# 1985–86 Pittsburgh Penguins season

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.

## 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

Patrick Division :
| | GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | Pts |
| Philadelphia Flyers | 80 | 53 | 23 | 4 | 335 | 241 | 110 |
| Washington Capitals | 80 | 50 | 23 | 7 | 315 | 272 | 107 |
| New York Islanders | 80 | 39 | 29 | 12 | 327 | 284 | 90 |
| New York Rangers | 80 | 36 | 38 | 6 | 280 | 276 | 78 |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | 80 | 34 | 38 | 8 | 313 | 305 | 76 |
| New Jersey Devils | 80 | 28 | 49 | 3 | 300 | 374 | 59 |
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.

### Record vs. opponents

Patrick Division record vs. opponents :
Vs. Wales Conference
Vs. Patrick Division
1985–86 NHL records
Team
NJD
NYI
NYR
PHI
PIT
WSH
Total
New Jersey
—2−52−53−42−4−11−610−24−1
N.Y. Islanders
5−2—3−3−14−35−1−13−420−13−2
N.Y. Rangers
5−23−3−1—1−62−4−13−3−114−18−3
Philadelphia
4−33−46−1—6−0−15−224−10−1
Pittsburgh
4−2−11−5−14−2−10–6−1—1−610−21−4
Washington
6−14−33−3−12–56−1—21−13−1
Vs. Adams Division
1985–86 NHL records
Team
BOS
BUF
HFD
MTL
QUE
Total
New Jersey
0−31−21−21−22−15−10−0
N.Y. Islanders
1−0−21−22−11−21−26−7−2
N.Y. Rangers
2−10−31−22−0−10−2−15−8−2
Philadelphia
2−11−23−02−11−1−19−5−1
Pittsburgh
1−22−0−11−20−2−11−1−15−7−3
Washington
2−0−11−1−12−0−12−0−13−010−1−4
Vs. Campbell Conference
Vs. Norris Division
1985–86 NHL records
Team
CHI
DET
MIN
STL
TOR
Total
New Jersey
2−12−0−11−21−21−27−7−1
N.Y. Islanders
0−2−13−00−2−11−1−13−07−5−3
N.Y. Rangers
0−33−01−21−1−12−17−7−1
Philadelphia
2−0−12−12−0−12−12−110−3−2
Pittsburgh
1−1−12−13−02−13−011−3−1
Washington
2−12−12−13−02−111−4−0
Vs. Smythe Division
1985–86 NHL records
Team
CGY
EDM
LAK
VAN
WIN
Total
New Jersey
0−2−10−32−12−12−16−8−1
N.Y. Islanders
1−1−10−1−22−11−1−12−0−16−4−5
N.Y. Rangers
1−22−12−13−02−110−5−0
Philadelphia
2−11−23−02−12−110−5−0
Pittsburgh
1−21−22−12−12−18−7−0
Washington
0−33−02−12−0−11−1−18−5−2 :

