View source for 1977–78 Pittsburgh Penguins season

{{short description|NHL team season}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox ice hockey team season
  |League=NHL
  |Season=1977–78
  |year=1977
  |Team=Pittsburgh Penguins
  |Conference=[[Wales Conference|Wales]]
  |ConferenceRank=7th
  |Division=[[Norris Division|Norris]]
  |DivisionRank=4th 
  |Record=25–37–18 
  |HomeRecord=
  |RoadRecord=
  |GoalsFor=254
  |GoalsAgainst=321
  |GeneralManager=[[Baz Bastien]]
  |Coach=[[Johnny Wilson (ice hockey)|Johnny Wilson]]
  |Captain=[[Jean Pronovost]]
  |AltCaptain=None 
  |Arena=[[Pittsburgh Civic Arena]]
  |Attendance= 
  |GoalsLeader=[[Jean Pronovost]] (40)
  |AssistsLeader=[[Greg Malone (ice hockey)|Greg Malone]] (43)
  |PointsLeader=Jean Pronovost (65)
  |PlusMinusLeader= 
  |PIMLeader=[[Dave Schultz (ice hockey)|Dave Schultz]] (378)
  |WinsLeader=[[Denis Herron]] (20)
  |GAALeader=Denis Herron (3.57)
}}

The '''1977–78 Pittsburgh Penguins season''' was their 11th in the [[National Hockey League]]. They finished fourth in the [[Norris Division]], thus did not qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs. This was their worst regular season since 1974, with only 68 points, and the first time since 1974 that the Penguins did not qualify for the playoffs.

{{TOC limit|limit=2}}

==Off-season==
In the off-season head coach [[Ken Schinkel]] was replaced by former [[Los Angeles Kings|Kings]], [[Detroit Red Wings|Red Wings]] and [[Colorado Rockies (NHL)|Rockies]] head coach [[Johnny Wilson (ice hockey)|Johnny Wilson]]. Veterans [[Vic Hadfield]] and [[Ed Van Impe]] retired. Defensive forward [[J. Bob Kelly]]'s contract ended and he took his services to [[Chicago Blackhawks|Chicago]], while [[Captain (ice hockey)|Captain]] [[Ron Schock]] was traded to the [[Buffalo Sabres|Sabres]] ([[Jean Pronovost]] was named captain in his place).

==Regular season==
In an attempt to replace Kelly general manager [[Baz Bastien]] acquired former [[Philadelphia Flyers|Flyer]] [[enforcer (ice hockey)|enforcer]] [[Dave Schultz (ice hockey)|Dave Schultz]] early in the season, but the price was high: [[Syl Apps Jr.]], one of the team's all-time leading scorers. Schultz was traded the following season.

Frustrated with the performance of talented winger [[Pierre Larouche]], Bastien dealt the 22-year-old to the [[Montreal Canadiens]] for veteran [[Pete Mahovlich]] and prospect [[Peter Lee (ice hockey)|Peter Lee]] on November 29, 1977. Larouche would go on to win two [[Stanley Cup]] championships with the Canadiens, while Mahovlich was traded to the Red Wings less than two years later. Lee would fail to live up to his promise, scoring an average of only 0.57 points per game over the course of six seasons with the Penguins.

The high roster turnover, particularly from three of the previous season's top five scorers, contributed to the Penguins missing the playoffs for the first time in four seasons.

===Division standings===
{{1977–78 Norris Division standings|team=PIT}}

===Record vs. opponents===
{{1977–78 NHL Record vs. opponents (Norris)|team=PIT}}

