1969–70 NHL season

National Hockey League season August 2023 1969–70 NHL season National Hockey League Ice hockey October 11, 1969 – May 10, 1970 Draft 1969 NHL Draft List of first overall NHL draft picks Rejean Houle Montreal Canadiens Regular season 12 76 CBC, CTV, SRC (Canada)CBS (United States) Chicago Black Hawks Bobby Orr (Bruins) Hart Memorial Trophy Bobby Orr (Bruins) Art Ross Trophy Playoffs 1970 Stanley Cup playoffs Stanley Cup 1970 Stanley Cup Finals Boston Bruins St. Louis Blues Bobby Orr (Bruins) Conn Smythe Trophy 1970–71 1968–69 NHL The 1969–70 NHL season was the 53rd season of the National Hockey League. For the third straight season, the St. Louis Blues reached the Stanley Cup Final, and for the third straight year, the winners of the expansion West Division were swept four games to none. This time, however, it was at the hands of the Boston Bruins, as the defending champions Montreal Canadiens narrowly missed the playoffs, something that did not happen again for the next quarter century. With both the Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs missing the 1970 Stanley Cup playoffs, it was the first time in league history that no Canadian team in the NHL (two Canadian teams at the time) qualified for the playoffs (something that has happened only once since, in 2016, when all seven NHL's Canadian teams missed the playoffs). It was also the final season that teams wore their colored jerseys at home until the 2003–04 season. Amateur draft The 1969 NHL amateur draft was held on June 12 at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal, Quebec. Rejean Houle was selected first overall by the Montreal Canadiens. Regular season Detroit owner Bruce Norris installed a phone at the Red Wing bench connected to his at his seat in the Olympia. When coach Bill Gadsby saw the phone, he ordered it removed. Gadsby was fired after three games Bobby Orr of the Boston Bruins became the first (and to date, the only) defenceman in NHL history to win the league scoring championship. He did it by setting a new record for assists with 87 and totalling 120 points, only six shy of the point record set the previous season by teammate Phil Esposito. Along the way, he also won the Norris Trophy for the third straight year as the top defenceman, the Hart Trophy for league MVP, and the Conn Smythe Trophy for the playoff MVP, being the only player in the NHL to win four individual awards in a single season. Gordie Howe finished the season within the ten leading NHL point scorers for an all-time record of 21 consecutive seasons; it was the final season he did so. For the second straight season, the St. Louis Blues easily won the West Division, being the only team in the division to have a winning record. The East Division, however, saw a temporary changing of the guard, as Montreal dropped from first the previous season to fifth, missing the playoffs on the total goals scored tie-breaker with the New York Rangers. The Rangers were in first place for a time, but injuries on the blueline doomed any hope of a first-place finish, and they even obtained Tim Horton in desperation. It was the only season Montreal failed to make the playoffs between 1948 and 1995, and as the Toronto Maple Leafs also failed to make the postseason, this was the first playoffs in NHL history to feature no Canadian teams. These developments were instrumental in the decision to move Chicago to the West Division in conjunction with the 1970 expansion, and the adoption of "crossover" playoff series between East and West Division teams the following season. The division crossover kept the newer expansion teams out of the Stanley Cup Final for the next three seasons. The Bruins and the Black Hawks both tied for the lead in the East (and entire league) with 99 points, but Chicago was awarded first place because they had five more wins. It was Chicago's second first-place finish in team history (the first being 1966–67). Canadiens/Rangers tiebreaker The last two playoff berths in the East Division were contested by three teams entering the final weekend of the season. The Detroit Red Wings