1977–78 NHL season

National Hockey League season August 2023 1977–78 NHL season National Hockey League Ice hockey October 12, 1977 – May 25, 1978 Draft 1977 NHL Draft List of first overall NHL draft picks Dale McCourt Detroit Red Wings Regular season Montreal Canadiens Guy Lafleur (Canadiens) Hart Memorial Trophy Guy Lafleur (Canadiens) Art Ross Trophy Playoffs 1978 Stanley Cup playoffs Stanley Cup 1978 Stanley Cup Finals Montreal Canadiens Boston Bruins Larry Robinson (Canadiens) Conn Smythe Trophy 1978–79 1976–77 NHL 80 18 CBC, SRC (Canada)NHL Network (United States) The 1977–78 NHL season was the 61st season of the National Hockey League. The Montreal Canadiens won their third Stanley Cup in a row, defeating the Boston Bruins four games to two in the Stanley Cup Finals. League business Prior to the start of the season, Clarence Campbell retired as NHL President. John Ziegler succeeded him in that capacity. A trophy for the top defensive forward, the Frank J. Selke Trophy, made its debut this season and went to Bob Gainey, who played left wing for Montreal. The league changed the playoff qualification format for this season. Whereas before the top three teams in every division qualified, the format was changed to guarantee the top two teams in each division a playoff spot. The last four qualifiers were from the next-best four regular-season records from teams finishing third or lower. The 1977 NHL amateur draft was held on June 14, at the Mount Royal Hotel in Montreal, Quebec. Dale McCourt was selected first overall by the Detroit Red Wings. Teams were required to place the last names of players on the back of all jerseys starting with this season, but Toronto Maple Leafs owner Harold Ballard initially refused, fearing that he would not be able to sell programs at his team's games. The NHL responded by threatening to levy a fine on the team in February 1978, so Ballard complied by making the letters the same color as the background they were on, which for the team's road jerseys was blue. The League threatened further sanctions, and despite playing more than one game with their "unreadable" sweaters, Ballard's Maple Leafs finally complied in earnest by making the letters white on the blue road jerseys. (Blue letter names would not come to the white home jerseys until the following year.)DeLaere Matt What's in a Number? Impressions 17 August 2017 2 March 2018 https://www.impressionsmagazine.com/digital-decorating/heat-transfer/whats-in-a-number/ Officials began wearing their surnames on the back of their sweaters instead of being identified by numbers, as they were previously. The NHL returned to using uniform numbers for officials for the 1994–95 season. Arena changes The St. Louis Blues's home arena, St. Louis Arena, was renamed the Checkerdome after Ralston Purina purchased both the team and the arena, referencing the pet food company's checkerboard logo. Regular season thumb|200px|Tom Lysiak (left) celebrates a goal with Atlanta Flames teammates in a game with the Colorado Rockies in 1978 Bobby Orr sat out the season to rest his oft-injured knee in the hope that rest would allow him to return to play in 1978–79; he would return for that season, only playing in six games before retiring. However, defenseman Doug Wilson proved to be an excellent replacement for the Chicago Blackhawks. The Detroit Red Wings made changes, adding rookie Dale McCourt and Andre St. Laurent, who led the Wings to their first playoff appearance since 1970. On December 11, 1977, the Philadelphia Flyers' Tom Bladon became the first defenceman in NHL history to score eight points in one game.Hockey's Book of Firsts, p.27, James Duplacey, JG Press, 978-1-57215-037-9 He scored four goals and four assists versus the Cleveland Barons. It was 25% of his point total for the entire season. The Colorado Rockies qualified for the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. They would not make the playoffs again until after the team had moved to New Jersey, in 1988. The next time the playoffs came to Colorado would be the Colorado Avalanche's championship season of 1996, the franchise's first in Denver after moving from Quebec City. Final standings