==Schedule and results==

{{Game log start|style=background:#FFFFFF; border-top:#4A5391 5px solid; border-bottom:#80A0FF 5px solid;|title= 1977–78 Schedule}}
{{Game log section start|hide=y|style=background:#FFFFFF; border-top:#4A5391 2px solid; border-bottom:#80A0FF 2px solid;|title=October: 3–5–1 (Home: 2–3–0 ; Road: 1–2–1), 7 Points| #| Date| Visitor| Score| Home| Location| Record| Points}}
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 1 || Oct 12 || [[1977–78 St. Louis Blues season|St. Louis Blues]] || 2–4 || Pittsburgh Penguins || [[The Checkerdome]] || 1–0–0 || 2
|- style="background:#fcf;"
| 2 || Oct 14 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 1–2 || [[1977–78 Washington Capitals season|Washington Capitals]] || [[Capital Centre (Landover, Maryland)|Capital Centre]] || 1–1–0 || 2
|- style="background:#fcf;"
| 3 || Oct 15 || [[1977–78 Philadelphia Flyers season|Philadelphia Flyers]] || 8–2 || Pittsburgh Penguins || [[Spectrum (arena)|The Spectrum]] || 1–2–0 || 2
|- style="background:#ffc;"
| 4 || Oct 19 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–3 || [[1977–78 New York Rangers season|New York Rangers]] || [[Madison Square Garden|Madison Square Garden (IV)]] || 1–2–1 || 3
|- style="background:#fcf;"
| 5 || Oct 20 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 0–11 || [[1977–78 Philadelphia Flyers season|Philadelphia Flyers]] || [[Spectrum (arena)|The Spectrum]] || 1–3–1 || 3
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 6 || Oct 22 || [[1977–78 Atlanta Flames season|Atlanta Flames]] || 2–5 || Pittsburgh Penguins || [[Omni Coliseum]] || 2–3–1 || 5
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 7 || Oct 23 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–2 || [[1977–78 Cleveland Barons season|Cleveland Barons]] || [[Coliseum at Richfield]] || 3–3–1 || 7
|- style="background:#fcf;"
| 8 || Oct 26 || [[1977–78 Detroit Red Wings season|Detroit Red Wings]] || 4–3 || Pittsburgh Penguins || [[Olympia Stadium]] || 3–4–1 || 7
|- style="background:#fcf;"
| 9 || Oct 29 || [[1977–78 Boston Bruins season|Boston Bruins]] || 5–3 || Pittsburgh Penguins || [[Boston Garden]] || 3–5–1 || 7
|-
{{Game log section end}}
{{Game log section start|hide=y|style=background:#FFFFFF; border-top:#4A5391 2px solid; border-bottom:#80A0FF 2px solid;|title=November: 4–6–3 (Home: 4–0–1 ; Road: 0–6–2), 11 Points| #| Date| Visitor| Score| Home| Location| Record| Points}}
|- style="background:#fcf;"
| 10 || Nov 2 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 1–3 || [[1977–78 Detroit Red Wings season|Detroit Red Wings]] || [[Olympia Stadium]] || 3–6–1 || 7
|- style="background:#fcf;"
| 11 || Nov 4 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–5 || [[1977–78 Atlanta Flames season|Atlanta Flames]] || [[Omni Coliseum]] || 3–7–1 || 7
|- style="background:#fcf;"
| 12 || Nov 5 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–4 || [[1977–78 New York Islanders season|New York Islanders]] || [[Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum]] || 3–8–1 || 7
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 13 || Nov 9 || [[1977–78 Cleveland Barons season|Cleveland Barons]] || 3–5 || Pittsburgh Penguins || [[Coliseum at Richfield]] || 4–8–1 || 9
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 14 || Nov 12 || [[1977–78 Chicago Black Hawks season|Chicago Black Hawks]] || 4–7 || Pittsburgh Penguins || [[Chicago Stadium]] || 5–8–1 || 11
|- style="background:#ffc;"
| 15 || Nov 13 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–3 || [[1977–78 Buffalo Sabres season|Buffalo Sabres]] || [[Buffalo Memorial Auditorium]] || 5–8–2 || 12
|- style="background:#fcf;"
| 16 || Nov 16 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 4–7 || [[1977–78 Minnesota North Stars season|Minnesota North Stars]] || [[Met Center]] || 5–9–2 || 12
|- style="background:#ffc;"
| 17 || Nov 19 || [[1977–78 New York Rangers season|New York Rangers]] || 5–5 || Pittsburgh Penguins || [[Madison Square Garden|Madison Square Garden (IV)]] || 5–9–3 || 13
|- style="background:#ffc;"
| 18 || Nov 22 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–3 || [[1977–78 Vancouver Canucks season|Vancouver Canucks]] || [[Pacific Coliseum]] || 5–9–4 || 14
|- style="background:#fcf;"
| 19 || Nov 24 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–5 || [[1977–78 Los Angeles Kings season|Los Angeles Kings]] || [[The Forum (Inglewood, California)|The Forum]] || 5–10–4 || 14
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 20 || Nov 26 || [[1977–78 New York Islanders season|New York Islanders]] || 2–5 || Pittsburgh Penguins || [[Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum]] || 6–10–4 || 16
