1976–77 NHL season

National Hockey League season August 2023 1976–77 NHL season National Hockey League Ice hockey October 5, 1976 – May 14, 1977 Draft 1976 NHL Draft List of first overall NHL draft picks Rick Green Washington Capitals 18 80 CBC, SRC (Canada)NHL Network (United States) Regular season Montreal Canadiens Guy Lafleur (Canadiens) Hart Memorial Trophy Guy Lafleur (Canadiens) Art Ross Trophy Playoffs 1977 Stanley Cup playoffs Stanley Cup 1977 Stanley Cup Finals Montreal Canadiens Boston Bruins Guy Lafleur (Canadiens) Conn Smythe Trophy 1977–78 1975–76 NHL The 1976–77 NHL season was the 60th season of the National Hockey League. The Kansas City Scouts moved to Denver, Colorado, and became the Colorado Rockies and the California Golden Seals moved to Cleveland, Ohio, and became the Cleveland Barons. The Montreal Canadiens once again dominated the playoffs as, for the second straight year, they swept their opponent four games to none in the final series for the Stanley Cup. League business Two teams relocated: The Kansas City Scouts moved to Denver, Colorado, and became the Colorado Rockies and the California Golden Seals moved to Cleveland, Ohio, and became the Cleveland Barons. These were the first franchise moves since the original Ottawa Senators had relocated in 1934 to become the St. Louis Eagles. Instability and the poor performances of the Washington Capitals and the Scouts since the 1974 expansion caused the league to shelve an expansion to Denver and Seattle that had been proposed for this season. Seattle would not have a team until the expansion Seattle Kraken in the 2021–22 season. The 1976 NHL amateur draft was held on June 1, at the NHL offices in Montreal, Quebec. Rick Green was selected first overall by the Washington Capitals. This season was Clarence Campbell's last as NHL President before he was succeeded by John Ziegler. Arena changes The relocated Cleveland Barons moved from the Oakland Coliseum Arena to Cleveland's Richfield Coliseum. The relocated Colorado Rockies moved from Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Missouri to McNichols Sports Arena in Denver, Colorado. Regular season The previous season saw the Montreal Canadiens set new records in wins and points. Both of those records were broken again by the Canadiens this season as, with the highest points percentage in post-expansion NHL history (.825), they had 60 wins and 132 points. Their home record was 33 wins, 1 loss, and 6 ties. Scoring 216 more goals than they allowed, the Canadiens were a full 20 points ahead of the second-place Philadelphia Flyers. The Flyers, however, were swept in four straight games by the third-place Boston Bruins in the semi-finals. The Bruins were in turn swept by the Canadiens in four straight in the finals. On February 2, 1977, during a game against the Detroit Red Wings, Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Ian Turnbull became the first player in NHL history to score five goals on five shots.Hockey's Book of Firsts, p.27, James Duplacey, JG Press, 978-1-57215-037-9 Final standings start Prince of Wales Conference break Clarence Campbell Conference end Playoffs The New York Islanders won six consecutive games before the semifinal and were the only team from the preliminary round to make it to the semifinals, where they lost to the first-ranked, defending, and eventual Stanley Cup champion Montreal Canadiens. The Canadiens swept the St. Louis Blues and dispatched the Islanders in six to reach the final. The losses to the Islanders were the Canadiens' only losses of their playoff run. Second-ranked Philadelphia Flyers defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs in the quarterfinals, before being swept by the third-ranked Boston Bruins in the semifinals. Playoff seeds The top three teams in each division made the playoffs. All 12 clubs then were seeded 1–12 based on regular season points, regardless of conference or division. Note: Only teams that qualified for the playoffs are listed here. Montreal Canadiens, Norris Division champions, Prince of Wales Conference regular season champions – 132 points Philadelphia Flyers, Patrick