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{{short description|National Hockey League season}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox sports season
{{Infobox sports season
| title = 1971–72 NHL season
| title = 1971–72 NHL season
Line 12: Line 14:
| no_of_teams = 14
| no_of_teams = 14
| no_of_games = 78
| no_of_games = 78
| TV = [[Hockey Night in Canada|CBC]], [[NHL on CTV|CTV]], [[La Soirée du hockey|SRC]] (Canada)<br>[[NHL on CBS|CBS]] (United States)
| season_champs = [[Boston Bruins]]
| season_champs = [[Boston Bruins]]
| MVP = [[Bobby Orr]] <small>([[Boston Bruins|Bruins]])</small>
| MVP = [[Bobby Orr]] ([[Boston Bruins|Bruins]])
| MVP_link = Hart Memorial Trophy
| MVP_link = Hart Memorial Trophy
| top_scorer = [[Phil Esposito]] <small>(Bruins)</small>
| top_scorer = [[Phil Esposito]] (Bruins)
| top_scorer_link = Art Ross Trophy
| top_scorer_link = Art Ross Trophy
| playoffs = Playoffs
| playoffs = Playoffs
| playoffs_link = 1972 Stanley Cup playoffs
| playoffs_link = 1972 Stanley Cup playoffs
| finals = Stanley Cup
| finals = Stanley Cup
| finals_link = 1972 Stanley Cup Final
| finals_link = 1972 Stanley Cup Finals
| finals_champ = [[Boston Bruins]]
| finals_champ = [[Boston Bruins]]
| finals_runner-up = [[New York Rangers]]
| finals_runner-up = [[New York Rangers]]
| playoffs_MVP = Bobby Orr <small>(Bruins)</small>
| playoffs_MVP = Bobby Orr (Bruins)
| playoffs_MVP_link = Conn Smythe Trophy
| playoffs_MVP_link = Conn Smythe Trophy
| nextseason_year = [[1972–73 NHL season|1972–73]]
| nextseason_year = [[1972–73 NHL season|1972–73]]
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}}
}}
The '''1971–72 NHL season''' was the [[List of NHL seasons|55th]] [[Season (sport)|season]] of the [[National Hockey League]]. Fourteen teams each played 78 games. The [[Boston Bruins]] beat the [[New York Rangers]] four games to two for their second [[Stanley Cup]] in three seasons in the finals.
The '''1971–72 NHL season''' was the [[List of NHL seasons|55th]] [[Season (sport)|season]] of the [[National Hockey League]]. Fourteen teams each played 78 games. The [[Boston Bruins]] beat the [[New York Rangers]] four games to two for their second [[Stanley Cup]] in three seasons in the finals.

==Teams==
{| class="wikitable" style="width:auto"
|-
| bgcolor="#000000" align="center" colspan="5"|'''<span style="color:orange;">1971-72 National Hockey League</span>'''
|-
! Division || Team || City || Arena || Capacity
|-
! rowspan="7" | East
| [[Boston Bruins]]
| [[Boston, Massachusetts|Boston]], [[Massachusetts]]
| [[Boston Garden]]
| 14,995
|-
| [[Buffalo Sabres]]
| [[Buffalo, New York|Buffalo]], [[New York (state)|New York]]
| [[Buffalo Memorial Auditorium]]
| 15,360
|-
| [[Detroit Red Wings]]
| [[Detroit, Michigan|Detroit]], [[Michigan]]
| [[Detroit Olympia]]
| 15,000
|-
| [[Montreal Canadiens]]
| [[Montreal, Quebec|Montreal]], [[Quebec]]
| [[Montreal Forum]]
| 19,000
|-
| [[New York Rangers]]
| [[New York, New York|New York]], [[New York (state)|New York]]
| [[Madison Square Garden]]
| 17,250
|-
| [[Toronto Maple Leafs]]
| [[Toronto, Ontario|Toronto]], [[Ontario]]
| [[Maple Leaf Gardens]]
| 16,316
|-
| [[Vancouver Canucks]]
| [[Vancouver, British Columbia|Vancouver]], [[British Columbia]]
| [[Pacific Coliseum]]
| 15,570
|-
! rowspan="7" | West
| [[California Golden Seals]]
| [[Oakland, California|Oakland]], [[California]]
| [[Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena]]
| 15,000
|-
| [[Chicago Black Hawks]]
| [[Chicago, Illinois|Chicago]], [[Illinois]]
| [[Chicago Stadium]]
| 16,666
|-
| [[Los Angeles Kings]]
| [[Inglewood, California|Inglewood]], [[California]]
| [[The Forum (Inglewood, California)|The Forum]]
| 16,005
|-
| [[Minnesota North Stars]]
| [[Bloomington, Minnesota|Bloomington]], [[Minnesota]]
| [[Metropolitan Sports Center]]
| 15,000
|-
| [[Philadelphia Flyers]]
| [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|Philadelphia]], [[Pennsylvania]]
| [[Spectrum (arena)|Spectrum]]
| 14,626
|-
| [[Pittsburgh Penguins]]
| [[Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania|Pittsburgh]], [[Pennsylvania]]
| [[Civic Arena (Pittsburgh)|Civic Arena]]
| 12,580
|-
| [[St. Louis Blues]]
| [[St. Louis, Missouri|St. Louis]], [[Missouri]]
| [[St. Louis Arena]]
| 17,821
|}


==Regular season==
==Regular season==
{{Location map+ | United States
| width = 500
| caption = [[Image:Red pog.svg|10px]] East Division [[Image:Blue pog.svg|10px]] West Division
| places =

{{Location map~ | United States
| lat_deg = 42.36
| lon_deg = -71.06
| mark = Red pog.svg
| label_size = 80
| position = right
| label = '''[[Boston Bruins|Bruins]]'''}}

{{Location map~ | United States
| lat_deg = 42.88
| lon_deg = -78.88
| mark = Red pog.svg
| label_size = 80
| position = right
| label = '''[[Buffalo Sabres|Sabres]]'''}}


{{Location map~ | United States
| lat_deg = 37.75
| lon_deg = -122.20
| mark = Blue pog.svg
| label_size = 80
| position = top
| label = '''[[California Golden Seals|Golden Seals]]'''}}

{{Location map~ | United States
| lat_deg = 41.86
| lon_deg = -87.63
| mark = Blue pog.svg
| label_size = 80
| position = left
| label = '''[[Chicago Black Hawks|Black Hawks]]'''}}

{{Location map~ | United States
| lat_deg = 42.35
| lon_deg = -83.11
| mark = Red pog.svg
| label_size = 80
| position = top
| label = '''[[Detroit Red Wings|Red Wings]]'''}}

{{Location map~ | United States
| lat_deg = 33.96
| lon_deg = -118.34
| mark = Blue pog.svg
| label_size = 80
| position = left
| label = '''[[Los Angeles Kings|Kings]]'''}}

{{Location map~ | United States
| lat_deg = 44.86
| lon_deg = -93.24
| mark = Blue pog.svg
| label_size = 80
| position = top
| label = '''[[Minnesota North Stars|North Stars]]'''}}

{{Location map~ | United States
| lat_deg = 45.52
| lon_deg = -73.59
| mark = Red pog.svg
| label_size = 80
| position = top
| label = '''[[Montreal Canadiens|Canadiens]]'''}}

{{Location map~ | United States
| lat_deg = 40.76
| lon_deg = -73.99
| mark = Red pog.svg
| label_size = 80
| position = right
| label = '''[[New York Rangers|Rangers]]'''}}

{{Location map~ | United States
| lat_deg = 39.90
| lon_deg = -75.17
| mark = Blue pog.svg
| label_size = 80
| position = right
| label = '''[[Philadelphia Flyers|Flyers]]'''}}

{{Location map~ | United States
| lat_deg = 40.44
| lon_deg = -79.99
| mark = Blue pog.svg
| label_size = 80
| position = bottom
| label = '''[[Pittsburgh Penguins|Penguins]]'''}}

{{Location map~ | United States
| lat_deg = 38.63
| lon_deg = -90.28
| mark = Blue pog.svg
| label_size = 80
| position = left
| label = '''[[St. Louis Blues|Blues]]'''}}

{{Location map~ | United States
| lat_deg = 43.66
| lon_deg = -79.38
| mark = Red pog.svg
| label_size = 80
| position = top
| label = '''[[Toronto Maple Leafs|Maple Leafs]]'''}}

{{Location map~ | United States
| lat_deg = 49.29
| lon_deg = -123.04
| mark = Red pog.svg
| label_size = 80
| position = left
| label = '''[[Canucks]]'''}}

}}

Among notable first year players this season were Montreal's [[Guy Lafleur]], who despite scoring 29 goals was felt lacking in comparison to newly retired superstar [[Jean Béliveau|Jean Beliveau]] by the Canadiens' faithful; Buffalo's [[Rick Martin]], who set a new record for goals by a rookie with 44; [[Gilles Meloche]], goaltender for the [[California Golden Seals]] who acquired him from Chicago; and [[Ken Dryden]], the sensational new goalie for the Canadiens, who despite winning the [[Conn Smythe Trophy]] as playoff MVP the previous season was awarded the [[Calder Memorial Trophy]] as rookie of the year, on the grounds that he had only played six prior regular season games.
Among notable first year players this season were Montreal's [[Guy Lafleur]], who despite scoring 29 goals was felt lacking in comparison to newly retired superstar [[Jean Béliveau|Jean Beliveau]] by the Canadiens' faithful; Buffalo's [[Rick Martin]], who set a new record for goals by a rookie with 44; [[Gilles Meloche]], goaltender for the [[California Golden Seals]] who acquired him from Chicago; and [[Ken Dryden]], the sensational new goalie for the Canadiens, who despite winning the [[Conn Smythe Trophy]] as playoff MVP the previous season was awarded the [[Calder Memorial Trophy]] as rookie of the year, on the grounds that he had only played six prior regular season games.


Line 51: Line 254:


===Format change===
===Format change===
In response to the prior year when the [[Minnesota North Stars]] appeared to purposely lose games to finish fourth in the West instead of third and avoid a tougher matchup with first-place Chicago, and also the [[Boston Bruins]] were "rewarded" for finishing first in the East with a tough series against eventual Stanley Cup Champion Montreal, the first round matchups were changed so that the first-place team played the fourth-place team and second played third. Previously, the first-place team played the third-place team and the second-place team played the fourth-place team.
In response to the prior year when the [[Minnesota North Stars]] appeared to intentionally lose games to finish fourth in the West instead of third and avoid a tougher match-up with first-place Chicago, and also the [[Boston Bruins]] were "rewarded" for finishing first in the East with a tough series against eventual Stanley Cup Champion Montreal, the first round match-ups were changed so that the first-place team played the fourth-place team and second played third. Previously, the first-place team played the third-place team and the second-place team played the fourth-place team.


