1981–82 Pittsburgh Penguins season

The 1981–82 Pittsburgh Penguins season was their 15th in the National Hockey League (NHL). The qualified for the playoffs for the fourth straight year, but lost in the opening round to the eventual Stanley Cup champion New York Islanders three games to two. This would be the Penguins last playoff appearance until 1989.

Regular season

Final standings

Record vs. opponents

Schedule and results

| 1 || Oct 6 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–6 || St. Louis Blues || The Checkerdome || 0–1–0 || 0

| 2 || Oct 7 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 5–5 || Chicago Black Hawks || Chicago Stadium || 0–1–1 || 1

| 3 || Oct 10 || Quebec Nordiques || 1–2 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 1–1–1 || 3

| 4 || Oct 11 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–8 || Philadelphia Flyers || The Spectrum || 1–2–1 || 3

| 5 || Oct 14 || New York Islanders || 4–1 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 1–3–1 || 3

| 6 || Oct 17 || Minnesota North Stars || 2–5 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 2–3–1 || 5

| 7 || Oct 18 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–3 || Detroit Red Wings || Joe Louis Arena || 2–4–1 || 5

| 8 || Oct 20 || Colorado Rockies || 3–5 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 3–4–1 || 7

| 9 || Oct 22 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–3 || Calgary Flames || Stampede Corral || 3–4–2 || 8

| 10 || Oct 23 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–8 || Edmonton Oilers || Northlands Coliseum || 3–5–2 || 8

| 11 || Oct 25 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 6–4 || Vancouver Canucks || Pacific Coliseum || 4–5–2 || 10

| 12 || Oct 28 || Toronto Maple Leafs || 5–3 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 4–6–2 || 10

| 13 || Oct 29 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 4–6 || Philadelphia Flyers || The Spectrum || 4–7–2 || 10

| 14 || Oct 31 || Buffalo Sabres || 1–3 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 5–7–2 || 12

| 15 || Nov 4 || New York Rangers || 3–6 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 6–7–2 || 14

| 16 || Nov 7 || Philadelphia Flyers || 2–7 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 7–7–2 || 16

| 17 || Nov 11 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–2 || Washington Capitals || Capital Centre || 8–7–2 || 18

| 18 || Nov 14 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–3 || Boston Bruins || Boston Garden || 8–7–3 || 19

| 19 || Nov 18 || St. Louis Blues || 1–6 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 9–7–3 || 21

| 20 || Nov 20 || Toronto Maple Leafs || 3–3 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 9–7–4 || 22

| 21 || Nov 21 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 5–9 || Montreal Canadiens || Montreal Forum || 9–8–4 || 22

| 22 || Nov 24 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 7–1 || Quebec Nordiques || Quebec Coliseum || 10–8–4 || 24

| 23 || Nov 25 || Montreal Canadiens || 1–2 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 11–8–4 || 26

| 24 || Nov 28 || Detroit Red Wings || 3–5 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 12–8–4 || 28

| 25 || Dec 2 || Winnipeg Jets || 2–4 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 13–8–4 || 30

| 26 || Dec 5 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 1–3 || St. Louis Blues || The Checkerdome || 13–9–4 || 30

| 27 || Dec 6 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 4–7 || Buffalo Sabres || Buffalo Memorial Auditorium || 13–10–4 || 30

| 28 || Dec 9 || Philadelphia Flyers || 4–1 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 13–11–4 || 30

| 29 || Dec 12 || Washington Capitals || 4–7 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 14–11–4 || 32

| 30 || Dec 14 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 4–5 || New York Rangers || Madison Square Garden (IV) || 14–12–4 || 32

| 31 || Dec 16 || Los Angeles Kings || 6–7 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 15–12–4 || 34

| 32 || Dec 19 || New York Rangers || 3–3 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 15–12–5 || 35

| 33 || Dec 20 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 1–3 || Philadelphia Flyers || The Spectrum || 15–13–5 || 35

| 34 || Dec 23 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 4–4 || Toronto Maple Leafs || Maple Leaf Gardens || 15–13–6 || 36