Division champions, Clarence Campbell Conference regular season champions – 112 points Boston Bruins, Adams Division champions – 106 points (49 wins) New York Islanders – 106 points (47 wins) Buffalo Sabres – 104 points Los Angeles Kings – 83 points Pittsburgh Penguins – 81 points (34 wins) Toronto Maple Leafs – 81 points (33 wins) Atlanta Flames – 80 points St. Louis Blues, Smythe Division champions – 73 points Minnesota North Stars – 64 points Chicago Black Hawks – 63 points Playoff bracket The NHL used "re-seeding" instead of a fixed bracket playoff system: in each round, the highest remaining seed was matched against the lowest remaining seed, the second-highest remaining seed played the second-lowest remaining seed, and so forth. Regardless of playoff seed, all four division winners received a bye to the Quarterfinals, including this season's 10th overall seeded Smythe Division champion St. Louis Blues. Each series in the Preliminary Round was played in a best-of-three format while each series in the other three rounds were played in a best-of-seven format (scores in the bracket indicate the number of games won in each series). Preliminary round Quarterfinals Semifinals Stanley Cup Finals 1 NY Islanders 2 8 Chicago 0 2 Buffalo 2 7 Minnesota 0 4 Pittsburgh 1 5 Toronto 2 3 Los Angeles 2 6 Atlanta 1 1 Montreal 4 8 St. Louis 0 4 NY Islanders 4 5 Buffalo 0 2 Philadelphia 4 7 Toronto 2 3 Boston 4 6 Los Angeles 2 1 Montreal 4 4 NY Islanders 2 2 Philadelphia 0 3 Boston 4 1 Montreal 4 3 Boston 0 Preliminary round (1) New York Islanders vs. (8) Chicago Black Hawks This was the first playoff series meeting between these two teams. The Black Hawks were originally scheduled as the home team for the second game, but its home rink Chicago Stadium had already been booked that night for the second of three Led Zeppelin concerts.Herman, Robin. "Islanders Get Home Ice for All Hawk Games," The New York Times, Tuesday, April 5, 1977. Retrieved March 13, 2023. Chicago Black Hawks New York Islanders Chicago Stadium Nassau Coliseum April 5 2–5 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/chi-vs-nyi/1977/04/05/1976030111#game=1976030111,game_state=final Grant Mulvey (1) – pp – 15:22 No scoring Kirk Bowman (1) – pp – 08:24 02:31 – J.P. Parise (1) No scoring 03:18 – pp – Denis Potvin (1)04:53 – Billy MacMillan (1)11:56 – Bob Bourne (1)19:22 – en – J.P. Parise (2) Tony Esposito 32 saves / 37 shots Billy Smith 14 saves / 16 shots April 7 1–2 1 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/chi-vs-nyi/1977/04/07/1976030112#game=1976030112,game_state=final Dennis Hull (1) – pp – 11:12 13:56 – Jude Drouin (1) No scoring 14:18 – Clark Gillies (1) No scoring No scoring Tony Esposito 33 saves / 35 shots Billy Smith 18 saves / 19 shots New York won series 2–0 (2) Buffalo Sabres vs. (7) Minnesota North Stars This was the first playoff series meeting between these two teams. Minnesota North Stars Buffalo Sabres Met Center Buffalo Memorial Auditorium April 5 2–4 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/mns-vs-buf/1977/04/05/1976030121#game=1976030121,game_state=final Roland Eriksson (1) – 02:08 02:55 – Rene Robert (1) Tim Young (1) – 7:35 02:47 – Jim Lorentz (1)04:35 – Jerry Korab (1) No scoring 19:55 – en – Rene Robert (2) Pete LoPresti 37 saves / 41 shots Don Edwards 23 saves / 25 shots April 7 7–1 2 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/buf-vs-mns/1977/04/07/1976030122#game=1976030122,game_state=final 10:07 – Doug Hicks (1) Jim Lorentz (2) – 04:33Rick Martin (1) – 16:11Jim Lorentz (3) – 17:07 No scoring Gary McAdam (1) – 16:36Jocelyn Guevremont (1) – 17:55 No scoring Jocelyn Guevremont (2) – pp – 02:09Jim Lorentz (4) – 15:28 Pete LoPresti 5 saves / 8 shotsGary Smith 11 saves / 15 shots Don Edwards 24 saves / 25 shots Buffalo won series 2–0 (3) Los Angeles Kings vs. (6) Atlanta Flames This was the second playoff series meeting between these two teams. This was a rematch of last year's preliminary round, in which Los Angeles won in a two-game sweep. Atlanta Flames Los Angeles Kings Omni Coliseum The Forum April 5 2–5 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/afm-vs-lak/1977/04/05/1976030131#game=1976030131,game_state=final