1972–73 Pittsburgh Penguins season

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1972–73 Pittsburgh Penguins
Division5th West
1972–73 record32–37–9
Goals for257
Goals against260
Team information
General managerJack Riley
CoachRed Kelly (replaced 13/1/73 by Ken Schinkel)
CaptainVacant
Alternate captainsSyl Apps
Bryan Hextall
Ken Schinkel
Team leaders
GoalsAl McDonough (35)
AssistsSyl Apps (56)
PointsSyl Apps (85)
Penalty minutesBryan Watson (179)
WinsJim Rutherford (20)
Goals against averageJim Rutherford (2.91)

The 1972–73 Pittsburgh Penguins season was the franchise's sixth season in the National Hockey League.

Offseason[]

Regular season[]

Final standings[]

West Division[1]
GP W L T GF GA DIFF Pts
1 Chicago Black Hawks 78 42 27 9 284 225 +59 93
2 Philadelphia Flyers 78 37 30 11 296 256 +40 85
3 Minnesota North Stars 78 37 30 11 254 230 +24 85
4 St. Louis Blues 78 32 34 12 233 251 −18 76
5 Pittsburgh Penguins 78 32 37 9 257 265 −8 73
6 Los Angeles Kings 78 31 36 11 232 245 −13 73
7 Atlanta Flames 78 25 38 15 191 239 −48 65
8 California Golden Seals 78 16 46 16 213 323 −110 48


Schedule and results[]

