1979–80 Pittsburgh Penguins season

The 1979–80 Pittsburgh Penguins season was their 13th in the National Hockey League.

1979–80 Pittsburgh Penguins
Division3rd Norris
Conference7th Wales
1979–80 record30-37-13
Goals for251
Goals against303
Team information
General managerBaz Bastien
CoachJohnny Wilson
CaptainOrest Kindrachuk
Alternate captainsNone
ArenaPittsburgh Civic Arena
Team leaders
GoalsRick Kehoe (30)
AssistsGreg Malone (32)
PointsRick Kehoe (60)
Penalty minutesKim Clackson (166)
WinsGreg Millen (18)
Goals against averageNick Ricci (3.50)

Regular season

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The Penguins changed their team colors from two-tone blue to Black and Gold in January. This move was done in part to honor the other two professional teams in Pittsburgh (the Steelers and Pirates) both of whom won their respective championships in 1979. The Boston Bruins initially challenged the change in colors as the new scheme closely matched their own. However, as the original NHL franchise in Pittsburgh, the Pirates, had nearly the same colors from their inception while the Bruins wore brown and yellow sweaters, NHL president John Ziegler Jr. eventually denied the Bruins claim. The new Pittsburgh jerseys were debuted on January 30 against the visiting St. Louis Blues.[1]

Division standings

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Norris Division
GP W L T GF GA Pts
Montreal Canadiens 80 47 20 13 328 240 107
Los Angeles Kings 80 30 36 14 290 313 74
Pittsburgh Penguins 80 30 37 13 251 303 73
Hartford Whalers 80 27 34 19 303 312 73
Detroit Red Wings 80 26 43 11 268 306 63

[2]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.

League standings[3]
R Div GP W L T GF GA Pts
1 p – Philadelphia Flyers PTK 80 48 12 20 327 254 116
2 y – Buffalo Sabres ADM 80 47 17 16 318 201 110
3 x – Montreal Canadiens NRS 80 47 20 13 328 240 107
4 Boston Bruins ADM 80 46 21 13 310 234 105
5 New York Islanders PTK 80 39 28 13 281 247 91
6 Minnesota North Stars ADM 80 36 28 16 311 253 88
7 x – Chicago Black Hawks SMY 80 34 27 19 241 250 87
8 New York Rangers PTK 80 38 32 10 308 284 86
9 Atlanta Flames PTK 80 35 32 13 282 269 83
10 St. Louis Blues SMY 80 34 34 12 266 278 80
11 Toronto Maple Leafs ADM 80 35 40 5 304 327 75
12 Los Angeles Kings NRS 80 30 36 14 290 313 74
13 Pittsburgh Penguins NRS 80 30 37 13 251 303 73
14 Hartford Whalers NRS 80 27 34 19 303 312 73
15 Vancouver Canucks SMY 80 27 37 16 256 281 70
16 Edmonton Oilers SMY 80 28 39 13 301 322 69
17 Washington Capitals PTK 80 27 40 13 261 293 67
18 Detroit Red Wings NRS 80 26 43 11 268 306 63
19 Quebec Nordiques ADM 80 25 44 11 248 313 61
20 Winnipeg Jets SMY 80 20 49 11 214 314 51
21 Colorado Rockies SMY 80 19 48 13 234 308 51

Divisions: ADM – Adams, NRS – Norris, PTK – Patrick, SMY – Smythe

bold – The top 16 teams in the league qualified for the playoffs, regardless of division or conference.
x – Won division; y – Won Conference (and division); p – Won Presidents' Trophy (and conference and division)

