1995–96 Pittsburgh Penguins season

NHLTeamSeason
Season=1995–96
Team=Pittsburgh Penguins
Conference=Eastern
ConferenceRank=2nd
Division=Northeast
DivisionRank=1st
Record=49–29–4
HomeRecord=32–9–0
RoadRecord=17–20–4
GoalsFor=362
GoalsAgainst=284
GeneralManager= Craig Patrick
Coach=Eddie Johnston
Captain= Mario Lemieux
AltCaptain=
Arena=Pittsburgh Civic Arena
Attendance=
GoalsLeader=Mario Lemieux (69)
AssistsLeader=Mario Lemieux (92)
PointsLeader=Mario Lemieux (161)
PIMLeader=Francois Leroux (161)
WinsLeader=Tom Barrasso (29)
GAALeader=Ken Wregget (3.24)

Mario Lemieux's return to the NHL after missing the entire 1994–95 season energized the Penguins and re-instituted the team's finesse game for the 1995–96 season. The Penguins finished second in the Eastern Conference with 102 points. They led all teams in even-strength goals (235) power-play goals (109) and shorthanded goals (18). Despite missing 13 regular-season games, Lemieux led the league in goals (69), assists (92), points (161) power-play goals (31), and shorthanded goals (8). Czech superstar Jaromir Jagr had his best season ever, with 62 goals (second in the league), 87 assists (third in the league) and 149 points (second in the league). The third 100-point scorer on the team was Ron Francis, who tallied 27 goals and 92 assists (tied for first in the league with Lemieux) for 119 points. Petr Nedved scored 45 goals and had 54 assists for 99 points in 80 games. He finished second in the league in shooting percentage with 22.1%. Despite missing 24 games, Tomas Sandstrom also had a great year, scoring 35 goals and picking up 35 assists for 70 points in 58 games.

Lemieux scored three goals or more in a game six times, and four goals or more in a game twice. On Tuesday, March 26, 1996, Mario Lemieux scored five goals in a game against the St. Louis Blues. Lemieux tallied two even-strength goals, two power-play goals and one shorthanded goal in the game. The Penguins won 8–4.

In the 1996 NHL Playoffs, the Penguins advanced to the third round for the first time since 1992, defeating the Washington Capitals in six games and the New York Rangers in five games. In the 1996 Eastern Conference Finals, the heavily-favored Penguins were upset in seven games by the defense-oriented Florida Panthers.

Offseason

NHL Draft

Regular season

eason standings

Goaltending

"Note: GP= Games played; W= Wins; L= Losses; T = Ties; SO = Shutouts; GAA = Goals Against"

References

* [http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/teams/0000501996.html Penguins on Hockey Database]