1985–86 Pittsburgh Penguins season

NHL team season March 2026 August 2023 NHL 1985–86 1985 Pittsburgh Penguins Wales 10th Patrick 5th 34–38–8 20–15–5 14–23–3 313 305 Eddie Johnston Bob Berry Mike Bullard Moe ManthaTerry Ruskowski Pittsburgh Civic Arena Mario Lemieux (48) Mario Lemieux (93) Mario Lemieux (141) Dan Frawley (174) Roberto Romano (21) Roberto Romano (3.55) The 1985–86 Pittsburgh Penguins season was the Penguins' 19th season in the National Hockey League (NHL). The Penguins did not qualify for the playoffs for the fourth year in a row for the first time in franchise history. 2 Regular season The Penguins failed to make the playoffs again for the fourth straight year, finishing two points behind the fourth place Rangers for the final spot in the Patrick Division. Final standings PIT Record vs. opponents PIT Schedule and results background:#FFFFFF; border-top:#000000 5px solid; border-bottom:#FCB514 5px solid; 1985–86 regular season1985-86 Pittsburgh Penguins Schedule https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/PIT/1986_games.html Hockey-Reference.com March 27, 2025 y background:#FFFFFF; border-top:#000000 2px solid; border-bottom:#FCB514 2px solid; October: 3–5–2 (home: 2–3–1; road: 1–2–1), 8 points # Date Visitor Score Home Location Record Points |- | 1 || Oct 10 || Montreal Canadiens || 5–3 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 0–1–0 || 0 |- | 2 || Oct 12 || Philadelphia Flyers || 4–2 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 0–2–0 || 0 |- | 3 || Oct 15 || Minnesota North Stars || 2–3 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 1–2–0 || 2 |- | 4 || Oct 16 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 5–5 OT || Chicago Black Hawks || Chicago Stadium || 1–2–1 || 3 |- | 5 || Oct 19 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–4 || Quebec Nordiques || Quebec Coliseum || 1–3–1 || 3 |- | 6 || Oct 23 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 5–4 || Toronto Maple Leafs || Maple Leaf Gardens || 2–3–1 || 5 |- | 7 || Oct 24 || Toronto Maple Leafs || 4–6 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 3–3–1 || 7 |- | 8 || Oct 26 || Quebec Nordiques || 4–4 OT || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 3–3–2 || 8 |- | 9 || Oct 29 || Hartford Whalers || 4–3 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 3–4–2 || 8 |- | 10 || Oct 30 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–6 || Detroit Red Wings || Joe Louis Arena || 3–5–2 || 8 |- y background:#FFFFFF; border-top:#000000 2px solid; border-bottom:#FCB514 2px solid; November: 5–7–1 (home: 4–3–0; road: 1–4–1), 11 points # Date Visitor Score Home Location Record Points |- | 11 || Nov 2 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 4–4 OT || Montreal Canadiens || Montreal Forum || 3–5–3 || 9 |- | 12 || Nov 4 || New York Rangers || 4–2 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 3–6–3 || 9 |- | 13 || Nov 6 || Washington Capitals || 4–1 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 3–7–3 || 9 |- | 14 || Nov 8 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–5 || New Jersey Devils || Izod Center || 3–8–3 || 9 |- | 15 || Nov 9 || Chicago Black Hawks || 1–3 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 4–8–3 || 11 |- | 16 || Nov 13 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 6–3 || Vancouver Canucks || Pacific Coliseum || 5–8–3 || 13 |- | 17 || Nov 16 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–4 OT || Los Angeles Kings || The Forum || 5–9–3 || 13 |- | 18 || Nov 19 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–4 || Washington Capitals || Capital Centre || 5–10–3 || 13 |- | 19 || Nov 20 || Washington Capitals || 3–1 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 5–11–3 || 13 |- | 20 || Nov 