1969–70 Pittsburgh Penguins season



The 1969–70 Pittsburgh Penguins season was the franchise's 3rd season in the National Hockey League. The Penguins finished 2nd in the West Division and made the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. In the Division Semi-finals, they defeated the Oakland Seals 4 games to 0 and then lost in the Division Finals to the St. Louis Blues 4 games to 2.

Off-season
Having not made the playoffs in their first two seasons, GM Jack Riley overhauled the Penguins via the inter and intra-league draft. He added five players who became regulars including Dean Prentice, Nick Harbaruk, Glen Sather, Bob Blackburn and most significantly, goalie Al Smith.

Via the amateur draft, Riley picked promising center Michel Brière and traded for Ron Schock and Bryan Hextall. Hextall played the next four seasons for the Penguins while Schock played eight and became the team's captain.

The Penguins jerseys remained the same as in the 1968-69 season.

Regular Season
Rick Kessell played his first NHL game on March 21, 1970 in the 5-3 loss to the Chicago Black Hawks.

Tragedy struck the Penguins in 1970 when promising rookie center Michel Briere, who finished third in scoring on the team, was injured in a car crash. After spending a year in the hospital, he died.

Pittsburgh Penguins 4, Oakland Seals 0


In Game 1, Nick Harbaruk's goal midway through the third period was the winner as Pittsburgh won 2–1. In Game 2, Gary Jarrett gave Oakland a 1–0 lead, but Pittsburgh came back to win 3–1. Game 3 at Oakland featured a hat trick by Ken Schinkel of the Penguins as Pittsburgh won 5–2. In Game 4, Oakland had 1–0 and 2–1 leads, but the Seals just couldn't hold on and the game was tied 2–2 at the end of regulation time. Michel Brière scored the winner as the Penguins won the first playoff series in their history.

St. Louis Blues 4, Pittsburgh Penguins 2
The Penguins would reach the playoffs for the first time in 1970, advancing to the Western Conference Finals where they lost to the St. Louis Blues. In the West Division Finals, the St. Louis Blues beat the Pittsburgh Penguins in six games.

Forwards
Note: GP= Games played; G= Goals; AST= Assists; PTS = Points; PIM = Points

Defencemen
Note: GP= Games played; G= Goals; AST= Assists; PTS = Points; PIM = Points

Goaltending
Note: GP= Games played; MIN= Minutes; W= Wins; L= Losses; T = Ties; SO = Shutouts; GAA = Goals Against

Awards and Records

 * The Penguins did not win any awards this season.

Transactions
The Penguins were involved in the following transactions during the 1969–70 season:

Trivia

 * Penguins who recorded a hat trick this season include:
 * Ken Schinkel during the 7-5 win over the Minnesota North Stars on February 4, 1970.