29 years ago today: Mario Lemieux scores 5 goals in 5 different ways in NHL’s Greatest Moment

29 years ago today, Mario Lemieux made the greatest moment in the NHL’s history by scoring 5 goals in a game in all 5 different ways (even strength, power play, short handed, penalty shot, empty net).

1988: Mario Lemieux puts on a show the likes of which no one had seen in an NHL game.

Lemieux becomes the first player to score goals in five ways during the same game. Before a crowd of 16,025 at Civic Arena, Lemieux scores at even strength, on the power play, shorthanded, on a penalty shot and into an empty net. The five goals carry the Pittsburgh Penguins to an 8-6 victory against the New Jersey Devils.

The even-strength, power-play and shorthanded goals come in the first period. Lemieux scores on a penalty shot midway through the second and beats the clock by hitting the empty net with one second remaining in the third.

Lemieux assists on Pittsburgh's other three goals, giving him an eight-point game.

Oh yeah, 3 assists too on all the other goals the Penguins scored, just casually thrown in there.

One of the coolest things was seeing how honored and happy Lemieux recently was to be given the honor. And I mean, it makes sense, imagine how cool it would be to be given the greatest moment in the history of your industry.

“I want to thank the fans for this tremendous honor," Lemieux said. "There have been so many great plays in 100 years of NHL hockey. So many great players. To be chosen as having the greatest moment is something I'll always remember."

The smile on Mario’s face when Guy Lafleur (his childhood favorite) gives him the award is really what it’s all about. Usually 66 plays it cool and he’s seen it all but this is a great one.