1972–73 Game log[2]
October: 5–5–0 (Home: 2–1–0; Road: 3–4–0)
# Date Visitor Score Home Decision Attendance Record Points
1 October 7 Los Angeles 2–4 Pittsburgh 11,105 1–0–0 2
2 October 11 Pittsburgh 5–2 St. Louis 17,853 2–0–0 4
3 October 14 California 2–5 Pittsburgh 12,201 3–0–0 6
4 October 15 Pittsburgh 4–8 Boston 15,003 3–1–0 6
5 October 17 Pittsburgh 5–0 NY Islanders 8,175 4–1–0 8
6 October 18 Pittsburgh 3–4 Toronto 16,248 4–2–0 8
7 October 21 Boston 4–2 Pittsburgh 12,761 4–3–0 8
8 October 24 Pittsburgh 4–0 Vancouver 15,570 5–3–0 10
9 October 27 Pittsburgh 3–6 California 3,298 5–4–0 10
10 October 28 Pittsburgh 2–5 Los Angeles 9,181 5–5–0 10
November: 7–5–2 (Home: 6–2–1; Road: 1–3–1)
# Date Visitor Score Home Decision Attendance Record Points
11 November 1 Montreal 7–1 Pittsburgh 10,472 5–6–0 10
12 November 2 Pittsburgh 2–4 Philadelphia 13,511 5–7–0 10
13 November 4 NY Rangers 4–6 Pittsburgh 12,255 6–7–0 12
14 November 5 Pittsburgh 1–1 Detroit 14,041 6–7–1 13
15 November 8 Philadelphia 2–5 Pittsburgh 7,449 7–7–1 15
16 November 11 Vancouver 4–3 Pittsburgh 11,896 7–8–1 15
17 November 12 Pittsburgh 0–1 Buffalo 15,668 7–9–1 15
18 November 15 Minnesota 1–7 Pittsburgh 8,649 8–9–1 17
19 November 18 Atlanta 1–6 Pittsburgh 10,959 9–9–1 19
20 November 19 Pittsburgh 5–3 NY Rangers 17,500 10–9–1 21
21 November 22 St. Louis 4–10 Pittsburgh 12,405 11–9–1 23
22 November 25 NY Islanders 2–2 Pittsburgh 12,319 11–9–2 24
23 November 26 Pittsburgh 2–6 Atlanta 9,041 11–10–2 24
24 November 29 Toronto 4–7 Pittsburgh 9,971 12–10–2 26
December: 3–6–4 (Home: 3–2–1; Road: 0–4–3)
# Date Visitor Score Home Decision Attendance Record Points
25 December 2 Chicago 2–3 Pittsburgh 12,459 13–10–2 28
26 December 3 Pittsburgh 2–4 Chicago 13–11–2 28
27 December 6 Pittsburgh 4–4 California 2,062 13–11–3 29
28 December 9 Pittsburgh 1–3 Los Angeles 9,687 13–12–3 29
29 December 13 NY Islanders 1–9 Pittsburgh 7,866 14–12–3 31
30 December 16 Atlanta 3–5 Pittsburgh 11,095 15–12–3 33
31 December 17 Pittsburgh 1–9 NY Rangers 17,500 15–13–3 33
32 December 19 Boston 3–2 Pittsburgh 10,419 15–14–3 33
33 December 23 Pittsburgh 3–6 Montreal 16,132 15–15–3 33
34 December 26 Pittsburgh 1–1 Detroit 14,427 15–15–4 34
35 December 27 Pittsburgh 3–3 Toronto 16,488 15–15–5 35
36 December 29 Toronto 4–0 Pittsburgh 11,336 15–16–5 35
37 December 30 Detroit 2–2 Pittsburgh 11,621 15–16–6 36
January: 6–9–0 (Home: 5–3–0; Road: 1–6–0)
# Date Visitor Score Home Decision Attendance Record Points
38 January 2 Pittsburgh 4–5 St. Louis 18,161 15–17–6 36
39 January 3 Pittsburgh 5–3 Chicago 16–17–6 38
40 January 6 Vancouver 2–4 Pittsburgh 13,100 17–17–6 40
41 January 7 Pittsburgh 0–3 NY Rangers 17,500 17–18–6 40
42 January 10 Detroit 2–1 Pittsburgh 9,906 17–19–6 40
43 January 13 Los Angeles 1–3 Pittsburgh 11,506 18–19–6 42
44 January 14 Pittsburgh 2–3 Detroit 12,755 18–20–6 42
45 January 17 Pittsburgh 4–6 Montreal 16,016 18–21–6 42
46 January 18 Montreal 5–2 Pittsburgh 10,388 18–22–6 42
47 January 20 Boston 0–3 Pittsburgh 13,100 19–22–6 44
48 January 21 Pittsburgh 3–9 Chicago 19–23–6 44
49 January 24 Toronto 2–5 Pittsburgh 10,809 20–23–6 46
50 January 25 Pittsburgh 3–6 Philadelphia 16,600 20–24–6 46
51 January 27 Philadelphia 5–3 Pittsburgh 13,100 20–25–6 46
52 January 31 Los Angeles 1–4 Pittsburgh 9,048 21–25–6 48
February: 6–5–1 (Home: 5–0–1; Road: 1–5–0)
# Date Visitor Score Home Decision Attendance Record Points
53 February 3 Minnesota 1–2 Pittsburgh 11,878 22–25–6 50
54 February 4 Pittsburgh 3–4 Minnesota 15,070 22–26–6 50
55 February 7 Pittsburgh 2–5 Montreal 16,028 22–27–6 50
56 February 10 Pittsburgh 3–6 Boston 15,003 22–28–6 50
57 February 14 Vancouver 2–6 Pittsburgh 8,758 23–28–6 52
58 February 17 Buffalo 3–3 Pittsburgh 13,100 23–28–7 53
59 February 18 Pittsburgh 1–4 Buffalo 15,660 23–29–7 53
60 February 20 Pittsburgh 4–0 NY Islanders 13,327 24–29–7 55
61 February 22 NY Islanders 1–2 Pittsburgh 9,200 25–29–7 57
62 February 24 Chicago 0–2 Pittsburgh 13,100 26–29–7 59
63 February 25 Pittsburgh 1–2 Buffalo 15,668 26–30–7 59
64 February 28 St. Louis 2–4 Pittsburgh 13,100 27–30–7 61
March: 4–7–2 (Home: 2–3–1; Road: 2–4–1)
# Date Visitor Score Home Decision Attendance Record Points
65 March 3 California 2–1 Pittsburgh 11,688 27–31–7 61
66 March 4 Minnesota 5–2 Pittsburgh 12,624 27–32–7 61
67 March 7 Pittsburgh 4–10 Minnesota 15,273 27–33–7 61
68 March 10 NY Rangers 5–4 Pittsburgh 13,100 27–34–7 61
69 March 11 Pittsburgh 2–3 Philadelphia 16,600 27–35–7 61
70 March 14 Pittsburgh 3–2 Los Angeles 8,007 28–35–7 63
71 March 16 Pittsburgh 5–5 California 5,180 28–35–8 64
72 March 17 Pittsburgh 1–6 Vancouver 15,570 28–36–8 64
73 March 21 California 2–5 Pittsburgh 8,169 29–36–8 66
74 March 24 Buffalo 4–4 Pittsburgh 12,945 29–36–9 67
75 March 25 Pittsburgh 4–2 Atlanta 13,200 30–36–9 69
76 March 28 Atlanta 3–6 Pittsburgh 10,081 31–36–9 71
77 March 31 Pittsburgh 2–7 St. Louis 20,009 31–37–9 71
April: 1–0–0 (Home: 1–0–0; Road: 0–0–0)
# Date Visitor Score Home Decision Attendance Record Points
78 April 1 Philadelphia 4–5 Pittsburgh 11,253 32–37–9 73
Legend:        = Win        = Loss        = Tie