|- style="background:#fcf;"
| 21 || Nov 29 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 1–9 || [[1977–78 Montreal Canadiens season|Montreal Canadiens]] || [[Montreal Forum]] || 6–11–4 || 16
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 22 || Nov 30 || [[1977–78 Detroit Red Wings season|Detroit Red Wings]] || 4–6 || Pittsburgh Penguins || [[Olympia Stadium]] || 7–11–4 || 18
|-
{{Game log section end}}
{{Game log section start|hide=y|style=background:#FFFFFF; border-top:#4A5391 2px solid; border-bottom:#80A0FF 2px solid;|title=December: 4–6–4 (Home: 2–3–2 ; Road: 2–3–2), 12 Points| #| Date| Visitor| Score| Home| Location| Record| Points}}
|- style="background:#ffc;"
| 23 || Dec 3 || [[1977–78 Buffalo Sabres season|Buffalo Sabres]] || 4–4 || Pittsburgh Penguins || [[Buffalo Memorial Auditorium]] || 7–11–5 || 19
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 24 || Dec 4 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 4–2 || [[1977–78 Washington Capitals season|Washington Capitals]] || [[Capital Centre (Landover, Maryland)|Capital Centre]] || 8–11–5 || 21
|- style="background:#ffc;"
| 25 || Dec 6 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–3 || [[1977–78 Colorado Rockies season|Colorado Rockies]] || [[McNichols Sports Arena]] || 8–11–6 || 22
|- style="background:#fcf;"
| 26 || Dec 8 || [[1977–78 Los Angeles Kings season|Los Angeles Kings]] || 5–3 || Pittsburgh Penguins || [[The Forum (Inglewood, California)|The Forum]] || 8–12–6 || 22
|- style="background:#fcf;"
| 27 || Dec 10 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–6 || [[1977–78 Boston Bruins season|Boston Bruins]] || [[Boston Garden]] || 8–13–6 || 22
|- style="background:#fcf;"
| 28 || Dec 11 || [[1977–78 Atlanta Flames season|Atlanta Flames]] || 5–1 || Pittsburgh Penguins || [[Omni Coliseum]] || 8–14–6 || 22
|- style="background:#fcf;"
| 29 || Dec 14 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–3 || [[1977–78 St. Louis Blues season|St. Louis Blues]] || [[The Checkerdome]] || 8–15–6 || 22
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 30 || Dec 17 || [[1977–78 Montreal Canadiens season|Montreal Canadiens]] || 3–5 || Pittsburgh Penguins || [[Montreal Forum]] || 9–15–6 || 24
|- style="background:#ffc;"
| 31 || Dec 22 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–3 || [[1977–78 Buffalo Sabres season|Buffalo Sabres]] || [[Buffalo Memorial Auditorium]] || 9–15–7 || 25
|- style="background:#fcf;"
| 32 || Dec 23 || [[1977–78 Toronto Maple Leafs season|Toronto Maple Leafs]] || 6–2 || Pittsburgh Penguins || [[Maple Leaf Gardens]] || 9–16–7 || 25
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 33 || Dec 26 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 5–4 || [[1977–78 Toronto Maple Leafs season|Toronto Maple Leafs]] || [[Maple Leaf Gardens]] || 10–16–7 || 27
|- style="background:#ffc;"
| 34 || Dec 28 || [[1977–78 Washington Capitals season|Washington Capitals]] || 2–2 || Pittsburgh Penguins || [[Capital Centre (Landover, Maryland)|Capital Centre]] || 10–16–8 || 28
|- style="background:#fcf;"
| 35 || Dec 29 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–4 || [[1977–78 Montreal Canadiens season|Montreal Canadiens]] || [[Montreal Forum]] || 10–17–8 || 28
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 36 || Dec 31 || [[1977–78 Cleveland Barons season|Cleveland Barons]] || 3–6 || Pittsburgh Penguins || [[Coliseum at Richfield]] || 11–17–8 || 30
|-
{{Game log section end}}
{{Game log section start|hide=y|style=background:#FFFFFF; border-top:#4A5391 2px solid; border-bottom:#80A0FF 2px solid;|title=January: 5–5–3 (Home: 3–2–2 ; Road: 2–3–1), 13 Points| #| Date| Visitor| Score| Home| Location| Record| Points}}
|- style="background:#fcf;"
| 37 || Jan 2 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–3 || [[1977–78 Washington Capitals season|Washington Capitals]] || [[Capital Centre (Landover, Maryland)|Capital Centre]] || 11–18–8 || 30
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 38 || Jan 4 || [[1977–78 Vancouver Canucks season|Vancouver Canucks]] || 3–8 || Pittsburgh Penguins || [[Pacific Coliseum]] || 12–18–8 || 32
|- style="background:#ffc;"
| 39 || Jan 7 || [[1977–78 Los Angeles Kings season|Los Angeles Kings]] || 3–3 || Pittsburgh Penguins || [[The Forum (Inglewood, California)|The Forum]] || 12–18–9 || 33
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 40 || Jan 9 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 5–3 || [[1977–78 New York Rangers season|New York Rangers]] || [[Madison Square Garden|Madison Square Garden (IV)]] || 13–18–9 || 35