## Schedule and results

1985–86 Schedule :
October: 3–5–2 (home: 2–3–1; road: 1–2–1), 8 Points
#DateVisitorScoreHomeLocationRecordPoints
1Oct 10Montreal Canadiens5–3Pittsburgh PenguinsCivic Arena0–1–00
2Oct 12Philadelphia Flyers4–2Pittsburgh PenguinsCivic Arena0–2–00
3Oct 15Minnesota North Stars2–3Pittsburgh PenguinsCivic Arena1–2–02
4Oct 16Pittsburgh Penguins5–5 OTChicago Black HawksChicago Stadium1–2–13
5Oct 19Pittsburgh Penguins3–4Quebec NordiquesQuebec Coliseum1–3–13
6Oct 23Pittsburgh Penguins5–4Toronto Maple LeafsMaple Leaf Gardens2–3–15
7Oct 24Toronto Maple Leafs4–6Pittsburgh PenguinsCivic Arena3–3–17
8Oct 26Quebec Nordiques4–4 OTPittsburgh PenguinsCivic Arena3–3–28
9Oct 29Hartford Whalers4–3Pittsburgh PenguinsCivic Arena3–4–28
10Oct 30Pittsburgh Penguins3–6Detroit Red WingsJoe Louis Arena3–5–28 :
November: 5–7–1 (home: 4–3–0; road: 1–4–1), 11 Points
#DateVisitorScoreHomeLocationRecordPoints
11Nov 2Pittsburgh Penguins4–4 OTMontreal CanadiensMontreal Forum3–5–39
12Nov 4New York Rangers4–2Pittsburgh PenguinsCivic Arena3–6–39
13Nov 6Washington Capitals4–1Pittsburgh PenguinsCivic Arena3–7–39
14Nov 8Pittsburgh Penguins3–5New Jersey DevilsIzod Center3–8–39
15Nov 9Chicago Black Hawks1–3Pittsburgh PenguinsCivic Arena4–8–311
16Nov 13Pittsburgh Penguins6–3Vancouver CanucksPacific Coliseum5–8–313
17Nov 16Pittsburgh Penguins3–4 OTLos Angeles KingsThe Forum5–9–313
18Nov 19Pittsburgh Penguins3–4Washington CapitalsCapital Centre5–10–313
19Nov 20Washington Capitals3–1Pittsburgh PenguinsCivic Arena5–11–313
20Nov 22Winnipeg Jets1–8Pittsburgh PenguinsCivic Arena6–11–315
21Nov 24Pittsburgh Penguins4–7Philadelphia FlyersThe Spectrum6–12–315
22Nov 27Toronto Maple Leafs1–7Pittsburgh PenguinsCivic Arena7–12–317
23Nov 30New York Rangers4–5Pittsburgh PenguinsCivic Arena8–12–319 :
December: 8–6–1 (home: 3–3–1; road: 5–3–0), 17 Points
#DateVisitorScoreHomeLocationRecordPoints
24Dec 2Pittsburgh Penguins6–0New York RangersMadison Square Garden (IV)9–12–321
25Dec 4Detroit Red Wings2–5Pittsburgh PenguinsCivic Arena10–12–323
26Dec 6Pittsburgh Penguins3–1Buffalo SabresBuffalo Memorial Auditorium11–12–325
27Dec 7New Jersey Devils5–1Pittsburgh PenguinsCivic Arena11–13–325
28Dec 10Pittsburgh Penguins4–7New York IslandersNassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum11–14–325
29Dec 11New York Islanders4–4 OTPittsburgh PenguinsCivic Arena11–14–426
30Dec 14Pittsburgh Penguins4–5Hartford WhalersXL Center11–15–426
31Dec 15Pittsburgh Penguins5–2New York RangersMadison Square Garden (IV)12–15–428
32Dec 17Calgary Flames3–4Pittsburgh PenguinsCivic Arena13–15–430
33Dec 19Pittsburgh Penguins4–3 OTMinnesota North StarsMet Center14–15–432
34Dec 21Philadelphia Flyers4–2Pittsburgh PenguinsCivic Arena14–16–432
35Dec 22Pittsburgh Penguins2–3 OTPhiladelphia FlyersThe Spectrum14–17–432
36Dec 26Boston Bruins3–4Pittsburgh PenguinsCivic Arena15–17–434
37Dec 28New York Islanders4–2Pittsburgh PenguinsCivic Arena15–18–434
38Dec 31Pittsburgh Penguins8–4St. Louis BluesThe Checkerdome16–18–436 :
January: 7–4–2 (home: 4–0–2; road: 3–4–0), 16 Points
#DateVisitorScoreHomeLocationRecordPoints
39Jan 1Pittsburgh Penguins4–7Chicago Black HawksChicago Stadium16–19–436
40Jan 6New Jersey Devils3–4Pittsburgh PenguinsCivic Arena17–19–438
41Jan 8Los Angeles Kings3–7Pittsburgh PenguinsCivic Arena18–19–440
42Jan 9Pittsburgh Penguins0–9New York IslandersNassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum18–20–440
43Jan 11Buffalo Sabres3–3 OTPittsburgh PenguinsCivic Arena18–20–541
44Jan 15New York Islanders3–6Pittsburgh PenguinsCivic Arena19–20–543
45Jan 18Pittsburgh Penguins5–2St. Louis BluesThe Checkerdome20–20–545
46Jan 19Minnesota North Stars2–3Pittsburgh PenguinsCivic Arena21–20–547
47Jan 22Pittsburgh Penguins7–4Edmonton OilersNorthlands Coliseum22–20–549
48Jan 24Pittsburgh Penguins3–4Vancouver CanucksPacific Coliseum22–21–549
49Jan 25Pittsburgh Penguins2–5Calgary FlamesScotiabank Saddledome22–22–549
50Jan 28Philadelphia Flyers2–2 OTPittsburgh PenguinsCivic Arena22–22–650
51Jan 29Pittsburgh Penguins4–1New Jersey DevilsIzod Center23–22–652 :
February: 7–4–1 (home: 6–1–0; road: 1–3–1), 15 Points
#DateVisitorScoreHomeLocationRecordPoints
52Feb 1Pittsburgh Penguins3–4New York IslandersNassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum23–23–652
53Feb 2Pittsburgh Penguins2–3Boston BruinsBoston Garden23–24–652
54Feb 8New Jersey Devils0–4Pittsburgh PenguinsCivic Arena24–24–654
55Feb 12Washington Capitals1–8Pittsburgh PenguinsCivic Arena25–24–656
56Feb 15Vancouver Canucks4–9Pittsburgh PenguinsCivic Arena26–24–658
57Feb 16Pittsburgh Penguins5–5 OTNew Jersey DevilsIzod Center26–24–759
58Feb 19Winnipeg Jets2–5Pittsburgh PenguinsCivic Arena27–24–761
59Feb 21Pittsburgh Penguins7–3Detroit Red WingsJoe Louis Arena28–24–763
60Feb 22St. Louis Blues5–3Pittsburgh PenguinsCivic Arena28–25–763
61Feb 24Los Angeles Kings5–6 OTPittsburgh PenguinsCivic Arena29–25–765
62Feb 26Buffalo Sabres2–5Pittsburgh PenguinsCivic Arena30–25–767
63Feb 27Pittsburgh Penguins3–8New York RangersMadison Square Garden (IV)30–26–767 :
March: 3–9–1 (home: 1–3–1; road: 2–6–0), 7 Points
#DateVisitorScoreHomeLocationRecordPoints
64Mar 1Hartford Whalers1–5Pittsburgh PenguinsCivic Arena31–26–769
65Mar 4Pittsburgh Penguins3–6Calgary FlamesScotiabank Saddledome31–27–769
66Mar 7Pittsburgh Penguins3–5Edmonton OilersNorthlands Coliseum31–28–769
67Mar 9Pittsburgh Penguins3–5Winnipeg JetsWinnipeg Arena31–29–769
68Mar 11Pittsburgh Penguins3–5Washington CapitalsCapital Centre31–30–769
69Mar 12Boston Bruins5–2Pittsburgh PenguinsCivic Arena31–31–769
70Mar 15New York Rangers2–2 OTPittsburgh PenguinsCivic Arena31–31–870
71Mar 17Washington Capitals5–3Pittsburgh PenguinsCivic Arena31–32–870
72Mar 19Pittsburgh Penguins7–3New Jersey DevilsIzod Center32–32–872
73Mar 20Pittsburgh Penguins1–5Philadelphia FlyersThe Spectrum32–33–872
74Mar 22Pittsburgh Penguins7–4Quebec NordiquesQuebec Coliseum33–33–874
75Mar 26Edmonton Oilers8–3Pittsburgh PenguinsCivic Arena33–34–874
76Mar 29Pittsburgh Penguins3–4Montreal CanadiensMontreal Forum33–35–874 :
April: 1–3–0 (home: 0–2–0; road: 1–1–0), 2 Points
#DateVisitorScoreHomeLocationRecordPoints
77Apr 1Pittsburgh Penguins3–5Washington CapitalsCapital Centre33–36–874
78Apr 2New York Islanders7–2Pittsburgh PenguinsCivic Arena33–37–874
79Apr 5Philadelphia Flyers4–3 OTPittsburgh PenguinsCivic Arena33–38–874
80Apr 6Pittsburgh Penguins5–4 OTNew York RangersMadison Square Garden (IV)34–38–876 :
Legend:
  Win (2 points)
  Loss (0 points)
  Tie (1 point) :