GP = Games Played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals For, GA = Goals Against, PIM = Penalties in minutes Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold start Prince of Wales Conference break Clarence Campbell Conference end Playoffs For the first time in NHL history, all of the Original Six teams qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs. The playoffs were held in four rounds, preliminary, quarterfinals, semifinals and finals. In the preliminary round, the Detroit Red Wings was the only lower-placed team to win over the higher-placed team. The Red Wings were then defeated in five games by the first-place Montreal Canadiens. The Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Los Angeles Kings to advance to the quarterfinals, where the Leafs upset the third-place New York Islanders in seven games, setting up an Original Six playoff against Montreal. The upsets ended there as the Canadiens swept the Leafs to advance to the finals. In the other groupings, the higher-placed team won each round, and the second-place Boston Bruins advanced to the finals against the first-place Canadiens. In the finals, the Canadiens defeated the Bruins in six games to win their third consecutive Stanley Cup. The Colorado Rockies made their one and only playoff appearance in the preliminary round against the Philadelphia Flyers, and were swept in two games. It would take another ten years before they got to the playoffs again in New Jersey. The Chicago Black Hawks were swept in the other Original Six matchup of the playoffs, losing to Boston in the quarterfinals. Playoff seeds Under the new postseason format, the top two teams in each division made the playoffs, along with the four next-best regular-season records from teams in the entire league finishing third or lower. 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, NHL regular season champions – 129 points Boston Bruins, Adams Division champions – 113 points New York Islanders, Patrick Division champions, Clarence Campbell Conference regular season champions – 111 points Philadelphia Flyers – 105 points (45 wins) Buffalo Sabres – 105 points (44 wins) Toronto Maple Leafs – 92 points Atlanta Flames – 87 points Chicago Black Hawks, Smythe Division champions – 83 points Detroit Red Wings – 78 points Los Angeles Kings – 77 points New York Rangers – 73 points Colorado Rockies – 59 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. 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 4 Atlanta 0 5 Detroit 2 3 Toronto 2 6 Los Angeles 0 1 Philadelphia 2 8 Colorado 0 2 Buffalo 2 7 NY Rangers 1 1 Montreal 4 8 Detroit 1 3 NY Islanders 3 6 Toronto 4 2 Boston 4 7 Chicago 0 4 Philadelphia 4 5 Buffalo 1 1 Montreal 4 4 Toronto 0 2 Boston 4 3 Philadelphia 1 1 Montreal 4 2 Boston 2 Preliminary round (1) Philadelphia Flyers vs. (8) Colorado Rockies This was the first playoff series meeting between these two teams. It was the Rockies' only playoff appearance in their first eight seasons before moving to New Jersey in 1982 (including two years in Kansas City and six in Denver). Colorado Rockies Philadelphia Flyers McNichols Sports Arena Spectrum April 11 2–3 1 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/clr-vs-phi/1978/04/11/1977030111#game=1977030111,game_state=final Denis Dupere (1) – pp – 17:45 11:57 – pp – Rick MacLeish (1) No scoring 19:31 – Bobby Clarke (1) Dave Hudson (1) – 01:48 No scoring No scoring 00:23 – Mel Bridgman (1) Doug Favell 41 saves / 44 shots Bernie Parent 16 saves / 18 shots April 13 3–1 2 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/phi-vs-clr/1978/04/13/1977030112#game=1977030112,game_state=final 06:59 – Dennis Owchar (1) Reggie Leach (1) – 02:41 No scoring No scoring No scoring Don Saleski (1) – 01:13Bob Kelly (1) – 10:36 Doug Favell 42 saves / 45 shots Bernie Parent 16 saves / 17 shots Philadelphia won series 2–0 (2) Buffalo Sabres vs. (7) New York Rangers This was the first playoff series meeting between these two teams. New York Rangers Buffalo Sabres Madison Square Garden Buffalo Memorial Auditorium April 11 1–4 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyr-vs-buf/1978/04/11/1977030121#game=1977030121,game_state=final