Guy Chouinard (1) – pp – 04:07 00:23 – Glenn Goldup (1)10:33 – pp – Mike Murphy (1)17:38 – pp – Butch Goring (1) Willi Plett (1) – 08:06 14:04 – Don Kozak (1) No scoring 17:57 – Glenn Goldup (2) Dan Bouchard 20 saves / 25 shots Rogie Vachon 20 saves / 22 shots April 7 2–3 2 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/lak-vs-afm/1977/04/07/1976030132#game=1976030132,game_state=final 15:14 – Guy Chouinard (2)16:52 – Curt Bennett (1) Marcel Dionne (1) – 15:30 08:47 – Eric Vail (1) Don Kozak (2) – pp – 15:13 No scoring No scoring Phil Myre 22 saves / 24 shots Rogie Vachon 31 saves / 34 shots April 9 2–4 1 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/afm-vs-lak/1977/04/09/1976030133#game=1976030133,game_state=final Bill Clement (1) – sh – 14:58 03:47 – Butch Goring (2)05:52 – Marcel Dionne (2) No scoring 03:06 – Butch Goring (3) Tom Lysiak (1) – pp – 05:05 19:59 – en – Butch Goring (4) Phil Myre 19 saves / 22 shots Rogie Vachon 25 saves / 27 shots Los Angeles won series 2–1 (4) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (5) Toronto Maple Leafs This was the second playoff series meeting between these two teams. This was a rematch of last year's preliminary round, in which Toronto won the series 2–1. Toronto Maple Leafs Pittsburgh Penguins Maple Leaf Gardens Civic Arena April 5 4–2 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/tor-vs-pit/1977/04/05/1976030141#game=1976030141,game_state=final No scoring 13:25 – Bob Kelly (1) Don Ashby (1) – 04:12Lanny McDonald (1) – 12:11 No scoring Tiger Williams (1) – 10:32Darryl Sittler (1) – en – 19:52 18:34 – pp – Mario Faubert (1) Wayne Thomas 29 saves / 31 shots Denis Herron 29 saves / 32 shots April 7 6–4 2 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/pit-vs-tor/1977/04/07/1976030142#game=1976030142,game_state=final No scoring Jean Pronovost (1) – 01:01Ron Stackhouse (1) – 06:37Syl Apps Jr. (1) – pp – 12:30 06:10 – pp – Darryl Sittler (2)12:38 – Stan Weir (1) Lowell MacDonald (1) – 07:38 03:37 – pp – Ian Turnbull (1)07:52 – Borje Salming (1) Greg Malone (1) – 13:57Ron Stackhouse (2) – en – 19:23 Wayne Thomas 28 saves / 33 shots Denis Herron 37 saves / 41 shots April 9 5–2 1 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/tor-vs-pit/1977/04/09/1976030143#game=1976030143,game_state=final Borje Salming (2) – pp – 08:34Ian Turnbull (2) – pp – 14:14 19:40 – pp – Jean Pronovost (2) Lanny McDonald (2) – 08:46Lanny McDonald (3) – 14:17 16:06 – Blair Chapman (1) Lanny McDonald (4) – en – 19:44 No scoring Mike Palmateer 38 saves / 40 shots Denis Herron 37 saves / 41 shots Toronto won series 2–1 Quarterfinals (1) Montreal Canadiens vs. (8) St. Louis Blues This was the third, and as of today, most recent, playoff series meeting between the two teams. Montreal won both previous meetings in four-game sweeps in both the 1968 & 1969 Stanley Cup Finals. St. Louis Blues Montreal Canadiens St. Louis Arena Montreal Forum April 11 2–7 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/stl-vs-mtl/1977/04/11/1976030211#game=1976030211,game_state=final Bernie Federko (1) – 18:38 00:51 – Guy Lafleur (1)07:54 – pp – Larry Robinson (1)16:30 – Guy Lafleur (2)19:35 – Jacques Lemaire (1) No scoring 11:27 – Guy Lafleur (3)14:33 – pp – Guy Lapointe (1) Brian Sutter (1) – 12:32 02:23 – Bill Nyrop (1) Ed Staniowski 26 saves / 32 shotsEddie Johnston 9 saves / 10 shots Ken Dryden 18 saves / 20 shots April 13 0–3 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/stl-vs-mtl/1977/04/13/1976030212#game=1976030212,game_state=final No scoring 06:15 – Steve Shutt (1)13:19 – Bob Gainey (1) No scoring 18:01 – Guy Lafleur (4) No scoring No scoring Eddie Johnston 38 saves / 41 shotsEd Staniowski 0 saves / 0 shots Ken Dryden 23 saves / 23 shots April 16 5–1 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/mtl-vs-stl/1977/04/16/1976030213#game=1976030213,game_state=final No scoring Serge Savard (1) – pp – 02:57Serge Savard (2) – 19:45 No scoring No scoring 16:50 – Claude Larose (1) Steve Shutt (2) – 01:35Rick Chartraw (1) – 08:46Jacques Lemaire (2) – 13:10 Eddie Johnston 30 saves / 35 