22 || Winnipeg Jets || 1–8 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 6–11–3 || 15 |- | 21 || Nov 24 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 4–7 || Philadelphia Flyers || The Spectrum || 6–12–3 || 15 |- | 22 || Nov 27 || Toronto Maple Leafs || 1–7 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 7–12–3 || 17 |- | 23 || Nov 30 || New York Rangers || 4–5 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 8–12–3 || 19 |- y background:#FFFFFF; border-top:#000000 2px solid; border-bottom:#FCB514 2px solid; December: 8–6–1 (home: 3–3–1; road: 5–3–0), 17 points # Date Visitor Score Home Location Record Points |- | 24 || Dec 2 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 6–0 || New York Rangers || Madison Square Garden (IV) || 9–12–3 || 21 |- | 25 || Dec 4 || Detroit Red Wings || 2–5 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 10–12–3 || 23 |- | 26 || Dec 6 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–1 || Buffalo Sabres || Buffalo Memorial Auditorium || 11–12–3 || 25 |- | 27 || Dec 7 || New Jersey Devils || 5–1 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 11–13–3 || 25 |- | 28 || Dec 10 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 4–7 || New York Islanders || Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum || 11–14–3 || 25 |- | 29 || Dec 11 || New York Islanders || 4–4 OT || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 11–14–4 || 26 |- | 30 || Dec 14 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 4–5 || Hartford Whalers || XL Center || 11–15–4 || 26 |- | 31 || Dec 15 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 5–2 || New York Rangers || Madison Square Garden (IV) || 12–15–4 || 28 |- | 32 || Dec 17 || Calgary Flames || 3–4 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 13–15–4 || 30 |- | 33 || Dec 19 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 4–3 OT || Minnesota North Stars || Met Center || 14–15–4 || 32 |- | 34 || Dec 21 || Philadelphia Flyers || 4–2 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 14–16–4 || 32 |- | 35 || Dec 22 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–3 OT || Philadelphia Flyers || The Spectrum || 14–17–4 || 32 |- | 36 || Dec 26 || Boston Bruins || 3–4 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 15–17–4 || 34 |- | 37 || Dec 28 || New York Islanders || 4–2 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 15–18–4 || 34 |- | 38 || Dec 31 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 8–4 || St. Louis Blues || The Checkerdome || 16–18–4 || 36 |- y background:#FFFFFF; border-top:#000000 2px solid; border-bottom:#FCB514 2px solid; January: 7–4–2 (home: 4–0–2; road: 3–4–0), 16 points # Date Visitor Score Home Location Record Points |- | 39 || Jan 1 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 4–7 || Chicago Black Hawks || Chicago Stadium || 16–19–4 || 36 |- | 40 || Jan 6 || New Jersey Devils || 3–4 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 17–19–4 || 38 |- | 41 || Jan 8 || Los Angeles Kings || 3–7 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 18–19–4 || 40 |- | 42 || Jan 9 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 0–9 || New York Islanders || Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum || 18–20–4 || 40 |- | 43 || Jan 11 || Buffalo Sabres || 3–3 OT || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 18–20–5 || 41 |- | 44 || Jan 15 || New York Islanders || 3–6 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 19–20–5 || 43 |- | 45 || Jan 18 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 5–2 || St. Louis Blues || The Checkerdome || 20–20–5 || 45 |- | 46 || Jan 19 || Minnesota North Stars || 2–3 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 21–20–5 || 47 |- | 47 || Jan 22 