Record vs. opponents

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Norris 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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1979–80 Schedule
October: 4–4–1 (home: 3–1–1 ; road: 1–3–0), 9 Points
# Date Visitor Score Home Location (Attendance) Record Points
1 Oct 10 Winnipeg Jets 2–4 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena (8,752) 1–0–0 2
2 Oct 13 Hartford Whalers 3–3 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena (8,623) 1–0–1 3
3 Oct 14 Pittsburgh Penguins 4–1 Boston Bruins Boston Garden (9,494) 2–0–1 5
4 Oct 17 Los Angeles Kings 5–4 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena (4,815) 2–1–1 5
5 Oct 20 Washington Capitals 1–5 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena (7,629) 3–1–1 7
6 Oct 21 Pittsburgh Penguins 3–6 New York Rangers Madison Square Garden (IV) (17,425) 3–2–1 7
7 Oct 24 Pittsburgh Penguins 3–7 Buffalo Sabres Buffalo Memorial Auditorium (16,433) 3–3–1 7
8 Oct 25 Pittsburgh Penguins 5–8 Montreal Canadiens Montreal Forum (15,969) 3–4–1 7
9 Oct 31 Colorado Rockies 2–4 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena (4,173) 4–4–1 9
November: 5–4–3 (home: 3–1–2 ; road: 2–3–1), 13 Points
# Date Visitor Score Home Location (Attendance) Record Points
10 Nov 3 Atlanta Flames 3–3 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena (8,543) 4–4–2 10
11 Nov 7 Montreal Canadiens 3–3 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena (9,064) 4–4–3 11
12 Nov 10 Boston Bruins 6–1 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena (12,208) 4–5–3 11
13 Nov 11 Pittsburgh Penguins 4–1 New York Rangers Madison Square Garden (IV) (17,419) 5–5–3 13
14 Nov 15 Pittsburgh Penguins 3–3 Los Angeles Kings The Forum (7,698) 5–5–4 14
15 Nov 16 Pittsburgh Penguins 2–5 Vancouver Canucks Pacific Coliseum (15,127) 5–6–4 14
16 Nov 18 Pittsburgh Penguins 3–2 Winnipeg Jets Winnipeg Arena (12,668) 6–6–4 16
17 Nov 21 St. Louis Blues 2–5 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena (11,547) 7–6–4 18
18 Nov 23 Pittsburgh Penguins 1–4 Atlanta Flames Omni Coliseum (13,081) 7–7–4 18
19 Nov 24 New York Rangers 3–5 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena (11,629) 8–7–4 20
20 Nov 28 Quebec Nordiques 2–7 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena (8,396) 9–7–4 22
21 Nov 30 Pittsburgh Penguins 5–7 Hartford Whalers Springfield Civic Center (7,627) 9–8–4 22
December: 5–3–7 (home: 3–1–3 ; road: 2–2–4), 17 Points
# Date Visitor Score Home Location (Attendance) Record Points
22 Dec 1 Colorado Rockies 4–5 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena (12,051) 10–8–4 24
23 Dec 5 Vancouver Canucks 3–3 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena (7,511) 10–8–5 25
24 Dec 7 Pittsburgh Penguins 5–3 Washington Capitals Capital Centre (7,652) 11–8–5 27
25 Dec 8 Chicago Black Hawks 3–3 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena (10,284) 11–8–6 28
26 Dec 11 Pittsburgh Penguins 3–3 St. Louis Blues The Checkerdome (8,605) 11–8–7 29
27 Dec 12 New York Islanders 3–3 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena (8,036) 11–8–8 30
28 Dec 15 Pittsburgh Penguins 3–3 New York Islanders Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum (14,995) 11–8–9 31
29 Dec 16 Pittsburgh Penguins 1–4 Quebec Nordiques Quebec Coliseum (10,279) 11–9–9 31
30 Dec 19 Pittsburgh Penguins 0–0 Chicago Black Hawks Chicago Stadium (8,215) 11–9–10 32
31 Dec 20 Pittsburgh Penguins 1–1 Philadelphia Flyers The Spectrum (17,077) 11–9–11 33
32 Dec 22 New York Rangers 4–3 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena (11,587) 11–10–11 33
33 Dec 26 Detroit Red Wings 4–6 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena (11,243) 12–10–11 35
34 Dec 28 Pittsburgh Penguins 4–2 Atlanta Flames Omni Coliseum (9,133) 13–10–11 37
35 Dec 29 Atlanta Flames 2–3 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena (10,416) 14–10–11 39
36 Dec 31 Pittsburgh Penguins 2–4 Minnesota North Stars Met Center (11,475) 14–11–11 39
January: 5–10–0 (home: 3–5–0 ; road: 2–5–0), 10 Points
# Date Visitor Score Home Location (Attendance) Record Points
37 Jan 2 Montreal Canadiens 3–5 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena (13,309) 15–11–11 41
38 Jan 3 Pittsburgh Penguins 4–3 New York Islanders Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum (14,580) 16–11–11 43
39 Jan 5 Buffalo Sabres 5–4 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena (15,583) 16–12–11 43
