2000–01 Pittsburgh Penguins season
| 2000–01 Pittsburgh Penguins | |
|---|---|
| Division | 3rd Atlantic |
| Conference | 6th Eastern |
| 2000–01 record | 42–28–9 |
| Goals for | 281 |
| Goals against | 256 |
| Team information | |
| General Manager | Craig Patrick |
| Coach | Ivan Hlinka |
| Captain | Jaromir Jagr |
| Alternate captains |
Martin Straka Bob Boughner |
| Arena | Mellon Arena |
| Team leaders | |
| Goals | Jaromir Jagr(52) |
| Assists | Jaromir Jagr (69) |
| Points | Jaromir Jagr (121) |
| Penalties in minutes | Krzysztof Oliwa (165) |
| Plus/minus | Robert Lang (+20) |
| Wins | Jean-Sebastien Aubin (20) |
| Goals against average | Johan Hedberg (2.64) |
The 2000–01 Pittsburgh Penguins season was the team's 34th in the National Hockey League. The team played 82 games under new Head Coach Ivan Hlinka, who replaced Herb Brooks, who stepped down to remain a scout with the team.
Herb Brooks resigned as head coach at the end of the previous season, but remained with the team as a scout. Ivan Hlinka succeeded Brooks as head coach. Former Penguin Joe Mullen became an assistant coach along with his former teammate Randy Hillier.
The Penguins opened the regular season by splitting a two-game series against the Nashville Predators in Japan.
On December 9, 2000, it was announced by owner Mario Lemieux that he intended to come back as a player. Lemieux returned to the ice on December 27, 2000. Prior to the game, his number 66 banner was lowered from the rafters of the Mellon Arena with son Austin watching. Lemieux scored a goal and set up two others (including one on his first shift) in the Penguins' 5–0 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Prior to Lemieux's return, the Penguins were 15–14–6–1. After his comeback, the Penguins went 27–14–3–2 for a regular season record of 42–28–9–3 and a third-place finish in the Atlantic Division for a playoff spot. The Penguins were shut out only once all year, on October 28 against the New Jersey Devils. Only New Jersey scored more goals than Pittsburgh during the regular season. Jaromir Jagr had a stellar year, leading the team in goals (52), assists (69) and points (121). Alexei Kovalev had a career year, finishing with 44 goals and 51 assists for 95 points. Martin Straka finished second on the team in assists (68) and had 27 goals for 95 points, while Robert Lang had 32 goals and 48 assists for 80 points. In just 43 games, Lemieux had 35 goals and 41 assists for 76 points.
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