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 7–4 || Edmonton Oilers || Northlands Coliseum || 22–20–5 || 49 |- | 48 || Jan 24 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–4 || Vancouver Canucks || Pacific Coliseum || 22–21–5 || 49 |- | 49 || Jan 25 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–5 || Calgary Flames || Scotiabank Saddledome || 22–22–5 || 49 |- | 50 || Jan 28 || Philadelphia Flyers || 2–2 OT || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 22–22–6 || 50 |- | 51 || Jan 29 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 4–1 || New Jersey Devils || Izod Center || 23–22–6 || 52 |- y background:#FFFFFF; border-top:#000000 2px solid; border-bottom:#FCB514 2px solid; February: 7–4–1 (home: 6–1–0; road: 1–3–1), 15 points # Date Visitor Score Home Location Record Points |- | 52 || Feb 1 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–4 || New York Islanders || Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum || 23–23–6 || 52 |- | 53 || Feb 2 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–3 || Boston Bruins || Boston Garden || 23–24–6 || 52 |- | 54 || Feb 8 || New Jersey Devils || 0–4 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 24–24–6 || 54 |- | 55 || Feb 12 || Washington Capitals || 1–8 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 25–24–6 || 56 |- | 56 || Feb 15 || Vancouver Canucks || 4–9 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 26–24–6 || 58 |- | 57 || Feb 16 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 5–5 OT || New Jersey Devils || Izod Center || 26–24–7 || 59 |- | 58 || Feb 19 || Winnipeg Jets || 2–5 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 27–24–7 || 61 |- | 59 || Feb 21 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 7–3 || Detroit Red Wings || Joe Louis Arena || 28–24–7 || 63 |- | 60 || Feb 22 || St. Louis Blues || 5–3 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 28–25–7 || 63 |- | 61 || Feb 24 || Los Angeles Kings || 5–6 OT || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 29–25–7 || 65 |- | 62 || Feb 26 || Buffalo Sabres || 2–5 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 30–25–7 || 67 |- | 63 || Feb 27 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–8 || New York Rangers || Madison Square Garden (IV) || 30–26–7 || 67 |- y background:#FFFFFF; border-top:#000000 2px solid; border-bottom:#FCB514 2px solid; March: 3–9–1 (home: 1–3–1; road: 2–6–0), 7 points # Date Visitor Score Home Location Record Points |- | 64 || Mar 1 || Hartford Whalers || 1–5 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 31–26–7 || 69 |- | 65 || Mar 4 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–6 || Calgary Flames || Scotiabank Saddledome || 31–27–7 || 69 |- | 66 || Mar 7 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–5 || Edmonton Oilers || Northlands Coliseum || 31–28–7 || 69 |- | 67 || Mar 9 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–5 || Winnipeg Jets || Winnipeg Arena || 31–29–7 || 69 |- | 68 || Mar 11 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–5 || Washington Capitals || Capital Centre || 31–30–7 || 69 |- | 69 || Mar 12 || Boston Bruins || 5–2 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 31–31–7 || 69 |- | 70 || Mar 15 || New York Rangers || 2–2 OT || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 31–31–8 || 70 |- | 71 || Mar 17 || Washington Capitals || 5–3 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 31–32–8 || 70 |- | 72 || Mar 19 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 7–3 || New Jersey Devils || Izod Center || 32–32–8 || 72 |- | 73 || Mar 20 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 1–5 || Philadelphia Flyers || The Spectrum || 32–33–8 || 72 |- | 74 || Mar 22 