No scoring 16:41 – Gilbert Perrault (1) No scoring 12:28 – Richard Martin (1) Steve Vickers (1) – 02:35 08:33 – Jocelyn Guevremont (1)17:50 – Gary McAdam (1) Wayne Thomas 23 saves / 27 shots Don Edwards 24 saves / 25 shots April 13 3–4 1 2 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/buf-vs-nyr/1978/04/13/1977030122#game=1977030122,game_state=final 14:36 – Steve Vickers (2)19:59 – Pat Hickey (1) Rene Robert (1) – 03:06Derek Smith (1) – 16:29 15:07 – pp – Ron Duguay (1) Danny Gare (1) – pp – 18:04 No scoring No scoring 01:37 – Don Murdoch (1) No scoring John Davidson 26 saves / 29 shots Don Edwards 28 saves / 32 shots April 15 1–4 1 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyr-vs-buf/1978/04/15/1977030123#game=1977030123,game_state=final No scoring No scoring Pat Hickey (2) – pp – 19:18 08:04 – Gilbert Perreault (2)14:23 – pp – Craig Ramsay (1)15:56 – Danny Gare (2) No scoring 10:32 – Rene Robert (2) John Davidson 38 saves / 42 shots Don Edwards 16 saves / 17 shots Buffalo won series 2–1 (3) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. (6) Los Angeles Kings This was the second playoff series meeting between these two teams. The only previous meeting was in the 1975 preliminary round, in which Toronto won the series 2–1. Los Angeles Kings Toronto Maple Leafs The Forum Maple Leaf Gardens April 11 3–7 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/lak-vs-tor/1978/04/11/1977030131#game=1977030131,game_state=final No scoring 06:35 – pp – Stan Weir (1)15:53 – Jerry Butler (1) No scoring 12:48 – Tiger Williams (1)13:24 – Borje Salming (1) Pete Stemkowski (1) – 09:41Darryl Edestrand (1) – 17:52Glenn Goldup (1) – 19:13 02:18 – George Ferguson (1)04:48 – George Ferguson (2)09:51 – George Ferguson (3) Rogie Vachon 25 saves / 32 shots Mike Palmateer 23 saves / 26 shots April 13 4–0 2 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/tor-vs-lak/1978/04/13/1977030132#game=1977030132,game_state=final No scoring Ron Ellis (1) – 01:12Lanny McDonald (1) – 10:38Jimmy Jones (1) – 15:29 No scoring No scoring No scoring Darryl Sittler (1) – pp – 13:15 Rogie Vachon 15 saves / 19 shots Mike Palmateer 21 saves / 21 shots Toronto won series 2–0 (4) Atlanta Flames vs. (5) Detroit Red Wings This was the first playoff series between these two teams; they would not meet again in Stanley Cup play until 2004, after the Flames had relocated to Calgary. (The Flames never won a playoff series while representing Atlanta, losing all six over an eight-year period.) For Detroit, it was their only playoff series win in the twenty years between 1967 and 1986. Detroit Red Wings Atlanta Flames Detroit Olympia Omni Coliseum April 11 5–3 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/det-vs-afm/1978/04/11/1977030141#game=1977030141,game_state=final Dale McCourt (1) – pp – 04:52Errol Thompson (1) – pp – 07:05Vaclav Nedomansky (1) – pp – 07:32Dennis Hextall (1) – sh – 15:18 No scoring No scoring 05:26 – Guy Chouinard (1) Andre St. Laurent (1) – en – 19:59 00:09 – Eric Vail (1)08:07 – Dick Redmond (1) Ron Low 26 saves / 29 shots Dan Bouchard 17 saves / 21 shots April 13 2–3 2 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/afm-vs-det/1978/04/13/1977030142#game=1977030142,game_state=final No scoring No scoring 12:09 – Vaclav Nedomansky (2) Tom Lysiak (1) – 06:29 08:58 – Bill Lochead (1)18:26 – Bill Lochead (2) Bobby Lalonde (1) Jim Rutherford 25 saves / 27 shots Dan Bouchard 22 saves / 25 shots Detroit won series 2–0 Quarterfinals (1) Montreal Canadiens vs. (8) Detroit Red Wings This was the 12th playoff series meeting between these two teams. Detroit led 7–4 in previous playoff meetings. Montreal won their most recent meeting in six games in the 1966 Stanley Cup Finals. When Detroit won game two 4–2, the Red Wings victory marked the only time in the 1978 Stanley Cup playoffs that the Canadiens lost a game on home ice. Game 4 was the final playoff game at the Detroit Olympia. Detroit Red Wings Montreal Canadiens Detroit Olympia Montreal Forum April 17 2–6 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/det-vs-mtl/1978/04/17/1977030211#game=1977030211,game_state=final No scoring No scoring