|- style="background:#fcf;"
| 41 || Jan 11 || [[1977–78 Montreal Canadiens season|Montreal Canadiens]] || 8–6 || Pittsburgh Penguins || [[Montreal Forum]] || 13–19–9 || 35
|- style="background:#ffc;"
| 42 || Jan 12 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 4–4 || [[1977–78 Philadelphia Flyers season|Philadelphia Flyers]] || [[Spectrum (arena)|The Spectrum]] || 13–19–10 || 36
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 43 || Jan 14 || [[1977–78 Cleveland Barons season|Cleveland Barons]] || 2–4 || Pittsburgh Penguins || [[Coliseum at Richfield]] || 14–19–10 || 38
|- style="background:#fcf;"
| 44 || Jan 18 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 0–1 || [[1977–78 Atlanta Flames season|Atlanta Flames]] || [[Omni Coliseum]] || 14–20–10 || 38
|- style="background:#fcf;"
| 45 || Jan 21 || [[1977–78 Washington Capitals season|Washington Capitals]] || 5–2 || Pittsburgh Penguins || [[Capital Centre (Landover, Maryland)|Capital Centre]] || 14–21–10 || 38
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 46 || Jan 22 || [[1977–78 New York Rangers season|New York Rangers]] || 1–3 || Pittsburgh Penguins || [[Madison Square Garden|Madison Square Garden (IV)]] || 15–21–10 || 40
|- style="background:#ffc;"
| 47 || Jan 28 || [[1977–78 Buffalo Sabres season|Buffalo Sabres]] || 3–3 || Pittsburgh Penguins || [[Buffalo Memorial Auditorium]] || 15–21–11 || 41
|- style="background:#fcf;"
| 48 || Jan 29 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–8 || [[1977–78 Boston Bruins season|Boston Bruins]] || [[Boston Garden]] || 15–22–11 || 41
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 49 || Jan 31 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 5–3 || [[1977–78 Detroit Red Wings season|Detroit Red Wings]] || [[Olympia Stadium]] || 16–22–11 || 43
|-
{{Game log section end}}
{{Game log section start|hide=y|style=background:#FFFFFF; border-top:#4A5391 2px solid; border-bottom:#80A0FF 2px solid;|title=February: 4–2–5 (Home: 2–2–2 ; Road: 2–0–3), 13 Points| #| Date| Visitor| Score| Home| Location| Record| Points}}
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 50 || Feb 1 || [[1977–78 Minnesota North Stars season|Minnesota North Stars]] || 1–6 || Pittsburgh Penguins || [[Met Center]] || 17–22–11 || 45
|- style="background:#fcf;"
| 51 || Feb 4 || [[1977–78 Boston Bruins season|Boston Bruins]] || 8–1 || Pittsburgh Penguins || [[Boston Garden]] || 17–23–11 || 45
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 52 || Feb 7 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 4–2 || [[1977–78 Colorado Rockies season|Colorado Rockies]] || [[McNichols Sports Arena]] || 18–23–11 || 47
|- style="background:#ffc;"
| 53 || Feb 11 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–3 || [[1977–78 Los Angeles Kings season|Los Angeles Kings]] || [[The Forum (Inglewood, California)|The Forum]] || 18–23–12 || 48
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 54 || Feb 14 || [[1977–78 Chicago Black Hawks season|Chicago Black Hawks]] || 1–2 || Pittsburgh Penguins || [[Chicago Stadium]] || 19–23–12 || 50
|- style="background:#ffc;"
| 55 || Feb 18 || [[1977–78 Los Angeles Kings season|Los Angeles Kings]] || 1–1 || Pittsburgh Penguins || [[The Forum (Inglewood, California)|The Forum]] || 19–23–13 || 51
|- style="background:#ffc;"
| 56 || Feb 19 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–2 || [[1977–78 Chicago Black Hawks season|Chicago Black Hawks]] || [[Chicago Stadium]] || 19–23–14 || 52
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 57 || Feb 21 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 5–4 || [[1977–78 St. Louis Blues season|St. Louis Blues]] || [[The Checkerdome]] || 20–23–14 || 54
|- style="background:#ffc;"
| 58 || Feb 22 || [[1977–78 St. Louis Blues season|St. Louis Blues]] || 2–2 || Pittsburgh Penguins || [[The Checkerdome]] || 20–23–15 || 55
|- style="background:#fcf;"
| 59 || Feb 25 || [[1977–78 Philadelphia Flyers season|Philadelphia Flyers]] || 3–1 || Pittsburgh Penguins || [[Spectrum (arena)|The Spectrum]] || 20–24–15 || 55
|- style="background:#ffc;"
| 60 || Feb 26 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 4–4 || [[1977–78 Buffalo Sabres season|Buffalo Sabres]] || [[Buffalo Memorial Auditorium]] || 20–24–16 || 56
|-
{{Game log section end}}
{{Game log section start|hide=y|style=background:#FFFFFF; border-top:#4A5391 2px solid; border-bottom:#80A0FF 2px solid;|title=March: 2–11–2 (Home: 1–4–2 ; Road: 1–7–0), 6 Points| #| Date| Visitor| Score| Home| Location| Record| Points}}
|- style="background:#fcf;"