Playoffs[]

The Penguins failed to make the 1973 playoffs.

Player statistics[]

Skaters
Goaltenders
Regular Season[4]
Player GP W L T GA SO
James Rutherford 49 20 22 5 129 3
Denis Herron 18 6 7 2 55 2
Andy Brown† 9 3 4 2 41 0
Cam Newton 11 3 4 0 35 0
Total 32 37 9 260 5

†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[]

  • Jean Pronovost became the first player to score 100 goals for the Penguins. He did so in a 3–3 tie against Buffalo on February 17.
  • Syl Apps Jr. became the first player to record 50 assists in a season for the Penguins. He did so in a 5–2 win over California on March 21.
  • Syl Apps Jr. established a new franchise record for points in a season with 85, besting the previous high of 59 held by both himself and Andy Bathgate.
  • Ken Schinkel established a career franchise record for games (371), assists (143) and points (236). He had led in two categories since 1969 and bested the previous high in games set by Val Fonteyne in 1972 (349).
  • Darryl Edestrand established a new franchise record for goals (15) and points (39) in a season by a defenseman. He topped the previous high of 10 goals (held by himself) and 33 points (held by Noel Price, Bob Woytowich, Duane Rupp and himself).
  • Lowell MacDonald established a new franchise record for highest plus-minus in a season (+36). He broke the previous high of +18 set by Syl Apps Jr. in 1972.
  • Duane Rupp became the first Penguins defenseman to score 100 points. His final total of 104 bested the previous total of 93 held by Bob Woytowich

Transactions[]

The Penguins were involved in the following transactions during the 1972–73 season:

Trades[]

October 6, 1972 To Detroit Red Wings

Roy Edwards

To Pittsburgh Penguins

cash
1973 3rd round pick
1974 2nd round pick

October 30, 1972 To Atlanta Flames

Brian McKenzie

To Pittsburgh Penguins

cash

January 8, 1973 To St. Louis Blues

Joe Noris

To Pittsburgh Penguins

Jim Shires

February 25, 1973 To Detroit Red Wings

1973 3rd round pick
cash

To Pittsburgh Penguins

Andy Brown

March 2, 1973 To New York Rangers

Sheldon Kannegiesser

To Pittsburgh Penguins

player to be named (Steve Andrascik)

Additions and subtractions[]

Additions
Player Former team Via
Jim Wiley Lake Superior State Lakers free agency (1972–06–25)
Subtractions
Player New team Via
Les Binkley Ottawa Nationals (WHA) free agency (1972)
Wally Boyer Winnipeg Jets (WHA) free agency (1972)
Val Fonteyne Alberta Oilers (WHA) free agency (1972)
Dunc McCallum Houston Aeros (WHA) free agency (1972)
Tim Horton Buffalo Sabres Intra-League Draft (1972–06–05)
Bob Leiter Atlanta Flames Expansion Draft (1972–06–06)
Keith McCreary Atlanta Flames Expansion Draft (1972–06–06)
John Stewart Atlanta Flames Expansion Draft (1972–06–06)

Roster[]

