The 1989–90 Pittsburgh Penguins season saw the Penguins looking to improve upon the previous season's performance where they finished second in the Patrick Division and made it to the second round of playoffs where they encountered disappointment falling in seven games despite leading the series three games to two against their cross-state opponents Philadelphia Flyers. Unfortunately, after a back injury that sidelined captain Mario Lemieux for the remainder of the season during a February 14, 1990 4-3 victory over the New York Rangers, the Penguins went 3-3-1 for the remainder of February, and 2-9-3 in March, falling out of playoff contention and missing the playoffs for the first time since the 1987–88 season.
Regular season
The Penguins allowed the most short-handed goals during the regular season, with 21.
All-Star Game
The 41st National Hockey League All-Star Game was held in Civic Arena in Pittsburgh, home to the Pittsburgh Penguins, on January 21, 1990. The game saw the team of all-stars from the Wales conference defeat the Campbell conference all-stars 12–7. Mario Lemieux was named the game's Most Valuable Player.
Season standings
Record vs. opponents
Schedule and results
| 1 || Oct 5 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 4–5 || Boston Bruins || 0–1–0 || 0
| 2 || Oct 7 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 4–4 || New Jersey Devils || 0–1–1 || 1
| 3 || Oct 10 || Winnipeg Jets || 1–5 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 1–1–1 || 3
| 4 || Oct 14 || Montreal Canadiens || 1–2 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–1–1 || 5
| 5 || Oct 15 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–4 || New York Rangers || 2–2–1 || 5
| 6 || Oct 17 || Toronto Maple Leafs || 5–7 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–2–1 || 7
| 7 || Oct 18 || St. Louis Blues || 9–3 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–3–1 || 7
| 8 || Oct 21 || Buffalo Sabres || 4–2 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–4–1 || 7
| 9 || Oct 25 || Toronto Maple Leafs || 8–6 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–5–1 || 7
| 10 || Oct 26 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–3 || Detroit Red Wings || 3–5–2 || 8
| 11 || Oct 28 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 1–5 || Montreal Canadiens || 3–6–2 || 8
| 12 || Oct 31 || Los Angeles Kings || 8–4 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–7–2 || 8
| 13 || Nov 2 || New York Islanders || 2–5 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 4–7–2 || 10
| 14 || Nov 4 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–1 || Edmonton Oilers || 5–7–2 || 12
| 15 || Nov 5 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–5 || Vancouver Canucks || 5–8–2 || 12
| 16 || Nov 9 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–4 || Chicago Blackhawks || 5–9–2 || 12
| 17 || Nov 11 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–8 || St. Louis Blues || 5–10–2 || 12
| 18 || Nov 14 || New York Rangers || 0–6 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 6–10–2 || 14
| 19 || Nov 16 || Quebec Nordiques || 2–8 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 7–10–2 || 16
| 20 || Nov 18 || New York Islanders || 3–5 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 8–10–2 || 18
| 21 || Nov 22 || New Jersey Devils || 6–3 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 8–11–2 || 18
| 22 || Nov 24 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 7–4 || Washington Capitals || 9–11–2 || 20
| 23 || Nov 25 || Washington Capitals || 4–1 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 9–12–2 || 20
| 24 || Nov 28 || Philadelphia Flyers || 6–3 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 9–13–2 || 20
| 25 || Nov 30 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 1–4 || Philadelphia Flyers || 9–14–2 || 20
| 26 || Dec 2 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 7–4 || Quebec Nordiques || 10–14–2 || 22
| 27 || Dec 6 || Washington Capitals || 3–5 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 11–14–2 || 24
| 28 || Dec 8 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–2 || New Jersey Devils || 12–14–2 || 26
| 29 || Dec 9 || Chicago Blackhawks || 6–4 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 12–15–2 || 26
| 30 || Dec 12 || Boston Bruins || 5–7 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 13–15–2 || 28
| 31 || Dec 14 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 4–4 || Minnesota North Stars || 13–15–3 || 29