| 61 || Mar 1 || [[1977–78 Montreal Canadiens season|Montreal Canadiens]] || 5–2 || Pittsburgh Penguins || [[Montreal Forum]] || 20–25–16 || 56
|- style="background:#fcf;"
| 62 || Mar 4 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–6 || [[1977–78 New York Islanders season|New York Islanders]] || [[Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum]] || 20–26–16 || 56
|- style="background:#ffc;"
| 63 || Mar 5 || [[1977–78 New York Islanders season|New York Islanders]] || 3–3 || Pittsburgh Penguins || [[Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum]] || 20–26–17 || 57
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 64 || Mar 8 || [[1977–78 Colorado Rockies season|Colorado Rockies]] || 3–5 || Pittsburgh Penguins || [[McNichols Sports Arena]] || 21–26–17 || 59
|- style="background:#fcf;"
| 65 || Mar 11 || [[1977–78 Vancouver Canucks season|Vancouver Canucks]] || 3–1 || Pittsburgh Penguins || [[Pacific Coliseum]] || 21–27–17 || 59
|- style="background:#fcf;"
| 66 || Mar 12 || [[1977–78 Toronto Maple Leafs season|Toronto Maple Leafs]] || 7–1 || Pittsburgh Penguins || [[Maple Leaf Gardens]] || 21–28–17 || 59
|- style="background:#fcf;"
| 67 || Mar 14 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–4 || [[1977–78 Los Angeles Kings season|Los Angeles Kings]] || [[The Forum (Inglewood, California)|The Forum]] || 21–29–17 || 59
|- style="background:#fcf;"
| 68 || Mar 15 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 4–7 || [[1977–78 Vancouver Canucks season|Vancouver Canucks]] || [[Pacific Coliseum]] || 21–30–17 || 59
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 69 || Mar 18 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–2 || [[1977–78 Toronto Maple Leafs season|Toronto Maple Leafs]] || [[Maple Leaf Gardens]] || 22–30–17 || 61
|- style="background:#fcf;"
| 70 || Mar 19 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 1–9 || [[1977–78 Chicago Black Hawks season|Chicago Black Hawks]] || [[Chicago Stadium]] || 22–31–17 || 61
|- style="background:#fcf;"
| 71 || Mar 21 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 1–7 || [[1977–78 Minnesota North Stars season|Minnesota North Stars]] || [[Met Center]] || 22–32–17 || 61
|- style="background:#fcf;"
| 72 || Mar 22 || [[1977–78 Colorado Rockies season|Colorado Rockies]] || 5–2 || Pittsburgh Penguins || [[McNichols Sports Arena]] || 22–33–17 || 61
|- style="background:#ffc;"
| 73 || Mar 25 || [[1977–78 Detroit Red Wings season|Detroit Red Wings]] || 2–2 || Pittsburgh Penguins || [[Olympia Stadium]] || 22–33–18 || 62
|- style="background:#fcf;"
| 74 || Mar 29 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–6 || [[1977–78 Montreal Canadiens season|Montreal Canadiens]] || [[Montreal Forum]] || 22–34–18 || 62
|- style="background:#fcf;"
| 75 || Mar 30 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–6 || [[1977–78 Boston Bruins season|Boston Bruins]] || [[Boston Garden]] || 22–35–18 || 62
|-
{{Game log section end}}
{{Game log section start|hide=y|style=background:#FFFFFF; border-top:#4A5391 2px solid; border-bottom:#80A0FF 2px solid;|title=April: 3–2–0 (Home: 2–1–0 ; Road: 1–1–0), 6 Points| #| Date| Visitor| Score| Home| Location| Record| Points}}
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 76 || Apr 2 || [[1977–78 Toronto Maple Leafs season|Toronto Maple Leafs]] || 3–6 || Pittsburgh Penguins || [[Maple Leaf Gardens]] || 23–35–18 || 64
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 77 || Apr 5 || [[1977–78 Minnesota North Stars season|Minnesota North Stars]] || 2–7 || Pittsburgh Penguins || [[Met Center]] || 24–35–18 || 66
|- style="background:#fcf;"
| 78 || Apr 6 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 4–6 || [[1977–78 Detroit Red Wings season|Detroit Red Wings]] || [[Olympia Stadium]] || 24–36–18 || 66
|- style="background:#fcf;"
| 79 || Apr 8 || [[1977–78 Washington Capitals season|Washington Capitals]] || 6–4 || Pittsburgh Penguins || [[Capital Centre (Landover, Maryland)|Capital Centre]] || 24–37–18 || 66
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 80 || Apr 9 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–2 || [[1977–78 Cleveland Barons season|Cleveland Barons]] || [[Coliseum at Richfield]] || 25–37–18 || 68
|-
{{Game log section end}}
|- style="text-align:center;"
| ''Legend:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; {{Color box|#cfc|border=darkgray}} = Win&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; {{Color box|#fcf|border=darkgray}} = Loss&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; {{Color box|#ffc|border=darkgray}} = Tie''<br>
{{Game log end}}

