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1991–92 Chicago Blackhawks season

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1991–92 Chicago Blackhawks
Campbell Conference champions
Division2nd Norris
Conference3rd Campbell
1991–92 record36–29–15
Home record23–9–8
Road record13–20–7
Goals for257
Goals against236
Team information
General managerMike Keenan
CoachMike Keenan
CaptainDirk Graham
Alternate captainsChris Chelios
Steve Larmer
ArenaChicago Stadium
Team leaders
GoalsJeremy Roenick (53)
AssistsJeremy Roenick (50)
PointsJeremy Roenick (103)
Penalty minutesMike Peluso (408)
Plus/minusChris Chelios (+24)
WinsEd Belfour (21)
Goals against averageDominik Hasek (2.60)

The 1991–92 Chicago Blackhawks season saw the Blackhawks finish second in the Norris Division with a record of 36 wins, 29 losses, and 15 ties for 87 points. They defeated the St. Louis Blues in six games in the Division Semi-finals and swept the first-place Detroit Red Wings in the Division Finals. After sweeping the Edmonton Oilers in the Campbell Conference Finals, the Blackhawks met the defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins in the Stanley Cup Finals. However, Chicago's luck ran out against Pittsburgh, as the Penguins swept them in four straight games to capture their second straight Stanley Cup championship.

Off-season

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Following the Blackhawks implosion in the first round of the 1991 playoffs, it was no surprise Mike Keenan made some major changes. The off-season saw the Blackhawks make a series of trades that parted ways with Doug Wilson, Troy Murray, Dave Manson, Wayne Presley, Adam Creighton, Steve Thomas and Greg Millen. In return the Hawks added Brent Sutter, Steve Smith, Bryan Marchment and Brad Lauer.

NHL Draft

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Round # Player Position Nationality College/Junior/Club team (League)
1 22 Dean McAmmond Center  Canada Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
2 39 Mike Pomichter Center  United States Springfield Olympics (NEJHL)
2 44 Jamie Matthews Center  Canada Sudbury Wolves (OHL)
3 66 Bobby House Right wing  Canada Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
4 71 Igor Kravchuk Defense  Soviet Union CSKA Moscow (USSR)
4 88 Zac Boyer Right wing  Canada Kamloops Blazers (WHL)
5 110 Maco Balkovec Defense  Canada Merritt Centennials (BCHL)
6 112 Kevin St. Jacques Left wing  Canada Lethbridge Broncos (WHL)
6 132 Jacques Auger Defense  Canada University of Wisconsin (WCHA)
7 154 Scott Kirton Right wing  Canada Powell River Paper Kings (BCHL)
8 176 Roch Belley Goaltender  Canada Niagara Falls Thunder (OHL)
9 198 Scott MacDonald Defense  United States Choate Rosemary Hall (USHS-CT)
10 220 Alexander Andrievsky Right wing  Soviet Union Dynamo Moscow (USSR)
11 242 Mike Larkin Defense  United States Rice Memorial High School (USHS-MA)
12 264 Scott Dean Defense  United States Lake Forest High School (USHS-IL)
S 28 Dan Gravelle Left wing  Canada Merrimack College (Hockey East)

Regular season

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Following their Presidents' Cup level play the prior year, the 1991-92 regular season was disappointing second-place finish with only 87 points (19 less than the prior year). The Blackhawks did, however, make the playoffs for their 23 consecutive season. The Blackhawks had the most power-play opportunities in the NHL, with 467.[1]

Offensively, the Hawks were led by center Jeremy Roenick in goals (53), assists (50) and scoring (103). This was Roenick's first of three straight 100 point seasons. Steve Larmer was second on the team in goals (29) and points (74). Chris Chelios was second on the team in assists (47) and tied with Steve Smith for the lead in goals (9) by a defenseman. Mike Peluso only played in 63 games, but was able to accumulate 408 minutes in the penalty box breaking Dave Manson's record.

Ed Belfour's multiple trophy season the year before virtually continued into the 1991–92 season despite being a contract holdout to begin the season. He also missed a brief spell in the second half of the season for personal reasons. This enabled Dominik Hasek to show flashes of the brilliance that would later define his Hall of Fame career. Hasek earned All-Rookie honors with a 10–4–1 record and a 2.60 GGA, while Belfour was 21–18–10 with a 2.70 GGA. The Hawks tried to get former first-rounder Jimmy Waite going during Belfour's holdout absence, however he could only produce a 4–7–4 record and a 3.69 GGA. Raymond LeBlanc, the ex-Team USA goalie, played one game in net, allowing only one goal in a win versus the San Jose Sharks.

