Mario Lemieux’s Five Goals, Five Ways: A Different Kind of Hat Trick
LEGENDS OF PITTSBURGH · Penguins · 1988
On December 31, 1988: even strength, power play, shorthanded, penalty shot, and empty net.
The Pittsburgh story
Lemieux's five-goal performance offers a rare way to appreciate a scorer. Rather than watching the same advantage repeat, the viewer sees different game situations produce the same result. A power play rewards one kind of positioning; a shorthanded chance can demand another. A penalty shot strips away traffic and teammates. An empty net still requires a player to finish the opportunity.
Why it belongs in the conversation
The appeal is variety. Counting goals tells us about production; identifying how they were scored tells us more about the range of problems a player can solve. Watch each finish separately and ask what changes: space, pressure, the number of skaters, and the goalkeeper's role. That is a better starting point for appreciating this highlight than trying to rank every great Pittsburgh performance against it. One night can contain several different demonstrations of skill. This one invites the viewer to notice all five.
A question for the Porch
Which scoring situation best reveals a player's skill: even strength, special teams, or a penalty shot?
When did Mario Lemieux score five goals five ways?
On December 31, 1988: even strength, power play, shorthanded, penalty shot, and empty net.
Sources and more Pittsburgh sports
Historical facts: NHL — Lemieux scores five separate ways. Commentary and discussion are The Sports Porch’s perspective.
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