==Playoffs==
The Penguins failed to make the playoffs for the first time since the 1973–74 season, ending their three-season playoff streak.

==Player statistics==
;Skaters
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|+ Regular Season<ref>{{cite web|title=1977–1978 – Regular Season – Pittsburgh Penguins – All Skaters – Summary – Points – NHL.com – Stats|url=http://ice.nhl.com/stats/player?reportType=season&report=skatersummary&season=19771978&gameType=2&sort=points&aggregate=0&teamId=5&pos=S|publisher=NHL}}</ref>
|- align=center
! style="color:white; background:#1D7CF2; {{box-shadow border|a|#4A5391|2px}}" | Player
! style="color:white; background:#1D7CF2; {{box-shadow border|a|#4A5391|2px}}" | {{abbr|GP|Games played}}
! style="color:white; background:#1D7CF2; {{box-shadow border|a|#4A5391|2px}}" | {{abbr|G|Goals}}
! style="color:white; background:#1D7CF2; {{box-shadow border|a|#4A5391|2px}}" | {{abbr|A|Assists}}
! style="color:white; background:#1D7CF2; {{box-shadow border|a|#4A5391|2px}}" | {{abbr|Pts|Points}}
! style="color:white; background:#1D7CF2; {{box-shadow border|a|#4A5391|2px}}" data-sort-type="number" | {{abbr|+/−|Plus/minus}}
! style="color:white; background:#1D7CF2; {{box-shadow border|a|#4A5391|2px}}" | {{abbr|PIM|Penalty minutes}}
|-
| {{sortname|Jean|Pronovost}} || 79 || 40 || 25 || 65 || {{sort|-16|–16}} || 50
|-
| {{sortname|Peter|Mahovlich}}<sup>†</sup> || 57 || 25 || 36 || 61 || 4 || 37
|-
| {{sortname|Greg|Malone|Greg Malone (ice hockey)}} || 78 || 18 || 43 || 61 || {{sort|-16|–16}} || 80
|-
| {{sortname|Gene|Carr|Gene Carr (ice hockey)}}<sup>†</sup> || 70 || 17 || 37 || 54 || {{sort|-15|–15}} || 76
|-
| {{sortname|Rick|Kehoe}} || 70 || 29 || 21 || 50 || {{sort|-18|–18}} || 10
|-
| {{sortname|Blair|Chapman}} || 75 || 24 || 20 || 44 || {{sort|-11|–11}} || 37
|-
| {{sortname|Tom|Edur}}<sup>†</sup> || 58 || 5 || 38 || 43 || {{sort|-9|–9}} || 18
|-
| {{sortname|Dave|Schultz|Dave Schultz (ice hockey)}}<sup>†</sup> || 66 || 9 || 25 || 34 || {{sort|-9|–9}} || 378
|-
| {{sortname|Wayne|Bianchin}} || 61 || 20 || 13 || 33 || {{sort|-14|–14}} || 40
|-
| {{sortname|Mike|Corrigan}} || 25 || 8 || 12 || 20 || {{sort|-7|–7}} || 10
|-
| {{sortname|Ron|Stackhouse}} || 50 || 5 || 15 || 20 || {{sort|-16|–16}} || 36
|-
| {{sortname|Brian|Spencer}} || 79 || 9 || 11 || 20 || {{sort|-18|–18}} || 81
|-
| {{sortname|Dave|Burrows}} || 67 || 4 || 15 || 19 || {{sort|-30|–30}} || 24
|-
| {{sortname|Russ|Anderson}} || 74 || 2 || 16 || 18 || {{sort|-5|–5}} || 150
|-
| {{sortname|Peter|Lee|Peter Lee (ice hockey)}} || 60 || 5 || 13 || 18 || {{sort|-11|–11}} || 19
|-
| {{sortname|Lowell|MacDonald}} || 19 || 5 || 8 || 13 || 0 || 2
|-
| {{sortname|Bob|Paradise}} || 64 || 2 || 10 || 12 || {{sort|-30|–30}} || 53
|-
| {{sortname|John|Flesch}} || 29 || 7 || 5 || 12 || {{sort|-7|–7}} || 19
|-
| {{sortname|Pierre|Larouche}}<sup>‡</sup> || 20 || 6 || 5 || 11 || {{sort|-13|–13}} || 0
|-
| {{sortname|Dennis|Owchar}}<sup>‡</sup> || 22 || 2 || 8 || 10 || {{sort|-12|–12}} || 23
|-
| {{sortname|Colin|Campbell|Colin Campbell (ice hockey, born 1953)}} || 55 || 1 || 9 || 10 || {{sort|-19|–19}} || 103
|-
| {{sortname|Tom|Cassidy}} || 26 || 3 || 4 || 7 || {{sort|-4|–4}} || 15
|-
| {{sortname|Syl|Apps Jr.}}<sup>‡</sup> || 9 || 0 || 7 || 7 || 0 || 0
|-
| {{sortname|Mario|Faubert}} || 18 || 0 || 6 || 6 || 2 || 11
|-
| {{sortname|James|Hamilton|Jim Hamilton (ice hockey)}} || 25 || 2 || 4 || 6 || {{sort|-3|–3}} || 2
|-
| {{sortname|Derek|Sanderson}} || 13 || 3 || 1 || 4 || {{sort|-6|–6}} || 0
|-
| {{sortname|Jacques|Cossette}} || 19 || 1 || 2 || 3 || {{sort|-5|–5}} || 4
|-
| {{sortname|Lew|Morrison}} || 8 || 0 || 2 || 2 || 3 || 0
|-
| {{sortname|Hartland|Monahan}}<sup>‡</sup> || 7 || 2 || 0 || 2 || {{sort|-7|–7}} || 2
|-
| {{sortname|Thomas|Price|Tom Price (ice hockey)}} || 10 || 0 || 0 || 0 || {{sort|-4|–4}} || 0
|-
| {{sortname|Kim|Davis|Kim Davis (ice hockey)}} || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0
|- class="sortbottom"
! colspan=2 | Total || 254 || 411 || 665 || — || 1,280
|}
{{col-2}}
{{col-end}}
;Goaltenders
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:60%; text-align:center;"
|+ Regular Season<ref>{{cite web|title=1977–1978 – Regular Season – Pittsburgh Penguins – Goalie – Summary – Wins – NHL.com – Stats|url=http://www.nhl.com/stats/player?reportType=season&report=goaliesummary&season=19771978&gameType=2&aggregate=0&teamId=5&pos=G|publisher=NHL}}</ref> 
|-
! style="color:white; background:#1D7CF2; {{box-shadow border|a|#4A5391|2px}}" | Player
! style="color:white; background:#1D7CF2; {{box-shadow border|a|#4A5391|2px}}" | {{abbr|GP|Games played}} 
! style="color:white; background:#1D7CF2; {{box-shadow border|a|#4A5391|2px}}" | {{abbr|W|Win}}
! style="color:white; background:#1D7CF2; {{box-shadow border|a|#4A5391|2px}}" | {{abbr|L|Loss}}
! style="color:white; background:#1D7CF2; {{box-shadow border|a|#4A5391|2px}}" | {{abbr|T|Tie}}
! style="color:white; background:#1D7CF2; {{box-shadow border|a|#4A5391|2px}}" | {{abbr|GA|Goals against}}
! style="color:white; background:#1D7CF2; {{box-shadow border|a|#4A5391|2px}}" | {{abbr|SO|Shutouts}}
|-
| {{sortname|Denis|Herron}} || 60 || 20 || 25 || 15 || 210 || 0
|-
| {{sortname|Dunc|Wilson}} || 21 || 5 || 11 || 3 || 95 || 0
|-
| {{sortname|Greg|Redquest}} || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 3 || 0
|-
| {{sortname|Gordon|Laxton}} || 2 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 9 || 0
|- class="sortbottom"
! colspan=2 | Total || 25 || 37 || 18 || 317 || 0
|}
<sup>†</sup>Denotes player spent time with another team before joining the Penguins.  Stats reflect time with the Penguins only.
<br /><sup>‡</sup>Denotes player was traded mid-season.  Stats reflect time with the Penguins only.