| 35 || Dec 26 || Buffalo Sabres || 7–5 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 15–14–6 || 36

| 36 || Dec 27 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–5 || New York Rangers || Madison Square Garden (IV) || 15–15–6 || 36

| 37 || Dec 30 || Washington Capitals || 2–6 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 16–15–6 || 38

| 38 || Jan 2 || Hartford Whalers || 4–9 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 17–15–6 || 40

| 39 || Jan 3 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 6–4 || Hartford Whalers || XL Center || 18–15–6 || 42

| 40 || Jan 6 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–6 || Chicago Black Hawks || Chicago Stadium || 18–16–6 || 42

| 41 || Jan 7 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 4–5 || Detroit Red Wings || Joe Louis Arena || 18–17–6 || 42

| 42 || Jan 9 || Vancouver Canucks || 3–4 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 19–17–6 || 44

| 43 || Jan 13 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 1–6 || Winnipeg Jets || Winnipeg Arena || 19–18–6 || 44

| 44 || Jan 16 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 0–4 || Calgary Flames || Stampede Corral || 19–19–6 || 44

| 45 || Jan 17 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–3 || Vancouver Canucks || Pacific Coliseum || 19–19–7 || 45

| 46 || Jan 20 || Boston Bruins || 4–5 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 20–19–7 || 47

| 47 || Jan 21 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 1–6 || New York Islanders || Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum || 20–20–7 || 47

| 48 || Jan 23 || Philadelphia Flyers || 5–5 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 20–20–8 || 48

| 49 || Jan 26 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–9 || New York Islanders || Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum || 20–21–8 || 48

| 50 || Jan 27 || New York Islanders || 6–3 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 20–22–8 || 48

| 51 || Jan 30 || Winnipeg Jets || 1–2 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 21–22–8 || 50

| 52 || Jan 31 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–8 || Washington Capitals || Capital Centre || 21–23–8 || 50

| 53 || Feb 3 || Minnesota North Stars || 9–6 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 21–24–8 || 50

| 54 || Feb 6 || Washington Capitals || 6–4 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 21–25–8 || 50

| 55 || Feb 7 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 4–5 || Philadelphia Flyers || The Spectrum || 21–26–8 || 50

| 56 || Feb 10 || Hartford Whalers || 3–3 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 21–26–9 || 51

| 57 || Feb 11 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–4 || Montreal Canadiens || Montreal Forum || 21–27–9 || 51

| 58 || Feb 13 || Los Angeles Kings || 3–3 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 21–27–10 || 52

| 59 || Feb 16 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–6 || New York Islanders || Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum || 21–28–10 || 52

| 60 || Feb 17 || New York Rangers || 5–3 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 21–29–10 || 52

| 61 || Feb 20 || Philadelphia Flyers || 5–6 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 22–29–10 || 54

| 62 || Feb 21 || New York Islanders || 3–4 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 23–29–10 || 56

| 63 || Feb 25 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–4 || New York Islanders || Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum || 23–30–10 || 56

| 64 || Feb 27 || Edmonton Oilers || 4–1 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 23–31–10 || 56

| 65 || Feb 28 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 4–2 || New York Rangers || Madison Square Garden (IV) || 24–31–10 || 58

| 66 || Mar 3 || Boston Bruins || 3–2 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 24–32–10 || 58

| 67 || Mar 6 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 6–4 || Quebec Nordiques || Quebec Coliseum || 25–32–10 || 60

| 68 || Mar 7 || Calgary Flames || 4–4 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 25–32–11 || 61

| 69 || Mar 10 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 7–2 || Washington Capitals || Capital Centre || 26–32–11 || 63

| 70 || Mar 13 || Colorado Rockies || 2–6 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 27–32–11 || 65

| 71 || Mar 15 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–4 || Minnesota North Stars || Met Center || 27–33–11 || 65

| 72 || Mar 17 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 4–10 || Edmonton Oilers || Northlands Coliseum || 27–34–11 || 65

| 73 || Mar 20 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 5–7 || Los Angeles Kings || The Forum || 27–35–11 || 65

