2011-12 Pittsburgh Penguins season

The 2011–12 Pittsburgh Penguins season was the franchise’s 45th season in the National Hockey League (NHL). The Penguins, lead by head coach Dan Bylsma, would start the season without captain center Sidney Crosby. The team still managed a 51-25-6 record, an East-best 29 home wins, and their 108 points second-best in the Eastern Conference. In February, the team began the league's longest season winning streak and also saw the return of Crosby after missing more than 40 games with concussion like symptoms, before they saw the streak end in March at 11 games. Center Evgeni Malkin was able to play in 75 games despite difficulties associated with recent knee surgery and recorded his greatest goal tally in a season (50) on the way to winning his second Art Ross Trophy. Marc-Andre Fleury tied a franchise record for goalie wins (226) in a victory against the Atlantic division winning-New York Rangers. The four-seed Penguins would see their playoff run end to the same team which halted their regular season winning streak, the Philadelphia Flyers, losing the first three games before perishing in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. 
On April 27, Malkin was one of three finalists for the Hart Memorial Trophy , marking his third-career nomination for the award.
==Pre-season==
2011 Pre-season game log: 5–1–0 (Home: 3–0–0 ; Road: 2–1–0)
{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;"	 	 	 	 	
#	Date 	Visitor 	Score 	Home 	Record
1	September 21	Detroit Red Wings 	2 – 3 	Pittsburgh Penguins	1–0–0
2	September 22	Chicago Blackhawks 	1 – 4 	Pittsburgh Penguins	2–0–0
3	September 24	Minnesota Wild 	1 – 4 	Pittsburgh Penguins	3–0–0
4	September 27	Pittsburgh Penguins	3 – 2 (SO)	Los Angeles Kings 	4–0–0
5	September 30	Pittsburgh Penguins	4 – 2 	Chicago Blackhawks 	5–0–0
6	October 2 	Pittsburgh Penguins	2 – 3 	Detroit Red Wings 	5–1–0
==Regular season==
==Standings==
==Stanley Cup playoffs==
The Pittsburgh Penguins qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the sixth consecutive season, but lost in six games to the Philadelphia Flyers.
===Playoff log===
 Win Loss Win playoff series
2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs 	2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs 	2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs 	2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs 	2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs 	2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs 	2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs 	2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs 	2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs 	2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs 	2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs 	2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs
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Eastern Conference quarterfinals vs No. 5 Philadelphia Flyers: Philadelphia wins series 4–2 (Home: 1–2; Road: 1–2)	Eastern Conference quarterfinals vs No. 5 Philadelphia Flyers: Philadelphia wins series 4–2 (Home: 1–2; Road: 1–2)	Eastern Conference quarterfinals vs No. 5 Philadelphia Flyers: Philadelphia wins series 4–2 (Home: 1–2; Road: 1–2)	Eastern Conference quarterfinals vs No. 5 Philadelphia Flyers: Philadelphia wins series 4–2 (Home: 1–2; Road: 1–2)	Eastern Conference quarterfinals vs No. 5 Philadelphia Flyers: Philadelphia wins series 4–2 (Home: 1–2; Road: 1–2)	Eastern Conference quarterfinals vs No. 5 Philadelphia Flyers: Philadelphia wins series 4–2 (Home: 1–2; Road: 1–2)	Eastern Conference quarterfinals vs No. 5 Philadelphia Flyers: Philadelphia wins series 4–2 (Home: 1–2; Road: 1–2)	Eastern Conference quarterfinals vs No. 5 Philadelphia Flyers: Philadelphia wins series 4–2 (Home: 1–2; Road: 1–2)	Eastern Conference quarterfinals vs No. 5 Philadelphia Flyers: Philadelphia wins series 4–2 (Home: 1–2; Road: 1–2)	Eastern Conference quarterfinals vs No. 5 Philadelphia Flyers: Philadelphia wins series 4–2 (Home: 1–2; Road: 1–2)	Eastern Conference quarterfinals vs No. 5 Philadelphia Flyers: Philadelphia wins series 4–2 (Home: 1–2; Road: 1–2)	Eastern Conference quarterfinals vs No. 5 Philadelphia Flyers: Philadelphia wins series 4–2 (Home: 1–2; Road: 1–2)