40 Jan 7 Pittsburgh Penguins 5–9 Toronto Maple Leafs Maple Leaf Gardens (16,485) 16–13–11 43
41 Jan 9 Vancouver Canucks 2–4 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena (8,784) 17–13–11 45
42 Jan 12 Chicago Black Hawks 3–2 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena (13,825) 17–14–11 45
43 Jan 16 Toronto Maple Leafs 4–6 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena (9,002) 18–14–11 47
44 Jan 17 Pittsburgh Penguins 1–7 Hartford Whalers Springfield Civic Center (7,627) 18–15–11 47
45 Jan 19 Edmonton Oilers 5–2 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena (12,896) 18–16–11 47
46 Jan 23 Pittsburgh Penguins 3–4 Edmonton Oilers Northlands Coliseum (15,423) 18–17–11 47
47 Jan 24 Pittsburgh Penguins 1–4 Colorado Rockies McNichols Sports Arena (7,615) 18–18–11 47
48 Jan 26 Boston Bruins 6–4 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena (16,033) 18–19–11 47
49 Jan 27 Pittsburgh Penguins 5–3 Boston Bruins Boston Garden (13,131) 19–19–11 49
50 Jan 30 St. Louis Blues 4–3 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena (12,345) 19–20–11 49
51 Jan 31 Pittsburgh Penguins 3–4 Detroit Red Wings Joe Louis Arena (14,432) 19–21–11 49
February: 4–7–0 (home: 3–2–0 ; road: 1–5–0), 8 Points
# Date Visitor Score Home Location (Attendance) Record Points
52 Feb 2 Philadelphia Flyers 4–0 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena (16,033) 19–22–11 49
53 Feb 7 Pittsburgh Penguins 0–9 Buffalo Sabres Buffalo Memorial Auditorium (16,433) 19–23–11 49
54 Feb 9 Minnesota North Stars 5–2 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena (13,011) 19–24–11 49
55 Feb 10 Pittsburgh Penguins 2–3 Chicago Black Hawks Chicago Stadium (12,272) 19–25–11 49
56 Feb 13 Pittsburgh Penguins 4–2 Toronto Maple Leafs Maple Leaf Gardens (16,485) 20–25–11 51
57 Feb 16 Pittsburgh Penguins 1–8 Montreal Canadiens Montreal Forum (17,075) 20–26–11 51
58 Feb 17 Pittsburgh Penguins 5–6 Philadelphia Flyers The Spectrum (17,077) 20–27–11 51
59 Feb 20 Detroit Red Wings 5–7 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena (8,077) 21–27–11 53
60 Feb 23 Quebec Nordiques 1–2 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena (14,116) 22–27–11 55
61 Feb 24 Pittsburgh Penguins 0–2 Quebec Nordiques Quebec Coliseum (10,227) 22–28–11 55
62 Feb 27 Winnipeg Jets 2–3 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena (8,977) 23–28–11 57
March: 6–7–2 (home: 4–2–1 ; road: 2–5–1), 14 Points
# Date Visitor Score Home Location (Attendance) Record Points
63 Mar 2 New York Islanders 0–0 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena (14,879) 23–28–12 58
64 Mar 3 Pittsburgh Penguins 1–5 St. Louis Blues The Checkerdome (12,752) 23–29–12 58
65 Mar 5 Toronto Maple Leafs 5–3 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena (8,925) 23–30–12 58
66 Mar 8 Edmonton Oilers 4–5 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena (10,660) 24–30–12 60
67 Mar 9 Pittsburgh Penguins 2–6 Detroit Red Wings Joe Louis Arena (12,819) 24–31–12 60
68 Mar 11 Philadelphia Flyers 4–3 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena (9,972) 24–32–12 60
69 Mar 12 Los Angeles Kings 2–4 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena (9,294) 25–32–12 62
70 Mar 15 Minnesota North Stars 2–5 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena (10,426) 26–32–12 64
71 Mar 18 Pittsburgh Penguins 3–4 Minnesota North Stars Met Center (10,797) 26–33–12 64
72 Mar 21 Pittsburgh Penguins 2–9 Edmonton Oilers Northlands Coliseum (15,423) 26–34–12 64
73 Mar 23 Pittsburgh Penguins 4–2 Winnipeg Jets Winnipeg Arena (12,377) 27–34–12 66
74 Mar 25 Pittsburgh Penguins 4–2 Vancouver Canucks Pacific Coliseum (12,998) 28–34–12 68
75 Mar 27 Pittsburgh Penguins 2–2 Los Angeles Kings The Forum (9,781) 28–34–13 69
76 Mar 28 Pittsburgh Penguins 0–5 Colorado Rockies McNichols Sports Arena (11,610) 28–35–13 69
77 Mar 30 Washington Capitals 0–4 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena (9,638) 29–35–13 71
April: 1–2–0 (home: 1–1–0 ; road: 0–1–0), 2 Points
# Date Visitor Score Home Location (Attendance) Record Points
78 Apr 1 Pittsburgh Penguins 2–6 Washington Capitals Capital Centre (15,821) 29–36–13 71
79 Apr 2 Hartford Whalers 4–6 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena (11,491) 30–36–13 73
80 Apr 5 Buffalo Sabres 9–1 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena (12,397) 30–37–13 73
Legend:        = Win        = Loss        = Tie