Final standings

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Norris Division[2]
GP W L T GF GA Pts
Detroit Red Wings 80 43 25 12 320 256 98
Chicago Blackhawks 80 36 29 15 257 236 87
St. Louis Blues 80 36 33 11 279 266 83
Minnesota North Stars 80 32 42 6 246 278 70
Toronto Maple Leafs 80 30 43 7 234 294 67
Campbell Conference[3]
R Div GP W L T GF GA Pts
1 Detroit Red Wings NRS 80 43 25 12 320 256 98
2 Vancouver Canucks SMY 80 42 26 12 285 250 96
3 Chicago Blackhawks NRS 80 36 29 15 257 236 87
4 Los Angeles Kings SMY 80 35 31 14 287 296 84
5 St. Louis Blues NRS 80 36 33 11 279 266 83
6 Edmonton Oilers SMY 80 36 34 10 295 297 82
7 Winnipeg Jets SMY 80 33 32 15 251 244 81
8 Calgary Flames SMY 80 31 37 12 296 305 74
9 Minnesota North Stars NRS 80 32 42 6 246 278 70
10 Toronto Maple Leafs NRS 80 30 43 7 234 294 67
11 San Jose Sharks SMY 80 17 58 5 219 359 39

Divisions: NRS – Norris, SMY – Smythe
bold – Qualified for playoffs


Schedule and results

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No. R Date Score Opponent Record
1 T October 3, 1991 3–3 OT Detroit Red Wings (1991–92) 0–0–1
2 L October 5, 1991 2–4 @ Minnesota North Stars (1991–92) 0–1–1
3 L October 6, 1991 2–4 New Jersey Devils (1991–92) 0–2–1
4 W October 10, 1991 7–6 Vancouver Canucks (1991–92) 1–2–1
5 W October 12, 1991 7–2 @ Washington Capitals (1991–92) 2–2–1
6 W October 13, 1991 7–3 San Jose Sharks (1991–92) 3–2–1
7 W October 17, 1991 4–2 Edmonton Oilers (1991–92) 4–2–1
8 T October 19, 1991 4–4 OT @ St. Louis Blues (1991–92) 4–2–2
9 L October 20, 1991 1–4 St. Louis Blues (1991–92) 4–3–2
10 T October 22, 1991 4–4 OT @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1991–92) 4–3–3
11 L October 24, 1991 2–5 Calgary Flames (1991–92) 4–4–3
12 W October 26, 1991 4–2 @ Hartford Whalers (1991–92) 5–4–3
13 L October 27, 1991 3–6 Boston Bruins (1991–92) 5–5–3
14 W October 31, 1991 4–3 New York Islanders (1991–92) 6–5–3
15 L November 2, 1991 3–4 @ Minnesota North Stars (1991–92) 6–6–3
16 T November 3, 1991 4–4 OT Minnesota North Stars (1991–92) 6–6–4
17 W November 7, 1991 4–2 Quebec Nordiques (1991–92) 7–6–4
18 L November 9, 1991 2–4 @ Montreal Canadiens (1991–92) 7–7–4
19 W November 10, 1991 3–0 Hartford Whalers (1991–92) 8–7–4
20 W November 14, 1991 3–0 Toronto Maple Leafs (1991–92) 9–7–4
21 T November 16, 1991 2–2 OT @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1991–92) 9–7–5
22 W November 17, 1991 5–1 St. Louis Blues (1991–92) 10–7–5
23 L November 19, 1991 1–4 @ Detroit Red Wings (1991–92) 10–8–5
24 L November 22, 1991 0–2 @ Buffalo Sabres (1991–92) 10–9–5
25 L November 27, 1991 2–6 @ Edmonton Oilers (1991–92) 10–10–5
26 L November 29, 1991 2–5 @ Vancouver Canucks (1991–92) 10–11–5
27 L December 1, 1991 2–3 OT @ Winnipeg Jets (1991–92) 10–12–5
28 W December 5, 1991 6–2 Los Angeles Kings (1991–92) 11–12–5
29 W December 7, 1991 5–2 @ New York Islanders (1991–92) 12–12–5
30 W December 8, 1991 7–2 Minnesota North Stars (1991–92) 13–12–5
31 L December 10, 1991 3–5 @ Detroit Red Wings (1991–92) 13–13–5
32 T December 14, 1991 1–1 OT @ Philadelphia Flyers (1991–92) 13–13–6