# 	Date 	Visitor 	Score 	Home 	OT 	Pittsburgh goals 	Philadelphia goals 	Decision 	Attendance 	Series 	Recap
1 	April 11 	Philadelphia 	4–3 	Pittsburgh 	OT 	Crosby, Kennedy, Dupuis 	Briere, Briere, Schenn, Voracek 	Fleury (0–1) 	18,565 	1–0 	
2 	April 13 	Philadelphia 	8–5 	Pittsburgh 	 	Crosby, Kunitz, Martin, Kunitz, Kennedy 	Talbot, Giroux, Giroux, Couturier, Couturier, Jagr, Couturier, Giroux 	Fleury (0–2) 	18,626 	2–0 	
3 	April 15 	Pittsburgh 	4–8 	Philadelphia 	 	Staal, Neal, Neal, Staal 	Talbot, Briere, Briere, Read, Read, Simmonds, Giroux, Talbot 	Fleury (0–3) 	20,092 	3–0 	
4 	April 18 	Pittsburgh 	10–3 	Philadelphia 	 	Malkin, Niskanen, Crosby, Staal, Letang, Staal, Sullivan, Dupuis, Staal, Malkin 	Giroux, Timonen, Voracek 	Fleury (1–3) 	20,172 	3–1 	
5 	April 20 	Philadelphia 	2–3 	Pittsburgh 	 	Sullivan, Staal, Kennedy 	Carle, Hartnell 	Fleury (2–3) 	18,628 	3–2 	
6 	April 22 	Pittsburgh 	1–5 	Philadelphia 	 	Malkin 	Giroux, Hartnell, Gustafsson, Briere, Schenn 	Fleury (2–4) 	20,127 	4–2 	
==Player Stats==
===Skaters===
After games on April 7, 2012 
Regular Season	 	 	 	 	 	
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%;"	 	 	 	 	 	
Player 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	75	50 	59 	109	18 	70
 	80	40 	41 	81 	6 	87
 	82	26 	35 	61 	16 	49
 	82	25 	34 	59 	18 	34
 	62	25 	25 	50 	11 	34
 	79	17 	31 	48 	−3 	20
 	51	10 	32 	42 	21 	34
 	82	19 	19 	38 	5 	44
 	22	8 	29 	37 	15 	14
 	60	11 	22 	33 	10 	29
 	73	2 	25 	27 	9 	18
 	75	4 	17 	21 	9 	47
 	82	5 	13 	18 	−6 	34
 	73	2 	16 	18 	19 	61
 	73	4 	13 	17 	10 	56
 	64	5 	11 	16 	−5 	76
 	54	7 	7 	14 	−1 	12
 	68	4 	10 	14 	−5 	56
 	62	2 	11 	13 	0 	24
 	26	4 	2 	6 	−4 	2
 	34	1 	4 	5 	3 	13
 	18	1 	3 	4 	5 	10
 	17	0 	4 	4 	4 	4
 	24	0 	2 	2 	−4 	16
 	8 	1 	1 	2 	1 	4
 	1 	0 	1 	1 	1 	0
 	9 	0 	1 	1 	−2 	4
† 	6 	0 	1 	1 	−4 	0
‡ 	11	0 	1 	1 	−6 	2
 	6 	0 	0 	0 	1 	2
 	12	0 	0 	0 	0 	6
 	5 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0
Totals 	82	273	470	743	177	862
After games on April 22, 2012 
Playoffs	 	 	 	 	 	
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%;"	 	 	 	 	 	
Player 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	6	6 	3 	9 	2 	2
 	6	3 	5 	8 	−3	9
 	6	3 	5 	8 	−1	6
 	6	2 	4 	6 	0 	0
 	6	3 	3 	6 	1 	2
 	6	2 	4 	6 	−2	8
 	5	2 	4 	6 	−3	12
 	6	2 	4 	6 	−4	4
 	6	1 	4 	5 	−1	21
 	6	0 	4 	4 	3 	16
 	4	1 	2 	3 	2 	6
 	3	1 	0 	1 	−1	0
 	6	0 	1 	1 	2 	0
 	6	0 	1 	1 	1 	14
 	2	0 	1 	1 	−1	2
 	2	0 	1 	1 	2 	0
 	5	0 	0 	0 	−1	19
 	3	0 	0 	0 	−3	10
 	3	0 	0 	0 	2 	2
 	2	0 	0 	0 	−2	0
 	6	0 	0 	0 	−2	4
 	3	0 	0 	0 	3 	0
 	4	0 	0 	0 	−2	12
Totals 	6	26	46	72	−8	149
===Goaltenders===
Regular season	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%;"	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Player 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	67	64	3896	42	17	4	6	153	2.36	1768	1615	0.913	3	0	2	4
 	16	14	811 	6 	7 	2	1	42 	3.11	359 	317 	0.883	0	0	0	0
 	5 	4 	258 	3 	1 	0	0	16 	3.72	113 	97 	0.858	0	0	0	0
Totals 	88	82	4965	51	25	6	7	211	2.55	2240	2029	0.906	3	0	2	4
Playoffs	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%;"	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Player 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	6	6	337	2	4	N/A	2	26	4.63	157	131	0.834	0	0	1	0
 	1	0	20 	0	0	N/A	0	2 	6.00	6 	4 	0.667	0	0	0	0
Totals 	6	6	357	2	4	N/A	2	28	4.71	163	135	0.828	0	0	1	0
†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining Penguins. Stats reflect time with Penguins only.