| 32 || Dec 16 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–4 || Calgary Flames || 13–16–3 || 29
| 33 || Dec 19 || Hartford Whalers || 8–4 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 13–17–3 || 29
| 34 || Dec 21 || Washington Capitals || 2–5 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 14–17–3 || 31
| 35 || Dec 23 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 6–8 || New York Islanders || 14–18–3 || 31
| 36 || Dec 26 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–6 || Washington Capitals || 14–19–3 || 31
| 37 || Dec 27 || New York Rangers || 4–7 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 15–19–3 || 33
| 38 || Dec 31 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 5–4 || New York Rangers || 16–19–3 || 35
| 39 || Jan 2 || Boston Bruins || 5–2 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 16–20–3 || 35
| 40 || Jan 4 || Vancouver Canucks || 3–4 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 17–20–3 || 37
| 41 || Jan 6 || Winnipeg Jets || 3–5 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 18–20–3 || 39
| 42 || Jan 8 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 7–5 || New York Rangers || 19–20–3 || 41
| 43 || Jan 10 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–6 || New Jersey Devils || 19–21–3 || 41
| 44 || Jan 12 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 6–4 || Washington Capitals || 20–21–3 || 43
| 45 || Jan 16 || Philadelphia Flyers || 3–4 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 21–21–3 || 45
| 46 || Jan 18 || New York Rangers || 3–3 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 21–21–4 || 46
| 47 || Jan 23 || New Jersey Devils || 4–2 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 21–22–4 || 46
| 48 || Jan 25 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 5–3 || Detroit Red Wings || 22–22–4 || 48
| 49 || Jan 27 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–9 || New York Islanders || 22–23–4 || 48
| 50 || Jan 28 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–7 || Buffalo Sabres || 22–24–4 || 48
| 51 || Jan 30 || Philadelphia Flyers || 6–3 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 22–25–4 || 48
| 52 || Feb 2 || Edmonton Oilers || 3–6 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 23–25–4 || 50
| 53 || Feb 3 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 4–8 || Toronto Maple Leafs || 23–26–4 || 50
| 54 || Feb 6 || New York Islanders || 8–7 OT || Pittsburgh Penguins || 23–27–4 || 50
| 55 || Feb 8 || Washington Capitals || 5–7 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 24–27–4 || 52
| 56 || Feb 10 || Los Angeles Kings || 6–7 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 25–27–4 || 54
| 57 || Feb 11 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 4–1 || Philadelphia Flyers || 26–27–4 || 56
| 58 || Feb 14 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 4–3 || New York Rangers || 27–27–4 || 58
| 59 || Feb 16 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–3 || Winnipeg Jets || 27–27–5 || 59
| 60 || Feb 18 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 4–6 || Chicago Blackhawks || 27–28–5 || 59
| 61 || Feb 20 || Philadelphia Flyers || 4–6 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 28–28–5 || 61
| 62 || Feb 22 || New York Islanders || 3–4 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 29–28–5 || 63
| 63 || Feb 24 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 1–11 || Montreal Canadiens || 29–29–5 || 63
| 64 || Feb 26 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–3 || Quebec Nordiques || 29–30–5 || 63
| 65 || Feb 28 || New Jersey Devils || 1–2 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 30–30–5 || 65
| 66 || Mar 2 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 5–6 || New Jersey Devils || 30–31–5 || 65
| 67 || Mar 4 || Minnesota North Stars || 6–8 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 31–31–5 || 67
| 68 || Mar 6 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–4 OT || Edmonton Oilers || 31–32–5 || 67
| 69 || Mar 7 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–6 || Calgary Flames || 31–33–5 || 67
| 70 || Mar 10 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–8 || Los Angeles Kings || 31–34–5 || 67
| 71 || Mar 11 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–5 || Vancouver Canucks || 31–35–5 || 67
| 72 || Mar 15 || Detroit Red Wings || 1–6 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 32–35–5 || 69