were in third place with 93 points, followed by the Montreal Canadiens with 92 and the New York Rangers with 90.http://dropyourgloves.com/Games/AnyDateStandings.aspx?League=1&Date=1970-04-03 NHL standings at the end of play on Friday, April 3, 1970 – dropyourgloves.com. 2016-04-01 2016-05-02 https://web.archive.org/web/20160502030456/http://dropyourgloves.com/Games/AnyDateStandings.aspx?League=1&Date=1970-04-03 dead The Red Wings captured the third seed with a 6–2 win over the Rangers on Saturday night. The Canadiens needed just one victory to clinch the fourth and final berth. A New York win and a Montreal loss in their final games would give each team identical 38–22–16 records. At that time, the next tiebreaker was goals scored, in which the Canadiens held a 242–237 advantage. The Rangers had to outscore the Canadiens by at least five goals in order to qualify for the postseason. Scoring for the Blueshirts started early and often, leading 4-1 after the first period and 7-3 after two periods. Up 9-3 late in the third period, the Rangers pulled goaltender Eddie Giacomin in an attempt to pile on more goals and to pad the overall goal scoring lead, but instead surrendered two goals to Detroit.Caldwell Dave 2016-03-31 Improbable Rangers Win in 1970 Left Canada Out in the Cold (Published 2016) https://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/01/sports/hockey/rangers-win-in-1970-left-canada-out-of-nhl-playoffs.html 2023-08-14 After the final buzzer, the Rangers peppered Red Wings goaltender Crozier with a franchise-record 65 shots on goal en route to a 9–5 triumph and a four-goal lead over Montreal. Later that evening, the Canadiens either had to win, or score at least five goals in defeat, but were up against a Black Hawks team needing a victory to clinch top seed in the divisional playoffs. With Montreal trailing 5–2 and desperate for three more goals with 9:16 remaining in the third period, coach Claude Ruel pulled netminder Rogie Vachon for an extra attacker. Instead, the Canadiens surrendered five empty-net goals in a 10–2 defeat and missed the postseason for the only time within a 46-season span from 1949 to 1994.Klein Jeff Z. Reif Karl-Eric 2007-04-01 Down to the Wire in 1970, Rangers Came Out Firing (Published 2007) https://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/01/sports/hockey/01hockey.html 2023-08-14 Montreal's Yvan Cournoyer commented on the Red Wings' effort in the afternoon, bitterly stating, "Those guys have no pride." Final standings start break end Playoffs Playoff bracket The top four teams in each division qualified for the playoffs. In the quarterfinals, the third seeded team in each division played against the division winner from their division. The other series matched the second and fourth place teams from the divisions. The two winning teams from each division's first round series then met in the Stanley Cup Semifinals. The two winners of the Semifinals then advanced to the Stanley Cup Final. In each round, teams competed in a best-of-seven series (scores in the bracket indicate the number of games won in each best-of-seven series). East Division West Division Quarterfinals Semifinals Stanley Cup Finals 1 Chicago 4 3 Detroit 0 2 Boston 4 4 New York 2 1 St. Louis 4 3 Minnesota 2 2 Pittsburgh 4 4 Oakland 0 1 Chicago 0 2 Boston 4 1 St. Louis 4 2 Pittsburgh 2 E2 Boston 4 W1 St. Louis 0 Quarterfinals (E1) Chicago Black Hawks vs. (E3) Detroit Red Wings The Chicago Black Hawks finished as the NHL's best regular season team with 99 points. Detroit finished third in the East Division with 95 points. This was the ninth playoff meeting between these two teams, and they split their eight previous meetings. They last met in the 1966 semifinals which Detroit won in six games. These teams each won four games of their eight-game regular season series. In the Chicago-Detroit series, the Black Hawks swept the series, winning all four games by 4–2 scores. Detroit Red Wings Chicago Black Hawks Olympia Stadium Chicago Stadium April 8 2–4 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/det-vs-chi/1970/04/08/1969030111#game=1969030111,game_state=final