shots Ken Dryden 36 saves / 37 shots April 17 4–1 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/mtl-vs-stl/1977/04/17/1976030214#game=1976030214,game_state=final No scoring Steve Shutt (3) – pp – 18:21 02:46 – Larry Patey (1) No scoring No scoring Guy Lafleur (5) – 02:34Peter Mahovlich (1) – 14:49Bob Gainey (2) – sh-en – 19:55 Ed Staniowski 27 saves / 30 shots Ken Dryden 24 saves / 25 shots Montreal won series 4–0 (2) Philadelphia Flyers vs. (7) Toronto Maple Leafs This was the third playoff series meeting between these two teams. Philadelphia won both previous meetings in the last two seasons. The latter of which Philadelphia won in seven games in last year's Stanley Cup Quarterfinals. Jimmy Watson's game-winning goal with 2:38 left in Game 6 gave the Flyers the series, eliminating Toronto for the second straight year and sending them to the semifinals. Toronto Maple Leafs Philadelphia Flyers Maple Leaf Gardens Spectrum April 11 3–2 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/tor-vs-phi/1977/04/11/1976030221#game=1976030221,game_state=final Darryl Sittler (3) – pp – 04:10Tiger Williams (2) – 07:11Errol Thompson (1) – 8:52 No scoring No scoring 13:25 – pp – Rick MacLeish (1) No scoring 10:27 – pp – Bob Dailey (1) Mike Palmateer 17 saves / 18 shotsWayne Thomas 10 saves / 11 shots Bernie Parent 21 saves / 24 shots April 13 4–1 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/tor-vs-phi/1977/04/13/1976030222#game=1976030222,game_state=final Bob Neely (1) – pp – 06:55Stan Weir (2) – pp – 11:15 No scoring Tiger Williams (3) – 00:37Darryl Sittler (4) – 15:08 06:07 – Bill Barber (1) No scoring No scoring Mike Palmateer 27 saves / 28 shots Bernie Parent 11 saves / 15 shotsWayne Stephenson 5 saves / 5 shots April 15 4–3 1 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/phi-vs-tor/1977/04/15/1976030223#game=1976030223,game_state=final 03:48 – pp – Darryl Sittler (5)18:27 – pp – Ian Turnbull (3) No scoring No scoring Ross Lonsberry (1) – 03:18Orest Kindrachuk (1) – pp – 12:53 15:41 – Errol Thompson (2) Rick MacLeish (2) – 19:22 No scoring Rick MacLeish (3) – 02:55 Mike Palmateer 33 saves / 37 shots Wayne Stephenson 25 saves / 28 shots April 17 6–5 1 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/phi-vs-tor/1977/04/17/1976030224#game=1976030224,game_state=final No scoring Bobby Clarke (1) – pp – 13:28 04:03 – Lanny McDonald (5)06:16 – pp – Borje Salming (3)18:45 – pp – Lanny McDonald (6) Reggie Leach (1) – 11:21 06:24 – Lanny McDonald (7)12:44 – pp – Lanny McDonald (8) Mel Bridgman (1) – sh – 14:11Tom Bladon (1) – 18:11Bobby Clarke (2) – 18:27 No scoring Reggie Leach (2) – 19:10 Mike Palmateer 39 saves / 45 shots Wayne Stephenson 37 saves / 42 shots April 19 0–2 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/tor-vs-phi/1977/04/19/1976030225#game=1976030225,game_state=final No scoring 14:12 – Reggie Leach (3) No scoring No scoring No scoring 15:07 – Reggie Leach (4) Mike Palmateer 37 saves / 39 shots Wayne Stephenson 21 saves / 21 shots April 21 4–3 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/phi-vs-tor/1977/04/21/1976030226#game=1976030226,game_state=final 11:43 – pp – Ian Turnbull (4) No scoring 07:17 – Lanny McDonald (9) Bobby Clarke (3) – 04:10Bob Dailey (2) – 15:36 05:06 – pp – Lanny McDonald (10) Rick MacLeish (4) – pp – 07:37Jimmy Watson (1) – 17:22 Wayne Thomas 26 saves / 30 shots Wayne Stephenson 21 saves / 24 shots Philadelphia won series 4–2 (3) Boston Bruins vs. (6) Los Angeles Kings This was the second playoff series meeting between these two teams. This was a rematch of last year's Stanley Cup Quarterfinals, in which Boston won in seven games. Gregg Sheppard's game-winning goal in Game 6 prevented a Kings comeback and won the series for the Bruins. Los Angeles Kings Boston Bruins The Forum Boston Garden April 11 3–8 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/lak-vs-bos/1977/04/11/1976030231#game=1976030231,game_state=final No scoring 01:49 – Bobby Schmautz (1)02:45 – Brad Park (1)04:50 – Bobby Schmautz (2)12:15 – sh – Gregg Sheppard (1)19:24 – Bobby Schmautz (3) Don Kozak (3) – 09:45Vic Venasky (1) – pp – 18:37 11:30 – Terry