In addition, a change was made to the way the semi-final matchups were determined as well. Instead of having the winner of the series between the first and third-place Eastern division teams play the winner of the second and fourth-place Western division teams and the winner of the first versus third-place Western division teams against the winner of the second and fourth-place Eastern division teams, the semi-final would pit the highest remaining seed in the Eastern division play the lowest remaining seed from the West and vice versa. This was in an effort to ensure a more competitive Final, following three straight sweeps of a team from the East over a team from the West.
This change necessitated a change to the way the semi-final match-ups were determined. Instead of having the winner of the series between the first and third-place East Division teams play the winner of the second and fourth-place West Division teams and the winner of the first versus third-place West Division teams against the winner of the second and fourth-place East Division teams, the semi-final pitted the highest remaining seed in the East Division play the lowest remaining seed from the West and vice versa.


Despite injuries to several key players, notably leading scorer Jean Ratelle, the New York Rangers beat the defending champions Montreal Canadiens in the first round of the playoffs, with strong play from unheralded players such as [[Walt Tkaczuk]]. The Rangers went on the sweep the Chicago Black Hawks in four straight games during the semi-final. Chicago had beaten the [[Pittsburgh Penguins]] in four straight games.
Despite injuries to several key players, notably leading scorer Jean Ratelle, the New York Rangers beat the defending champions Montreal Canadiens in the first round of the playoffs, with strong play from unheralded players such as [[Walt Tkaczuk]]. The Rangers went on the sweep the Chicago Black Hawks in four straight games during the semi-final. Chicago had beaten the [[Pittsburgh Penguins]] in four straight games.


Boston easily handled the [[Toronto Maple Leafs]] in five games, facing a [[St. Louis Blues]] team that had eked out a hard-fought seven-game victory against the North Stars in the quarter-final. The powerful Bruins set a record for the most goals in a four-game series by pounding the Blues 28–8 over a four-game sweep.
Boston easily handled the [[Toronto Maple Leafs]] in five games, facing a [[St. Louis Blues]] team that had eked out a hard-fought seven-game victory against the North Stars in the quarter-final. The powerful Bruins set a record for the most goals in a four-game series by pounding the Blues 28–8 over a four-game sweep.


===Playoff bracket===
===Playoff bracket===
Line 130: Line 333:
|1-3-1 =''No scoring''
|1-3-1 =''No scoring''
|1-3-2 =03:47 – [[Don Marcotte]] (1)<br>15:27 – [[John McKenzie (ice hockey)|John McKenzie]] (1)<br>15:38 – [[Fred Stanfield]] (1)
|1-3-2 =03:47 – [[Don Marcotte]] (1)<br>15:27 – [[John McKenzie (ice hockey)|John McKenzie]] (1)<br>15:38 – [[Fred Stanfield]] (1)
|goalie1-1 =[[Jacques Plante]]
|goalie1-1 =[[Jacques Plante]] 24 saves / 29 shots
|goalie1-2 =[[Gerry Cheevers]]
|goalie1-2 =[[Gerry Cheevers]] 27 saves / 27 shots


|date2 =April 6
|date2 =April 6
Line 146: Line 349:
|2-4-1 =[[Jim Harrison (ice hockey)|Jim Harrison]] (1) – 02:58
|2-4-1 =[[Jim Harrison (ice hockey)|Jim Harrison]] (1) – 02:58
|2-4-2 =''No scoring''
|2-4-2 =''No scoring''
|goalie2-1 =[[Bernie Parent]]
|goalie2-1 =[[Bernie Parent]] 37 saves / 40 shots
|goalie2-2 =[[Gerry Cheevers]]
|goalie2-2 =[[Gerry Cheevers]] 18 saves / 22 shots


|date3 =April 8
|date3 =April 8
Line 159: Line 362:
|3-3-1 =''No scoring''
|3-3-1 =''No scoring''
|3-3-2 =[[Bobby Orr]] (1) – ''pp'' – 01:24
|3-3-2 =[[Bobby Orr]] (1) – ''pp'' – 01:24
|goalie3-1 =[[Bernie Parent]]
|goalie3-1 =[[Bernie Parent]] 33 saves / 35 shots
|goalie3-2 =[[Eddie Johnston|Ed Johnston]]
|goalie3-2 =[[Eddie Johnston]] 30 saves / 30 shots


|date4 =April 9
|date4 =April 9
Line 172: Line 375:
|4-3-1 =04:50 – [[Paul Henderson]] (1)
|4-3-1 =04:50 – [[Paul Henderson]] (1)
|4-3-2 =[[Ken Hodge]] (1) – 01:15<br>[[Ed Westfall]] (1) – ''sh'' – 08:03<br>[[Phil Esposito]] (4) – 09:49<br>Ken Hodge (2) – 16:11
|4-3-2 =[[Ken Hodge]] (1) – 01:15<br>[[Ed Westfall]] (1) – ''sh'' – 08:03<br>[[Phil Esposito]] (4) – 09:49<br>Ken Hodge (2) – 16:11
|goalie4-1 =[[Bernie Parent]]
|goalie4-1 =[[Bernie Parent]] 31 saves / 36 shots
|goalie4-2 =[[Eddie Johnston|Ed Johnston]]
|goalie4-2 =[[Eddie Johnston]] 38 saves / 42 shots


|date5 =April 11
|date5 =April 11
Line 185: Line 388:
|5-3-1 =[[Norm Ullman]] (1) – 06:09
|5-3-1 =[[Norm Ullman]] (1) – 06:09
|5-3-2 =07:38 – [[Ken Hodge]] (3)
|5-3-2 =07:38 – [[Ken Hodge]] (3)
|goalie5-1 =[[Bernie Parent]]
|goalie5-1 =[[Bernie Parent]] 34 saves / 37 shots
|goalie5-2 =[[Gerry Cheevers]]
|goalie5-2 =[[Gerry Cheevers]] 26 saves / 28 shots


|series = Boston won series 4–1
|series = Boston won series 4–1
Line 211: Line 414:
|1-3-1 =[[Frank Mahovlich]] (1) – 07:48
|1-3-1 =[[Frank Mahovlich]] (1) – 07:48
|1-3-2 =12:43 – [[Vic Hadfield]] (2)
|1-3-2 =12:43 – [[Vic Hadfield]] (2)
|goalie1-1 =[[Ken Dryden]]
|goalie1-1 =[[Ken Dryden]] 34 saves / 37 shots
|goalie1-2 =[[Ed Giacomin]]
|goalie1-2 =[[Ed Giacomin]] 17 saves / 19 shots


|date2 =April 6
|date2 =April 6
Line 224: Line 427:
|2-3-1 =''No scoring''
|2-3-1 =''No scoring''
|2-3-2 =00:20 – [[Bill Fairbairn]] (2)<br>15:34 – [[Walt Tkaczuk]] (1)<br>18:57 – [[Ted Irvine]] (1)
|2-3-2 =00:20 – [[Bill Fairbairn]] (2)<br>15:34 – [[Walt Tkaczuk]] (1)<br>18:57 – [[Ted Irvine]] (1)
|goalie2-1 =[[Ken Dryden]]
|goalie2-1 =[[Ken Dryden]] 31 saves / 35 shots
|goalie2-2 =[[Ed Giacomin]]
|goalie2-2 =[[Ed Giacomin]] 26 saves / 28 shots


|date3 =April 8
|date3 =April 8
Line 237: Line 440:
|3-3-1 =''No scoring''
|3-3-1 =''No scoring''
|3-3-2 =[[Ron Stewart]] (2) – 07:21
|3-3-2 =[[Ron Stewart]] (2) – 07:21
|goalie3-1 =[[Ken Dryden]]
|goalie3-1 =[[Ken Dryden]] 22 saves / 23 shots
|goalie3-2 =[[Ed Giacomin]]
|goalie3-2 =[[Ed Giacomin]] 24 saves / 26 shots


|date4 =April 9
|date4 =April 9
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|4-3-1 =05:48 – [[Terry Harper]] (1)
|4-3-1 =05:48 – [[Terry Harper]] (1)
|4-3-2 =[[Pete Stemkowski]] (1) – 14:55<br>[[Ted Irvine]] (2) – 19:26
|4-3-2 =[[Pete Stemkowski]] (1) – 14:55<br>[[Ted Irvine]] (2) – 19:26
|goalie4-1 =[[Ken Dryden]]
|goalie4-1 =[[Ken Dryden]] 23 saves / 28 shots
|goalie4-2 =[[Ed Giacomin]]
|goalie4-2 =[[Ed Giacomin]] 29 saves / 33 shots


|date5 =April 11
|date5 =April 11
Line 263: Line 466:
|5-3-1 =[[Jimmy Roberts]] (1) – 03:12
|5-3-1 =[[Jimmy Roberts]] (1) – 03:12
|5-3-2 =''No scoring''
|5-3-2 =''No scoring''
|goalie5-1 =[[Ken Dryden]]
|goalie5-1 =[[Ken Dryden]] 33 saves / 34 shots
|goalie5-2 =[[Ed Giacomin]]
|goalie5-2 =[[Ed Giacomin]] 30 saves / 32 shots


|date6 =April 13
|date6 =April 13
Line 276: Line 479:
|6-3-1 =''No scoring''
|6-3-1 =''No scoring''
|6-3-2 =[[Walt Tkaczuk]] (2) – 00:29
|6-3-2 =[[Walt Tkaczuk]] (2) – 00:29
|goalie6-1 =[[Ken Dryden]]
|goalie6-1 =[[Ken Dryden]] 32 saves / 35 shots
|goalie6-2 =[[Ed Giacomin]]
|goalie6-2 =[[Ed Giacomin]] 23 saves / 25 shots


|series = New York won series 4–2
|series = New York won series 4–2
Line 284: Line 487:
====(W1) Chicago Black Hawks vs. (W4) Pittsburgh Penguins====
====(W1) Chicago Black Hawks vs. (W4) Pittsburgh Penguins====


The Chicago Black Hawks finished first in the West Division with 107 points. The Pittsburgh Penguins finished fourth in the West Division with 66 points (winning the tiebreaker with Philadelphia in total goals for 220–200). This was the first playoff series between these two teams. Chicago won this year's six-game regular season series earning eleven of twelve points.
The Chicago Black Hawks finished first in the West Division with 107 points. The Pittsburgh Penguins finished fourth in the West Division with 66 points (winning the tiebreaker with Philadelphia in head-to-head season series 3–2–1). This was the first playoff series between these two teams. Chicago won this year's six-game regular season series earning eleven of twelve points.


