1975–76 NHL season

National Hockey League season August 2023 1975–76 NHL season National Hockey League Ice hockey October 7, 1975 – May 16, 1976 Draft 1975 NHL Draft List of first overall NHL draft picks Mel Bridgman Philadelphia Flyers Regular season Montreal Canadiens Bobby Clarke (Flyers) Hart Memorial Trophy Guy Lafleur (Canadiens) Art Ross Trophy Playoffs 1976 Stanley Cup playoffs Stanley Cup 1976 Stanley Cup Finals Montreal Canadiens Philadelphia Flyers Reggie Leach (Flyers) Conn Smythe Trophy 1976–77 1974–75 NHL 18 80 CBC, CTV, SRC (Canada)NHL Network, CBSCBS only televised the January 4 Super Series '76 game. (United States) The 1975–76 NHL season was the 59th season of the National Hockey League. The Montreal Canadiens won the Stanley Cup, defeating the two-time defending champion Philadelphia Flyers in the final. Amateur draft The 1975 NHL amateur draft was held on June 3, at the NHL offices in Montreal, Quebec. Mel Bridgman was selected first overall by the Philadelphia Flyers. Regular season The Montreal Canadiens set records in wins with 58 and points with 127, beginning a four-year stretch where they would dominate the league in the regular season and win four straight Stanley Cup titles. The Philadelphia Flyers tied the record set by the 1929–30 Boston Bruins for most consecutive home ice wins, with 20. During the regular season, between December 28 and January 10, "Super Series '76" took place as two teams from the Soviet Championship League played eight exhibitions against NHL teams. HC CSKA Moscow (the "Red Army Club"), defending Soviet champion, played against the New York Rangers, Montreal, Boston and, on January 11, the defending NHL champion, the Philadelphia Flyers, while Krylya Sovetov Moscow ("the Soviet Wings") played against Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Chicago and the New York Islanders.Super Series site The New York Rangers got off to their worst start since 1965–66. Under pressure, general manager Emile Francis traded Derek Sanderson to St. Louis and put goaltender Eddie Giacomin on waivers. Detroit claimed him, and then the blockbuster trade of the year saw the Boston Bruins send superstar center Phil Esposito and star defenceman Carol Vadnais to the New York Rangers for star center Jean Ratelle and superstar defenceman Brad Park. Both Ratelle and Park would excel for the Bruins for years to come, while Esposito's days as the preeminent scorer in the NHL were behind him. Trades did not help the Rangers, as they gave up 333 goals against (3rd worst in the NHL) and finished last in the Patrick Division, which cost Emile Francis his job as general manager, and coach Ron Stewart was fired as well. John Ferguson Sr. took over both jobs. The Kansas City Scouts established a dubious distinction, winning only one of their final 44 games. On February 7, 1976, Darryl Sittler set an NHL record that still stands for most points scored in one game. He recorded ten points (six goals, four assists) against the Boston Bruins. Final standings Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against, PIM = Penalties in minutes Note: Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold start Prince of Wales Conference break Clarence Campbell Conference end Playoffs 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 – 127 points Philadelphia Flyers, Patrick Division champions, Clarence Campbell Conference regular season champions – 118 points Boston Bruins, Adams Division champions – 113 points Buffalo Sabres – 105 points New York Islanders – 101 points Los Angeles Kings – 85 points Toronto Maple Leafs – 83 points Pittsburgh Penguins – 82 points (35 wins, 5 points head-to-head vs. Atlanta) Atlanta Flames – 82 points (35 wins, 3 points head-to-head vs. Pittsburgh) Chicago Black Hawks, Smythe Division champions – 82 points (32 wins) Vancouver Canucks – 81 points St. Louis Blues – 72 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 Chicago Black Hawks. 