Wayne Connelly (1) – pp – 02:59 17:14 – pp – Pit Martin (1) No scoring 07:23 – pp – Stan Mikita (1)18:35 – sh – Chico Maki (1) Gordie Howe (1) – 08:43 19:31 – en – Eric Nesterenko (1) Roy Edwards 40 saves / 43 shots Tony Esposito 34 saves / 36 shots April 9 2–4 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/det-vs-chi/1970/04/09/1969030112#game=1969030112,game_state=final Pete Stemkowski (1) – sh – 13:01 14:38 – Jim Pappin (1) No scoring 01:33 – Bobby Hull (1) Bruce MacGregor (1) – 09:42 15:20 – pp – Pit Martin (2)18:42 – Dennis Hull (1) Roy Edwards 30 saves / 34 shots Tony Esposito 31 saves / 33 shots April 11 4–2 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/chi-vs-det/1970/04/11/1969030113#game=1969030113,game_state=final No scoring Bobby Hull (2) – 06:37 02:03 – Nick Libett (1) Bobby Hull (3) – 11:03Stan Mikita (2) – pp – 14:38 11:07 – Doug Volmar (1) Doug Jarrett (1) – en – 19:57 Roy Edwards 25 saves / 28 shots Tony Esposito 41 saves / 43 shots April 12 4–2 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/chi-vs-det/1970/04/12/1969030114#game=1969030114,game_state=final 09:31 – pp – Gordie Howe (2) Jim Pappin (2) – 04:32Stan Mikita (3) – 12:14 14:16 – pp – Nick Libett (2) Dennis Hull (2) – 04:43 No scoring Chico Maki (2) – 11:26 Roy Edwards 11 saves / 14 shotsRoger Crozier 15 saves / 16 shots Tony Esposito 29 saves / 31 shots Chicago won series 4–0 (E2) Boston Bruins vs. (E4) New York Rangers The Boston Bruins finished second in the East Division, earning 99 points. The New York Rangers earned 92 points to finish fourth in the East. This was the seventh playoff meeting between these two teams, with Boston winning four of their six previous meetings. They last met in the 1958 semifinals which Boston won in six games. These teams each won four games of their eight-game regular season series. The Bruins clobbered the Rangers 8–2 in game one; Ranger coach Emile Francis replaced Ed Giacomin when the score reached 7–1, in favor of Terry Sawchuk. Sawchuk replaced Giacomin as the starter in game two, but Boston won 5–3. Game three at Madison Square Garden featured a hostile crowd, with the New York fans booing, shouting obscenities and throwing objects at the Boston players. Giacomin – back in goal for the Rangers – reportedly told Bruin Derek Sanderson "We're being paid to get you tonight." A subsequent brawl erupted into both benches clearing, as well as fans littering the ice with debris; it took 19 minutes to play the first 91 seconds of the game. By the end of the Rangers' 4–3 win, the teams had set a new NHL playoff record for penalties (38) and penalty minutes (174). Game four had Rod Gilbert score two goals in a 4–2 Ranger win. Giacomin was brilliant in goal for the Rangers and one of the highlights was stopping Derek Sanderson on a shorthanded breakaway. Game five was won by Boston 3–2 as Esposito scored two goals. Bobby Orr set up the winner when he stole a pass at center ice when the Rangers were caught on a line change. Game six was won easily by the Bruins and featured another display of fan abuse. Bobby Orr scored two goals, including the winner. Fans threw eggs and ball bearings on the ice, and when the outcome was no longer in doubt, set fires in the mezzanine of Madison Square Garden. New York Rangers Boston Bruins Madison Square Garden Boston Garden April 8 2–8 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyr-vs-bos/1970/04/08/1969030121#game=1969030121,game_state=final Jack Egers (1) – 19:00 03:51 – Phil Esposito (1)09:32 – pp – Phil Esposito (2) No scoring 04:56 – Bobby Orr (1)07:35 – sh – Bobby Orr (2)08:19 – sh – Derek Sanderson (1)11:44 – pp – Phil Esposito (3)15:07 – Wayne Cashman (1) Bob Nevin (1) – pp – 15:31 02:20 – pp – Fred Stanfield (1) Eddie Giacomin 19 saves / 26 shotsTerry Sawchuck 7 saves / 8 shots Gerry Cheevers 36 saves / 38 shots April 9 3–5 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyr-vs-bos/1970/04/09/1969030122#game=1969030122,game_state=final Jack Egers (2) – 13:15Rod Gilbert (1) – pp – 17:15 07:06 – Jim Lorentz (1) No scoring 05:39 – John McKenzie (1)19:14 – Johnny Bucyk (1) Tim Horton (1) – 06:38 01:24 – Ken Hodge (1)03:40 – Ed Westfall (1) Terry Sawchuck 34 saves / 39 shots Gerry Cheevers 29 saves / 32 shots April 11 3–4 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/bos-vs-nyr/1970/04/11/1969030123#game=1969030123,game_state=final 13:07 – Jean Ratelle (1)14:24 – pp – Walt Tkaczuk (1) Bill Speer (1) – 09:31 13:48 – pp – Rod Gilbert (2) No scoring 02:43 – Ted Irvine (1) Bobby Orr (3) – pp – 05:59Fred Stanfield (2) – 12:07 Ed Giacomin 26 saves / 29 shots Gerry Cheevers 39 saves / 43 shots April 12 2–4 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/bos-vs-nyr/1970/04/12/1969030124#game=1969030124,game_state=final 03:49 – pp – Rod Gilbert (3)05:00 – Rod Gilbert (4) No scoring 11:51 – Dave Balon (1) Phil Esposito (4) – 11:30 11:16 – Walt Tkaczuk (2) Bobby Orr (4) – pp – 08:41 Eddie Giacomin 23 saves / 25 shots Eddie Johnston 35 saves / 39 shots April 14 2–3 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyr-vs-bos/1970/04/14/1969030125#game=1969030125,game_state=final Jack Egers (3) – pp – 05:18 02:44 – Bobby Orr (5) Orland Kurtenbach (1) – 09:49 No scoring No scoring 02:20 – Phil Esposito (5)07:59 – Phil Esposito (6) Eddie Giacomin 25 saves / 28 shotsTerry Sawchuck 0 saves / 0 shots Gerry Cheevers 28 saves /30 shots April 16 4–1 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/bos-vs-nyr/1970/04/16/1969030126#game=1969030126,game_state=final 11:51 – pp – Brad Park (1) No scoring No scoring Bobby Orr (6) – pp – 02:48Wayne Cashman (2) – 04:56 No scoring Bobby Orr (7) – 03:09Derek Sanderson (2) – 07:22 Eddie Giacomin 22 saves / 26 shots Gerry Cheevers 33 saves / 34 shots Boston won series 4–2 (W1) St. Louis Blues vs. (W3) Minnesota North Stars The St. Louis Blues finished first in the West Division with 86 points. The Minnesota North Stars earned 60 points to finish third in the West. This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams. Their only previous meeting was in the 1968 semi-finals which St. Louis won in seven games. St. Louis won this year's eight-game regular season series, earning ten of sixteen points. The St. Louis Blues ousted the Minnesota North Stars in six games, with the home team winning the first five. The Blues won the first two games at the St. Louis Arena. Game three at the Metropolitan Sports Center featured Gump Worsley's sharp goaltending and Bill Goldsworthy scoring two goals in a 4–2 win for the North Stars. Cesare Maniago played in goal for Minnesota in game four and picked up a 4–0 shutout, tying the series. Game five at St. Louis Arena was tied 3–3 when St Louis scored three goals in the third period by Red Berenson, Terry Gray, and Jim Roberts and the Blues won 6–3. In game six, Ab McDonald scored two goals as the Blues eliminated the North Stars by a score of 4–2. Minnesota North Stars St. Louis Blues Met Center St. Louis Arena April 8 2–6 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/mns-vs-stl/1970/04/08/1969030131#game=1969030131,game_state=final No scoring 02:29 – pp – Ab McDonald (1)05:41 – pp – Red Berenson (1)16:50 – Gary Sabourin (1) Bill Goldsworthy (1) – pp – 00:19 02:00 – Terry Crisp (1) J. P. Parise (1) – pp – 10:55 00:33 – Ab McDonald (2)05:20 – Terry Crisp (2) Gump Worsley 40 saves / 46 shots Jacques Plante 19 saves / 21 shots April 9 1–2 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/mns-vs-stl/1970/04/09/1969030132#game=1969030132,game_state=final No scoring 03:49 – Gary Sabourin (2)17:28 – pp – Phil Goyette (1) No scoring No scoring Bob Barlow (1) – 14:20 No scoring Cesare Maniago 38 saves / 40 shots Jacques Plante 17 saves / 18 shots April 11 2–4 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/stl-vs-mns/1970/04/11/1969030133#game=1969030133,game_state=final 04:58 – Tom Polanic (1)15:23 – Danny O'Shea (1) No scoring No scoring Ab McDonald (3) – 01:34 08:16 – Bill Goldsworthy (2)16:00 – pp – Bill Goldsworthy (3) Red Berenson (2) – pp – 03:15 Gump Worsley 32 saves / 34 shots Ernie Wakely 27 saves / 31 shots April 12 0–4 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/stl-vs-mns/1970/04/12/1969030134#game=1969030134,game_state=final