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 7–4 || Quebec Nordiques || Quebec Coliseum || 33–33–8 || 74 |- | 75 || Mar 26 || Edmonton Oilers || 8–3 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 33–34–8 || 74 |- | 76 || Mar 29 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–4 || Montreal Canadiens || Montreal Forum || 33–35–8 || 74 |- y background:#FFFFFF; border-top:#000000 2px solid; border-bottom:#FCB514 2px solid; April: 1–3–0 (home: 0–2–0; road: 1–1–0), 2 points # Date Visitor Score Home Location Record Points |- | 77 || Apr 1 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–5 || Washington Capitals || Capital Centre || 33–36–8 || 74 |- | 78 || Apr 2 || New York Islanders || 7–2 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 33–37–8 || 74 |- | 79 || Apr 5 || Philadelphia Flyers || 4–3 OT || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena || 33–38–8 || 74 |- | 80 || Apr 6 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 5–4 OT || New York Rangers || Madison Square Garden (IV) || 34–38–8 || 76 |- |- | Legend: #cfc Win (2 points) 1px solid black #fcc Loss (0 points) 1px solid black #ffc Tie (1 point) 1px solid black Player statistics Skaters + Regular season1985–1986 – Regular Season – Pittsburgh Penguins – All Skaters – Summary – Points – NHL.com – Stats http://ice.nhl.com/stats/player?reportType=season&report=skatersummary&season=19851986&gameType=2&sort=points&aggregate=0&teamId=5&pos=S https://web.archive.org/web/20161002010807/http://ice.nhl.com/stats/player?reportType=season&report=skatersummary&season=19851986&gameType=2&sort=points&aggregate=0&teamId=5&pos=S dead October 2, 2016 NHL Player GP Games played G Goals A Assists Pts Points +/− Plus/minus PIM Penalty minutes Mario Lemieux 79 48 93 141 -6 –6 43 Mike Bullard Mike Bullard (ice hockey) 77 41 42 83 -16 –16 69 Moe Mantha Jr. 78 15 52 67 -4 –4 102 Doug Shedden‡ 67 32 34 66 -7 –7 32 Terry Ruskowski 73 26 37 63 10 162 Randy Cunneyworth 75 15 30 45 12 74 John Chabot 77 14 31 45 -1 –1 6 Doug Bodger 79 4 33 37 3 63 Dave Hannan 75 17 18 35 -4 –4 91 Willy Lindström 71 14 17 31 0 30 Norm Schmidt 66 15 14 29 7 57 Mike Blaisdell 66 15 14 29 15 36 Jim Johnson Jim Johnson (ice hockey, born 1962) 80 3 26 29 12 115 Craig Simpson 76 11 17 28 1 49 Dan Frawley Dan Frawley (ice hockey) 69 10 11 21 -19 –19 174 Bob Errey 37 11 6 17 1 8 Ron Duguay† 13 6 7 13 -14 –14 6 Troy Loney 47 3 9 12 -8 –8 95 Ville Sirén 60 4 8 12 -8 –8 32 Rod Buskas 72 2 7 9 -9 –9 159 Jim McGeough 17 3 2 5 -4 –4 8 Tom O'Regan 9 1 2 3 1 2 Chris Dahlquist 5 1 2 3 1 2 Randy Hillier ice hockey 28 0 3 3 -3 –3 53 Ted Nolan 18 1 1 2 -1 –1 34 Dwight Mathiasen 4 1 0 1 -4 –4 2 Todd Charlesworth 2 0 1 1 -1 –1 0 Joe McDonnell Joe McDonnell (ice hockey) 3 0 0 0 -3 –3 2 Tom Roulston 5 0 0 0 -2 –2 2 Wayne Babych‡ 2 0 0 0 -1 –1 0 Mike Rowe Mike Rowe (ice hockey) 3 0 0 0 -1 –1 4 Phil Bourque 4 0 0 0 -2 –2 2 Total 313 517 830 — 1,514 Goaltenders + Regular Season1985–1986 – Regular Season – Pittsburgh Penguins – Goalie – Summary – Wins – NHL.com – Stats https://www.nhl.com/stats/player?reportType=season&report=goaliesummary&season=19851986&gameType=2&aggregate=0&teamId=5&pos=G NHL Player GP Games played TOI Time on ice W Win L Loss T Tie GA Goals against GAA Goals against average SA Shots against SV% Save percentage SO Shutouts Roberto Romano 46 2684:00 21 20 3 159 3.55 1394 0.886 2 Gilles Meloche 34 1989:00 13 15 5 119 3.59 1003 0.881 0 Denis Herron 3 180:00 0 3 0 14 4.67 92 0.848 0 Total 4853:00 34 38 8 292 3.61 2489 0.883 2 †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 Mario Lemieux became the first person to score 70 assists in a season for the Penguins. He did so in a 7–3 win over Detroit on February 21. Mario Lemieux became the first person to score 80 assists and also 120 points