1981–82 Pittsburgh Penguins season

The 1981–82 Pittsburgh Penguins season was their 15th in the National Hockey League. 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.

1981–82 Pittsburgh Penguins
Division4th Patrick
Conference8th Wales
1981–82 record31-36-13
Goals for310
Goals against337
Team information
General managerBaz Bastien
CoachEddie Johnston
CaptainRandy Carlyle
Alternate captainsNone
ArenaPittsburgh Civic Arena
Average attendance11,299
Team leaders
GoalsPaul Gardner &
Mike Bullard (36)
AssistsRandy Carlyle (64)
PointsRick Kehoe (85)
Penalty minutesPaul Baxter (409)
WinsMichel Dion (25)
Goals against averageGary Edwards (3.67)

Regular season

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Final standings

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Patrick Division
  GP W L T GF GA PTS
New York Islanders 80 54 16 10 385 250 118
New York Rangers 80 39 27 14 316 306 92
Philadelphia Flyers 80 38 31 11 325 313 87
Pittsburgh Penguins 80 31 36 13 310 337 75
Washington Capitals 80 26 41 13 319 338 65

[1]Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against
Note: Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold.

Record vs. opponents

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Patrick Division record vs. opponents

Vs. Wales Conference

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Vs. Campbell Conference

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Schedule and results

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1981–82 Schedule
October: 5–7–2 (Home: 4–2–0 ; Road: 1–5–2), 12 Points
# Date Visitor Score Home Location Record Points
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
November: 7–1–2 (Home: 5–0–1 ; Road: 2–1–1), 16 Points
# Date Visitor Score Home Location Record Points
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
December: 4–7–2 (Home: 4–2–1 ; Road: 0–5–1), 10 Points
# Date Visitor Score Home Location Record Points
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
January: 5–8–2 (Home: 4–1–1 ; Road: 1–7–1), 12 Points
# Date Visitor Score Home Location Record Points
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
February: 3–8–2 (Home: 2–4–2 ; Road: 1–4–0), 8 Points
# Date Visitor Score Home Location Record Points
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
March: 5–5–3 (Home: 1–2–3 ; Road: 4–3–0), 13 Points
# Date Visitor Score Home Location Record Points
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
April: 2–0–0 (Home: 1–0–0 ; Road: 1–0–0), 4 Points
# Date Visitor Score Home Location Record Points
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:        = Win        = Loss        = Tie

Playoffs

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


April 7 Pittsburgh Penguins 1–8 New York Islanders Nassau Coliseum
April 8 Pittsburgh Penguins 2–7 New York Islanders Nassau Coliseum
April 10 New York Islanders 1–2 OT Pittsburgh Penguins Pittsburgh Civic Arena
April 11 New York Islanders 2–5 Pittsburgh Penguins Pittsburgh Civic Arena
April 13 Pittsburgh Penguins 3–4 OT New York Islanders Nassau Coliseum
New York won series 3–2


Player statistics

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Skaters
Goaltenders
Regular Season[5]
Player GP W L T GA SO
Michel Dion 62 25 24 12 226 0
Gary Edwards 6 3 2 1 22 1
Paul Harrison 13 3 7 0 64 0
Nick Ricci 3 0 3 0 14 0
Total 31 36 13 326 1
Playoffs[6]
Player GP W L T GA SO
Michel Dion 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

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  • 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

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

Trades

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September 11, 1981 To Toronto Maple Leafs

1982 4th round pick

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 Anderson
1983 8th round pick

To Pittsburgh Penguins

Rick MacLeish

February 3, 1982 To Toronto Maple Leafs

1983 5th round pick
future considerations (1982 6th round pick)

To Pittsburgh Penguins

Greg Hotham

February 14, 1982 To St. Louis Blues

1984 8th round pick

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

Additions and subtractions

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Additions
Player Former team Via
Pat Boutette Hartford Whalers compensation for signing of Greg Millen (1981-06-29)
Kevin McClelland Hartford Whalers compensation for signing of Greg Millen (1981-06-29)
Michel Dion Winnipeg Jets free agency (1981-06-30)
Paul Mulvey Washington Capitals compensation for signing of Orest Kindrachuk (1981-09-04)
Bobby Simpson St. Louis Blues free agency (1981-10-01)
Gary Edwards St. Louis Blues waivers (1982-02-14)
Andre St. Laurent Los Angeles Kings waivers (1982-02-23)
Subtractions
Player New team Via
Greg Millen Hartford Whalers free agency (1981-06-15)
Orest Kindrachuk Washington Capitals free agency (1981-09-04)
Paul Mulvey Los Angeles Kings waivers (1981-12-30)
Paul Harrison St. Louis Blues waivers (1982-02-08)

Draft picks

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The 1981 NHL Entry Draft was held on June 10, 1981, in Montreal.[7]

Round # Player Pos Nationality College/Junior/Club team (League)
2 28 Steve Gatzos Right Wing   Canada Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
3 49 Tom Thornbury Right Wing   Canada Niagara Falls Flyers (OHL)
4 70 Norm Schmidt Defense   Canada Oshawa Generals (OHL)
6 109 Paul Edwards Defense   Canada Oshawa Generals (OHL)
6 112 Rod Buskas Defense   Canada Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
7 133 Geoff Wilson Left Wing   Canada Winnipeg Warriors (WHL)
8 154 Mitch Lamoureux Center   Canada Oshawa Generals (OHL)
9 175 Dean DeFazio Left Wing   Canada Brantford Alexanders (OHL)
10 196 David Hannan Center   Canada Brantford Alexanders (OHL)

References

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  1. ^ Dinger, Ralph, ed. (2011). The National Hockey League Official Guide & Record Book 2012. Dan Diamond & Associates. p. 152. ISBN 9781894801225.
  2. ^ "All-Time NHL Results". NHL.com. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  3. ^ "1981–1982 – Regular Season – Pittsburgh Penguins – All Skaters – Summary – Points – NHL.com – Stats". NHL.
  4. ^ "1981–1982 – Playoffs – Pittsburgh Penguins – All Skaters – Summary – Points – NHL.com – Stats". NHL.
  5. ^ "1981–1982 – Regular Season – Pittsburgh Penguins – Goalie – Summary – Wins – NHL.com – Stats". NHL.
  6. ^ "1981–1982 – Playoffs – Pittsburgh Penguins – Goalie – Summary – Wins – NHL.com – Stats". NHL.
  7. ^ "NHL Entry Draft Year by Year Results". NHL. Retrieved June 27, 2014.