No scoring No scoring 07:38 – pp – Bill Goldsworthy (4)16:54 – Claude Larose (1) No scoring 00:58 – Tommy Williams (1)02:12 – pp – Bob Barlow (2) No scoring Cesare Maniago 31 saves / 35 shots Glenn Hall 34 saves / 34 shots April 14 3–6 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/mns-vs-stl/1970/04/14/1969030135#game=1969030135,game_state=final J. P. Parise (2) – 01:38J. P. Parise (3) – pp – 08:46 04:38 – pp – Tim Ecclestone (1) No scoring 06:32 – pp – Larry Keenan (1)17:35 – Gary Sabourin (3) Charlie Burns (1) – 09:06 02:37 – Terry Gray (1)05:31 – Jim Roberts (1)07:08 – sh – Red Berenson (3) Gump Worsley 31 saves / 37 shots Glenn Hall 18 saves / 21 shots April 16 4–2 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/stl-vs-mns/1970/04/16/1969030136#game=1969030136,game_state=final 04:35 – pp – Barry Gibbs (1) Ab McDonald (4) – pp – 07:42 14:54 – Ray Cullen (1) Ab McDonald (5) – pp – 10:17Red Berenson (4) – pp – 11:04 No scoring Larry Keenan (2) – 02:53 Cesare Maniago 23 saves / 27 shots Glenn Hall 32 saves / 34 shots St. Louis won series 4–2 (W2) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (W4) Oakland Seals Pittsburgh finished second in the West Division, earning 64 points. Oakland earned 58 points to finish fourth in the West. This was the first and only series between these two teams. Oakland won this year's eight-game regular season series, earning nine of sixteen points. In game one, Nick Harbaruk's goal midway through the third period was the winner as Pittsburgh won 2–1. In game two, Gary Jarrett gave Oakland a 1–0 lead, but Pittsburgh came back to win 3–1. Game three at Oakland featured a hat trick by Ken Schinkel of the Penguins as Pittsburgh won 5–2. Game four saw Oakland holding 1–0 and 2–1 leads, but the Seals just couldn't hold on and the game was tied 2–2 at the end of regulation time, with Michel Briere scoring the series winning goal at 8:28 of overtime for Pittsburgh. It was the final time the Seals made the playoffs. The Stanley Cup playoffs did not return to the Bay Area until 1994 when the San Jose Sharks made the playoffs for the first time. This also marks only the second of three times ever a team in any of the four North American major sports have swept a team in their first playoff series.Blackburn Pete Golden Knights sweep Kings in their first playoff series with shutout victory in Game 4 https://www.cbssports.com/nhl/news/golden-knights-sweep-kings-in-their-first-playoff-series-with-shutout-victory-in-game-4/ cbssports.com 31 July 2018 Oakland Seals Pittsburgh Penguins Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena Civic Arena April 8 1–2 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/oak-vs-pit/1970/04/08/1969030141#game=1969030141,game_state=final Gerry Ehman (1) – pp – 09:26 01:05 – pp – Jean Pronovost (1) No scoring No scoring No scoring 12:47 – Nick Harbaruk (1) Gary Smith 34 saves / 35 shots Les Binkley 28 saves / 29 shots April 9 1–3 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/oak-vs-pit/1970/04/09/1969030142#game=1969030142,game_state=final Gary Jarrett (1) – pp – 07:13 No scoring No scoring 11:00 – Nick Harbaruk (2)11:34 – Wally Boyer (1) No scoring 11:41 – Dunc McCallum (1) Gary Smith 39 saves / 42 shots Les Binkley 25 saves / 26 shots April 11 5–2 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/pit-vs-oak/1970/04/11/1969030143#game=1969030143,game_state=final 03:29 – sh – Earl Ingarfield (1) No scoring No scoring Nick Harbaruk (3) – 05:20Ken Schinkel (1) – 07:58Jean Pronovost (2) – 11:38 02:22 – Ted Hampson (1) Ken Schinkel (2) – pp – 09:33Ken Schinkel (3) – 14:09 Gary Smith 20 saves / 25 shots Les Binkley 27 saves / 29 shots April 12 3–2 1 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/pit-vs-oak/1970/04/12/1969030144#game=1969030144,game_state=final 02:34 – pp – Carol Vadnais (1) Dean Prentice (1) – 07:37 04:34 – pp – Carol Vadnais (2) Bob Woytowich (1) – 06:22 No scoring No scoring No scoring Michel Briere (1) – 08:28 Gary Smith 28 saves / 31 shots Les Binkley 27 saves / 29 shots Pittsburgh won series 4–0 Semifinals (E1) Chicago