# Nat Player Pos S/G Age NHL Draft Birthplace
26 Canada Syl Apps Jr. (A) C R 25 1964 Toronto, Ontario
30 Canada Andy Brown G L 29 Undrafted Hamilton, Ontario
10 Canada Robin Burns LW L 26 Undrafted Montreal, Quebec
4 Canada David Burrows D L 24 Undrafted Toronto, Ontario
20 Canada Steve Cardwell LW L 22 1970 Toronto, Ontario
25 Canada Darryl Edestrand D L 27 Undrafted Strathroy, Ontario
11 Poland Nick Harbaruk RW R 29 Undrafted Drohiczyn, Poland
1 Canada Denis Herron G L 20 1972 Chambly, Quebec
7 Canada Bryan Hextall Jr. (A) C L 31 Undrafted Winnipeg, Manitoba
14, 15 Canada Rick Kessell C L 23 1969 Toronto, Ontario
24 Canada Jean-Guy Lagace D R 28 Undrafted L'Abord-a-Plouffe, Quebec
16 Canada Robert Lalonde C L 20 1972 Toronto, Ontario
3 Canada Jack Lynch D R 20 1972 Toronto, Ontario
18 Canada Lowell MacDonald LW R 31 Undrafted New Glasgow, Nova Scotia
9 Canada Al McDonough RW R 22 1970 Hamilton, Ontario
1, 30 Canada Cam Newton G L 23 1970 Peterborough, Ontario
22 Canada Greg Polis RW L 22 1970 Westlock, Alberta
19 Canada Jean Pronovost RW R 27 Undrafted Shawinigan Falls, Quebec
2 Canada Duane Rupp D L 35 Undrafted MacNutt, Saskatchewan
29 Canada James Rutherford G L 24 1969 Beeton, Ontario
12 Canada Ken Schinkel (A) RW R 40 Undrafted Jansen, Saskatchewan
17 Canada Ron Schock C L 29 Undrafted Chapleau, Ontario
23 Canada Eddie Shack LW L 36 Undrafted Sudbury, Ontario
27 Canada Jim Shires LW L 27 Undrafted Edmonton, Alberta
5 Canada Bryan Watson D R 30 Undrafted Bancroft, Ontario
8 Canada Thomas Wiley C L 23 Undrafted Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

Draft picks[]

Main article: 1972 NHL Amateur Draft

Pittsburgh Penguins' picks at the 1972 NHL Entry Draft.[5]

Round # Player Pos Nationality College/Junior/Club Team (League)
2 24[a] Jack Lynch Defense  Canada Oshawa Generals (OHA)
2 30 Bernie Lukowich Right Wing  Canada New Westminster Bruins (WCHL)
3 40 Denis Herron Goaltender  Canada Trois Rivieres Ducs (QMJHL)
4 56 Ron Lalonde Center  Canada Peterborough Petes (OHA)
5 72 Brian Walker Center  Canada Calgary Centennials (WCHL)
6 88 Jeff Ablett Left Wing  Canada Medicine Hat Tigers (WCHL)
7 104 D'Arcy Keating Defense  Canada Notre Dame (NCAA)
8 120 Yves Bergeron Right Wing  Canada Shawinigan Bruins (QMJHL)
9 136 Jay Babcock Left Wing  Canada London Knights (OHA)
10 149 Don Atchison Goaltender  Canada Saskatoon Blades (WCHL)
Draft notes[6]
  • The Pittsburgh Penguins' first-round pick went to the Minnesota North Stars as the result of a June 10, 1968, trade that sent Bob Woytowich to the Penguins in exchange for this pick.
  • a The St. Louis Blues' second-round pick (originally from the Montreal Canadiens) went to the Pittsburgh Penguins as a result of a June 6, 1969, trade that sent Lou Angotti and a 1971 first-round pick to the Blues in exchange for Ron Schock, Craig Cameron and this pick.

References[]

  1. ^ "1972–1973 Division Standings Standings - NHL.com - Standings". National Hockey League.
  2. ^ "1972–73 Pittsburgh Penguins Results and Schedule". hockeyDB.
  3. ^ "1972–1973 – Regular Season – Pittsburgh Penguins – All Skaters – Summary – Points – NHL.com – Stats". NHL.
  4. ^ "1972–1973 – Regular Season – Pittsburgh Penguins – Goalie – Summary – Wins – NHL.com – Stats". NHL.
  5. ^ "NHL Entry Draft Year by Year Results". NHL.com. Retrieved February 25, 2013.
  6. ^ "1972 NHL Entry Draft Pending Transactions". Pro Sports Transactions. Retrieved February 25, 2013.
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