in a season for the Penguins. He did so with the same assist in a 5–1 win over Hartford on March 1. Mario Lemieux became the first person to score 130 points in a season for the Penguins. He did so in a 7–3 win over New Jersey on March 19. Mario Lemieux became the first person to score 90 assists in a season for the Penguins. He did so in a 3–8 loss to with Edmonton on March 26. Mario Lemieux became the first person to score 140 points in a season for the Penguins. He did so in a 5–4 win over New York on April 6. Mario Lemieux established a new franchise record for assists (94) and points (141) in a season. He topped the previous highs of 111 points (Pierre Larouche, 1976) and 67 assists (Syl Apps Jr. 1976 and Randy Carlyle 1981). Transactions The Penguins were involved in the following transactions during the 1985–86 season: Trades September 10, 1985 To Edmonton Oilers Tim HrynewichMarty McSorleyfuture considerations (Craig Muni) To Pittsburgh Penguins Gilles Meloche September 10, 1985 To New York Islanders future considerations To Pittsburgh Penguins Dave Simpson September 16, 1985 To Buffalo Sabres cash To Pittsburgh Penguins Ted Nolan October 4, 1985 To Edmonton Oilers Pat Price To Pittsburgh Penguins Pat Hughes October 4, 1985 To Buffalo Sabres Pat Hughes To Pittsburgh Penguins Randy CunneyworthMike Moller October 20, 1985 To Quebec Nordiques Wayne Babych To Pittsburgh Penguins future considerations March 11, 1986 To Detroit Red Wings Doug Shedden To Pittsburgh Penguins Ron Duguay Additions and subtractions Additions Player Former team Via Chris Dahlquist Lake Superior State Lakers (CCHA) free agency (1985-05-07) Jim Johnson University of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs (WCHA) free agency (1985-06-09) Terry Ruskowski Los Angeles Kings free agency (1985-10-03) Willy Lindstrom Edmonton Oilers Waiver Draft (1985-10-07) Dan Frawley Chicago Black Hawks Waiver Draft (1985-10-07) Mike Blaisdell New York Rangers Waiver Draft (1985-10-07) Dwight Mathiasen University of Denver Pioneers (WCHA) free agency (1986-03-31) Steve Guenette Guelph Platers (OHL) free agency (1986-04-06) Subtractions Player New team Via Warren Young Detroit Red Wings free agency (1985-07-10) Tim Tookey Philadelphia Flyers free agency (1985-07-11) Kevin McCarthy Philadelphia Flyers free agency (1985-07-19) Arto Javanainen Assat Pori (SM-liiga) free agency Petteri Lehto TPS Turku (SM-liiga) free agency Rod Schutt Toronto Maple Leafs free agency (1985-10-03) Tony Feltrin New York Rangers free agency (1985-10-08) May 2009 Draft picks List of Pittsburgh Penguins draft picks The 1985 NHL entry draft was held on June 15, 1985, in Toronto, Ontario.NHL Entry Draft Year by Year Results http://www.nhl.com/ice/draftsearch.htm?year=1985&team=PIT&position=&round= NHLJuly 2026 medicmedic Round # Player Pos Nationality College/Junior/Club team (League) 1 2 Craig Simpson Left wing Canada Michigan State University (NCAA) 2 23 Lee Giffin Right wing Canada Oshawa Generals (OHL) 3 58 Bruce Racine Goaltender Canada Northeastern University (NCAA) 5 86 Steve Gotaas Center Canada Prince Albert Raiders (WHL) 6 107 Kevin Clemens Left wing Canada Regina Pats (WHL) 6 114 Stewart Marston Defense Canada Longueuil Chevaliers (QMJHL) 7 128 Steve Titus Goaltender Canada Cornwall Royals (OHL) 8 149 Paul Stanton Defense United States Catholic Memorial H.S. (Massachusetts) 9 170 Jim Paek Defense South Korea Oshawa Generals (OHL) 10 191 Steve Shaunessy Defense United States Reading H.S. (Massachusetts) 11 212 Doug Greschuk Defense Canada St. Albert Saints (AJHL) 12 233 Gregory Choules Left wing Canada Chicoutimi Saguenéens (QMJHL) See also 1985–86 NHL season References Category:Pittsburgh Penguins seasons Pittsburgh Pitts Pitts Category:Long stubs with short prose