==Awards and records==

* [[Jean Pronovost]] established a career franchise record for games (753), goals (316) and points (603). He had led in goals since 1972 and games and points since 1973.
* [[Syl Apps Jr.]] established a career franchise record for assists (349). He had led the category since 1972.
* [[Dave Schultz (ice hockey)|Dave Schultz]] established a franchise record for penalty minutes in a season with 378. He was also the first to record 300 PIMs in a season, beating the previous high of 212 held by [[Bryan Watson (ice hockey)|Bryan Watson]].

==Transactions==

The Penguins were involved in the following transactions during the 1977–78 season:

===Trades===
<!-- ALTERNATE BACKGROUND COLOR BETWEEN ENTRIES BY ADDING "bgcolor="#eeeeee" AS SEEN BELOW -->
{| class="wikitable" style="border:1px solid #999999; width:80%;"
|- bgcolor="eeeeee"
| style="width:22%;" | September 20, 1977
| style="width:39%;" valign="top"| To [[1977–78 Buffalo Sabres season|Buffalo Sabres]]
----
Ron Schock
| style="width:39%;" valign="top"| To Pittsburgh Penguins
----
Brian Spencer
|-
| style="width:22%;" | October 1, 1977
| style="width:39%;" valign="top"| To [[1977–78 Washington Capitals season|Washington Capitals]]
----
rights to Don Awrey 
| style="width:39%;" valign="top"| To Pittsburgh Penguins
----
Bob Paradise
|- bgcolor="eeeeee"
| style="width:22%;" | October 16, 1977
| style="width:39%;" valign="top"| To [[1977–78 Washington Capitals season|Washington Capitals]]
----
1979 1st round pick
| style="width:39%;" valign="top"| To Pittsburgh Penguins
----
Hartland Monahan
|-
| style="width:22%;" | November 2, 1977
| style="width:39%;" valign="top"| To [[1977–78 Los Angeles Kings season|Los Angeles Kings]]
----
Syl Apps Jr.<br>Hartland Monahan
| style="width:39%;" valign="top"| To Pittsburgh Penguins
----
Gene Carr<br>Dave Schultz<br>1978 4th round pick
|- bgcolor="eeeeee"
| style="width:22%;" | November 29, 1977
| style="width:39%;" valign="top"| To [[1977–78 Montreal Canadiens season|Montreal Canadiens]]
----
Pierre Larouche<br>future considerations (rights to Peter Marsh) 
| style="width:39%;" valign="top"| To Pittsburgh Penguins
----
Peter Lee<br>Pete Mahovlich
|-
| style="width:22%;" | December 2, 1977
| style="width:39%;" valign="top"| To [[1977–78 Colorado Rockies season|Colorado Rockies]]
----
Dennis Owchar
| style="width:39%;" valign="top"| To Pittsburgh Penguins
----
Tom Edur
|- bgcolor="eeeeee"
| style="width:22%;" | June 13, 1978
| style="width:39%;" valign="top"| To [[1977–78 Toronto Maple Leafs season|Toronto Maple Leafs]]
----
Dave Burrows<br>1978 6th round pick
| style="width:39%;" valign="top"| To Pittsburgh Penguins
----
Randy Carlyle<br>George Ferguson
|}