Bill Lochead (3) – 07:45Dale McCourt (2) – 18:56 05:53 – Doug Jarvis (1)06:46 – Rejean Houle (1)14:39 – Yvan Cournoyer (1)17:31 – Steve Shutt (1) No scoring 03:25 – Yvan Cournoyer (2)07:25 – Pierre Mondou (1) Ron Low 30 saves / 36 shots Ken Dryden 22 saves / 24 shots April 19 4–2 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/det-vs-mtl/1978/04/19/1977030212#game=1977030212,game_state=final No scoring No scoring Dale McCourt (3) – 18:06Dale McCourt (4) – pp – 19:22 03:37 – pp – Larry Robinson (1)15:19 – Yvan Cournoyer (3) Errol Thompson (2) – 00:22Nick Libett (1) – 19:22 No scoring Jim Rutherford 26 saves / 28 shots Ken Dryden 32 saves / 36 shots April 21 4–2 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/mtl-vs-det/1978/04/21/1977030213#game=1977030213,game_state=final 07:54 – pp – Nick Libett (2) Steve Shutt (2) – pp – 08:38 13:48 – Nick Libett (3) No scoring No scoring Jacques Lemaire (1) – 00:30Pierre Larouche (1) – 03:46Yvan Cournoyer (4) – 12:38 Ron Low 28 saves / 32 shots Ken Dryden 17 saves / 19 shots April 23 8–0 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/mtl-vs-det/1978/04/23/1977030214#game=1977030214,game_state=final No scoring Doug Risebrough (1) – sh – 13:00Bob Gainey (1) – sh – 13:24Guy Lafleur (1) – pp – 15:51 No scoring Jacques Lemaire (2) – 01:24Pierre Mondou (2) – pp – 05:46Steve Shutt (3) – 07:54Guy Lafleur (2) – 11:30 No scoring Steve Shutt (4) – 17:37 Jim Rutherford 24 saves / 32 shots Ken Dryden 20 saves / 20 shots April 25 2–4 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/det-vs-mtl/1978/04/25/1977030215#game=1977030215,game_state=final Vaclav Nedomansky (3) – 09:40 00:20 – Rejean Houle (2)11:09 – pp – Guy Lapointe (1) Dennis Polonich (1) – 06:40 No scoring No scoring 01:37 – pp – Doug Jarvis (2)17:36 – Doug Jarvis (3) Ron Low 40 saves / 44 shots Ken Dryden 21 saves / 23 shots Montreal won series 4–1 (2) Boston Bruins vs. (7) Chicago Black Hawks This was the sixth playoff meeting between these two teams. Boston won four of the previous five meetings. Chicago won their last series meeting 2–1 in the 1975 preliminary round. Chicago Black Hawks Boston Bruins Chicago Stadium Boston Garden April 17 1–6 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/chi-vs-bos/1978/04/17/1977030221#game=1977030221,game_state=final Grant Mulvey (1) – pp – 15:29 00:24 – Brad Park (1)06:04 – pp – Wayne Cashman (1) No scoring 00:21 – Peter McNab (1)06:12 – Peter McNab (2) No scoring 06:11 – pp – Bobby Schmautz (1)17:58 – Terry O'Reilly (1) Tony Esposito 35 saves / 41 shots Ron Grahame 24 saves / 25 shots April 19 3–4 1 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/chi-vs-bos/1978/04/19/1977030222#game=1977030222,game_state=final Doug Hicks (1) – pp – 05:41Stan Mikita (1) – 18:48 12:03 – Don Marcotte (1) Bob Murray (1) – 19:13 16:59 – pp – Wayne Cashman (2) No scoring 05:17 – Rick Middleton (1) No scoring 01:50 – Terry O'Reilly (2) Tony Esposito 20 saves / 24 shots Ron Grahame 9 saves / 12 shots April 21 4–3 1 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/bos-vs-chi/1978/04/21/1977030223#game=1977030223,game_state=final No scoring John Wensink (1) – 13:01John Wensink (2) – 15:49 15:43 – pp – Stan Mikita (2) No scoring 13:04 – Grant Mulvey (2)19:33 – Cliff Koroll (1) Terry O'Reilly (3) – 01:14 No scoring Peter McNab (3) – 10:17 Tony Esposito 26 saves / 30 shots Gerry Cheevers 26 saves / 29 shots April 23 5–2 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/bos-vs-chi/1978/04/23/1977030224#game=1977030224,game_state=final No scoring Peter McNab (4) – 00:51Terry O'Reilly (4) – pp – 06:14Peter McNab (5) – 08:15Brad Park (2) – 11:40 09:59 – pp – Stan Mikita (3) Brad Park (3) – 19:39 17:55 – Ted Bulley (1) No scoring Tony Esposito 17 saves / 22 shots Gerry Cheevers 12 saves / 14 shots Boston won series 4–0 (3) New York Islanders vs. (6) Toronto Maple Leafs This was the first playoff series meeting between these two teams. Lanny McDonald scored the game-winning goal at 4:13 of overtime in game seven to win the series for the Maple Leafs. Toronto Maple Leafs New York Islanders Maple Leaf Gardens Nassau Coliseum April 17 1–4 