Black Hawks vs. (E2) Boston Bruins This was the third meeting between these two teams with Boston winning both of their meetings. They last met in the 1942 quarter-finals where Boston won the best-of-three series in three games. These two teams split their eight-game regular season series, each earning eight points. Boston beat Chicago in four straight games to win the East Division final for the first time. Boston Bruins Chicago Black Hawks Boston Garden Chicago Stadium April 19 6–3 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/bos-vs-chi/1970/04/19/1969030211#game=1969030211,game_state=final Phil Esposito (7) – 12:28Phil Esposito (8) – pp – 16:01 No scoring Johnny Bucyk (2) – 05:11Phil Esposito (9) – pp – 14:59 08:26 – Dennis Hull (3)17:00 – pp – Jim Pappin (3) John McKenzie (2) – 01:00Ken Hodge (2) – 08:45 10:39 – pp – Stan Mikita (4) Gerry Cheevers 32 saves / 35 shots Tony Esposito 24 saves / 30 shots April 21 4–1 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/bos-vs-chi/1970/04/21/1969030212#game=1969030212,game_state=final Bobby Orr (8) – 05:08 No scoring John McKenzie (3) – 10:32Don Marcotte (1) – 13:09 No scoring Phil Esposito (10) – 02:18 05:02 – Bill White (1) Gerry Cheevers 22 saves / 23 shots Tony Esposito 28 saves / 32 shots April 23 2–5 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/chi-vs-bos/1970/04/23/1969030213#game=1969030213,game_state=final 08:50 – Wayne Carleton (1) Cliff Koroll (1) – 06:33Pit Martin (3) – 19:45 03:28 – pp – Johnny Bucyk (3)06:17 – Wayne Cashman (3)13:07 – pp – Johnny Bucyk (4) No scoring 19:39 – en – Phil Esposito (11) No scoring Gerry Cheevers 25 saves / 27 shots Tony Esposito 28 saves / 32 shots April 26 4–5 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/chi-vs-bos/1970/04/26/1969030214#game=1969030214,game_state=final 13:14 – sh – Don Marcotte (2)17:00 – pp – Johnny Bucyk (5) No scoring 15:40 – Fred Stanfield (3) Keith Magnuson (1) – 05:07Dennis Hull (4) – 09:20Dennis Hull (5) – 13:10 15:19 – Ken Hodge (3)18:19 – John McKenzie (4) Bryan Campbell (1) – pp – 04:10 Gerry Cheevers 20 saves / 24 shots Tony Esposito 49 saves / 54 shots Boston won series 4–0 (W1) St. Louis Blues vs. (W2) Pittsburgh Penguins This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams. St. Louis won this year's eight-game regular season series, earning twelve of sixteen points. The St. Louis Blues beat the Pittsburgh Penguins in six games to have won every West Division Final, as there were no Division Finals the following season. The Pens did not get to the semifinals again until their championship season in 1991. Pittsburgh Penguins St. Louis Blues Civic Arena St. Louis Arena April 19 1–3 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/pit-vs-stl/1970/04/19/1969030221#game=1969030221,game_state=final No scoring No scoring No scoring 07:12 – pp – Gary Sabourin (4)08:10 – Phil Goyette (2)12:58 – Red Berenson (5) Ken Schinkel (4) – 02:10 No scoring Les Binkley 30 saves / 33 shots Glenn Hall 24 saves / 25 shots April 21 1–4 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/pit-vs-stl/1970/04/21/1969030222#game=1969030222,game_state=final No scoring 00:31 – Jean-Guy Talbot (1)09:07 – pp – Larry Keenan (3)15:35 – Phil Goyette (3) No scoring No scoring Michel Briere (2) – 05:58 09:36 – Frank St. Marseille (1) Les Binkley 32 saves / 36 shots Jacques Plante 23 saves / 24 shots April 23 2–3 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/stl-vs-pit/1970/04/23/1969030223#game=1969030223,game_state=final 05:22 – pp – Dean Prentice (2) No scoring 07:07 – Jean Pronovost (3)10:30 – pp – Michel Briere (3) No scoring No scoring Larry Keenan (4) – pp – 01:41Larry Keenan (5) – 05:56 Les Binkley 14 saves / 16 shots Jacques Plante 24 saves / 27 shots April 26 1–2 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/stl-vs-pit/1970/04/26/1969030224#game=1969030224,game_state=final 07:06 – Duane Rupp (1) No scoring 06:34 – Michel Briere (4) Andre Boudrias (1) – 05:05 No scoring No scoring Al Smith 49 saves / 51 shots Ernie Wakely 23 saves / 24 shots April 28 0–5 