===Additions and subtractions===
{| cellspacing="0"
| valign="top" |
{|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%"
| colspan="10" align="center" | '''Additions'''
|- align="center"  bgcolor="#dddddd"
| '''Player''' || '''Former team''' || '''Via'''
|-
| [[Tom Cassidy]] || [[Boston Bruins]] || free agency (1977-10-11)
|-
| [[John Flesch]] || [[Minnesota North Stars]] || free agency (1978-02-04)
|-
| [[Derek Sanderson]] || [[Vancouver Canucks]] || free agency (1978-03-14)
|}
| valign="top" |
{|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%"
| colspan="10" align="center" | '''Subtractions'''
|- align="center"  bgcolor="#dddddd"
| '''Player''' || '''New team''' || '''Via'''
|-
| [[J. Bob Kelly]] || [[Chicago Blackhawks|Chicago Black Hawks]] || free agency (1977-08-17)
|-
| [[Peter Marsh (ice hockey)|Peter Marsh]] || [[Montreal Canadiens]] || to complete trade that sent [[Pierre Larouche]] to Canadiens (1977-12-15)
|}
|}

== Draft picks ==
{{See also|List of Pittsburgh Penguins draft picks}}

The [[1977 NHL amateur draft]] was held in [[Montreal]].<ref>{{cite web|title=NHL Entry Draft Year by Year Results|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/draftsearch.htm?year=1977&team=PIT&position=&round=|publisher=NHL}}</ref>
<!-- Please do not forget to add reliable sources when listing any possible high-profile prospects -->
{| class="wikitable" 
|-
! style="color:white; background:#1D7CF2; {{box-shadow border|a|#4A5391|2px}}" | Round
! style="color:white; background:#1D7CF2; {{box-shadow border|a|#4A5391|2px}}" | #
! style="color:white; background:#1D7CF2; {{box-shadow border|a|#4A5391|2px}}" | Player
! style="color:white; background:#1D7CF2; {{box-shadow border|a|#4A5391|2px}}" | Pos
! style="color:white; background:#1D7CF2; {{box-shadow border|a|#4A5391|2px}}" | Nationality
! style="color:white; background:#1D7CF2; {{box-shadow border|a|#4A5391|2px}}" | College/Junior/Club team (League)
|-
| align=center | 2
| align=center | 30
| [[Jim Hamilton (ice hockey)|James Hamilton]]
| [[Winger (ice hockey)|Right Wing]]
| {{flagu|Canada}}
| London Knights (OHA)
|-
| align=center | 3
| align=center | 48
| [[Kim Davis (ice hockey)|Kim Davis]]
| [[Centre (ice hockey)|Center]]
| {{flagu|Canada}}
| Flin Flon Bombers (WCHL)
|-
| align=center | 4
| align=center | 66
| [[Mark Johnson (ice hockey)|Mark Johnson]]
| [[Centre (ice hockey)|Center]]
| {{flagu|United States}}
| U. of Wisconsin (NCAA)
|-
| align=center | 6
| align=center | 102
| [[Greg Millen|Gregory Millen]]
| [[Goaltender]]
| {{flagu|Canada}}
| Peterborough Petes (OHA) 
|}

==References==
* [http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/teams/0000501978.html Penguins on Hockey Database]
{{reflist}}

{{Pittsburgh Penguins seasons}}
{{1977–78 NHL season by team}}
{{Pittsburgh Penguins}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:1977-78 Pittsburgh Penguins season}}
[[Category:Pittsburgh Penguins seasons]]
[[Category:1977–78 NHL season by team|Pittsburgh]]
[[Category:1977 in sports in Pennsylvania|Pitts]]
[[Category:1978 in sports in Pennsylvania|Pitts]]