This day in Penguin history: Francis steps up

TL;DR

On May 9, 1992, Ron Francis led the Pittsburgh Penguins to a crucial overtime victory against the New York Rangers, tying the series at 2-2. This win marked the beginning of an 11-game winning streak that culminated in the Penguins reclaiming the Stanley Cup.

Key points

Ron Francis scored a hat trick in overtime on May 9, 1992.
The Penguins tied the series against the Rangers at 2-2.
This victory initiated an 11-game winning streak for the Penguins.
Mario Lemieux and Joe Mullen were key players missing due to injuries.
The Penguins went on to win the Stanley Cup that season.

Pittsburgh PenguinsNew York RangersStanley Cup

E.RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - APRIL 13: Ron Francis, of the Pittsburgh Penguins, carries the puck out of their zone during their game with the New Jersey Devils in East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States on April 13, 1992. (Photo by Steve Crandall/Getty Images) | Getty Images (Wrote this for tomorrow, and then realized the date was wrong. So pull up a chair for some bonus history content..) **1992: Ronnie tips the balance of the series, and playoffs** Pittsburgh’s hopes to defend their 1991 Stanley Cup championship were in deep trouble on May 9th, ahead of Game 4 of the Patrick Division Finals against the Rangers. The notorious Adam Graves incident happened in Game 1, breaking the hand and knocking out Mario Lemieux for the series. New York went on to win Games 2+3 and take a 2-1 series lead. Lemieux’s dominance at that point was astounding, he had produced 17 points in the six games against Washington in the previous series. Lemieux had scored 131 points that season in just 64 games to claim the Art Ross trophy. To make matters worse, the team’s third leading scorer Joe Mullen was also unavailable. The future Hall of Famer had scored 42 goals and 87 points in 1991-92 but was mostly a non-factor by the playoffs with a bum knee that limited him to four points and nine total games that had him miss Game 4 against the Rangers. Piling on even further, NY took a 3-1 lead by the second period of Game 4 and really pushed the Pens into deep waters. Then Ron Francis took over. Francis recorded two goals in regulation and the Pens got another from Troy Loney to help extend the game to overtime. Francis completed the hat trick in OT, the series was then tied at 2-2 and the Rangers’ best chance at taking over had disappeared in half a game. That version of the Penguins wouldn’t lose again. Like, at all that season. Today was the first of 11 straight wins for that team (Games 4+ 5+6 to defeat the Rangers, then a sweep of the in the conference finals, then another sweep of in the Stanley Cup Final) to reclaim the Cup with authority. That bright future was in doubt on May 9th, until it wasn’t.

Q&A

What happened on May 9, 1992, in Penguins history?

On this date, Ron Francis scored a hat trick in overtime, helping the Penguins tie their playoff series against the Rangers at 2-2.

How did the Penguins perform after the May 9, 1992, game against the Rangers?

Following the May 9 game, the Penguins won 11 consecutive games, ultimately winning the Stanley Cup that season.

Who were the key players missing for the Penguins during the 1992 playoffs?

Mario Lemieux was out due to a hand injury, and Joe Mullen was limited by a knee injury, significantly impacting the team's performance.