| 74 || Mar 21 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 6–0 || Colorado Rockies || McNichols Sports Arena || 28–35–11 || 67

| 75 || Mar 24 || New York Rangers || 7–2 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 28–36–11 || 67

| 76 || Mar 27 || Chicago Black Hawks || 3–3 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 28–36–12 || 68

| 77 || Mar 28 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 6–5 || Washington Capitals || Capital Centre || 29–36–12 || 70

| 78 || Mar 31 || Washington Capitals || 4–4 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 29–36–13 || 71

| 79 || Apr 2 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 7–5 || New York Rangers || Madison Square Garden (IV) || 30–36–13 || 73

| 80 || Apr 4 || New York Islanders || 2–7 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 31–36–13 || 75

Legend:

Playoffs The Penguins lost in the division semi-final round (3–2) versus the New York Islanders.

Player statistics Skaters

+ Regular season Player 71 33 52 85 8 73 11 64 75 131 80 23 51 74 230 59 36 33 69 28 75 36 27 63 91 71 22 31 53 45 76 9 34 43 409 78 15 24 39 125 77 7 31 38 2 322 74 18 16 34 98 † 40 13 12 25 28 38 10 15 25 12 58 11 10 21 9 35 35 9 12 21 3 42 ‡ 46 10 11 21 30 76 2 19 21 102 26 9 9 18 4 16 6 8 14 0 14 42 6 8 14 55 † 18 8 5 13 5 4 14 4 8 12 14 † 25 4 6 10 16 ‡ 27 1 7 8 76 11 5 3 8 2 2 60 1 6 7 63 10 1 4 5 6 4 23 0 2 2 49 ‡ 31 0 1 1 98 4 0 0 0 4 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 16 0 0 0 55 Total 310 509 819 — 2,196

+ Playoffs Player 5 1 5 6 0 2 5 2 3 5 0 2 5 1 3 4 0 16 5 3 1 4 0 8 5 1 2 3 0 0 5 0 3 3 0 6 5 2 1 3 0 8 5 1 1 2 0 0 5 1 1 2 0 4 5 1 1 2 0 5 5 0 1 1 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 11 4 0 0 0 0 2 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 14 3 0 0 0 0 4 2 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 28 Total 13 22 35 — 110

Goaltenders + Regular Season Player 62 25 24 12 226 0 † 6 3 2 1 22 1 ‡ 13 3 7 0 64 0 3 0 3 0 14 0 Total 31 36 13 326 1 + Playoffs Player 5 2 3 0 22 0 Total 2 3 0 22 0 †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 Paul Baxter became the first Penguins player to receive 400 penalty minutes in a season. He did so in a 7–2 loss to New York on April 4, finishing the season with 409 PIMs. Mike Bullard established a new franchise rookie record for goals with 36. He topped the previous high of 31 held by Pierre Larouche. Ron Stackhouse established a franchise record for goals (66), assists (277) and points (343) by a defenseman. He had led in all categories since the mid-1970s.

Transactions

The Penguins were involved in the following transactions during the 1981–82 season:

Trades

September 11, 1981 To Toronto Maple Leafs

1982 4th round pick (Vladimir Růžička) To Pittsburgh Penguins

Paul Harrison September 28, 1981 To New York Islanders

Rob Holland To Pittsburgh Penguins

future considerations December 29, 1981 To Hartford Whalers

Russ Anderson1983 8th round pick (Christian Duperron) To Pittsburgh Penguins

Rick MacLeish February 3, 1982 To Toronto Maple Leafs

1983 5th round pick(Dan Hodgson)future considerations (1982 6th round pick--Craig Kales) To Pittsburgh Penguins

Greg Hotham February 14, 1982 To St. Louis Blues

1984 8th round pick (Don Porter) To Pittsburgh Penguins

right to claim Gary Edwards off waivers from Blues without having to pay a cash waiver price March 2, 1982 To Minnesota North Stars

Mark Johnson To Pittsburgh Penguins

1982 2nd round pick (Tim Hrynewich)

Additions and subtractions