O'Reilly (1) Dave Hutchison (1) – 10:24 02:06 – Stan Jonathan (1)15:52 – pp – Peter McNab (1) Rogie Vachon 24 saves / 32 shots Gerry Cheevers 19 saves / 22 shots April 13 2–6 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/lak-vs-bos/1977/04/13/1976030232#game=1976030232,game_state=final No scoring 06:14 – Stan Jonathan (2)07:28 – Terry O'Reilly (2)09:53 – Bobby Schmautz (4) No scoring 17:03 – Jean Ratelle (1)17:59 – Bobby Schmautz (5) Tom Williams (1) – pp – 14:11Marcel Dionne (3) – pp – 19:29 03:09 – Gregg Sheppard (2) Rogie Vachon 11 saves / 16 shotsGary Simmons 6 saves / 7 shots Gerry Cheevers 15 saves / 17 shots April 15 7–6 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/bos-vs-lak/1977/04/15/1976030233#game=1976030233,game_state=final 03:40 – Mike Murphy (2)10:51 – pp – Bob Murdoch (1)19:20 – Butch Goring (5) Bobby Schmautz (6) – pp – 05:49 07:00 – Gary Sargent (1)16:33 – Tom Williams (2) Terry O'Reilly (3) – 01:59Don Marcotte (1) – 03:39 18:05 – Marcel Dionne (4) Bobby Schmautz (7) – pp – 00:10Wayne Cashman – 11:27Don Marcotte (2) – 17:08Stan Jonathan (3) – 19:47 Rogie Vachon 22 saves / 29 shots Gerry Cheevers 18 saves / 24 shots April 17 4–7 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/bos-vs-lak/1977/04/17/1976030234#game=1976030234,game_state=final 00:06 – Don Kozak (4)18:39 – Frank St. Marseille (1) No scoring 15:56 – pp – Butch Goring (6)18:40 – pp – Gary Sargent (2) Peter McNab (2) – 01:30 10:08 – Marcel Dionne (5)10:51 – Mike Murphy (3)14:45 – Gene Carr (1) Jean Ratelle (2) – pp – 03:26Bobby Schmautz (8) – 05:51Rick Middleton (1) – 15:08 Rogie Vachon 30 saves / 34 shots Gerry Cheevers 11 saves / 15 shotsGilles Gilbert 4 saves / 7 shots April 19 3–1 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/lak-vs-bos/1977/04/19/1976030235#game=1976030235,game_state=final Dave Schultz (1) – pp – 16:22 No scoring No scoring 13:42 – Rick Middleton (2) Bob Murdoch (2) – 01:00Mike Murphy (4) – en – 19:59 No scoring Rogie Vachon 39 saves / 40 shots Gerry Cheevers 18 saves / 20 shots April 21 4–3 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/bos-vs-lak/1977/04/21/1976030236#game=1976030236,game_state=final No scoring Rick Middleton (3) – 03:42Stan Jonathan (4) – 07:35Rick Middleton (4) – 07:46 No scoring No scoring 00:42 – pp – Gary Sargent (3)05:39 – Tom Williams (3)08:51 – pp – Butch Goring (7) Gregg Sheppard (3) – pp – 12:58 Rogie Vachon 34 saves / 38 shots Gerry Cheevers 15 saves / 18 shots Boston won series 4–2 (4) New York Islanders vs. (5) Buffalo Sabres This was the second playoff series meeting between these two teams. This was a rematch of last year's Stanley Cup Quarterfinals, in which New York won in six games. Buffalo Sabres New York Islanders Buffalo Memorial Auditorium Nassau Coliseum April 11 2–4 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/buf-vs-nyi/1977/04/11/1976030241#game=1976030241,game_state=final No scoring 12:28 – Garry Howatt (1)18:44 – Billy Harris (1) Gilbert Perreault (1) – 09:38Rene Robert (3) – 11:39 12:04 – Clark Gillies (2)18:33 – Jude Drouin (2) No scoring No scoring Don Edwards 24 saves / 28 shots Billy Smith 37 saves / 39 shots April 13 2–4 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/buf-vs-nyi/1977/04/13/1976030242#game=1976030242,game_state=final Don Luce (1) – 11:26Rene Robert (4) – pp – 15:40 No scoring No scoring 13:50 – Bob Bourne (2)16:31 – Bryan Trottier (1) No scoring 08:30 – Clark Gillies (3)11:35 – Dave Lewis (1) Don Edwards 18 saves / 22 shots Billy Smith 24 saves / 26 shots April 15 4–3 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyi-vs-buf/1977/04/15/1976030243#game=1976030243,game_state=final 02:18 – pp – Rick Martin (2)06:29 – pp – Jerry Korab (2) Billy Harris (2) – 17:39 No scoring Jude Drouin (3) – 10:55Jude Drouin (4) – pp – 13:40 10:10 – pp – Don Luce (2) Clark Gillies (4) – 00:09 Don Edwards 19 saves / 23 shots Billy Smith 45 saves / 48 shots April 17 4–3 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyi-vs-buf/1977/04/17/1976030244#game=1976030244,game_state=final 02:49 – Jocelyn Guevremont (3) Billy Harris (3) – pp – 10:29 06:16 – pp – Don Luce (3) Ed Westfall (1) – sh – 09:54Denis Potvin (2) – 18:51 04:57 – Rene Robert (5) Billy MacMillan (2) – 07:42 Gerry Desjardins 17 saves / 21 shots Billy Smith 26 saves / 29 shots New York won series 4–0 Semifinals (1) Montreal Canadiens vs. (4) New York Islanders This was the second playoff series meeting between these two teams. This was a rematch of last year's Stanley Cup Semifinals, in which Montreal won in five games. New York Islanders Montreal Canadiens Nassau Coliseum Montreal Forum April 23 3–4 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyi-vs-mtl/1977/04/23/1976030311#game=1976030311,game_state=final Billy Harris (4) – pp – 08:39Billy Harris (5) – 12:56 12:14 – Peter Mahovlich (2) Billy Harris (6) – 00:49 09:40 – Murray Wilson (1) No scoring 02:25 – Guy Lafleur (6)04:07 – Steve Shutt (4) Billy Smith 34 saves / 38 shots Ken Dryden 16 saves / 19 shots April 26 0–3 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyi-vs-mtl/1977/04/26/1976030312#game=1976030312,game_state=final No scoring No scoring No scoring No scoring No scoring 07:46 – sh – Jimmy Roberts (1)11:31 – Larry Robinson (2)19:24 – pp – Peter Mahovlich (3) Billy Smith 30 saves / 33 shots Ken Dryden 19 saves / 19 shots April 28 3–5 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/mtl-vs-nyi/1977/04/28/1976030313#game=1976030313,game_state=final 12:49 – pp – Denis Potvin (3)19:50 – Denis Potvin (4) Guy Lapointe (2) – 11:10Jimmy Roberts (2) – 17:29 06:04 – J.P. Parise (3) No scoring 11:09 – Andre St. Laurent (1)19:49 – en – Bryan Trottier (2) Guy Lapointe (3) – 16:20 Billy Smith 35 saves / 38 shots Ken Dryden 19 saves / 23 shots April 30 4–0 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/mtl-vs-nyi/1977/04/30/1976030314#game=1976030314,game_state=final No scoring Steve Shutt (5) – 01:04Guy Lafleur (7) – 02:23Jimmy Roberts (3) – 08:18 No scoring Steve Shutt (6) – 17:31 No scoring No scoring Billy Smith 18 saves / 22 shotsChico Resch 11 saves / 11 shots Ken Dryden 18 saves / 18 shots May 3 4–3 1 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyi-vs-mtl/1977/05/03/1976030315#game=1976030315,game_state=final J.P. Parise (4) – pp – 08:11 09:08 – Jacques Lemaire (3) Denis Potvin (5) – 18:11 03:27 – Mario Tremblay (1) Jude Drouin (5) – 13:09 11:38 – Yvon Lambert (1) Billy Harris (7) – 03:58 No scoring Chico Resch 26 saves / 29 shots Ken Dryden 15 saves / 19 shots May 5 2–1 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/mtl-vs-nyi/1977/05/05/1976030316#game=1976030316,game_state=final No scoring Bob Gainey (3) – 00:07 No scoring No scoring 19:51 – Denis Potvin (6) Bob Gainey (4) – 9:12 Chico Resch 18 saves / 20 shots Ken Dryden 27 saves / 28 shots Montreal won series 4–2 (2) Philadelphia Flyers vs. (3) Boston Bruins This was the third playoff series meeting between these two teams. Philadelphia won both previous meetings. This was a rematch of last year's Stanley Cup Semifinals, in which Philadelphia won in five games. Boston Bruins Philadelphia Flyers Boston Garden Spectrum April 24 4–3 1 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/bos-vs-phi/1977/04/24/1976030321#game=1976030321,game_state=final Jean Ratelle (3) – 11:36 No scoring Bobby Schmautz (9) – pp – 06:56Don Marcotte (3) – sh – 15:31 No scoring No scoring 01:45 – pp – Bobby Clarke (4)16:33 – Bob Dailey (3)19:31 – Bobby Clarke (5) Rick Middleton (5) – 02:57 No scoring Gerry Cheevers 35 saves / 38 shots Wayne Stephenson 17 saves / 20 shotsBernie Parent 3 saves / 4 shots April 26 5–4 2 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/bos-vs-phi/1977/04/26/1976030322#game=1976030322,game_state=final Peter McNab (3) – 13:45 14:53 – Andre Dupont (1) Gregg Sheppard (4) – 14:01Mike Milbury (1) – 15:01Jean Ratelle (4) – 15:39 05:35 – Orest Kindrachuk (2)07:58 – Paul Holmgren (1)15:16 – Gary Dornhoefer (1) No scoring No scoring Terry O'Reilly (4) – 10:07 No scoring Gerry Cheevers 43 saves / 47 shots Wayne Stephenson 28 saves / 33 shots April 28 1–2 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/phi-vs-bos/1977/04/28/1976030323#game=1976030323,game_state=final No scoring Bob Dailey (4) – pp – 08:59 12:07 – Peter McNab (4) No scoring 07:51 – Mike