{{NHLPlayoffs
{{NHLPlayoffs
Line 302: Line 505:
|1-3-1 =''No scoring''
|1-3-1 =''No scoring''
|1-3-2 =03:25 – ''sh'' – [[Jim Pappin]] (1)<br>16:37 – Pit Martin (2)
|1-3-2 =03:25 – ''sh'' – [[Jim Pappin]] (1)<br>16:37 – Pit Martin (2)
|goalie1-1 =[[Jim Rutherford]]
|goalie1-1 =[[Jim Rutherford]] 35 saves / 38 shots
|goalie1-2 =[[Tony Esposito]]
|goalie1-2 =[[Tony Esposito]] 28 saves / 29 shots


|date2 =April 6
|date2 =April 6
Line 315: Line 518:
|2-3-1 =[[Bobby Leiter]] (2) – ''pp'' – 12:45
|2-3-1 =[[Bobby Leiter]] (2) – ''pp'' – 12:45
|2-3-2 =11:17 – [[Chico Maki]] (1)
|2-3-2 =11:17 – [[Chico Maki]] (1)
|goalie2-1 =[[Jim Rutherford]]
|goalie2-1 =[[Jim Rutherford]] 32 saves / 35 shots
|goalie2-2 =[[Tony Esposito]]
|goalie2-2 =[[Tony Esposito]] 26 saves / 28 shots


|date3 =April 8
|date3 =April 8
Line 328: Line 531:
|3-3-1 =''No scoring''
|3-3-1 =''No scoring''
|3-3-2 =[[Stan Mikita]] (1) – 12:41
|3-3-2 =[[Stan Mikita]] (1) – 12:41
|goalie3-1 =[[Jim Rutherford]]
|goalie3-1 =[[Jim Rutherford]] 38 saves / 40 shots
|goalie3-2 =[[Gary Smith (ice hockey)|Gary Smith]]
|goalie3-2 =[[Gary Smith (ice hockey)|Gary Smith]] 31 saves / 31 shots


|date4 =April 9
|date4 =April 9
Line 344: Line 547:
|4-4-1 =''No scoring''
|4-4-1 =''No scoring''
|4-4-2 =[[Pit Martin]] (4) – 00:12
|4-4-2 =[[Pit Martin]] (4) – 00:12
|goalie4-1 =[[Jim Rutherford]]
|goalie4-1 =[[Jim Rutherford]] 26 saves / 32 shots
|goalie4-2 =[[Gerry Desjardins]]
|goalie4-2 =[[Gerry Desjardins]] 29 saves / 34 shots


|series = Chicago won series 4–0
|series = Chicago won series 4–0
Line 353: Line 556:


The Minnesota North Stars finished second in the West Division with 86 points. The St. Louis Blues finished third with 67 points. This was the fourth playoff meeting between these two teams with St. Louis winning two of the three previous series. They last met in the [[1971 Stanley Cup playoffs|previous year's Quarterfinals]] which the North Stars won in six games. Minnesota won four of the six games in this year's regular season series.
The Minnesota North Stars finished second in the West Division with 86 points. The St. Louis Blues finished third with 67 points. This was the fourth playoff meeting between these two teams with St. Louis winning two of the three previous series. They last met in the [[1971 Stanley Cup playoffs|previous year's Quarterfinals]] which the North Stars won in six games. Minnesota won four of the six games in this year's regular season series.

[[Kevin O'Shea]]'s series-winning goal in overtime of Game 7 was the first time in Stanley Cup Playoff history that the road team won Game 7 in overtime.


{{NHLPlayoffs
{{NHLPlayoffs
Line 370: Line 575:
|1-3-1 =''No scoring''
|1-3-1 =''No scoring''
|1-3-2 =04:19 – Dean Prentice (2)<br>12:01 – [[Bob Nevin]] (1)
|1-3-2 =04:19 – Dean Prentice (2)<br>12:01 – [[Bob Nevin]] (1)
|goalie1-1 =[[Jacques Caron]]
|goalie1-1 =[[Jacques Caron]] 41 saves / 44 shots
|goalie1-2 =[[Gump Worsley]]
|goalie1-2 =[[Gump Worsley]] 27 saves / 27 shots


|date2 =April 6
|date2 =April 6
Line 381: Line 586:
|2-1-2 =02:51 – ''pp'' – [[Doug Mohns]] (1)
|2-1-2 =02:51 – ''pp'' – [[Doug Mohns]] (1)
|2-2-1 =Frank St. Marseille (2) – 02:00<br>Frank St. Marseille (3) – 05:38
|2-2-1 =Frank St. Marseille (2) – 02:00<br>Frank St. Marseille (3) – 05:38
|2-2-2 =04:27 – ''pp'' – [[J.P. Parise]] (1)<br>07:38 – [[Danny Grant]] (1)
|2-2-2 =04:27 – ''pp'' – [[J. P. Parisé|J. P. Parise]] (1)<br>07:38 – [[Danny Grant (ice hockey)|Danny Grant]] (1)
|2-3-1 =[[Garry Unger]] (1) – 08:05<br>[[Phil Roberto]] (1) – 10:59
|2-3-1 =[[Garry Unger]] (1) – 08:05<br>[[Phil Roberto]] (1) – 10:59
|2-3-2 =01:45 – [[Jude Drouin]] (1)<br>11:32 – [[Dean Prentice]] (3)
|2-3-2 =01:45 – [[Jude Drouin]] (1)<br>11:32 – [[Dean Prentice]] (3)
|2-4-1 =''No scoring''
|2-4-1 =''No scoring''
|2-4-2 =01:36 – [[Bill Goldsworthy]] (1)
|2-4-2 =01:36 – [[Bill Goldsworthy]] (1)
|goalie2-1 =[[Ernie Wakely]]
|goalie2-1 =[[Ernie Wakely]] 23 saves / 29 shots
|goalie2-2 =[[Cesare Maniago]]
|goalie2-2 =[[Cesare Maniago]] 33 saves / 38 shots


|date3 =April 8
|date3 =April 8
Line 399: Line 604:
|3-3-1 =''No scoring''
|3-3-1 =''No scoring''
|3-3-2 =[[Jude Drouin]] (2) – ''pp'' – 00:40
|3-3-2 =[[Jude Drouin]] (2) – ''pp'' – 00:40
|goalie3-1 =[[Jacques Caron]]
|goalie3-1 =[[Jacques Caron]] 29 saves / 30 shots
|goalie3-2 =[[Gump Worsley]]
|goalie3-2 =[[Gump Worsley]] 33 saves / 35 shots


|date4 =April 9
|date4 =April 9
Line 409: Line 614:
|4-1-2 =[[Jude Drouin]] (3) – 10:56
|4-1-2 =[[Jude Drouin]] (3) – 10:56
|4-2-1 =12:12 – [[Phil Roberto]] (4)<br>13:45 – [[Kevin O'Shea]] (1)
|4-2-1 =12:12 – [[Phil Roberto]] (4)<br>13:45 – [[Kevin O'Shea]] (1)
|4-2-2 =[[Danny Grant]] (2) – 00:21
|4-2-2 =[[Danny Grant (ice hockey)|Danny Grant]] (2) – 00:21
|4-3-1 =11:50 – ''pp'' – [[Barclay Plager]] (1)
|4-3-1 =11:50 – ''pp'' – [[Barclay Plager]] (1)
|4-3-2 =''No scoring''
|4-3-2 =''No scoring''
|goalie4-1 =[[Jacques Caron]]
|goalie4-1 =[[Jacques Caron]] 28 saves / 30 shots
|goalie4-2 =[[Cesare Maniago]]
|goalie4-2 =[[Cesare Maniago]] 35 saves / 38 shots


|date5 =April 11
|date5 =April 11
Line 420: Line 625:
|recap5 =www.nhl.com/gamecenter/stl-vs-mns/1972/04/11/1971030145#game=1971030145,game_state=final
|recap5 =www.nhl.com/gamecenter/stl-vs-mns/1972/04/11/1971030145#game=1971030145,game_state=final
|5-1-1 =[[Gary Sabourin]] (1) – 16:34<br>[[Phil Roberto]] (5) – ''pp'' – 19:59
|5-1-1 =[[Gary Sabourin]] (1) – 16:34<br>[[Phil Roberto]] (5) – ''pp'' – 19:59
|5-1-2 =01:42 – [[Barry Gibbs]] (1)<br>17:55 – [[Tom Reid]] (1)
|5-1-2 =01:42 – [[Barry Gibbs]] (1)<br>17:55 – [[Tom Reid (ice hockey)|Tom Reid]] (1)
|5-2-1 =[[Garry Unger]] (2) – ''pp'' – 19:34
|5-2-1 =[[Garry Unger]] (2) – ''pp'' – 19:34
|5-2-2 =''No scoring''
|5-2-2 =''No scoring''
|5-3-1 =''No scoring''
|5-3-1 =''No scoring''
|5-3-2 =02:55 – ''pp'' – [[J.P. Parise]] (2)<br>05:45 – [[Jude Drouin]] (4)
|5-3-2 =02:55 – ''pp'' – [[J. P. Parisé|J. P. Parise]] (2)<br>05:45 – [[Jude Drouin]] (4)
|goalie5-1 =[[Jacques Caron]]
|goalie5-1 =[[Jacques Caron]] 23 saves / 27 shots
|goalie5-2 =[[Gump Worsley]]
|goalie5-2 =[[Gump Worsley]] 30 saves / 33 shots


|date6 =April 13
|date6 =April 13
Line 437: Line 642:
|6-2-2 =''No scoring''
|6-2-2 =''No scoring''
|6-3-1 =16:13 – [[Jack Egers]] (1)
|6-3-1 =16:13 – [[Jack Egers]] (1)
|6-3-2 =[[J.P. Parise]] (3) – 15:01
|6-3-2 =[[J. P. Parisé|J. P. Parise]] (3) – 15:01
|goalie6-1 =[[Jacques Caron]]
|goalie6-1 =[[Jacques Caron]] 28 saves / 30 shots
|goalie6-2 =[[Gump Worsley]]<br>[[Cesare Maniago]]
|goalie6-2 =[[Gump Worsley]] 11 saves / 13 shots<br>[[Cesare Maniago]] 23 saves / 25 shots


|date7 =April 16
|date7 =April 16
Line 454: Line 659:
|7-4-1 =[[Kevin O'Shea]] (2) – 10:07
|7-4-1 =[[Kevin O'Shea]] (2) – 10:07
|7-4-2 =''No scoring''
|7-4-2 =''No scoring''
|goalie7-1 =[[Jacques Caron]]
|goalie7-1 =[[Jacques Caron]] 28 saves / 29 shots
|goalie7-2 =[[Cesare Maniago]]
|goalie7-2 =[[Cesare Maniago]] 25 saves / 27 shots


|series = St. Louis won series 4–3
|series = St. Louis won series 4–3
Line 482: Line 687:
|1-3-1 =''No scoring''
|1-3-1 =''No scoring''
|1-3-2 =14:55 – ''pp'' – [[Phil Esposito]] (5)
|1-3-2 =14:55 – ''pp'' – [[Phil Esposito]] (5)
|goalie1-1 =[[Jacques Caron]]<br>[[Ernie Wakely]]
|goalie1-1 =[[Jacques Caron]] 21 saves / 26 shots<br>[[Ernie Wakely]] 17 saves / 18 shots
|goalie1-2 =[[Eddie Johnston|Ed Johnston]]
|goalie1-2 =[[Eddie Johnston]] 25 saves / 26 shots