‡Traded mid-season. Stats reflect time with Penguins only.
==Notable achievements==
===Awards===
Regular Season	 	
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%;"	 	
Player 	Award 	Awarded
 	NHL First Star of the Week 	November 28, 2011
 	NHL Third Star of the Week 	December 19, 2011
 	NHL First Star of the Month 	December 2011
 	NHL Third Star of the Week 	January 16, 2012
 	NHL First Star of the Week 	January 23, 2012
 	NHL All Star Game 	January 29, 2012
 	NHL All Star Game 	January 29, 2012
 	NHL All Star Game 	January 29, 2012
 	NHL Second Star of the Month	January 2012
 	NHL Second Star of the Week 	February 13, 2012
 	NHL First Star of the Week 	March 26, 2012
 	NHL Second Star of the Month	March 2012
 	NHL Third Star of the Week 	April 9, 2012
Post-Season	 	
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%;"	 	
Player 	Award 	Awarded
 	Hart Memorial Trophy Nominee	April 27, 2012
===Team Awards===
Awarded on April 5 2012 
Player 	Award 	Notes
Marc-Andre FleuryPascal Dupuis	Baz Bastien Memorial Award 	Presented by the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Association to the player who the local media of the PHWA want to acknowledge for his cooperation throughout the year. The award is presented in memory of the late Aldege “Baz” Bastien, Penguins general manager from 1976-83. Sponsor: University of Pittsburgh Medical Centre
Matt Cooke 	Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy nominee 	The Pittsburgh Chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Association votes for the Penguins’ Masterton nominee. Each NHL team selects a Masterton candidate from which the overall winner is chosen. The Masterton candidate is nominated as the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. Sponsor: Trib Total Media
Evgeni Malkin 	A. T. Caggiano Memorial Booster Club Cup	Presented in memory of A.T. Caggiano, long-time Penguins’ locker room attendant & Booster Club supporter, the award is presented by Penguins Booster Club members, who vote for the three stars after every home game and tally votes at the end of the regular season.
Brooks Orpik 	Player's Player Award 	The players hold a vote at the end of the season for the player they feel exemplifies leadership for the team, both on and off the ice, a player dedicated to teamwork. Sponsor: Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
Evgeni Malkin 	Edward J. DeBartolo Award 	The award recognizes the player who has donated a tremendous amount of time and effort during the season working on community and charity projects. Sponsor: Verizon Wireless
Brooks OrpikMarc-Andre Fleury 	Defensive Player of the Year 	This award honors the defensive skills of an individual player on the team. Sponsor: PNC Wealth Management
Evgeni Malkin 	Most Valuable Player 	Based on the overall contribution the player makes to the team. Sponsor: CONSOL Energy
===Milestones===
Regular Season	 	
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%;"	 	
Player 	Milestone 	Reached
 	300th Career NHL Game 	October 6, 2011
 	200th Career NHL Point 	October 8, 2011
 	300th Career NHL Game 	October 13, 2011
 	700th Career NHL Game 	October 20, 2011
 	100th Career NHL Goal 	October 22, 2011
 	900th Career NHL Game 	October 22, 2011
 	1st Career NHL Game 	November 5, 2011
 	300th Career NHL Point 	November 12, 2011
 	700th Career NHL Game 	November 15, 2011
 	500th Career NHL Game 	November 23, 2011
 	500th Career NHL Game 	November 25, 2011
 	1st Career NHL Game1st Career NHL Assist1st Career NHL Point	December 1, 2011
 	300th Career NHL Game 	December 3, 2011
 	100th Career NHL Game 	December 10, 2011
 	1,000th Career NHL PIM 	December 10, 2011
 	700th Career NHL Game 	December 13, 2011
 	700th Career NHL Game 	December 16, 2011
 	200th Career NHL Point 	December 16, 2011