| 73 || Mar 17 || Minnesota North Stars || 6–2 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 32–36–5 || 69
| 74 || Mar 18 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–2 || New York Islanders || 32–36–6 || 70
| 75 || Mar 22 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–5 || Philadelphia Flyers || 32–37–6 || 70
| 76 || Mar 24 || Calgary Flames || 3–3 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 32–37–7 || 71
| 77 || Mar 25 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–4 || Hartford Whalers || 32–38–7 || 71
| 78 || Mar 27 || Hartford Whalers || 3–3 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 32–38–8 || 72
| 79 || Mar 29 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 4–5 || St. Louis Blues || 32–39–8 || 72
| 80 || Mar 31 || Buffalo Sabres || 3–2 OT || Pittsburgh Penguins || 32–40–8 || 72
Legend:
Player statistics Skaters
+ Regular season Player 59 45 78 123 78 80 29 74 103 95 72 32 60 92 138 80 33 47 80 102 76 29 41 70 171 74 30 37 67 6 44 76 22 17 39 108 78 20 19 39 3 109 † 37 14 18 32 22 51 6 25 31 37 ‡ 41 9 20 29 22 67 11 16 27 168 † 38 4 18 22 29 75 3 13 16 154 61 5 11 16 54 61 3 12 15 11 71 62 4 10 14 56 ‡ 41 5 9 14 51 30 4 7 11 0 49 54 3 7 10 3 44 69 1 8 9 6 125 19 1 5 6 43 56 3 1 4 125 37 1 2 3 0 123 10 0 3 3 3 0 † 10 1 1 2 25 14 0 1 1 1 40 ‡ 6 0 0 0 0 2 † 6 0 0 0 13 Total 318 560 878 — 2,098
Goaltenders + Regular Season Player 43 2318:16 16 20 3 161 4.17 1263 0.873 1 0 4 8 21 1066:26 8 6 2 77 4.33 580 0.867 0 0 0 2 24 1294:19 7 12 3 101 4.68 746 0.865 0 0 0 8 † 3 166:06 1 2 0 14 5.06 89 0.843 0 0 1 2 Total 4845:07 32 40 8 353 4.37 2678 0.868 1 0 5 20 †Denotes player spent time with another team before joining the Penguins. Stats reflect time with the Penguins only. ‡Denotes player was traded mid-season. Stats reflect time with the Penguins only.
Awards and records Mario Lemieux, All-Star Game MVP National Hockey League Official Guide and Record Book 2006, p. 219, Dan Diamond & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, Mario Lemieux became the first person to score 800 points for the Penguins. He did so in a 4–3 win over Vancouver on January 4. Mario Lemieux established a new franchise record for goals (345). He broke the previous records of 316 held by Jean Pronovost. Paul Coffey established a franchise record for goals (74) by a defenseman. He broke the previous records of 66 held by both Ron Stackhouse and Randy Carlyle. Rod Buskas set a franchise record for penalty minutes (959). He had led the category since the previous season.
Transactions The Penguins were involved in the following transactions during the 1989–90 season:
Trades
September 14, 1989 To New York Rangers
Lee Giffin To Pittsburgh Penguins
future considerations October 24, 1989 To Vancouver Canucks
Rod Buskas To Pittsburgh Penguins
1990 6th round pick January 8, 1990 To Vancouver Canucks
Dave CapuanoAndrew McBainDan Quinn To Pittsburgh Penguins
Rod BuskasBarry PedersonTony Tanti February 26, 1990 To Vancouver Canucks
cash To Pittsburgh Penguins
Doug Smith March 6, 1990 To Edmonton Oilers
future considerations To Pittsburgh Penguins
Brian Wilks March 6, 1990 To Chicago Blackhawks
future considerations To Pittsburgh Penguins
Alain Chevrier
Free agents Player Acquired from Lost to Date Gilbert Delorme Detroit Red Wings June 28, 1989 Tim Tookey Philadelphia Flyers June 30, 1989 Chris Clifford Chicago Blackhawks September 6, 1989 Steve Dykstra Hartford Whalers October 9, 1989 Bryan Erickson Winnipeg Jets March 2, 1990
Signings Player Date Contract terms Gord Dineen June 27, 1989 Multi-year contract Phil Bourque June 27, 1989 Multi-year contract Troy Loney June 27, 1989 Multi-year contract Wendell Young June 30, 1989 Multi-year contract Mario Lemieux August 1, 1989 5 year/$10 million Rob Brown September 14, 1989 2 years Mike Needham June 5, 1990 Multi-year contract Paul Laus June 5, 1990 Multi-year contract
Other
Name Date Details John Welday July 29, 1989 Hired as strength and conditioning coach Gene Ubriaco December 5, 1989 Fired as head coach Tony Esposito December 5, 1989 Fired as GM Craig Patrick December 5, 1989 Hired as head coach/GM Gilles Meloche January 24, 1990 Hired as goaltending coach Craig Patrick June 12, 1990 Replaced as head coach (remained as GM) Bob Johnson June 12, 1990 Hired as head coach Scotty Bowman June 12, 1990 Hired as Director of development and recruitment Joe Dragon June 15, 1990 Supplemental draft pick Savo Mitrovic June 15, 1990 Supplemental draft pick
Draft picks
Pittsburgh Penguins' picks at the 1989 NHL entry draft.