1991–92 Chicago Blackhawks season

1991–92 Chicago Blackhawks
Campbell Conference Champions
Division 2nd Norris
Conference 3rd Campbell
1991–92 record 36–29–15
Home record 23–9–8
Road record 13–20–7
Goals for 257
Goals against 236
Team information
General Manager Mike Keenan
Coach Mike Keenan
Captain Dirk Graham
Alternate captains Chris Chelios
Steve Larmer
Arena Chicago Stadium
Team leaders
Goals Jeremy Roenick (53)
Assists Jeremy Roenick (50)
Points Jeremy Roenick (103)
Penalties in minutes Mike Peluso (408)
Wins Ed Belfour (21)
Goals against average Dominik Hasek (2.60)
<1990–91 1992–93>

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.

Offseason

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

NHL Draft

Round # Player Position Nationality College/Junior/Club Team (League)

Regular season

Following their President's Cup level play the prior year, the 1991-92 regular season was disappointing second place finish with only 87 points (14 less than the prior year). The Blackhawks did 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 in goals (53), assists (50) and scoring (103). This was Roenick 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.

In goal, Eddie Belfour's multiple trophy season the year before did not prevent Domineck Hasek from competing for and earning his share of net time. Hasek earned All-Rookie honors with a 10-4-1 record and a 2.60 GGA, while Belfour was 21-18-10 with a 2.7 GGA. The Hawks were still trying to get former first-rounder Jimmy Waite going, however he had a 4-7-4 record and a 3.69 GGA. Raymond LeBlanc, the ex-Team USA goalie, played one game in net, allowing only 1 goal in the win.

Final standings

Norris Division[2]
GP W L T GF GA Pts
1 Detroit Red Wings 80 43 25 12 320 256 98
2 Chicago Blackhawks 80 36 29 15 257 236 87
3 St Louis Blues 80 36 33 11 279 266 83
4 Minnesota North Stars 80 32 42 6 246 278 70
5 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