|date2 =April 20
|date2 =April 20
Line 495: Line 700:
|2-3-1 =[[Mike Murphy (ice hockey, born 1950)|Mike Murphy]] (1) – 04:37<br>[[Phil Roberto]] (7) – 05:26
|2-3-1 =[[Mike Murphy (ice hockey, born 1950)|Mike Murphy]] (1) – 04:37<br>[[Phil Roberto]] (7) – 05:26
|2-3-2 =03:47 – ''pp'' – [[Johnny Bucyk]] (5)<br>10:34 – [[Mike Walton]] (3)<br>14:29 – [[Don Marcotte]] (2)<br>16:07 – Johnny Bucyk (6)<br>16:47 – Ed Westfall (3)
|2-3-2 =03:47 – ''pp'' – [[Johnny Bucyk]] (5)<br>10:34 – [[Mike Walton]] (3)<br>14:29 – [[Don Marcotte]] (2)<br>16:07 – Johnny Bucyk (6)<br>16:47 – Ed Westfall (3)
|goalie2-1 =[[Jacques Caron]]<br>[[Ernie Wakely]]
|goalie2-1 =[[Jacques Caron]] 9 saves / 13 shots<br>[[Ernie Wakely]] 12 saves / 18 shots
|goalie2-2 =[[Gerry Cheevers]]
|goalie2-2 =[[Gerry Cheevers]] 31 saves / 33 shots


|date3 =April 23
|date3 =April 23
Line 508: Line 713:
|3-3-1 =18:15 – [[Gary Sabourin]] (3)
|3-3-1 =18:15 – [[Gary Sabourin]] (3)
|3-3-2 =Mike Walton (5) – 11:09
|3-3-2 =Mike Walton (5) – 11:09
|goalie3-1 =[[Peter McDuffe]]
|goalie3-1 =[[Peter McDuffe]] 31 saves / 38 shots
|goalie3-2 =[[Eddie Johnston|Ed Johnston]]
|goalie3-2 =[[Eddie Johnston]] 27 saves / 29 shots


|date4 =April 25
|date4 =April 25
Line 521: Line 726:
|4-3-1 =08:50 – [[Andre Dupont]] (1)<br>15:25 – [[Chris Evans (ice hockey)|Chris Evans]] (1)
|4-3-1 =08:50 – [[Andre Dupont]] (1)<br>15:25 – [[Chris Evans (ice hockey)|Chris Evans]] (1)
|4-3-2 =[[Wayne Cashman]] (1) – 19:22
|4-3-2 =[[Wayne Cashman]] (1) – 19:22
|goalie4-1 =[[Jacques Caron]]
|goalie4-1 =[[Jacques Caron]] 22 saves / 26 shots
|goalie4-2 =[[Gerry Cheevers]]
|goalie4-2 =[[Gerry Cheevers]] 33 saves / 36 shots


|series = Boston won series 4–0
|series = Boston won series 4–0
Line 529: Line 734:
====(W1) Chicago Black Hawks vs. (E2) New York Rangers====
====(W1) Chicago Black Hawks vs. (E2) New York Rangers====


This was the fourth playoff meeting between these two teams with Chicago winning all three previous series. They last met in the [[1971 Stanley Cup playoffs|previous year's Semifinals]] which the Black Hawks won in seven games. New York won this year's six-game regular season series earning seven of twelve points.
This was the fourth playoff meeting between these two teams with Chicago winning all three previous series. They last met in the [[1971 Stanley Cup playoffs|previous year's Semifinals]] which the Black Hawks won in seven games. New York won this year's six-game regular season series earning seven of twelve points.


{{NHLPlayoffs
{{NHLPlayoffs
Line 546: Line 751:
|1-2-2 =''No scoring''
|1-2-2 =''No scoring''
|1-3-1 =''No scoring''
|1-3-1 =''No scoring''
|1-3-2 =12:30 – [[Stan Mikita]] (2)<br>14:40 – [[J.P. Bordeleau]] (3)
|1-3-2 =12:30 – [[Stan Mikita]] (2)<br>14:40 – [[J. P. Bordeleau]] (3)
|goalie1-1 =[[Ed Giacomin]]
|goalie1-1 =[[Ed Giacomin]] 25 saves / 27 shots
|goalie1-2 =[[Tony Esposito]]
|goalie1-2 =[[Tony Esposito]] 25 saves / 28 shots


|date2 =April 18
|date2 =April 18
Line 560: Line 765:
|2-3-1 =[[Rod Gilbert]] (1) – ''pp'' – 00:54<br>[[Brad Park]] (2) – 08:15<br>Rod Gilbert (2) – 12:36<br>[[Pete Stemkowski]] (2) – 19:51
|2-3-1 =[[Rod Gilbert]] (1) – ''pp'' – 00:54<br>[[Brad Park]] (2) – 08:15<br>Rod Gilbert (2) – 12:36<br>[[Pete Stemkowski]] (2) – 19:51
|2-3-2 =06:17 – ''pp'' – [[Pat Stapleton (ice hockey)|Pat Stapleton]] (1)
|2-3-2 =06:17 – ''pp'' – [[Pat Stapleton (ice hockey)|Pat Stapleton]] (1)
|goalie2-1 =[[Gilles Villemure]]
|goalie2-1 =[[Gilles Villemure]] 32 saves / 35 shots
|goalie2-2 =[[Tony Esposito]]
|goalie2-2 =[[Tony Esposito]] 27 saves / 31 shots


|date3 =April 20
|date3 =April 20
Line 573: Line 778:
|3-3-1 =''No scoring''
|3-3-1 =''No scoring''
|3-3-2 =''No scoring''
|3-3-2 =''No scoring''
|goalie3-1 =[[Gilles Villemure]]
|goalie3-1 =[[Gilles Villemure]] 21 saves / 23 shots
|goalie3-2 =[[Gary Smith (ice hockey)|Gary Smith]]
|goalie3-2 =[[Gary Smith (ice hockey)|Gary Smith]] 36 saves / 39 shots


|date4 =April 23
|date4 =April 23
Line 586: Line 791:
|4-3-1 =03:40 – Bobby Rousseau (4)
|4-3-1 =03:40 – Bobby Rousseau (4)
|4-3-2 =''No scoring''
|4-3-2 =''No scoring''
|goalie4-1 =[[Gilles Villemure]]
|goalie4-1 =[[Gilles Villemure]] 23 saves / 25 shots
|goalie4-2 =[[Tony Esposito]]
|goalie4-2 =[[Tony Esposito]] 31 saves / 37 shots


|series = New York won series 4–0
|series = New York won series 4–0
Line 613: Line 818:
|1-3-1 =[[Vic Hadfield]] (7) – ''pp'' – 01:56<br>[[Walt Tkaczuk]] (4) – 07:48<br>[[Bruce MacGregor]] (2) – 09:17
|1-3-1 =[[Vic Hadfield]] (7) – ''pp'' – 01:56<br>[[Walt Tkaczuk]] (4) – 07:48<br>[[Bruce MacGregor]] (2) – 09:17
|1-3-2 =17:44 – [[Garnet Bailey]] (2)
|1-3-2 =17:44 – [[Garnet Bailey]] (2)
|goalie1-1 =[[Ed Giacomin]]
|goalie1-1 =[[Ed Giacomin]] 22 saves / 28 shots
|goalie1-2 =[[Gerry Cheevers]]
|goalie1-2 =[[Gerry Cheevers]] 24 saves / 29 shots


|date2 =May 2
|date2 =May 2
Line 626: Line 831:
|2-3-1 =''No scoring''
|2-3-1 =''No scoring''
|2-3-2 =11:53 – ''pp'' – [[Ken Hodge]] (8)
|2-3-2 =11:53 – ''pp'' – [[Ken Hodge]] (8)
|goalie2-1 =[[Gilles Villemure]]
|goalie2-1 =[[Gilles Villemure]] 23 saves / 25 shots
|goalie2-2 =[[Eddie Johnston|Ed Johnston]]
|goalie2-2 =[[Eddie Johnston]] 27 saves / 28 shots


|date3 =May 4
|date3 =May 4
Line 639: Line 844:
|3-3-1 =''No scoring''
|3-3-1 =''No scoring''
|3-3-2 =''No scoring''
|3-3-2 =''No scoring''
|goalie3-1 =[[Ed Giacomin]]
|goalie3-1 =[[Ed Giacomin]] 32 saves / 34 shots
|goalie3-2 =[[Gerry Cheevers]]
|goalie3-2 =[[Gerry Cheevers]] 34 saves / 39 shots


|date4 =May 7
|date4 =May 7
Line 652: Line 857:
|4-3-1 =18:35 – ''pp'' – [[Rod Seiling]] (1)
|4-3-1 =18:35 – ''pp'' – [[Rod Seiling]] (1)
|4-3-2 =''No scoring''
|4-3-2 =''No scoring''
|goalie4-1 =[[Ed Giacomin]]
|goalie4-1 =[[Ed Giacomin]] 21 saves / 24 shots
|goalie4-2 =[[Eddie Johnston|Ed Johnston]]
|goalie4-2 =[[Eddie Johnston]] 21 saves / 23 shots


|date5 =May 9
|date5 =May 9
Line 665: Line 870:
|5-3-1 =[[Bobby Rousseau]] (5) – 02:56<br>Bobby Rousseau (6) – 12:45
|5-3-1 =[[Bobby Rousseau]] (5) – 02:56<br>Bobby Rousseau (6) – 12:45
|5-3-2 =''No scoring''
|5-3-2 =''No scoring''
|goalie5-1 =[[Gilles Villemure]]
|goalie5-1 =[[Gilles Villemure]] 36 saves / 38 shots
|goalie5-2 =[[Eddie Johnston|Ed Johnston]]
|goalie5-2 =[[Eddie Johnston]] 23 saves / 26 shots


|date6 =May 11
|date6 =May 11
Line 678: Line 883:
|6-3-1 =''No scoring''
|6-3-1 =''No scoring''
|6-3-2 =[[Wayne Cashman]] (3) – ''pp'' – 05:10<br>Wayne Cashman (4) – 18:11
|6-3-2 =[[Wayne Cashman]] (3) – ''pp'' – 05:10<br>Wayne Cashman (4) – 18:11
|goalie6-1 =[[Gilles Villemure]]
|goalie6-1 =[[Gilles Villemure]] 24 saves / 27 shots
|goalie6-2 =[[Gerry Cheevers]]
|goalie6-2 =[[Gerry Cheevers]] 33 saves / 33 shots


|series = Boston won series 4–2
|series = Boston won series 4–2
Line 685: Line 890:


==Awards==
==Awards==
{| cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1" border="1" class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! bgcolor="#DDDDDD" colspan="2" | 1972 NHL awards
! bgcolor="#DDDDDD" colspan="2" | 1972 NHL awards
|-
|-
|[[Prince of Wales Trophy]]:<br><small>(East Division champion)</small> || Boston Bruins
|[[Prince of Wales Trophy]]:<br><small>(East Division champion, regular season)</small> || [[Boston Bruins]]
|-
|-
|[[Clarence S. Campbell Bowl]]:<br><small>(West Division champion)</small> || Chicago Black Hawks
|[[Clarence S. Campbell Bowl]]:<br><small>(West Division champion, regular season)</small> || [[Chicago Black Hawks]]
|-
|-
|[[Art Ross Trophy]]:<br><small>(Top scorer, regular season)</small> || [[Phil Esposito]], Boston Bruins
|[[Art Ross Trophy]]:<br><small>(Top scorer, regular season)</small> || [[Phil Esposito]], Boston Bruins
Line 706: Line 911:
|[[Lady Byng Memorial Trophy]]:<br><small>(Excellence and sportsmanship)</small> || [[Jean Ratelle]], New York Rangers
|[[Lady Byng Memorial Trophy]]:<br><small>(Excellence and sportsmanship)</small> || [[Jean Ratelle]], New York Rangers
|-
|-
|[[Lester B. Pearson Award]]:<br><small>(Outstanding player, regular season) || [[Jean Ratelle]], New York Rangers
|[[Lester B. Pearson Award]]:<br><small>(Outstanding player, regular season)</small> || [[Jean Ratelle]], New York Rangers
|-
|-
|[[Vezina Trophy]]:<br><small>(Goaltender(s) of team with best goaltending record)</small> || [[Tony Esposito]] & [[Gary Smith (hockey)|Gary Smith]], Chicago Black Hawks
|[[Vezina Trophy]]:<br><small>(Goaltender(s) of team with best goaltending record)</small> || [[Tony Esposito]] & [[Gary Smith (hockey)|Gary Smith]], Chicago Black Hawks
|-
|[[Lester Patrick Trophy]]:<br><small>(Service to hockey in the U.S.)</small> || [[Clarence S. Campbell]], [[John Kelley (ice hockey)|John A. "Snooks" Kelley]], [[Ralph Weiland|Ralph "Cooney" Weiland]], [[James D. Norris]]
|}
|}


Line 723: Line 926:
|-
|-
|[[Bobby Orr]], Boston Bruins
|[[Bobby Orr]], Boston Bruins
| align=center | [[Defenceman (ice hockey)|D]]
| align=center | [[defenceman|D]]
|[[Bill White (ice hockey)|Bill White]], Chicago Black Hawks
|[[Bill White (ice hockey)|Bill White]], Chicago Black Hawks
|-
|-
Line 781: Line 984:


===Leading goaltenders===
===Leading goaltenders===
''Note: GP = Games played; Min – Minutes Played; GA = Goals Against; GAA = Goals Against Average; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; SO = Shutouts''
''Note: GP = Games played; Min = Minutes played; GA = Goals against; GAA = Goals against average; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; SO = Shutouts''
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
Line 820: Line 1,023:


==Coaches==
==Coaches==

===East===
===East===
*Boston Bruins: [[Tom Johnson (ice hockey)|Tom Johnson]]
*Boston Bruins: [[Tom Johnson (ice hockey)|Tom Johnson]]
*Buffalo Sabres: [[George "Punch" Imlach]] and [[Floyd Smith]]
*Buffalo Sabres: [[George "Punch" Imlach]] and [[Joe Crozier]]
*Detroit Red Wings: [[Johnny Wilson (ice hockey)|Johnny Wilson]]
*Detroit Red Wings: [[Johnny Wilson (ice hockey)|Johnny Wilson]]
*Montreal Canadiens: [[Scotty Bowman]]
*Montreal Canadiens: [[Scotty Bowman]]
*New York Rangers: [[Emile Francis]]
*New York Rangers: [[Emile Francis]]
*Toronto Maple Leafs: [[John McLellan]]
*Toronto Maple Leafs: [[John McLellan (ice hockey)|John McLellan]]
*Vancouver Canucks: [[Hal Laycoe]]
*Vancouver Canucks: [[Hal Laycoe]]


Line 834: Line 1,038:
*Los Angeles Kings: [[Fred Glover (ice hockey)|Fred Glover]]
*Los Angeles Kings: [[Fred Glover (ice hockey)|Fred Glover]]
*Minnesota North Stars: [[Jack Gordon (ice hockey)|Jack Gordon]]
*Minnesota North Stars: [[Jack Gordon (ice hockey)|Jack Gordon]]
*Philadelphia Flyers: [[Vic Stasiuk]]
*Philadelphia Flyers: [[Fred Shero]]
*Pittsburgh Penguins: [[Red Kelly]]
*Pittsburgh Penguins: [[Red Kelly]]
*St. Louis Blues: [[Sid Abel]] and [[Bill McCreary, Sr.]]
*St. Louis Blues: [[Sid Abel]], [[Bill McCreary Sr.]] and [[Al Arbour]]


==Debuts==
==Debuts==
The following is a list of players of note who played their first NHL game in 1971–72 (listed with their first team, asterisk(*) marks debut in playoffs):
The following is a list of players of note who played their first NHL game in 1971–72 (listed with their first team, asterisk(*) marks debut in playoffs):
*[[Terry O'Reilly]], Boston Bruins
*[[Terry O'Reilly]], Boston Bruins
*[[Rick Martin (ice hockey)|Rick Martin]], Buffalo Sabres
*[[Rick Martin]], Buffalo Sabres
*[[Craig Ramsay]], Buffalo Sabres
*[[Craig Ramsay]], Buffalo Sabres
*[[Marcel Dionne]], Detroit Red Wings
*[[Marcel Dionne]], Detroit Red Wings
Line 855: Line 1,059:


==Last games==
==Last games==
The following is a list of players of note that played their last game in the NHL in 1971–72 listed with their last team):
The following is a list of players of note that played their last game in the NHL in 1971–72 listed with their last team:
*[[John McKenzie (ice hockey)|John McKenzie]], Boston Bruins
*[[John McKenzie (ice hockey)|John McKenzie]], Boston Bruins
*[[Ted Green]], Boston Bruins
*[[Ted Green]], Boston Bruins
Line 871: Line 1,075:


''NOTE: McKenzie, Green, Tremblay, Fonteyne, Selby, Nesterenko, McDonald, Hicke and Paiement would continue their careers in the [[World Hockey Association]].''
''NOTE: McKenzie, Green, Tremblay, Fonteyne, Selby, Nesterenko, McDonald, Hicke and Paiement would continue their careers in the [[World Hockey Association]].''

==Broadcasting==
''[[Hockey Night in Canada]]'' on [[CBC Television]] televised Saturday night regular season games. ''HNIC'' also produced Wednesday night regular season game telecasts for [[NHL on CTV|CTV]]. Due to a [[National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians]] strike that affected the CBC, this season's Stanley Cup playoff games aired instead on CTV.

This was the sixth and final season under the U.S. rights agreement with [[NHL on CBS|CBS]], airing Sunday afternoon regular season and playoff games. CBS also televised Game 6 of the 1972 Stanley Cup Finals on a Thursday night. [[NHL on NBC|NBC]] then signed a new contract to broadcast games.


== See also ==
== See also ==
* [[List of Stanley Cup champions]]
* [[List of Stanley Cup champions]]
* [[1971 NHL Amateur Draft]]
* [[1971 NHL Amateur Draft]]
* [[1971–72 NHL transactions]]
* [[25th National Hockey League All-Star Game]]
* [[25th National Hockey League All-Star Game]]
* [[National Hockey League All-Star Game]]
* [[National Hockey League All-Star Game]]
* [[Lester Patrick Trophy]]
* [[Ice hockey at the 1972 Winter Olympics]]
* [[Ice hockey at the 1972 Winter Olympics]]
* [[1971 in sports]]
* [[1971 in sports]]
Line 882: Line 1,093:


==References==
==References==
* {{cite book|title=Total Hockey |editor=Diamond, Dan |publisher=Total Sports |year=2000 |location=Kingston, NY |isbn=1-892129-85-X |ref=harv}}
* {{cite book|title=Total Hockey |editor=Diamond, Dan |publisher=Total Sports |year=2000 |location=Kingston, New York |isbn=1-892129-85-X }}
* {{cite book |editor-last=Dinger |editor-first=Ralph |year=2011 |title=The National Hockey League Official Guide & Record Book 2012 |publisher=Dan Diamond & Associates |isbn=978-1-894801-22-5 |location=Toronto, ON |ref={{harvid|Dinger|2011}}}}
* {{cite book |editor-last=Dinger |editor-first=Ralph |year=2011 |title=The National Hockey League Official Guide & Record Book 2012 |publisher=Dan Diamond & Associates |isbn=978-1-894801-22-5 |location=Toronto, ON |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/nationalhockeyle0000unse_u6g5 }}
* {{cite book |editor-last=Dryden |editor-first=Steve |title=Century of hockey |publisher=McClelland & Stewart Ltd. |location=Toronto, ON |year=2000 |isbn=0-7710-4179-9 |ref={{harvid|Dryden|2000}}}}
* {{cite book |editor-last=Dryden |editor-first=Steve |title=Century of hockey |publisher=McClelland & Stewart Ltd. |location=Toronto, ON |year=2000 |isbn=0-7710-4179-9 }}
* {{cite book |last1=Fischler |first1=Stan |last2=Fischler |first2=Shirley
* {{cite book |last1=Fischler |first1=Stan |last2=Fischler |first2=Shirley
|last3=Hughes |first3=Morgan |last4=Romain |first4=Joseph |last5=Duplacey |first5=James
|last3=Hughes |first3=Morgan |last4=Romain |first4=Joseph |last5=Duplacey |first5=James
|year=2003 |title=The Hockey Chronicle: Year-by-Year History of the National Hockey League |publisher=Publications International Inc. |isbn=0-7853-9624-1 |location=Lincolnwood, IL |ref={{harvid|Fischler|2003}}}}
|year=2003 |title=The Hockey Chronicle: Year-by-Year History of the National Hockey League |publisher=Publications International Inc. |isbn=0-7853-9624-1 |location=Lincolnwood, Illinois |ref={{harvid|Fischler|2003}}}}


;Notes
;Notes
Line 895: Line 1,106:
*[http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/nhl1927.html Hockey Database]
*[http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/nhl1927.html Hockey Database]
*[http://nhl.com/ NHL.com]
*[http://nhl.com/ NHL.com]
*[http://www.hickoksports.com/history/nhl197172.shtml Hickoksports.com]
*[https://archive.today/20130111060602/http://www.hickoksports.com/history/nhl197172.shtml Hickoksports.com]


{{1971–72 NHL season by team}}
{{1971–72 NHL season by team}}
{{NHL seasons|1971}}
{{NHL seasons|1971}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:1971-72 NHL season}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:NHL, 1971-72}}
[[Category:1971–72 NHL season| ]]
[[Category:1971–72 NHL season| ]]
[[Category:1971–72 in Canadian ice hockey by league]]
[[Category:1971–72 in Canadian ice hockey by league]]

Latest revision as of 03:59, 1 June 2024

1971–72 NHL season
LeagueNational Hockey League
SportIce hockey
DurationOctober 8, 1971 – May 11, 1972
Number of games78
Number of teams14
TV partner(s)CBC, CTV, SRC (Canada)
CBS (United States)
Draft
Top draft pickGuy Lafleur
Picked byMontreal Canadiens
Regular season
Season championsBoston Bruins
Season MVPBobby Orr (Bruins)
Top scorerPhil Esposito (Bruins)
Playoffs
Playoffs MVPBobby Orr (Bruins)
Stanley Cup
ChampionsBoston Bruins
  Runners-upNew York Rangers
NHL seasons

The 1971–72 NHL season was the 55th season of the National Hockey League. Fourteen teams each played 78 games. The Boston Bruins beat the New York Rangers four games to two for their second Stanley Cup in three seasons in the finals.