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/tor-vs-nyi/1978/04/17/1977030231#game=1977030231,game_state=final No scoring 07:58 – Mike Kaszycki (1)14:09 – Bob Nystrom (1)16:39 – Mike Bossy (1) Darryl Sittler (2) – pp – 12:48 14:06 – Wayne Merrick (1) No scoring No scoring Mike Palmateer 23 saves / 27 shots Glenn Resch 29 saves / 30 shots April 19 2–3 1 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/tor-vs-nyi/1978/04/19/1977030232#game=1977030232,game_state=final Ian Turnbull (1) – pp – 13:03 16:28 – pp – Clark Gillies (1) No scoring No scoring George Ferguson (4) – 09:41 03:24 – Bob Bourne (1) No scoring 02:50 – Mike Bossy (2) Mike Palmateer 37 saves / 40 shots Glenn Resch 28 saves / 30 shots April 21 0–2 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyi-vs-tor/1978/04/21/1977030233#game=1977030233,game_state=final No scoring No scoring 14:37 – Ron Ellis (2) No scoring 05:37 – Ian Turnbull (2) No scoring Mike Palmateer 19 saves / 19 shots Glenn Resch 21 saves / 23 shots April 23 1–3 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyi-vs-tor/1978/04/23/1977030234#game=1977030234,game_state=final No scoring No scoring 03:53 – Borje Salming (2)04:09 – Stan Weir (2) Bob Nystrom (2) – pp – 10:54 04:49 – Pat Boutette (1) No scoring Mike Palmateer 31 saves / 32 shots Glenn Resch 25 saves / 28 shots April 25 1–2 1 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/tor-vs-nyi/1978/04/25/1977030235#game=1977030235,game_state=final No scoring No scoring Ian Turnbull (3) – 01:10 13:39 – Denis Potvin (1) No scoring No scoring No scoring 08:02 – Bob Nystrom (3) Mike Palmateer 38 saves / 40 shots Glenn Resch 29 saves / 30 shots April 27 2–5 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyi-vs-tor/1978/04/27/1977030236#game=1977030236,game_state=final 02:49 – Darryl Sittler (3)03:40 – pp – Jack Valiquette (1)11:03 – pp – Lanny McDonald (2)12:53 – Stan Weir (3) No scoring 04:36 – Pat Boutette (2) No scoring No scoring Clark Gillies (2) – 04:51Bob Bourne (2) – pp – 17:53 Mike Palmateer 35 saves / 37 shots Glenn Resch 3 saves / 7 shotsBilly Smith 16 saves / 17 shots April 29 2–1 1 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/tor-vs-nyi/1978/04/29/1977030237#game=1977030237,game_state=final No scoring 05:18 – Denis Potvin (2) Ian Turnbull (4) – 03:42 No scoring No scoring No scoring Lanny McDonald (3) – 04:13 No scoring Mike Palmateer 22 saves / 23 shots Glenn Resch 25 saves / 27 shots Toronto won series 4–3 (4) Philadelphia Flyers vs. (5) Buffalo Sabres This was the second playoff series meeting between these two teams. Philadelphia won the only previous meeting in six games in the 1975 Stanley Cup Finals. Buffalo Sabres Philadelphia Flyers Buffalo Memorial Auditorium Spectrum April 17 1–4 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/buf-vs-phi/1978/04/17/1977030241#game=1977030241,game_state=final Terry Martin (1) – 06:34 06:19 – pp – Rick MacLeish (2) No scoring 01:08 – Bob Kelly (2)06:13 – Rick MacLeish (3) No scoring 01:28 – Bill Barber (1) Don Edwards 24 saves / 28 shots Bernie Parent 24 saves / 25 shots April 19 2–3 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/buf-vs-phi/1978/04/19/1977030242#game=1977030242,game_state=final Richard Martin (2) – pp – 11:58 07:16 – pp – Bill Barber (2) Danny Gare (3) – pp – 14:20 04:09 – Andre Dupont (1)10:31 – Rick MacLeish (4) No scoring No scoring Don Edwards 31 saves / 34 shots Bernie Parent 20 saves / 22 shots April 22 1–4 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/phi-vs-buf/1978/04/22/1977030243#game=1977030243,game_state=final No scoring Rick MacLeish (5) – pp – 08:36 09:18 – Gary McAdam (2) No scoring 00:43 – Gilbert Perreault (3)03:17 – Derek Smith (2)12:25 – Danny Gare (4) No scoring Don Edwards 20 saves / 21 shots Bernie Parent 29 saves / 33 shots April 23 4–2 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/phi-vs-buf/1978/04/23/1977030244#game=1977030244,game_state=final 15:13 – Craig Ramsay (2) Bob Kelly (3) – 05:56Ross Lonsberry (1) – pp – 08:02Rick MacLeish (6) – 14:13 No scoring No scoring 16:57 – Craig Ramsay (3) Bill Barber (3) – 14:59 Don Edwards 23 saves / 27 shots Bernie Parent 31 saves / 33 shots April 25 2–4 