33 T December 15, 1991 4–4 OT Philadelphia Flyers (1991–92) 13–13–7
34 W December 19, 1991 6–4 Montreal Canadiens (1991–92) 14–13–7
35 T December 21, 1991 1–1 OT @ New Jersey Devils (1991–92) 14–13–8
36 W December 22, 1991 5–2 St. Louis Blues (1991–92) 15–13–8
37 L December 26, 1991 1–3 @ St. Louis Blues (1991–92) 15–14–8
38 T December 27, 1991 3–3 OT Winnipeg Jets (1991–92) 15–14–9
39 L December 29, 1991 4–6 Detroit Red Wings (1991–92) 15–15–9
40 L December 31, 1991 2–6 @ Minnesota North Stars (1991–92) 15–16–9
41 L January 2, 1992 3–4 New York Rangers (1991–92) 15–17–9
42 W January 4, 1992 4–2 @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1991–92) 16–17–9
43 W January 5, 1992 5–2 Minnesota North Stars (1991–92) 17–17–9
44 W January 9, 1992 2–0 Toronto Maple Leafs (1991–92) 18–17–9
45 L January 10, 1992 2–6 @ Winnipeg Jets (1991–92) 18–18–9
46 W January 12, 1992 4–2 Washington Capitals (1991–92) 19–18–9
47 T January 14, 1992 1–1 OT @ Philadelphia Flyers (1991–92) 19–18–10
48 W January 16, 1992 4–0 Toronto Maple Leafs (1991–92) 20–18–10
49 W January 23, 1992 4–2 Quebec Nordiques (1991–92) 21–18–10
50 W January 25, 1992 2–0 @ Minnesota North Stars (1991–92) 22–18–10
51 W January 27, 1992 4–3 OT @ Calgary Flames (1991–92) 23–18–10
52 W January 29, 1992 4–3 @ Edmonton Oilers (1991–92) 24–18–10
53 L January 30, 1992 1–4 @ Vancouver Canucks (1991–92) 24–19–10
54 L February 1, 1992 0–2 @ Los Angeles Kings (1991–92) 24–20–10
55 L February 5, 1992 2–5 @ San Jose Sharks (1991–92) 24–21–10
56 W February 8, 1992 3–1 @ St. Louis Blues (1991–92) 25–21–10
57 T February 13, 1992 2–2 OT Los Angeles Kings (1991–92) 25–21–11
58 T February 16, 1992 5–5 OT Calgary Flames (1991–92) 25–21–12
59 T February 20, 1992 4–4 OT New Jersey Devils (1991–92) 25–21–13
60 L February 22, 1992 1–2 @ Detroit Red Wings (1991–92) 25–22–13
61 W February 23, 1992 4–2 St. Louis Blues (1991–92) 26–22–13
62 L February 25, 1992 1–4 @ New York Rangers (1991–92) 26–23–13
63 W February 27, 1992 4–2 Detroit Red Wings (1991–92) 27–23–13
64 L February 29, 1992 5–6 OT @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1991–92) 27–24–13
65 W March 1, 1992 3–1 @ Buffalo Sabres (1991–92) 28–24–13
66 T March 5, 1992 4–4 OT New York Islanders (1991–92) 28–24–14
67 W March 7, 1992 2–1 @ Boston Bruins (1991–92) 29–24–14
68 W March 8, 1992 4–0 Boston Bruins (1991–92) 30–24–14
69 W March 10, 1992 5–1 San Jose Sharks (1991–92) 31–24–14
70 L March 11, 1992 1–7 @ New York Rangers (1991–92) 31–25–14
71 L March 15, 1992 3–4 Pittsburgh Penguins (1991–92) 31–26–14
72 W March 19, 1992 4–1 Minnesota North Stars (1991–92) 32–26–14
73 W March 21, 1992 3–1 @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1991–92) 33–26–14
74 L March 22, 1992 2–6 Buffalo Sabres (1991–92) 33–27–14
75 W March 26, 1992 5–4 OT @ Quebec Nordiques (1991–92) 34–27–14
76 W March 28, 1992 3–1 @ Hartford Whalers (1991–92) 35–27–14
77 W March 29, 1992 5–1 Toronto Maple Leafs (1991–92) 36–27–14
78 T March 31, 1992 3–3 OT @ Detroit Red Wings (1991–92) 36–27–15
79 L April 12, 1992 1–2 Detroit Red Wings (1991–92) 36–28–15
80 L April 14, 1992 3–5 @ St. Louis Blues (1991–92) 36–29–15