Milbury (2) No scoring Gerry Cheevers 14 saves / 15 shots Wayne Stephenson 26 saves / 28 shots May 1 0–3 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/phi-vs-bos/1977/05/01/1976030324#game=1976030324,game_state=final No scoring No scoring 10:45 – Jean Ratelle (5) No scoring 14:05 – Don Marcotte (4)19:13 – en – Don Marcotte (5) No scoring Gerry Cheevers 21 saves / 21 shots Wayne Stephenson 35 saves / 37 shots Boston won series 4–0 Stanley Cup Final 1977 Stanley Cup Final This was the 16th playoff series meeting between these two teams. Montreal lead 13–2 in previous meetings. They last met in the 1971 Stanley Cup quarterfinals, in which Montreal upset Boston in seven games. The defending champion Montreal Canadiens took on the "Original Six" rival, the third-ranked Boston Bruins in the Final. Both teams had swept a series and had lost only two games in the earlier rounds. The Canadiens swept the series in four games to win their second consecutive Stanley Cup. Boston Bruins Montreal Canadiens Boston Garden Montreal Forum May 7 3–7 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/bos-vs-mtl/1977/05/07/1976030411#game=1976030411,game_state=final Brad Park (2) – 05:23 01:45 – Doug Risebrough (1)04:23 – pp – Yvon Lambert (2)14:35 – Mario Tremblay (2) Terry O'Reilly (5) – 11:54Bobby Schmautz (10) – pp – 16:35 05:08 – Jacques Lemaire (4) No scoring 00:59 – Rick Chartraw (2)02:04 – Mario Tremblay (3)13:58 – Yvon Lambert (3) Gerry Cheevers 17 saves / 24 shots Ken Dryden 17 saves / 20 shots May 10 0–3 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/bos-vs-mtl/1977/05/10/1976030412#game=1976030412,game_state=final No scoring No scoring No scoring 07:43 – pp – Peter Mahovlich (4)12:07 – Doug Risebrough (2) No scoring 05:40 – Steve Shutt (7) Gerry Cheevers 16 saves / 19 shots Ken Dryden 22 saves / 22 shots May 12 4–2 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/mtl-vs-bos/1977/05/12/1976030413#game=1976030413,game_state=final No scoring Guy Lafleur (8) – pp – 04:08Steve Shutt (8) – pp – 07:58Jacques Lemaire (5) – pp – 18:29 06:32 – Gregg Sheppard (5) No scoring 18:34 – pp – Peter McNab (5) Guy Lafleur (9) – 12:52 Gerry Cheevers 15 saves / 19 shots Ken Dryden 23 saves / 25 shots May 14 2–1 1 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/mtl-vs-bos/1977/05/14/1976030414#game=1976030414,game_state=final 11:38 – Bobby Schmautz (11) No scoring No scoring Jacques Lemaire (6) – 01:34 No scoring No scoring No scoring Jacques Lemaire (7) – 04:32 Gerry Cheevers 26 saves / 28 shots Ken Dryden 25 saves / 26 shots Montreal won series 4–0 Awards 1977 NHL awardsPrince of Wales Trophy:(Wales Conference regular season champion) Montreal CanadiensClarence S. Campbell Bowl:(Campbell Conference regular season champion) Philadelphia FlyersArt Ross Trophy:(Top scorer, regular season) Guy Lafleur, Montreal CanadiensBill Masterton Memorial Trophy:(Perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication) Ed Westfall, New York IslandersCalder Memorial Trophy:(Top first-year player) Willi Plett, Atlanta FlamesConn Smythe Trophy:(Most valuable player, playoffs) Guy Lafleur, Montreal CanadiensHart Memorial Trophy:(Most valuable player, regular season) Guy Lafleur, Montreal CanadiensJack Adams Award:(Best coach) Scotty Bowman, Montreal CanadiensJames Norris Memorial Trophy:(Best defenceman) Larry Robinson, Montreal CanadiensLady Byng Memorial Trophy:(Excellence and sportsmanship) Marcel Dionne, Los Angeles KingsLester B. Pearson Award:(Outstanding player, regular season) Guy Lafleur, Montreal CanadiensVezina Trophy:(Goaltender(s) of team(s) with best goaltending record) Ken Dryden & Michel Larocque, Montreal Canadiens All-Star teams First Team   Position   Second TeamKen Dryden, Montreal Canadiens GRogie Vachon, Los Angeles KingsLarry Robinson, Montreal Canadiens DDenis Potvin, New York IslandersBorje Salming, Toronto Maple Leafs DGuy Lapointe, Montreal CanadiensMarcel Dionne, Los Angeles Kings CGilbert Perreault, Buffalo SabresGuy Lafleur, Montreal Canadiens RWLanny McDonald, Toronto Maple LeafsSteve Shutt, Montreal Canadiens LWRick Martin, Buffalo Sabres Player statistics Scoring