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/buf-vs-phi/1978/04/25/1977030245#game=1977030245,game_state=final No scoring 13:43 – pp – Bobby Clarke (2) Terry Martin (2) – 10:53 11:07 – Paul Holmgren (1)14:34 – Ross Lonsberry (2) Derek Smith (3) – 13:04 06:59 – Don Saleski (2) Don Edwards 22 saves / 26 shots Bernie Parent 26 saves / 28 shots Philadelphia won series 4–1 Semifinals (1) Montreal Canadiens vs. (4) Toronto Maple Leafs This was the 14th playoff series meeting between these two teams. Toronto lead 7–6 in previous meetings. Toronto won the most recent meeting in six games in the 1967 Stanley Cup Finals. Toronto Maple Leafs Montreal Canadiens Maple Leaf Gardens Montreal Forum May 2 3–5 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/tor-vs-mtl/1978/05/02/1977030311#game=1977030311,game_state=final Ron Ellis (3) – 02:25 00:23 – Serge Savard (1)17:06 – Yvan Cournoyer (5)19:13 – Jacques Lemaire (3) Ian Turnbull (5) – 08:27 No scoring Pat Boutette (3) – 14:32 03:14 – Yvan Cournoyer (6)08:54 – Guy Lafleur (3) Mike Palmateer 31 saves / 36 shots Ken Dryden 12 saves / 15 shots May 4 2–3 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/tor-vs-mtl/1978/05/04/1977030312#game=1977030312,game_state=final No scoring 04:01 – pp – Larry Robinson (2)06:46 – Guy Lafleur (4) Ian Turnbull (6) – 05:47Dan Maloney (1) – pp – 08:35 15:32 – pp – Guy Lafleur (5) No scoring No scoring Mike Palmateer 23 saves / 26 shots Ken Dryden 21 saves / 23 shots May 6 6–1 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/mtl-vs-tor/1978/05/06/1977030313#game=1977030313,game_state=final No scoring Steve Shutt (5) – pp – 01:34Rick Chartraw (1) – 13:09Yvon Lambert (1) – 17:00 08:50 – George Ferguson (5) Guy Lafleur (6) – 11:02Jacques Lemaire (4) – 12:26 No scoring Guy Lafleur (7) – 05:08 Mike Palmateer 33 saves / 39 shots Ken Dryden 23 saves / 24 shots May 9 2–0 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/mtl-vs-tor/1978/05/09/1977030314#game=1977030314,game_state=final No scoring Jacques Lemaire (5) – 07:21 No scoring Steve Shutt (6) – pp – 02:15 No scoring No scoring Mike Palmateer 27 saves / 29 shots Ken Dryden 23 saves / 23 shots Montreal won series 4–0 (2) Boston Bruins vs. (3) Philadelphia Flyers This was the fourth playoff series meeting between these two teams. Philadelphia won two of the previous three meetings. This was the third straight semifinal meeting following Philadelphia's win in five games in 1976 and Boston's four-game sweep last season. Game five was Fred Shero's last game as head coach of the Flyers, and Bernie Parent's final playoff game.http://dropyourgloves.com/Games/GameEvents.aspx?Game=14746 DropYourGloves.com 2010-12-25 https://web.archive.org/web/20120315200321/http://dropyourgloves.com/Games/GameEvents.aspx?Game=14746 2012-03-15 dead Philadelphia Flyers Boston Bruins Spectrum Boston Garden May 2 2–3 1 2 www.flyershistory.com/cgi-bin/poboxscore.cgi?1978008 Reggie Leach (2) – pp – 15:24 07:45 – Jean Ratelle (1) No scoring 15:28 – Don Marcotte (2) Bobby Clarke (3) – 05:02 No scoring No scoring 01:43 – Rick Middleton (2) Bernie Parent 22 saves / 25 shots Gerry Cheevers 21 saves / 23 shots May 4 5–7 2 www.flyershistory.com/cgi-bin/poboxscore.cgi?1978009 Orest Kindrachuk (1) – pp – 17:48 06:01 – pp – Bobby Schmautz (2)08:55 – Rick Middleton (3)12:31 – pp – Wayne Cashman (3)19:51 – Jean Ratelle (2) Bill Barber (4) – 05:22Rick MacLeish (7) – 08:06Bob Dailey (1) – 19:20 02:36 – Bobby Schmautz (3) Bobby Clarke (4) – 01:41 14:24 – Rick Middleton (4)16:39 – Gregg Sheppard (1) Bernie Parent 26 saves / 33 shots Gerry Cheevers 20 saves / 25 shots May 7 1–3 1 www.flyershistory.com/cgi-bin/poboxscore.cgi?1978010 10:36 – André Dupont (2) Brad Park (4) – pp – 13:42 11:56 – Orest Kindrachuk (2) No scoring 03:32 – Bill Barber (5) No scoring Bernie Parent 24 saves / 25 shots Ron Grahame 21 saves / 24 shots May 9 4–2 2 www.flyershistory.com/cgi-bin/poboxscore.cgi?1978011 No Scoring Bobby Schmautz (4) – 06:20Don Marcotte (3) – 15:43 16:26 – Jimmy Watson (1) Wayne Cashman (4) – 13:57 06:34 – pp – Orest Kindrachuk (3) Bobby Schmautz (5) – en – 19:25 Bernie Parent 12 saves / 15 shots Gerry Cheevers 28 saves / 30 shots May 11 3–6 2 