Teams

[edit]
1971-72 National Hockey League
Division Team City Arena Capacity
East Boston Bruins Boston, Massachusetts Boston Garden 14,995
Buffalo Sabres Buffalo, New York Buffalo Memorial Auditorium 15,360
Detroit Red Wings Detroit, Michigan Detroit Olympia 15,000
Montreal Canadiens Montreal, Quebec Montreal Forum 19,000
New York Rangers New York, New York Madison Square Garden 17,250
Toronto Maple Leafs Toronto, Ontario Maple Leaf Gardens 16,316
Vancouver Canucks Vancouver, British Columbia Pacific Coliseum 15,570
West California Golden Seals Oakland, California Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena 15,000
Chicago Black Hawks Chicago, Illinois Chicago Stadium 16,666
Los Angeles Kings Inglewood, California The Forum 16,005
Minnesota North Stars Bloomington, Minnesota Metropolitan Sports Center 15,000
Philadelphia Flyers Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Spectrum 14,626
Pittsburgh Penguins Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Civic Arena 12,580
St. Louis Blues St. Louis, Missouri St. Louis Arena 17,821

Regular season

[edit]
class=notpageimage|
East Division West Division

Among notable first year players this season were Montreal's Guy Lafleur, who despite scoring 29 goals was felt lacking in comparison to newly retired superstar Jean Beliveau by the Canadiens' faithful; Buffalo's Rick Martin, who set a new record for goals by a rookie with 44; Gilles Meloche, goaltender for the California Golden Seals who acquired him from Chicago; and Ken Dryden, the sensational new goalie for the Canadiens, who despite winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP the previous season was awarded the Calder Memorial Trophy as rookie of the year, on the grounds that he had only played six prior regular season games.

43-year-old Gump Worsley, left unprotected (and unclaimed) in the waiver draft by the Minnesota North Stars, led the league with a 2.12 goals against average. Less fortunately, Philadelphia goaltender Bruce Gamble suffered a heart attack during a 3–1 win in Vancouver in February and was forced to retire from hockey.

In what was widely seen as a preemptive move to help forestall the incipient World Hockey Association, the NHL announced that Atlanta and Long Island had been granted expansion franchises to begin play in the 1972–73 season. The bids had been hastily put together in comparison with the 1967 and 1970 expansions.

Milestones this season included Gerry Cheevers setting an NHL record for the Boston Bruins (which has yet to be surpassed) with 33 straight undefeated games. On February 12, it was Gordie Howe Day in Detroit as his famous #9 was retired. On March 25, Bobby Hull scored his 600th NHL goal in a 5–5 tie with Boston at the Boston Garden.

An exciting scoring race in which Ranger Jean Ratelle had been leading Bruin Phil Esposito was shortcircuited when Ratelle broke his ankle in a game against California, putting him out for over a month of play. Ratelle still ended up third in scoring behind Esposito and Bruin Bobby Orr, while his teammates Vic Hadfield and Rod Gilbert – all three linemates on the renowned GAG line—finished fourth and fifth. A resurgent Frank Mahovlich, rejuvenated by a trade to Montreal, finished sixth, while Bobby Hull, in his final year in Chicago, finished seventh in points and second to Esposito in goals.

Although they had fallen somewhat from their overwhelming offensive dominance from the previous season, once again the Boston Bruins had the best record in the league, while the Chicago Black Hawks topped the West Division.

Final standings

[edit]
East Division[1]
GP W L T GF GA DIFF Pts
1 Boston Bruins 78 54 13 11 330 204 +126 119
2 New York Rangers 78 48 17 13 317 192 +125 109
3 Montreal Canadiens 78 46 16 16 307 205 +102 108
4 Toronto Maple Leafs 78 33 31 14 209 208 +1 80
5 Detroit Red Wings 78 33 35 10 261 262 −1 76
6 Buffalo Sabres 78 16 43 19 203 289 −86 51
7 Vancouver Canucks 78 20 50 8 203 297 −94 48
West Division[1]
GP W L T GF GA DIFF Pts
1 Chicago Black Hawks 78 46 17 15 256 166 +90 107
2 Minnesota North Stars 78 37 29 12 212 191 +21 86
3 St. Louis Blues 78 28 39 11 208 247 −39 67
4 Pittsburgh Penguins 78 26 38 14 220 258 −38 66
5 Philadelphia Flyers 78 26 38 14 200 236 −36 66
6 California Golden Seals 78 21 39 18 216 288 −72 60
7 Los Angeles Kings 78 20 49 9 206 305 −99 49

Playoffs

[edit]

Format change

[edit]

In response to the prior year when the Minnesota North Stars appeared to intentionally lose games to finish fourth in the West instead of third and avoid a tougher match-up with first-place Chicago, and also the Boston Bruins were "rewarded" for finishing first in the East with a tough series against eventual Stanley Cup Champion Montreal, the first round match-ups were changed so that the first-place team played the fourth-place team and second played third. Previously, the first-place team played the third-place team and the second-place team played the fourth-place team.

This change necessitated a change to the way the semi-final match-ups were determined. Instead of having the winner of the series between the first and third-place East Division teams play the winner of the second and fourth-place West Division teams and the winner of the first versus third-place West Division teams against the winner of the second and fourth-place East Division teams, the semi-final pitted the highest remaining seed in the East Division play the lowest remaining seed from the West and vice versa.

Despite injuries to several key players, notably leading scorer Jean Ratelle, the New York Rangers beat the defending champions Montreal Canadiens in the first round of the playoffs, with strong play from unheralded players such as Walt Tkaczuk. The Rangers went on the sweep the Chicago Black Hawks in four straight games during the semi-final. Chicago had beaten the Pittsburgh Penguins in four straight games.

Boston easily handled the Toronto Maple Leafs in five games, facing a St. Louis Blues team that had eked out a hard-fought seven-game victory against the North Stars in the quarter-final. The powerful Bruins set a record for the most goals in a four-game series by pounding the Blues 28–8 over a four-game sweep.

Playoff bracket

[edit]
Quarterfinals Semifinals Stanley Cup Finals
         
E1 Boston 4
E4 Toronto 1
E1 Boston 4
W3 St. Louis 0
W2 Minnesota 3
W3 St. Louis 4
E1 Boston 4
E2 New York 2
W1 Chicago 4
W4 Pittsburgh 0
W1 Chicago 0
E2 New York 4
E2 New York 4
E3 Montreal 2

Quarterfinals

[edit]

(E1) Boston Bruins vs. (E4) Toronto Maple Leafs

[edit]

The Boston Bruins finished first in the league with 119 points. The Toronto Maple Leafs finished fourth in the East Division with 80 points. This was the twelfth playoff series between these two teams with Toronto winning eight of the eleven previous series. They last met in the 1969 Stanley Cup Quarterfinals which Boston won in four games. Boston won this year's six-game regular season series earning nine of twelve points.


April 5 Toronto Maple Leafs 0–5 Boston Bruins Boston Garden Recap  
No scoring First period No scoring
No scoring Second period 17:24 – Phil Esposito (1)
19:41 – Phil Esposito (2)
No scoring Third period 03:47 – Don Marcotte (1)
15:27 – John McKenzie (1)
15:38 – Fred Stanfield (1)
Jacques Plante 24 saves / 29 shots Goalie stats Gerry Cheevers 27 saves / 27 shots
April 6 Toronto Maple Leafs 4–3 OT Boston Bruins Boston Garden Recap  
No scoring First period 07:23 – Fred Stanfield (2)
14:01 – Phil Esposito (3)
Dave Keon (1) – 01:23
Jim McKenny (1) – pp – 03:47 		Second period 04:27 – Johnny Bucyk (1)
Guy Trottier (1) – 08:42 Third period No scoring
Jim Harrison (1) – 02:58 First overtime period No scoring
Bernie Parent 37 saves / 40 shots Goalie stats Gerry Cheevers 18 saves / 22 shots
April 8 Boston Bruins 2–0 Toronto Maple Leafs Maple Leaf Gardens Recap  
No scoring First period No scoring
Mike Walton (1) – pp – 18:38 Second period No scoring
Bobby Orr (1) – pp – 01:24 Third period No scoring
Eddie Johnston 30 saves / 30 shots Goalie stats Bernie Parent 33 saves / 35 shots
April 9 Boston Bruins 5–4 Toronto Maple Leafs Maple Leaf Gardens Recap  
Johnny Bucyk (2) – 16:36 First period 17:45 – Dave Keon (2)
No scoring Second period 11:11 – pp – Ron Ellis (1)
17:57 – sh – Jim McKenny (2)
Ken Hodge (1) – 01:15
Ed Westfall (1) – sh – 08:03
Phil Esposito (4) – 09:49
Ken Hodge (2) – 16:11 		Third period 04:50 – Paul Henderson (1)
Eddie Johnston 38 saves / 42 shots Goalie stats Bernie Parent 31 saves / 36 shots
April 11 Toronto Maple Leafs 2–3 Boston Bruins Boston Garden Recap  
Jim McKenny (3) – pp – 11:12 First period 15:42 – Fred Stanfield (3)
No scoring Second period 05:18 – John McKenzie (2)
Norm Ullman (1) – 06:09 Third period 07:38 – Ken Hodge (3)
Bernie Parent 34 saves / 37 shots Goalie stats Gerry Cheevers 26 saves / 28 shots
Boston won series 4–1


(E2) New York Rangers vs. (E3) Montreal Canadiens

[edit]

The New York Rangers finished second in the East Division with 109 points. The Montreal Canadiens finished third with 108 points. This was the tenth playoff series between these two teams with Montreal winning five of the nine previous series. They last met in the 1969 Stanley Cup Quarterfinals which Montreal won in four games. New York won this year's six-game regular season series earning eight of twelve points.