No. R Date Score Opponent Record
1TOctober 3, 19913–3 OT Detroit Red Wings (1991–92) 0–0–1
2LOctober 5, 19912–4 @ Minnesota North Stars (1991–92) 0–1–1
3LOctober 6, 19912–4 New Jersey Devils (1991–92) 0–2–1
4WOctober 10, 19917–6 Vancouver Canucks (1991–92) 1–2–1
5WOctober 12, 19917–2 @ Washington Capitals (1991–92) 2–2–1
6WOctober 13, 19917–3 San Jose Sharks (1991–92) 3–2–1
7WOctober 17, 19914–2 Edmonton Oilers (1991–92) 4–2–1
8TOctober 19, 19914–4 OT @ St. Louis Blues (1991–92) 4–2–2
9LOctober 20, 19911–4 St. Louis Blues (1991–92) 4–3–2
10TOctober 22, 19914–4 OT @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1991–92) 4–3–3
11LOctober 24, 19912–5 Calgary Flames (1991–92) 4–4–3
12WOctober 26, 19914–2 @ Hartford Whalers (1991–92) 5–4–3
13LOctober 27, 19913–6 Boston Bruins (1991–92) 5–5–3
14WOctober 31, 19914–3 New York Islanders (1991–92) 6–5–3
15LNovember 2, 19913–4 @ Minnesota North Stars (1991–92) 6–6–3
16TNovember 3, 19914–4 OT Minnesota North Stars (1991–92) 6–6–4
17WNovember 7, 19914–2 Quebec Nordiques (1991–92) 7–6–4
18LNovember 9, 19912–4 @ Montreal Canadiens (1991–92) 7–7–4
19WNovember 10, 19913–0 Hartford Whalers (1991–92) 8–7–4
20WNovember 14, 19913–0 Toronto Maple Leafs (1991–92) 9–7–4
21TNovember 16, 19912–2 OT @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1991–92) 9–7–5
22WNovember 17, 19915–1 St. Louis Blues (1991–92) 10–7–5
23LNovember 19, 19911–4 @ Detroit Red Wings (1991–92) 10–8–5
24LNovember 22, 19910–2 @ Buffalo Sabres (1991–92) 10–9–5
25LNovember 27, 19912–6 @ Edmonton Oilers (1991–92) 10–10–5
26LNovember 29, 19912–5 @ Vancouver Canucks (1991–92) 10–11–5
27LDecember 1, 19912–3 OT @ Winnipeg Jets (1991–92) 10–12–5
28WDecember 5, 19916–2 Los Angeles Kings (1991–92) 11–12–5
29WDecember 7, 19915–2 @ New York Islanders (1991–92) 12–12–5
30WDecember 8, 19917–2 Minnesota North Stars (1991–92) 13–12–5
31LDecember 10, 19913–5 @ Detroit Red Wings (1991–92) 13–13–5
32TDecember 14, 19911–1 OT @ Philadelphia Flyers (1991–92) 13–13–6
33TDecember 15, 19914–4 OT Philadelphia Flyers (1991–92) 13–13–7
34WDecember 19, 19916–4 Montreal Canadiens (1991–92) 14–13–7
35TDecember 21, 19911–1 OT @ New Jersey Devils (1991–92) 14–13–8
36WDecember 22, 19915–2 St. Louis Blues (1991–92) 15–13–8
37LDecember 26, 19911–3 @ St. Louis Blues (1991–92) 15–14–8
38TDecember 27, 19913–3 OT Winnipeg Jets (1991–92) 15–14–9
39LDecember 29, 19914–6 Detroit Red Wings (1991–92) 15–15–9
40LDecember 31, 19912–6 @ Minnesota North Stars (1991–92) 15–16–9
41LJanuary 2, 19923–4 New York Rangers (1991–92) 15–17–9
42WJanuary 4, 19924–2 @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1991–92) 16–17–9
43WJanuary 5, 19925–2 Minnesota North Stars (1991–92) 17–17–9
44WJanuary 9, 19922–0 Toronto Maple Leafs (1991–92) 18–17–9
45LJanuary 10, 19922–6 @ Winnipeg Jets (1991–92) 18–18–9
46WJanuary 12, 19924–2 Washington Capitals (1991–92) 19–18–9
47TJanuary 14, 19921–1 OT @ Philadelphia Flyers (1991–92) 19–18–10
48WJanuary 16, 19924–0 Toronto Maple Leafs (1991–92) 20–18–10
49WJanuary 23, 19924–2 Quebec Nordiques (1991–92) 21–18–10
50WJanuary 25, 19922–0 @ Minnesota North Stars (1991–92) 22–18–10
51WJanuary 27, 19924–3 OT @ Calgary Flames (1991–92) 23–18–10
52WJanuary 29, 19924–3 @ Edmonton Oilers (1991–92) 24–18–10
53LJanuary 30, 19921–4 @ Vancouver Canucks (1991–92) 24–19–10
54LFebruary 1, 19920–2 @ Los Angeles Kings (1991–92) 24–20–10
55LFebruary 5, 19922–5 @ San Jose Sharks (1991–92) 24–21–10
56WFebruary 8, 19923–1 @ St. Louis Blues (1991–92) 25–21–10
57TFebruary 13, 19922–2 OT Los Angeles Kings (1991–92) 25–21–11
58TFebruary 16, 19925–5 OT Calgary Flames (1991–92) 25–21–12
59TFebruary 20, 19924–4 OT New Jersey Devils (1991–92) 25–21–13
60LFebruary 22, 19921–2 @ Detroit Red Wings (1991–92) 25–22–13
61WFebruary 23, 19924–2 St. Louis Blues (1991–92) 26–22–13
62LFebruary 25, 19921–4 @ New York Rangers (1991–92) 26–23–13
63WFebruary 27, 19924–2 Detroit Red Wings (1991–92) 27–23–13
64LFebruary 29, 19925–6 OT @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1991–92) 27–24–13
65WMarch 1, 19923–1 @ Buffalo Sabres (1991–92) 28–24–13
66TMarch 5, 19924–4 OT New York Islanders (1991–92) 28–24–14
67WMarch 7, 19922–1 @ Boston Bruins (1991–92) 29–24–14
68WMarch 8, 19924–0 Boston Bruins (1991–92) 30–24–14
69WMarch 10, 19925–1 San Jose Sharks (1991–92) 31–24–14
70LMarch 11, 19921–7 @ New York Rangers (1991–92) 31–25–14
71LMarch 15, 19923–4 Pittsburgh Penguins (1991–92) 31–26–14
72WMarch 19, 19924–1 Minnesota North Stars (1991–92) 32–26–14
73WMarch 21, 19923–1 @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1991–92) 33–26–14
74LMarch 22, 19922–6 Buffalo Sabres (1991–92) 33–27–14
75WMarch 26, 19925–4 OT @ Quebec Nordiques (1991–92) 34–27–14
76WMarch 28, 19923–1 @ Hartford Whalers (1991–92) 35–27–14
77WMarch 29, 19925–1 Toronto Maple Leafs (1991–92) 36–27–14
78TMarch 31, 19923–3 OT @ Detroit Red Wings (1991–92) 36–27–15
79LApril 12, 19921–2 Detroit Red Wings (1991–92) 36–28–15
80LApril 14, 19923–5 @ St. Louis Blues (1991–92) 36–29–15

[4]

Player statistics

Skaters

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

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

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

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, outsourcing 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

The Blackhawks were facing Mario Lemieux and the defending champion Pittsburgh Penguin, 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 Pittsburgh5
Thu, May 28 Chicago 1 Pittsburgh3
Sat, May 30 Pittsburgh 1 Chicago0
Mon, June 1 Pittsburgh6 Chicago5
Pittsburgh wins series 4–0 and Stanley Cup

Impact on the NBA Finals

See also: 1992 NBA Finals

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 6 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

All-Star Game

References