 	300th Career NHL Point 	December 17, 2011
 	200th Career NHL Win 	December 17, 2011
 	100th Career NHL Point 	December 17, 2011
 	1st Career NHL Goal 	December 17, 2011
 	1st Career NHL Game1st Career NHL Assist1st Career NHL Point	December 17, 2011
 	100th Career NHL point 	December 20, 2011
 	700th Career NHL Point 	December 23, 2011
 	400th Career NHL Game 	December 27, 2011
 	400th Career NHL Game 	January 7, 2012
 	300th Career NHL Game 	January 17, 2012
 	200th Career NHL Point 	January 17, 2012
 	500th Career NHL Game 	January 24, 2012
 	100th Career NHL Goal 	January 24, 2012
 	400th Career NHL Game 	February 11, 2012
 	100th Career NHL Goal 	February 11, 2012
 	300th Career NHL Assist 	February 21, 2012
 	1st Career NHL Game1st Career NHL Win 	February 26, 2012
 	300th Career NHL Game 	March 7, 2012
 	500th Career NHL Point 	March 11, 2012
 	200th Career NHL Point 	March 11, 2012
 	100th Career NHL Assist 	March 15, 2012
 	200th Career NHL Goal 	March 20, 2012
 	600th Career NHL Point 	March 30, 2012
 	100th Career NHL Assist 	March 30, 2012
 	200th Career NHL Assist 	April 5, 2012
Playoffs	 	
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%;"	 	
Player 	Milestone 	Reached
 	1st Career NHL Playoff Assist1st Career NHL Playoff Point	April 18, 2012
 	1st Career NHL Playoff Assist1st Career NHL Playoff Point	April 18, 2012
==Personnel==
Pittsburgh Penguins 2011-12 Final Roster	Pittsburgh Penguins 2011-12 Final Roster	Pittsburgh Penguins 2011-12 Final Roster	Pittsburgh Penguins 2011-12 Final Roster	Pittsburgh Penguins 2011-12 Final Roster	Pittsburgh Penguins 2011-12 Final Roster	Pittsburgh Penguins 2011-12 Final Roster
Goaltenders
* 
* 	Defensemen
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* – A
* 	Wingers
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 	Centers
* – A
* 
* – A
* – C 	 	 	
Pittsburgh Penguins 2011–12 staff	Pittsburgh Penguins 2011–12 staff	Pittsburgh Penguins 2011–12 staff	Pittsburgh Penguins 2011–12 staff	Pittsburgh Penguins 2011–12 staff	Pittsburgh Penguins 2011–12 staff	Pittsburgh Penguins 2011–12 staff
Executive Operations
* Ownership - Mario Lemieux, Ron Burkle
* Chief Operating Officer - Travis Williams
* CEO/President - David Morehouse
* Chairman - Mario Lemieux
* Executive Vice President - Ray Shero	Hockey Operations
* General Manager - Ray Shero
* Assistant General Manager - Jason Botterill
* Head Coach - Dan Bylsma
* Assistant Coach - Tony Granato
* Assistant Coach - Todd Reirden
* Goaltending Coach - Gilles Meloche
* Strength and Conditioning Coach - Mike Kadar
* Player Development Coach - Bill Guerin
* Goaltender Development Coach - Mike Bales	 	 	 	 	
==Transactions==
The Penguins have been involved in the following transactions during the 2011–12 season:
===Trades===
November 8, 2011Penguins Acquire 2012 Fourth-Round Draft Pick From Columbus in Exchange for Mark Letestu	To Columbus Blue Jackets: Mark Letestu 	To Pittsburgh: 4th-round pick in 2012
June 4, 2012 	To Washington Capitals: 7th-round pick in 2012	To Pittsburgh: Tomas Vokoun
===Free agents acquired===
Player 	Former team 	Contract terms
Zach Sill 	Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins	2 years/$1.07 million (entry-level)
Steve Sullivan 	Nashville Predators 	1 year/$1.5 million
Colin McDonald 	Oklahoma City Barons 	1 year/$525,000 (two-way)
Boris Valabik 	Providence Bruins 	1 year/$550,000 (two-way)
Alexandre Picard	Montreal Canadiens 	1 year/$600,000 (two-way)
Steve MacIntyre 	Edmonton Oilers 	1 year/$600,000 (two-way)
Scott Munroe 	Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk 	1 year/$525,000 (two-way)
Jason Williams 	Dallas Stars 	1 year/$600,000 (two-way)
Richard Park 	Geneve-Servette HC 	1 year/$550,000 (two-way)
Adam Payerl 	Belleville Bulls 	3 years, $1.83 million (entry-level)
=== Free agents lost ===
Player 	New team 	Contract terms