April 5 Montreal Canadiens 2–3 New York Rangers Madison Square Garden Recap  
Claude Larose (1) – 18:55 First period 16:30 – pp – Bill Fairbairn (1)
19:32 – Vic Hadfield (1)
No scoring Second period No scoring
Frank Mahovlich (1) – 07:48 Third period 12:43 – Vic Hadfield (2)
Ken Dryden 34 saves / 37 shots Goalie stats Ed Giacomin 17 saves / 19 shots
April 6 Montreal Canadiens 2–5 New York Rangers Madison Square Garden Recap  
Guy Lafleur (1) – 06:05 First period 07:45 – Dale Rolfe (1)
10:26 – Ron Stewart (1)
Claude Larose (2) – 02:29 Second period No scoring
No scoring Third period 00:20 – Bill Fairbairn (2)
15:34 – Walt Tkaczuk (1)
18:57 – Ted Irvine (1)
Ken Dryden 31 saves / 35 shots Goalie stats Ed Giacomin 26 saves / 28 shots
April 8 New York Rangers 1–2 Montreal Canadiens Montreal Forum Recap  
No scoring First period No scoring
No scoring Second period 07:18 – pp – Frank Mahovlich (2)
18:13 – Marc Tardif (1)
Ron Stewart (2) – 07:21 Third period No scoring
Ed Giacomin 24 saves / 26 shots Goalie stats Ken Dryden 22 saves / 23 shots
April 9 New York Rangers 6–4 Montreal Canadiens Montreal Forum Recap  
Bill Fairbairn (3) – pp – 04:47
Bobby Rousseau (1) – 07:24
Bobby Rousseau (2) – 13:48
Vic Hadfield (3) – 19:41 		First period 11:22 – Jacques Lemaire (1)
18:15 – Marc Tardif (2)
No scoring Second period 13:21 – Yvan Cournoyer (1)
Pete Stemkowski (1) – 14:55
Ted Irvine (2) – 19:26 		Third period 05:48 – Terry Harper (1)
Ed Giacomin 29 saves / 33 shots Goalie stats Ken Dryden 23 saves / 28 shots
April 11 Montreal Canadiens 2–1 New York Rangers Madison Square Garden Recap  
No scoring First period No scoring
Frank Mahovlich (3) – 06:53 Second period 04:24 – pp – Vic Hadfield (4)
Jimmy Roberts (1) – 03:12 Third period No scoring
Ken Dryden 33 saves / 34 shots Goalie stats Ed Giacomin 30 saves / 32 shots
April 13 New York Rangers 3–2 Montreal Canadiens Montreal Forum Recap  
Bill Fairbairn (4) – 09:31 First period 11:32 – Yvan Cournoyer (2)
Bill Fairbairn (5) – 09:33 Second period 14:48 – Jacques Lemaire (2)
Walt Tkaczuk (2) – 00:29 Third period No scoring
Ed Giacomin 23 saves / 25 shots Goalie stats Ken Dryden 32 saves / 35 shots
New York won series 4–2


(W1) Chicago Black Hawks vs. (W4) Pittsburgh Penguins

[edit]

The Chicago Black Hawks finished first in the West Division with 107 points. The Pittsburgh Penguins finished fourth in the West Division with 66 points (winning the tiebreaker with Philadelphia in head-to-head season series 3–2–1). This was the first playoff series between these two teams. Chicago won this year's six-game regular season series earning eleven of twelve points.


April 5 Pittsburgh Penguins 1–3 Chicago Black Hawks Chicago Stadium Recap  
Bobby Leiter (1) – 01:25 First period 15:09 – Pit Martin (1)
No scoring Second period No scoring
No scoring Third period 03:25 – sh – Jim Pappin (1)
16:37 – Pit Martin (2)
Jim Rutherford 35 saves / 38 shots Goalie stats Tony Esposito 28 saves / 29 shots
April 6 Pittsburgh Penguins 2–3 Chicago Black Hawks Chicago Stadium Recap  
No scoring First period 00:35 – Pit Martin (3)
05:52 – J.P. Bordeleau (1)
Jean Pronovost (1) – sh – 10:51 Second period No scoring
Bobby Leiter (2) – pp – 12:45 Third period 11:17 – Chico Maki (1)
Jim Rutherford 32 saves / 35 shots Goalie stats Tony Esposito 26 saves / 28 shots
April 8 Chicago Black Hawks 2–0 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena Recap  
No scoring First period No scoring
J.P. Bordeleau (2) – 05:33 Second period No scoring
Stan Mikita (1) – 12:41 Third period No scoring
Gary Smith 31 saves / 31 shots Goalie stats Jim Rutherford 38 saves / 40 shots
April 9 Chicago Black Hawks 6–5 OT Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena Recap  
Jim Pappin (2) – 03:08 First period No scoring
Bobby Hull (1) – 16:40 Second period 09:13 – Ken Schinkel (1)
14:10 – Syl Apps Jr. (1)
17:19 – Ken Schinkel (2)
19:30 – Ron Schock (1)
Bobby Hull (2) – 01:22
Bobby Hull (3) – 11:28
Dennis Hull (1) – 15:38 		Third period 17:52 – Bobby Leiter (3)
Pit Martin (4) – 00:12 First overtime period No scoring
Gerry Desjardins 29 saves / 34 shots Goalie stats Jim Rutherford 26 saves / 32 shots
Chicago won series 4–0


(W2) Minnesota North Stars vs. (W3) St. Louis Blues

[edit]

The Minnesota North Stars finished second in the West Division with 86 points. The St. Louis Blues finished third with 67 points. This was the fourth playoff meeting between these two teams with St. Louis winning two of the three previous series. They last met in the previous year's Quarterfinals which the North Stars won in six games. Minnesota won four of the six games in this year's regular season series.

Kevin O'Shea's series-winning goal in overtime of Game 7 was the first time in Stanley Cup Playoff history that the road team won Game 7 in overtime.


April 5 St. Louis Blues 0–3 Minnesota North Stars Met Center Recap  
No scoring First period 14:25 – Dean Prentice (1)
No scoring Second period No scoring
No scoring Third period 04:19 – Dean Prentice (2)
12:01 – Bob Nevin (1)
Jacques Caron 41 saves / 44 shots Goalie stats Gump Worsley 27 saves / 27 shots
April 6 St. Louis Blues 5–6 OT Minnesota North Stars Met Center Recap  
Frank St. Marseille (1) – pp – 12:14 First period 02:51 – pp – Doug Mohns (1)
Frank St. Marseille (2) – 02:00
Frank St. Marseille (3) – 05:38 		Second period 04:27 – pp – J. P. Parise (1)
07:38 – Danny Grant (1)
Garry Unger (1) – 08:05
Phil Roberto (1) – 10:59 		Third period 01:45 – Jude Drouin (1)
11:32 – Dean Prentice (3)
No scoring First overtime period 01:36 – Bill Goldsworthy (1)
Ernie Wakely 23 saves / 29 shots Goalie stats Cesare Maniago 33 saves / 38 shots
April 8 Minnesota North Stars 1–2 St. Louis Blues St. Louis Arena Recap  
No scoring First period 09:28 – Phil Roberto (2)
No scoring Second period 10:07 – pp – Phil Roberto (3)
Jude Drouin (2) – pp – 00:40 Third period No scoring
Gump Worsley 33 saves / 35 shots Goalie stats Jacques Caron 29 saves / 30 shots
April 9 Minnesota North Stars 2–3 St. Louis Blues St. Louis Arena Recap  
Jude Drouin (3) – 10:56 First period No scoring
Danny Grant (2) – 00:21 Second period 12:12 – Phil Roberto (4)
13:45 – Kevin O'Shea (1)
No scoring Third period 11:50 – pp – Barclay Plager (1)
Cesare Maniago 35 saves / 38 shots Goalie stats Jacques Caron 28 saves / 30 shots
April 11 St. Louis Blues 3–4 Minnesota North Stars Met Center Recap  
Gary Sabourin (1) – 16:34
Phil Roberto (5) – pp – 19:59 		First period 01:42 – Barry Gibbs (1)
17:55 – Tom Reid (1)
Garry Unger (2) – pp – 19:34 Second period No scoring
No scoring Third period 02:55 – pp – J. P. Parise (2)
05:45 – Jude Drouin (4)
Jacques Caron 23 saves / 27 shots Goalie stats Gump Worsley 30 saves / 33 shots
April 13 Minnesota North Stars 2–4 St. Louis Blues St. Louis Arena Recap  
Bill Goldsworthy (2) – 04:03 First period 03:04 – pp – Phil Roberto (6)
06:21 – Bob Plager (1)
No scoring Second period 11:07 – Garry Unger (3)
J. P. Parise (3) – 15:01 Third period 16:13 – Jack Egers (1)
Gump Worsley 11 saves / 13 shots
Cesare Maniago 23 saves / 25 shots 		Goalie stats Jacques Caron 28 saves / 30 shots
April 16 St. Louis Blues 2–1 OT Minnesota North Stars Met Center Recap  
Gary Sabourin (2) – 12:04 First period No scoring
No scoring Second period No scoring
No scoring Third period 00:15 – Charlie Burns (1)
Kevin O'Shea (2) – 10:07 First overtime period No scoring
Jacques Caron 28 saves / 29 shots Goalie stats Cesare Maniago 25 saves / 27 shots
St. Louis won series 4–3


Semifinals

[edit]

(E1) Boston Bruins vs. (W3) St. Louis Blues

[edit]

This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams. Their only previous series came in the 1970 Stanley Cup Finals which Boston won in four games. Boston won this year's six-game regular season series earning nine of twelve points.


April 18 St. Louis Blues 1–6 Boston Bruins Boston Garden Recap  
Garry Unger (4) – pp – 03:18 First period 04:22 – Fred Stanfield (4)
11:03 – Mike Walton (2)
17:27 – Johnny Bucyk (3)
No scoring Second period 10:48 – pp – Fred Stanfield (5)
19:32 – Fred Stanfield (6)
No scoring Third period 14:55 – pp – Phil Esposito (5)
Jacques Caron 21 saves / 26 shots
Ernie Wakely 17 saves / 18 shots 		Goalie stats Eddie Johnston 25 saves / 26 shots
April 20 St. Louis Blues 2–10 Boston Bruins Boston Garden Recap  
No scoring First period 07:17 – pp – Johnny Bucyk (4)
08:39 – Phil Esposito (6)
09:54 – Ed Westfall (2)
No scoring Second period 06:33 – Garnet Bailey (1)
09:27 – pp – John McKenzie (3)
Mike Murphy (1) – 04:37
Phil Roberto (7) – 05:26 		Third period 03:47 – pp – Johnny Bucyk (5)
10:34 – Mike Walton (3)
14:29 – Don Marcotte (2)
16:07 – Johnny Bucyk (6)
16:47 – Ed Westfall (3)
Jacques Caron 9 saves / 13 shots
Ernie Wakely 12 saves / 18 shots 		Goalie stats Gerry Cheevers 31 saves / 33 shots
April 23 Boston Bruins 7–2 St. Louis Blues St. Louis Arena Recap  
Ed Westfall (4) – sh – 08:40
John McKenzie (4) – pp – 10:36
Phil Esposito (7) – 19:42 		First period 02:05 – pp – Mike Murphy (2)
Mike Walton (4) – 02:58
Ken Hodge (4) – 06:28
John McKenzie (5) – pp – 11:12 		Second period No scoring
Mike Walton (5) – 11:09 Third period 18:15 – Gary Sabourin (3)
Eddie Johnston 27 saves / 29 shots Goalie stats Peter McDuffe 31 saves / 38 shots
April 25 Boston Bruins 5–3 St. Louis Blues St. Louis Arena Recap  
Phil Esposito (8) – 01:29
Johnny Bucyk (7) – pp – 09:27 		First period 18:16 – Terry Crisp (1)
Johnny Bucyk (8) – pp – 04:44
Phil Esposito (9) – pp – 17:53 		Second period No scoring
Wayne Cashman (1) – 19:22 Third period 08:50 – Andre Dupont (1)
15:25 – Chris Evans (1)
Gerry Cheevers 33 saves / 36 shots Goalie stats Jacques Caron 22 saves / 26 shots
Boston won series 4–0


(W1) Chicago Black Hawks vs. (E2) New York Rangers

[edit]

This was the fourth playoff meeting between these two teams with Chicago winning all three previous series. They last met in the previous year's Semifinals which the Black Hawks won in seven games. New York won this year's six-game regular season series earning seven of twelve points.