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/pit-vs-stl/1970/04/28/1969030225#game=1969030225,game_state=final No scoring 11:56 – Frank St. Marseille (2)15:59 – pp – Andre Boudrias (2) No scoring 05:26 – pp – Frank St. Marseille (3)17:18 – sh – Tim Ecclestone (2) No scoring 05:17 – Frank St. Marseille (4) Al Smith 30 saves / 35 shots Jacques Plante 21 saves / 21 shots April 30 4–3 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/stl-vs-pit/1970/04/30/1969030226#game=1969030226,game_state=final 13:41 – Duane Rupp (2) No scoring 04:24 – Ron Schock (1) Red Berenson (6) – 07:37 06:17 – Michel Briere (5) Bill McCreary (1) – 05:26Tim Ecclestone (3) – 06:57Larry Keenan (6) – 14:25 Al Smith 26 saves / 30 shots Glenn Hall 30 saves / 33 shots St. Louis won series 4–2 Stanley Cup Finals 1970 Stanley Cup Finals This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams. This was St. Louis' third Stanley Cup Finals, having advanced to the round every season since entering the league. In both of their previous appearances, they lost to the Montreal Canadiens in four games. This was Boston's eleventh Stanley Cup Final appearance, having won the championship three times previously. They last advanced to the Finals in 1958 where they lost to Montreal in six games. Boston won this year's six-game regular season series, earning eight of twelve points. Phil Esposito of the Bruins led all playoff scorers with 13 goals and 14 assists for 27 points, at the time a new NHL playoff record, followed by Orr with 20 points and Johnny Bucyk of the Bruins with 19 points. Gerry Cheevers of the Bruins led all goaltenders with twelve wins, while Jacques Plante of the Blues led all goaltenders in goals against average in the playoffs with 1.48. Boston Bruins St. Louis Blues Boston Garden St. Louis Arena May 3 6–1 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/bos-vs-stl/1970/05/03/1969030311#game=1969030311,game_state=final Johnny Bucyk (6) – 19:45 No scoring Johnny Bucyk (7) – 05:16 01:52 – Jim Roberts (2) Wayne Carleton (2) – 04:59Johnny Bucyk (8) – 05:31Derek Sanderson (3) – sh – 17:20Phil Esposito (12) – 18:58 No scoring Gerry Cheevers 28 saves / 29 shots Jacques Plante 13 saves / 14 shotsErnie Wakely 16 saves / 21 shots May 5 6–2 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/bos-vs-stl/1970/05/05/1969030312#game=1969030312,game_state=final Fred Stanfield (4) – pp – 08:10Ed Westfall (2) – 13:38Ed Westfall (3) – sh – 19:15 No scoring Derek Sanderson (4) – pp – 09:37 17:26 – pp – Terry Gray (2) Derek Sanderson (5) – 00:58Johnny Bucyk (9) – 15:00 04:15 – pp – Frank St. Marseille (5) Gerry Cheevers 17 saves / 19 shots Ernie Wakely 29 saves / 35 shots May 7 1–4 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/stl-vs-bos/1970/05/07/1969030313#game=1969030313,game_state=final 13:23 – pp – Johnny Bucyk (10)18:23 – John McKenzie (5) Frank St. Marseille (6) – pp – 05:32 No scoring No scoring 03:26 – Wayne Cashman (4)14:26 – Wayne Cashman (5) No scoring Gerry Cheevers 42 saves / 46 shots Glenn Hall 20 saves / 21 shots May 10 3–4 1 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/stl-vs-bos/1970/05/10/1969030314#game=1969030314,game_state=final 05:28 – Rick Smith (1) Red Berenson (7) – 19:17 14:22 – Phil Esposito (13) Gary Sabourin (5) – 03:22 13:28 – Johnny Bucyk (11) Larry Keenan (7) – pp – 00:19 00:40 – Bobby Orr (9) No scoring Gerry Cheevers 28 saves / 31 shots Glenn Hall 28 saves / 32 shots Boston won series 4–0 Awards 1969–70 NHL awardsPrince of Wales Trophy:(East Division champion, regular season) Chicago Black HawksClarence S. Campbell Bowl:(West Division champion, regular season) St. Louis BluesArt Ross Trophy:(Top scorer, regular season) Bobby Orr, Boston BruinsBill Masterton Memorial Trophy:(Perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication) Pit Martin, Chicago Black HawksCalder Memorial Trophy:(Top first-year player) Tony Esposito, Chicago Black HawksConn Smythe Trophy:(Most valuable player, playoffs) Bobby Orr, Boston BruinsHart Memorial Trophy:(Most valuable player, regular season) Bobby Orr, Boston BruinsJames Norris Memorial Trophy:(Best defenceman) Bobby Orr, Boston BruinsLady