Playoffs

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Preliminary round vs. Boston

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April 8 Pittsburgh Penguins 4–2 Boston Bruins Boston Garden Recap  
No Scoring First period No Scoring
Mark Johnson (1) – pp – 08:25
Gary McAdam (1) – 14:47
Second period No Scoring
Mark Johnson (2) – 03:10
Gregg Sheppard (1) – en – 19:24
Third period 13:44 – ppTerry O'Reilly (1)
18:47 – Craig MacTavish (1)
Greg Millen 36 saves / 38 shots Goalie stats Gerry Cheevers 18 saves / 22 shots
April 10 Pittsburgh Penguins 1–4 Boston Bruins Boston Garden Recap  
No Scoring First period No Scoring
No Scoring Second period 01:42 – Rick Middleton (1)
10:38 – Don Marcotte (1)
11:41 – Brad Park (1)
Rod Schutt (1) – 12:16 Third period 11:15 – Wayne Cashman (1)
Greg Millen 38 saves / 42 shots Goalie stats Gerry Cheevers 16 saves / 17 shots
April 12 Boston Bruins 1–4 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena Recap  
No Scoring First period 13:28 – Ross Lonsberry (1)
No Scoring Second period 01:17 – Ross Lonsberry (2)
16:37 – Randy Carlyle (1)
Rick Middleton (2) – 03:48 Third period 13:51 – Rod Schutt (2)
Gerry Cheevers 24 saves / 28 shots Goalie stats Greg Millen 19 saves / 20 shots
April 13 Boston Bruins 8–3 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena Recap  
Peter McNab (1) – 05:13
Rick Middleton (3) – 06:42
Ray Bourque (1) – 13:26
Peter McNab (2) – pp – 16:00
Craig MacTavish (2) – 18:09
First period No Scoring
Bob Miller (1) – sh – 06:31
Dwight Foster (1) – sh – 10:08
Second period No Scoring
Dwight Foster 2 – 16:45 Third period 06:43 – ppRick Kehoe (1)
14:40 – ppRon Stackhouse (1)
14:47 – pp – Rick Kehoe (2)
Gerry Cheevers 23 saves / 26 shots Goalie stats Greg Millen 21 saves / 29 shots
April 14 Pittsburgh Penguins 2–6 Boston Bruins Boston Garden Recap  
No Scoring First period 03:49 – Peter McNab (3)
04:57 – Bob Miller (2)
No Scoring Second period 05:22 – Dwight Foster (3)
10:20 – ppWayne Cashman (2)
Bob Stewart (1) – 03:18
Nick Libett (1) – pp – 16:10
Third period 06:25 – ppTerry O'Reilly (2)
14:22 – Brad Park (2)
Greg Millen 24 saves / 30 shots Goalie stats Gerry Cheevers 22 saves / 24 shots
Boston won series 3–2