leaders GP = Games Played, G = Goals, A = Assists, Pts = Points, PIM = Penalties In Minutes Player Team GP G A Pts PIM Guy Lafleur Montreal Canadiens 80 56 80 136 20 Marcel Dionne Los Angeles Kings 80 53 69 122 12 Steve Shutt Montreal Canadiens 80 60 45 105 28 Rick MacLeish Philadelphia Flyers 79 49 48 97 42 Gilbert Perreault Buffalo Sabres 80 39 56 95 30 Tim Young Minnesota North Stars 80 29 66 95 58 Jean Ratelle Boston Bruins 78 33 61 94 22 Lanny McDonald Toronto Maple Leafs 80 46 44 90 77 Darryl Sittler Toronto Maple Leafs 73 38 52 90 89 Bobby Clarke Philadelphia Flyers 80 27 63 90 71 Source: NHL.Dinger 2011 150 Leading goaltenders 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 SOMichel Larocque Montreal Canadiens 26 1525 53 2.09 19 2 4 4Ken Dryden Montreal Canadiens 56 3275 117 2.14 41 6 8 10Chico Resch N.Y. Islanders 46 2711 103 2.28 26 13 6 4Billy Smith N.Y. Islanders 36 2089 98 2.50 21 8 6 2Don Edwards Buffalo Sabres 25 1480 62 2.51 16 7 2 2Gerry Desjardins Buffalo Sabres 49 2871 126 2.63 31 12 6 3Bernie Parent Philadelphia Flyers 61 3525 159 2.71 35 13 12 5Rogatien Vachon Los Angeles Kings 68 4059 184 2.72 33 23 12 8Denis Herron Pittsburgh Penguins 34 1920 94 2.94 15 11 5 1Dunc Wilson Pittsburgh Penguins 45 2627 129 2.95 18 19 8 5 Coaches Patrick Division Atlanta Flames: Fred Creighton New York Islanders: Al Arbour New York Rangers: John Ferguson Sr. Philadelphia Flyers: Fred Shero Adams Division Boston Bruins: Don Cherry Buffalo Sabres: Floyd Smith Cleveland Barons: Jack Evans Toronto Maple Leafs: Red Kelly Norris Division Detroit Red Wings: Larry Wilson Los Angeles Kings: Bob Pulford Montreal Canadiens: Scotty Bowman Pittsburgh Penguins: Ken Schinkel Washington Capitals: Tom McVie Smythe Division Chicago Black Hawks: Billy Reay and Bill White Colorado Rockies: Johnny Wilson Minnesota North Stars: Ted Harris St. Louis Blues: Emile Francis Vancouver Canucks: Phil Maloney and Orland Kurtenbach Debuts The following is a list of players of note who played their first NHL game in 1976–77 (listed with their first team, asterisk(*) marks debut in playoffs): Mike Palmateer, Toronto Maple Leafs Don Edwards, Buffalo Sabres Bob Sauve, Buffalo Sabres Reed Larson, Detroit Red Wings Brian Engblom*, Montreal Canadiens Don Murdoch, New York Rangers Bernie Federko, St. Louis Blues Brian Sutter, St. Louis Blues Randy Carlyle, Toronto Maple Leafs Rick Green, Washington Capitals Last games The following is a list of players of note that played their last game in the NHL in 1976–77 (listed with their last team): Pat Quinn, Atlanta Flames Gilles Villemure, Chicago Black Hawks Jim Pappin, Cleveland Barons Simon Nolet, Colorado Rockies Bob Berry, Los Angeles Kings Ed Van Impe, Pittsburgh Penguins Vic Hadfield, Pittsburgh Penguins Barclay Plager, St. Louis Blues Roger Crozier, Washington Capitals Broadcasting Hockey Night in Canada on CBC Television televised Saturday night regular season games and Stanley Cup playoff games. CTV stopped regularly airing HNIC-produced Wednesday night regular season game telecasts, and started to give the rights to these midweek games back to local stations. In the U.S., this was the second season that NHL games aired in national broadcast syndication under the NHL Network package. See also List of Stanley Cup champions 1976 NHL amateur draft 1976–77 NHL transactions 1976 Canada Cup 30th National Hockey League All-Star Game National Hockey League All-Star Game 1976–77 WHA season Lester Patrick Trophy 1976 in sports 1977 in sports References Total Hockey Diamond, Dan Total Sports 2000 Kingston, New York 1-892129-85-X Dinger Ralph 2011 The National Hockey League Official Guide & Record Book 2012 Dan Diamond & Associates 978-1-894801-22-5 Toronto, ON registration https://archive.org/details/nationalhockeyle0000unse_u6g5 Dryden Steve Century of hockey McClelland & Stewart Ltd. Toronto, ON 2000 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 Publications International Inc. 0-7853-9624-1 Lincolnwood, Illinois Fischler 2003 Notes External links Hockey Database NHL.com 1976 Category:1976–77 in Canadian ice hockey by league Category:1976–77 in American ice hockey by league