April 16 New York Rangers 3–2 Chicago Black Hawks Chicago Stadium Recap  
Ted Irvine (3) – 12:51 First period No scoring
Brad Park (1) – 16:07
Walt Tkaczuk (3) – 16:42 		Second period No scoring
No scoring Third period 12:30 – Stan Mikita (2)
14:40 – J. P. Bordeleau (3)
Ed Giacomin 25 saves / 27 shots Goalie stats Tony Esposito 25 saves / 28 shots
April 18 New York Rangers 5–3 Chicago Black Hawks Chicago Stadium Recap  
Vic Hadfield (5) – 14:38 First period 09:46 – Dennis Hull (2)
No scoring Second period 14:15 – Stan Mikita (3)
Rod Gilbert (1) – pp – 00:54
Brad Park (2) – 08:15
Rod Gilbert (2) – 12:36
Pete Stemkowski (2) – 19:51 		Third period 06:17 – pp – Pat Stapleton (1)
Gilles Villemure 32 saves / 35 shots Goalie stats Tony Esposito 27 saves / 31 shots
April 20 Chicago Black Hawks 2–3 New York Rangers Madison Square Garden Recap  
Dennis Hull (3) – 05:12 First period 17:31 – Pete Stemkowski (3)
Dennis Hull (4) – pp – 09:49 Second period 06:20 – sh – Bruce MacGregor (1)
10:56 – Dale Rolfe (2)
No scoring Third period No scoring
Gary Smith 36 saves / 39 shots Goalie stats Gilles Villemure 21 saves / 23 shots
April 23 Chicago Black Hawks 2–6 New York Rangers Madison Square Garden Recap  
Bobby Hull (4) – sh – 05:37 First period 05:49 – pp – Phil Goyette (1)
15:32 – Bobby Rousseau (3)
Pat Stapleton (2) – pp – 12:10 Second period 04:37 – pp – Rod Gilbert (3)
16:25 – Vic Hadfield (6)
18:22 – Gene Carr (1)
No scoring Third period 03:40 – Bobby Rousseau (4)
Tony Esposito 31 saves / 37 shots Goalie stats Gilles Villemure 23 saves / 25 shots
New York won series 4–0


Stanley Cup Finals

[edit]
Main article: 1972 Stanley Cup Finals

This was the eighth series between these two teams with Boston winning five of the seven previous series. They last met in the 1970 Stanley Cup Quarterfinals which the Bruins won in six games. The Bruins made their twelfth appearance in the Finals; they most recently made the Finals in 1970 where they defeated the St. Louis Blues in four games. This was the New York Rangers eighth Finals appearance and first since 1950 where they lost to the Detroit Red Wings in seven games. Boston won five of the six games in this year's regular season series.


April 30 New York Rangers 5–6 Boston Bruins Boston Garden Recap  
Dale Rolfe (3) – 03:52 First period 05:07 – Fred Stanfield (7)
15:48 – Ken Hodge (5)
17:29 – sh – Derek Sanderson (1)
18:14 – sh – Ken Hodge (6)
Rod Gilbert (4) – pp – 11:54 Second period 10:46 – Ken Hodge (7)
Vic Hadfield (7) – pp – 01:56
Walt Tkaczuk (4) – 07:48
Bruce MacGregor (2) – 09:17 		Third period 17:44 – Garnet Bailey (2)
Ed Giacomin 22 saves / 28 shots Goalie stats Gerry Cheevers 24 saves / 29 shots
May 2 New York Rangers 1–2 Boston Bruins Boston Garden Recap  
No scoring First period 16:15 – pp – Johnny Bucyk (9)
Rod Gilbert (5) – 07:23 Second period No scoring
No scoring Third period 11:53 – pp – Ken Hodge (8)
Gilles Villemure 23 saves / 25 shots Goalie stats Eddie Johnston 27 saves / 28 shots
May 4 Boston Bruins 2–5 New York Rangers Madison Square Garden Recap  
Mike Walton (6) – 14:04 First period 01:22 – pp – Brad Park (3)
11:19 – pp – Rod Gilbert (6)
13:00 – pp – Brad Park (4)
Bobby Orr (2) – 01:10 Second period 03:46 – Rod Gilbert (7)
19:23 – Pete Stemkowski (4)
No scoring Third period No scoring
Gerry Cheevers 34 saves / 39 shots Goalie stats Ed Giacomin 32 saves / 34 shots
May 7 Boston Bruins 3–2 New York Rangers Madison Square Garden Recap  
Bobby Orr (3) – 05:26
Bobby Orr (4) – pp – 08:17 		First period No scoring
Don Marcotte (3) – sh – 16:33 Second period 18:38 – Ted Irvine (4)
No scoring Third period 18:35 – pp – Rod Seiling (1)
Eddie Johnston 21 saves / 23 shots Goalie stats Ed Giacomin 21 saves / 24 shots
May 9 New York Rangers 3–2 Boston Bruins Boston Garden Recap  
Dale Rolfe (4) – 13:45 First period 03:55 – Wayne Cashman (2)
16:07 – pp – Ken Hodge (9)
No scoring Second period No scoring
Bobby Rousseau (5) – 02:56
Bobby Rousseau (6) – 12:45 		Third period No scoring
Gilles Villemure 36 saves / 38 shots Goalie stats Eddie Johnston 23 saves / 26 shots
May 11 Boston Bruins 3–0 New York Rangers Madison Square Garden Recap  
Bobby Orr (5) – pp – 11:18 First period No scoring
No scoring Second period No scoring
Wayne Cashman (3) – pp – 05:10
Wayne Cashman (4) – 18:11 		Third period No scoring
Gerry Cheevers 33 saves / 33 shots Goalie stats Gilles Villemure 24 saves / 27 shots
Boston won series 4–2


Awards

[edit]
1972 NHL awards
Prince of Wales Trophy:
(East Division champion, regular season)		 Boston Bruins
Clarence S. Campbell Bowl:
(West Division champion, regular season)		 Chicago Black Hawks
Art Ross Trophy:
(Top scorer, regular season)		 Phil Esposito, Boston Bruins
Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy:
(Perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication)		 Bobby Clarke, Philadelphia Flyers
Calder Memorial Trophy:
(Top first-year player)		 Ken Dryden, Montreal Canadiens
Conn Smythe Trophy:
(Most valuable player, playoffs)		 Bobby Orr, Boston Bruins
Hart Memorial Trophy:
(Most valuable player, regular season)		 Bobby Orr, Boston Bruins
James Norris Memorial Trophy:
(Best defenceman)		 Bobby Orr, Boston Bruins
Lady Byng Memorial Trophy:
(Excellence and sportsmanship)		 Jean Ratelle, New York Rangers
Lester B. Pearson Award:
(Outstanding player, regular season)		 Jean Ratelle, New York Rangers
Vezina Trophy:
(Goaltender(s) of team with best goaltending record)		 Tony Esposito & Gary Smith, Chicago Black Hawks

All-Star teams

[edit]
First Team   Position   Second Team
Tony Esposito, Chicago Black Hawks G Ken Dryden, Montreal Canadiens
Bobby Orr, Boston Bruins D Bill White, Chicago Black Hawks
Brad Park, New York Rangers D Pat Stapleton, Chicago Black Hawks
Phil Esposito, Boston Bruins C Jean Ratelle, New York Rangers
Rod Gilbert, New York Rangers RW Yvan Cournoyer, Montreal Canadiens
Bobby Hull, Chicago Black Hawks LW Vic Hadfield, New York Rangers

Player statistics

[edit]

Scoring leaders

[edit]
Player Team GP G A Pts PIM
Phil Esposito Boston Bruins 76 66 67 133 76
Bobby Orr Boston Bruins 76 37 80 117 106
Jean Ratelle New York Rangers 63 46 63 109 4
Vic Hadfield New York Rangers 78 50 56 106 142
Rod Gilbert New York Rangers 73 43 54 97 64
Frank Mahovlich Montreal Canadiens 76 43 53 96 36
Bobby Hull Chicago Black Hawks 78 50 43 93 24
Yvan Cournoyer Montreal Canadiens 73 47 36 83 15
Johnny Bucyk Boston Bruins 78 32 51 83 4
Bobby Clarke Philadelphia Flyers 78 35 46 81 87
Jacques Lemaire Montreal Canadiens 77 32 49 81 26

Source: NHL.[2]

Leading goaltenders

[edit]

Note: GP = Games played; Min = Minutes played; GA = Goals against; GAA = Goals against average; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; SO = Shutouts

Player Team GP MIN GA GAA W L T SO
Tony Esposito Chicago Black Hawks 48 2780 82 1.77 31 10 6 9
Gilles Villemure New York Rangers 37 2129 74 2.09 24 7 4 3
Lorne Worsley Minnesota North Stars 34 1923 68 2.12 16 10 7 2
Ken Dryden Montreal Canadiens 64 3800 142 2.24 39 8 15 8
Gary Smith Chicago Black Hawks 28 1540 62 2.42 14 5 6 5
Gerry Cheevers Boston Bruins 41 2420 101 2.50 27 5 8 2
Jacques Caron St. Louis Blues 28 1619 68 2.52 14 8 5 1
Bernie Parent Toronto Maple Leafs 47 2715 116 2.56 17 18 9 3
Jacques Plante Toronto Maple Leafs 34 1965 86 2.63 16 13 5 2
Cesare Maniago Minnesota North Stars 43 2539 112 2.65 20 17 4 3

Other statistics

[edit]

Coaches

[edit]

East

[edit]

West

[edit]

Debuts

[edit]

The following is a list of players of note who played their first NHL game in 1971–72 (listed with their first team, asterisk(*) marks debut in playoffs):

Last games

[edit]

The following is a list of players of note that played their last game in the NHL in 1971–72 listed with their last team:

NOTE: McKenzie, Green, Tremblay, Fonteyne, Selby, Nesterenko, McDonald, Hicke and Paiement would continue their careers in the World Hockey Association.

Broadcasting

[edit]

Hockey Night in Canada on CBC Television televised Saturday night regular season games. HNIC also produced Wednesday night regular season game telecasts for CTV. Due to a National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians strike that affected the CBC, this season's Stanley Cup playoff games aired instead on CTV.

This was the sixth and final season under the U.S. rights agreement with CBS, airing Sunday afternoon regular season and playoff games. CBS also televised Game 6 of the 1972 Stanley Cup Finals on a Thursday night. NBC then signed a new contract to broadcast games.

See also

[edit]

References

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  • Diamond, Dan, ed. (2000). Total Hockey. Kingston, New York: Total Sports. ISBN 1-892129-85-X.
  • Dinger, Ralph, ed. (2011). The National Hockey League Official Guide & Record Book 2012. Toronto, ON: Dan Diamond & Associates. ISBN 978-1-894801-22-5.
  • Dryden, Steve, ed. (2000). Century of hockey. Toronto, ON: McClelland & Stewart Ltd. ISBN 0-7710-4179-9.
  • Fischler, Stan; Fischler, Shirley; Hughes, Morgan; Romain, Joseph; Duplacey, James (2003). The Hockey Chronicle: Year-by-Year History of the National Hockey League. Lincolnwood, Illinois: Publications International Inc. ISBN 0-7853-9624-1.
Notes
  1. ^ a b "1971–1972 Division Standings Standings - NHL.com - Standings". National Hockey League.
  2. ^ Dinger 2011, p. 150.
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