Player statistics

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Skaters
Goaltenders
Regular Season[7]
Player GP W L T GA SO
Gregory Millen 44 18 18 7 157 2
Robert Holland 34 10 17 6 126 1
Nick Ricci 4 2 2 0 14 0
Total 30 37 13 297 3
Playoffs[8]
Player GP W L T GA SO
Gregory Millen 5 2 3 0 21 0
Total 2 3 0 21 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.

Transactions

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The Penguins were involved in the following transactions during the 1979–80 season:

Trades

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August 30, 1979 To Montreal Canadiens

Denis Herron
1982 2nd round pick

To Pittsburgh Penguins

Rob Holland
Pat Hughes

November 13, 1979 To St. Louis Blues

Blair Chapman

To Pittsburgh Penguins

Bob Stewart

Additions and subtractions

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Additions
Player Former team Via
Subtractions
Player New team Via
Wayne Bianchin Edmonton Oilers Expansion Draft (1979-06-13)
Colin Campbell Edmonton Oilers Expansion Draft (1979-06-13)
John Flesch Colorado Rockies free agency (1980-01-30)

Draft picks

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The 1979 NHL Entry Draft was held on August 9, 1979, in Montreal.[9]

Round # Player Pos Nationality College/Junior/Club team (League)
2 31 Paul Marshall Left wing   Canada Brantford Alexanders (OHA)
3 52 Bennett Wolf Defense   Canada Kitchener Rangers (OHA)
4 73 Brian Cross Defense   Canada Brantford Alexanders (OHA)
5 94 Nick Ricci Goaltender   Canada Niagara Falls Flyers (OHA)
6 115 Marc Chorney Defense   Canada U. of North Dakota (NCAA)

References

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  1. ^ "A history of Penguins and 'Pittsburgh gold,' together since 1980". The Sporting News. June 7, 2016. Retrieved May 27, 2018.
  2. ^ Dinger, Ralph, ed. (2011). The National Hockey League Official Guide & Record Book 2012. Dan Diamond & Associates. p. 152. ISBN 9781894801225.
  3. ^ "1979–80 NHL Standings". NHL.com. National Hockey League.
  4. ^ "All-Time NHL Results". NHL.com. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  5. ^ "1979–1980 – Regular Season – Pittsburgh Penguins – All Skaters – Summary – Points – NHL.com – Stats". NHL.
  6. ^ "1979–1980 – Playoffs – Pittsburgh Penguins – All Skaters – Summary – Points – NHL.com – Stats". NHL.
  7. ^ "1979–1980 – Regular Season – Pittsburgh Penguins – Goalie – Summary – Wins – NHL.com – Stats". NHL.
  8. ^ "1979–1980 – Playoffs – Pittsburgh Penguins – Goalie – Summary – Wins – NHL.com – Stats". NHL.
  9. ^ "NHL Entry Draft Year by Year Results". NHL.