www.flyershistory.com/cgi-bin/poboxscore.cgi?1978012 No Scoring 17:04 – Mike Milbury (1) Bill Barber (6) – 02:56Orest Kindrachuk (4) – 13:40Orest Kindrachuk (5) – 13:51 04:29 – pp – Brad Park (5)17:58 – Bobby Schmautz (6) No Scoring 06:18 – Don Marcotte (4)12:22 – Peter McNab (6)18:56 – en – Jean Ratelle (3) Bernie Parent 27 saves / 32 shots Gerry Cheevers 21 saves / 24 shots Boston won series 4–1 Stanley Cup Finals 1978 Stanley Cup Finals This was the 17th playoff series (and the last Finals) meeting between these two teams. Montreal led 14–2 in previous meetings. This was a rematch of last year's Stanley Cup Finals, in which Montreal won in a four-game sweep. Boston Bruins Montreal Canadiens Boston Garden Montreal Forum May 13 1–4 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/bos-vs-mtl/1978/05/13/1977030411#game=1977030411,game_state=final Brad Park (6) – pp – 02:31 04:31 – pp – Guy Lafleur (8)09:53 – pp – Yvon Lambert (2) No scoring 13:54 – Steve Shutt (7) No scoring 03:55 – Yvan Cournoyer (7) Gerry Cheevers 23 saves / 27 shots Ken Dryden 15 saves / 16 shots May 16 2–3 1 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/bos-vs-mtl/1978/05/16/1977030412#game=1977030412,game_state=final No scoring No scoring Brad Park (7) – 03:57 07:00 – Steve Shutt (8) Rick Smith (1) – 15:48 12:12 – Bob Gainey (2) No scoring 13:09 – Guy Lafleur (9) Gerry Cheevers 32 saves / 35 shots Ken Dryden 30 saves / 32 shots May 18 0–4 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/mtl-vs-bos/1978/05/18/1977030413#game=1977030413,game_state=final 00:59 – Gary Doak (1)05:11 – Rick Middleton (5) No scoring No scoring No scoring 02:54 – Peter McNab (7)15:39 – Terry O'Reilly (5) No scoring Gerry Cheevers 16 saves / 16 shots Ken Dryden 32 saves / 36 shots May 21 3–4 1 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/mtl-vs-bos/1978/05/21/1977030414#game=1977030414,game_state=final 00:25 – Gregg Sheppard (2) Doug Risebrough (2) – 03:26 No scoring Larry Robinson (3) – 07:00 09:19 – Peter McNab (8)13:20 – Brad Park (8) Guy Lafleur (10) – 19:27 06:22 – Bobby Schmautz (7) No scoring Gerry Cheevers 27 saves / 30 shots Ken Dryden 20 saves / 24 shots May 23 1–4 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/bos-vs-mtl/1978/05/23/1977030415#game=1977030415,game_state=final No scoring 07:46 – Larry Robinson (4)11:10 – pp – Pierre Mondou (3) No scoring 13:04 – pp Pierre Larouche (2)18:42 – Jacques Lemaire (6) Don Marcotte (5) – pp – 11:22 No scoring Gerry Cheevers 21 saves / 25 shotsRon Grahame 5 saves / 5 shots Ken Dryden 29 saves / 30 shots May 25 4–1 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/mtl-vs-bos/1978/05/25/1977030416#game=1977030416,game_state=final 04:05 – pp – Brad Park (9) Steve Shutt (9) – 07:01Mario Tremblay (1) – 09:20 No scoring Mario Tremblay (2) – 13:37Rejean Houle (3) – 17:46 No scoring No scoring Gerry Cheevers 20 saves / 24 shots Ken Dryden 15 saves / 16 shots Montreal won series 4–2 Awards The league introduced the Frank J. Selke trophy this season. It rewards the forward judged to be the best at defensive abilities. 1978 NHL awardsPrince of Wales Trophy:(Wales Conference regular season champion) Montreal CanadiensClarence S. Campbell Bowl:(Campbell Conference regular season champion) New York IslandersArt Ross Trophy:(Top scorer, regular season) Guy Lafleur, Montreal CanadiensBill Masterton Memorial Trophy:(Perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication) Butch Goring, Los Angeles KingsCalder Memorial Trophy:(Top first-year player) Mike Bossy, New York IslandersConn Smythe Trophy:(Most valuable player, playoffs) Larry Robinson, Montreal CanadiensFrank J. Selke Trophy:(Best defensive forward) Bob Gainey, Montreal CanadiensHart Memorial Trophy:(Most valuable player, regular season) Guy Lafleur, Montreal CanadiensJack Adams Award:(Best coach) Bobby Kromm, Detroit Red WingsJames Norris Memorial Trophy:(Best defenceman) Denis Potvin, New York IslandersLady Byng Memorial Trophy:(Excellence and sportsmanship) Butch Goring, 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 GDon Edwards, Buffalo SabresDenis Potvin, New York Islanders DLarry Robinson, Montreal CanadiensBrad Park, Boston Bruins DBorje Salming, Toronto