Steve Wagner 	Adler Mannheim 	1 year
John Curry 	Hamburg Freezers 	1 year
Andrew Hutchinson	Barys Astana 	1 year
Mike Rupp 	New York Rangers 	3 years/$4.5 million
Maxime Talbot 	Philadelphia Flyers	5 years/$8.75 million
Corey Potter 	Edmonton Oilers 	1 year/$525,000 (two-way)
Brett Sterling 	St. Louis Blues 	1 year/$600,000 (two-way)
Chris Conner 	Detroit Red Wings 	1 year/$550,000 (two-way)
Eric Godard 	Dallas Stars 	2 years/$1.45 million (two-way in first year)
Tim Wallace 	New York Islanders 	1 year/$700,000 (two-way)
Alexei Kovalev 	Atlant Mytishchi 	2 years
===Claimed via waivers===
Date 	Player 	Previous team
February 1, 2012Penguins Claim Forward Cal O’Reilly Off Re-Entry Waivers	Cal O'Reilly	Phoenix Coyotes
===Lost via waivers===
Date 	Player 	New team
September 29, 2011	Nick Johnson	Minnesota Wild
=== Player signings ===
Player 	Date 	Contract terms
Nick Johnson 	June 4, 2011 	1 year/$550,000 (two-way)
Craig Adams 	June 9, 2011 	2 years/$1.35 million
Ryan Craig 	June 13, 2011 	1 year/$525,000 (two-way)
Pascal Dupuis 	June 28, 2011 	2 years/$3 million
Arron Asham 	June 29, 2011 	1 year/$775,000
Tyler Kennedy 	July 1, 2011 	2 years/$4 million
Brad Thiessen 	July 5, 2011 	1 year/$525,000 (two-way)
Dustin Jeffrey 	July 12, 2011 	2 years/$1.15 million (two-way in first year)
Scott Harrington	July 26, 2011 	3 years/$1.8525 million (entry-level)
Joe Morrow 	August 3, 2011 	3 years/$2.775 million (entry-level)
Chris Kunitz 	October 13, 2011 	2 years/$7.45 million (contract extension)
Joe Vitale 	February 3, 2012 	2 years/$1.1 million (contract extension)
James Neal 	February 19, 2012	6 years/$30 million (contract extension)
Beau Bennett 	April 13, 2012 	3 years/$2.7 million (entry-level)
Reid McNeill 	May 15, 2012 	3 years/$1.675 million (entry-level)
Dominik Uher 	June 1, 2012 	3 years/$1.755 million (entry-level)
Tomas Vokoun 	June 4, 2012 	2 years/$4 million
==Draft picks==
The Penguins' selected five players at the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.
Round	Pick #	Player 	Position	Nationality	College/junior/club team (league)
1 	23 	Joe Morrow 	Defense 	 	Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
2 	54 	Scott Harrington	Defense 	 	London Knights (OHL)
5 	144 	Dominik Uher 	Center 	 	Spokane Chiefs (WHL)
6 	174 	Josh Archibald 	Wing 	 	Brainerd High School, Minnesota
7 	209 	Scott Wilson 	Center 	 	Georgetown Raiders (OJHL)
;Draft notes
* The Penguins' third-round pick went to the Phoenix Coyotes as the result of a trade on June 7, 2011 that sent Ilya Bryzgalov to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for Matt Clackson, future considerations and this conditional pick. The condition – Philadelphia signs Bryzgalov before the start of the third round of the draft – was converted on June 23, 2011. Philadelphia previously acquired the pick as the result of a trade on June 25, 2010 that sent Dan Hamhuis to Pittsburgh in exchange for this pick.
* The Penguins' fourth-round pick went to the Edmonton Oilers as the result of a trade on January 17, 2009 that sent Mathieu Garon to Pittsburgh in exchange for Dany Sabourin, Ryan Stone and this pick.
* The Penguins' seventh-round pick went to the Ottawa Senators as the result of a February 24, 2011 trade that sent Alexei Kovalev to the Penguins in exchange for this pick, the specific pick being conditional at the time of the trade. The condition – Pittsburgh does not advance to the 2011 Eastern Conference semifinals – was converted on April 27, 2011.
* The San Jose Sharks' seventh-round pick went to the Penguins as the result of a trade on June 26, 2010 that sent a seventh-round pick in 2010 to San Jose in exchange for this pick.
==See Also==
* 2011-12 NHL season
* 2012 Stanley Cup playoffs
==References==
Category:Pittsburgh Penguins seasons
Pittsburgh Penguins season, 2011–12