Byng Memorial Trophy:(Excellence and sportsmanship) Phil Goyette, St. Louis BluesVezina Trophy:(Goaltender(s) of team with best goaltending record) Tony Esposito, Chicago Black Hawks All-Star teams First team   Position   Second teamTony Esposito, Chicago Black Hawks GEd Giacomin, New York RangersBobby Orr, Boston Bruins DCarl Brewer, Detroit Red WingsBrad Park, New York Rangers DJacques Laperriere, Montreal CanadiensPhil Esposito, Boston Bruins CStan Mikita, Chicago Black HawksGordie Howe, Detroit Red Wings RWJohn McKenzie, Boston BruinsBobby Hull, Chicago Black Hawks LWFrank Mahovlich, Detroit Red Wings Player statistics Scoring leaders Note: GP = Games Played, G = Goals, A = Assists, Pts = Points Player Team GP G A Pts PIM Bobby Orr Boston Bruins 76 33 87 120 125 Phil Esposito Boston Bruins 76 43 56 99 50 Stan Mikita Chicago Black Hawks 76 39 47 86 50 Phil Goyette St. Louis Blues 72 29 49 78 16 Walt Tkaczuk New York Rangers 76 27 50 77 38 Jean Ratelle New York Rangers 75 32 42 74 28 Red Berenson St. Louis Blues 67 33 39 72 38 J. P. Parise Minnesota North Stars 74 24 48 72 72 Gordie Howe Detroit Red Wings 76 31 40 71 58 Frank Mahovlich Detroit Red Wings 74 38 32 70 59 Dave Balon New York Rangers 76 33 37 70 100 John McKenzie Boston Bruins 72 29 41 70 114 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 SOErnie Wakely St. Louis Blues 30 1651 58 2.11 12 9 4 4Tony Esposito Chicago Black Hawks 63 3763 136 2.17 38 17 8 15Jacques Plante St. Louis Blues 32 1839 67 2.19 18 9 5 5Ed Giacomin New York Rangers 70 4148 163 2.36 35 21 14 6Roy Edwards Detroit Red Wings 47 2683 116 2.59 24 15 6 2Rogatien Vachon Montreal Canadiens 64 3697 162 2.63 31 18 12 4Roger Crozier Detroit Red Wings 34 1877 83 2.65 16 6 9 0Gerry Cheevers Boston Bruins 41 2384 108 2.72 24 8 8 4Bernie Parent Philadelphia Flyers 62 3680 171 2.79 13 29 20 3Ed Johnston Boston Bruins 37 2176 108 2.98 16 9 11 3 Other statistics Plus-Minus leader: Bobby Orr, Boston Bruins Coaches East Boston Bruins: Harry Sinden Chicago Black Hawks: Billy Reay Detroit Red Wings: Bill Gadsby and Sid Abel Montreal Canadiens: Claude Ruel New York Rangers: Emile Francis Toronto Maple Leafs: John McLellan West Los Angeles Kings: Hal Laycoe and Larry Regan Minnesota North Stars: Wren Blair and Charlie Burns Oakland Seals: Fred Glover Philadelphia Flyers: Vic Stasiuk Pittsburgh Penguins: Red Kelly St. Louis Blues: Scotty Bowman Debuts The following is a list of players of note who played their first NHL game in 1969–70 (listed with their first team, asterisk(*) marks debut in playoffs): Keith Magnuson, Chicago Black Hawks Butch Goring, Los Angeles Kings Gilles Gilbert, Minnesota North Stars Guy Charron, Montreal Canadiens Marc Tardif, Montreal Canadiens Rejean Houle, Montreal Canadiens Don Luce, New York Rangers Bobby Clarke, Philadelphia Flyers Last games The following is a list of players of note that played their last game in the NHL in 1969–70 (listed with their last team): Ron Murphy, Boston Bruins Leo Boivin, Minnesota North Stars Moose Vasko, Minnesota North Stars Claude Provost, Montreal Canadiens Terry Sawchuk, New York Rangers Camille Henry, St. Louis Blues Johnny Bower, Toronto Maple Leafs Marcel Pronovost, Toronto Maple Leafs Broadcasting Hockey Night in Canada on CBC Television televised Saturday night regular season games and Stanley Cup playoff games. HNIC also produced Wednesday night regular season game telecasts for CTV. This was the fourth season under the U.S. rights agreement with CBS, airing Sunday afternoon regular season and playoff games. See also List of Stanley Cup champions 1969 NHL amateur draft 1969–70 NHL transactions 23rd National Hockey League All-Star Game National Hockey League All-Star Game 1969 in sports 1970 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 McFarlane Brian The Story of the National Hockey League Pagurian Press New York 1973 0-684-13424-1 registration https://archive.org/details/storyofnationalh0000mcfa Notes External links Hockey Database NHL.com hickoksports.com 1969 Category:1969–70 in American ice hockey by league Category:1969–70 in Canadian ice hockey by league