Blues. Torey Krug has three assists for the Bruins, who lead the series two games to one.
Happy Birthday to You
1956: Morris Lukowich
1961: Paul Coffey
1965: Dan Quinn
1972: Mike Dunham
1975: Michal Grosek
1979: Ladislav Nagy
1990: Roman Josi