[4]

Player statistics

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Skaters

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Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/- = Plus/minus; PIM = Penalty minutes

Player GP G A Pts +/- PIM
Jeremy Roenick 80 53 50 103 +23 98
Steve Larmer 80 29 45 74 +10 65
Michel Goulet 75 22 41 63 +20 69
Chris Chelios 80 9 47 56 +24 245
Brent Sutter 61 18 32 50 -5 30
Dirk Graham 80 17 30 47 -5 89

Goaltenders

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Note: GP = Games played; TOI = Time on ice (minutes); W = Wins; L = Losses; OT = Overtime losses; GA = Goals against; SO = Shutouts; SV% = Save percentage; GAA = Goals against average

Player GP TOI W L OT GA SO SV% GAA

Playoffs

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The Blackhawks began the playoffs against their rival the St. Louis Blues. After splitting the first two in Chicago, the Hawks would go on the road and lose a thriller in double-OT to find themselves down 1–2. The Blackhawks would win the last three games to close out the Blues in six games, and started a playoff winning streak

Apr 18, 1992 - CHI 3-STL 1

Apr 20, 1992 - CHI 3-STL 5

Apr 22, 1992 - STL 5-CHI 4 (OT)

Apr 24, 1992 - STL 3-CHI 5

Apr 26, 1992 - CHI 6-STL 4

Apr 28, 1992 - STL 1-CHI 2

The Blackhawks then took on the Detroit Red Wings, and kept the winning streak going by sweeping the Red Wings to advance to the Campbell Conference Finals

May 2, 1992 - DET 1-CHI 2

May 4, 1992 - DET 1-CHI 3

May 6, 1992 - CHI 5-DET 4

May 8, 1992 - CHI 1-DET 0

Conference finals

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In the Conference Final, the Blackhawks faced the Edmonton Oilers for the fourth time in ten years. The Oilers had won all three previous matchups in 1983, 1985, and 1990. But this time around, with many of the players from the Oilers dynasty long gone, the Blackhawks kept their playoff winning streak going sweeping Edmonton in four games. The Blackhawks totally dominated the Oilers, outscoring them 21–8. The streak now reached 11 games (all with Belfour in net setting a Hawks playoff record for consecutive playoff wins by a goalie). The Hawks would be in the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since 1973.

Campbell Conference
Chicago vs. Edmonton
Date Away Home
May 16 Edmonton 2 8 Chicago
May 18 Edmonton 2 4 Chicago
May 20 Chicago 4 3 Edmonton OT
May 22 Chicago 5 1 Edmonton
Chicago wins series 4–0 and
Clarence S. Campbell Bowl

Stanley Cup finals

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The Blackhawks were facing Mario Lemieux and the defending champion Pittsburgh Penguins, who also swept their way into the Finals beating the Bruins. Lemieux proved to be too much for the Hawks, sweeping them en route to his second Conn Smythe Trophy.

Pittsburgh vs. Chicago
Date Away Score Home Score
Tue, May 26 Chicago 4 Pittsburgh 5
Thu, May 28 Chicago 1 Pittsburgh 3
Sat, May 30 Pittsburgh 1 Chicago 0
Mon, June 1 Pittsburgh 6 Chicago 5
Pittsburgh wins series 4–0 and Stanley Cup

Impact on the NBA Finals

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The Chicago Bulls were in the NBA Finals in 1992, but were successful as they repeated as NBA champions, defeating the Portland Trail Blazers in six games. This was the only year that both the Bulls and the Blackhawks reached their respective league's finals in the same year.

Awards and records

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References

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  1. ^ "1991-92 NHL Summary". Hockey-Reference.com.
  2. ^ "1991-1992 Division Standings". National Hockey League. Retrieved March 25, 2012.
  3. ^ "1991-1992 Conference Standings Standings - NHL.com - Standings". NHL.
  4. ^ "1991–92 Chicago Blackhawks Games". Hockey-reference.com. Retrieved June 16, 2009.

Sources

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