Maple LeafsBryan Trottier, New York Islanders CDarryl Sittler, Toronto Maple LeafsGuy Lafleur, Montreal Canadiens RWMike Bossy, New York IslandersClark Gillies, New York Islanders LWSteve Shutt, Montreal Canadiens 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 78 60 72 132 26 Bryan Trottier New York Islanders 77 46 77 123 46 Darryl Sittler Toronto Maple Leafs 80 45 72 117 100 Jacques Lemaire Montreal Canadiens 76 36 61 97 14 Denis Potvin New York Islanders 80 30 64 94 81 Mike Bossy New York Islanders 73 53 38 91 6 Terry O'Reilly Boston Bruins 77 29 61 90 211 Gilbert Perreault Buffalo Sabres 79 41 48 89 20 Bobby Clarke Philadelphia Flyers 71 21 68 89 83 Lanny McDonald Toronto Maple Leafs 74 47 40 87 54 Wilf Paiement Colorado Rockies 80 31 56 87 114 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 SOKen Dryden Montreal Canadiens 52 3071 105 2.05 37 7 7 5Bernie Parent Philadelphia Flyers 49 2923 108 2.22 29 6 13 7Gilles Gilbert Boston Bruins 25 1326 56 2.53 15 6 2 2Chico Resch N.Y. Islanders 45 2637 112 2.55 28 9 7 3Tony Esposito Chicago Black Hawks 64 3840 168 2.63 28 22 14 5Don Edwards Buffalo Sabres 72 4209 185 2.64 38 16 17 5Billy Smith N.Y. Islanders 38 2154 95 2.65 20 8 8 2Michel Larocque Montreal Canadiens 30 1729 77 2.67 22 3 4 1Mike Palmateer Toronto Maple Leafs 63 3760 172 2.74 34 19 9 5Dan Bouchard Atlanta Flames 58 3340 153 2.75 25 12 19 2 Other statistics Plus-minus Guy Lafleur, Montreal Canadiens Coaches Patrick Division Atlanta Flames: Fred Creighton New York Islanders: Al Arbour New York Rangers: Jean-Guy Talbot Philadelphia Flyers: Fred Shero and Bob McCammon Adams Division Boston Bruins: Don Cherry Buffalo Sabres: Marcel Pronovost Cleveland Barons: Jack Evans Toronto Maple Leafs: Roger Neilson Norris Division Detroit Red Wings: Bobby Kromm Los Angeles Kings: Ron Stewart Montreal Canadiens: Scotty Bowman Pittsburgh Penguins: Johnny Wilson Washington Capitals: Tom McVie Smythe Division Chicago Black Hawks: Bob Pulford Colorado Rockies: Patrick Kelly Minnesota North Stars: Andre Beaulieu and Lou Nanne St. Louis Blues: Leo Boivin and Barclay Plager Vancouver Canucks: Orland Kurtenbach Debuts The following is a list of players of note who played their first NHL game in 1977–78 (listed with their first team, asterisk(*) marks debut in playoffs): Doug Wilson, Chicago Black Hawks Barry Beck, Colorado Rockies Dale McCourt, Detroit Red Wings Vaclav Nedomansky, Detroit Red Wings Dave Taylor, Los Angeles Kings Mike Bossy, New York Islanders Ron Duguay, New York Rangers Glen Hanlon, Vancouver Canucks Murray Bannerman, Vancouver Canucks Robert Picard, Washington Capitals Nedomansky began his major professional career in the World Hockey Association. Last games The following is a list of players of note that played their last game in the NHL in 1977–78 (listed with their last team): Johnny Bucyk, Boston Bruins Eddie Johnston, Chicago Black Hawks Jim Neilson, Cleveland Barons Dennis Hull, Detroit Red Wings Ed Giacomin, Detroit Red Wings Bill Goldsworthy, New York Rangers Dallas Smith, New York Rangers Ken Hodge, New York Rangers Rod Gilbert, New York Rangers Gary Dornhoefer, Philadelphia Flyers Derek Sanderson, Pittsburgh Penguins Claude Larose, St. Louis Blues Bob Plager, St. Louis Blues Jim Roberts, St. Louis Blues Red Berenson, St. Louis Blues Cesare Maniago, Vancouver Canucks NOTE: Goldsworthy and Neilson would finish their major professional careers in the World Hockey Association. Broadcasting Hockey Night in Canada on CBC Television televised Saturday night regular season games and Stanley Cup playoff games. In the U.S., this was the third season that NHL games aired in national broadcast syndication under the NHL Network package. Starting in the 1978 playoffs, the NHL Network began simulcasting most games with HNIC/CBC. See also List of Stanley Cup champions 1977 NHL amateur draft 1977–78 NHL transactions 31st National Hockey League All-Star Game National Hockey League All-Star Game 1977–78 WHA season Lester Patrick Trophy 1977 in sports 1978 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 1977 Category:1977–78 in Canadian ice hockey by league Category:1977–78 in American ice hockey by league