## Player statistics
### Skaters

Regular Season :
| Player | GP | G | A | Pts | +/− | PIM |
| Mario Lemieux | 79 | 48 | 93 | 141 | –6 | 43 |
| Mike Bullard | 77 | 41 | 42 | 83 | –16 | 69 |
| Moe Mantha Jr. | 78 | 15 | 52 | 67 | –4 | 102 |
| Doug Shedden$^‡$ | 67 | 32 | 34 | 66 | –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 | 6 |
| Doug Bodger | 79 | 4 | 33 | 37 | 3 | 63 |
| Dave Hannan | 75 | 17 | 18 | 35 | –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 | 80 | 3 | 26 | 29 | 12 | 115 |
| Craig Simpson | 76 | 11 | 17 | 28 | 1 | 49 |
| Dan Frawley | 69 | 10 | 11 | 21 | –19 | 174 |
| Bob Errey | 37 | 11 | 6 | 17 | 1 | 8 |
| Ron Duguay$^†$ | 13 | 6 | 7 | 13 | –14 | 6 |
| Troy Loney | 47 | 3 | 9 | 12 | –8 | 95 |
| Ville Sirén | 60 | 4 | 8 | 12 | –8 | 32 |
| Rod Buskas | 72 | 2 | 7 | 9 | –9 | 159 |
| Jim McGeough | 17 | 3 | 2 | 5 | –4 | 8 |
| Tom O'Regan | 9 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| Chris Dahlquist | 5 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| Randy Hillier | 28 | 0 | 3 | 3 | –3 | 53 |
| Ted Nolan | 18 | 1 | 1 | 2 | –1 | 34 |
| Dwight Mathiasen | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | –4 | 2 |
| Todd Charlesworth | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | –1 | 0 |
| Joe McDonnell | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | –3 | 2 |
| Tom Roulston | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | –2 | 2 |
| Wayne Babych$^‡$ | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | –1 | 0 |
| Mike Rowe | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | –1 | 4 |
| Phil Bourque | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | –2 | 2 |
| Total | Total | 313 | 517 | 830 | — | 1,514 |

### Goaltenders

Regular Season :
| Player | GP | TOI | W | L | T | GA | GAA | SA | SV% | SO |
| 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 | 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 Hrynewich Marty McSorley future 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 Cunneyworth Mike 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) |

## Draft picks

The 1985 NHL Entry Draft was held on June 15, 1985, in Toronto, Ontario.
| 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) |