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 Buffalo 2 8 St. Louis 1 2 NY Islanders 2 7 Vancouver 0 4 Toronto 2 5 Pittsburgh 1 3 Los Angeles 2 6 Atlanta 0 1 Montreal 4 8 Chicago 0 4 Buffalo 2 5 NY Islanders 4 2 Philadelphia 4 7 Toronto 3 3 Boston 4 6 Los Angeles 3 1 Montreal 4 4 NY Islanders 1 2 Philadelphia 4 3 Boston 1 1 Montreal 4 2 Philadelphia 0 Preliminary round (1) Buffalo Sabres vs. (8) St. Louis Blues The Buffalo Sabres were the first seed of the preliminary round and fourth overall with 105 points. The St. Louis Blues were the eighth seed of the preliminary round and twelfth overall with 72 points. This was the first playoff series between these two teams. The Buffalo Sabres won this year's regular season series earning 5 of 8 points. St. Louis Blues Buffalo Sabres St. Louis Arena Buffalo Memorial Auditorium April 6 2–5 2 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/buf-vs-stl/1976/04/06/1975030111#game=1975030111,game_state=final 04:14 – pp – Derek Sanderson (1)08:28 – sh – Chuck Lefley (1)19:42 – pp – Larry Patey (1) No scoring No scoring No scoring 01:56 – Garry Unger (1)15:31 – Chuck Lefley (2) Rick Martin (1) – 08:37Jacques Richard (1) – 18:11 Ed Staniowski 37 saves / 39 shots Gerry Desjardins 25 saves / 29 shotsAl Smith 1 save / 2 shots April 8 2–3 1 1 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/stl-vs-buf/1976/04/08/1975030112#game=1975030112,game_state=final No scoring No scoring No scoring No scoring Garry Unger (2) – 02:01Dave Hrechkosy (1) – 18:02 07:35 – sh – Craig Ramsay (1)11:24 – Danny Gare (1) No scoring 11:43 – Danny Gare (2) Ed Staniowski 54 saves / 57 shots Gerry Desjardins 14 saves / 16 shots April 9 1–2 1 1 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/stl-vs-buf/1976/04/09/1975030113#game=1975030113,game_state=final No scoring 19:05 – Gilbert Perreault (1) Red Berenson (1) – 09:10 No scoring No scoring No scoring No scoring 14:27 – Don Luce (1) Ed Staniowski 32 saves / 34 shots Gerry Desjardins 21 saves / 22 shots Buffalo won series 2–1 (2) New York Islanders vs. (7) Vancouver Canucks The New York Islanders were the second seed in the preliminary round and fifth overall with 101 points. The Vancouver Canucks were the seventh seed in the preliminary round and eleventh overall with 81 points. This was the first playoff series between these two teams. Vancouver won this year's regular season series earning 8 of 10 points. Vancouver Canucks New York Islanders Pacific Coliseum Nassau Coliseum April 6 3–5 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/van-vs-nyi/1976/04/06/1975030121#game=1975030121,game_state=final Dennis Ververgaert (1) – pp – 02:58John Gould (1) – sh – 08:18 06:01 – Gerry Hart (1)08:28 – pp – Billy Harris (1) No scoring 00:10 – sh – Lorne Henning (1)05:36 – Bill MacMillan (1)08:20 – Bob Nystrom (1) Bob Dailey (1) – pp – 04:27 No scoring Curt Ridley 25 saves / 30 shots Chico Resch 29 saves / 32 shots April 8 3–1 2 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyi-vs-van/1976/04/08/1975030122#game=1975030122,game_state=final No scoring J.P. Parise (1) – 03:13 07:49 – Chris Oddleifson (1) No scoring No scoring Garry Howatt (1) – 11:39Clark Gillies (1) – 12:11 Curt Ridley 31 saves / 34 shots Chico Resch 29 saves / 30 shots New York won series 2–0 (3) Los Angeles Kings vs. (6) Atlanta Flames The Los Angeles Kings were the third seed of the preliminary round and sixth overall 85 points. The Atlanta Flames were the sixth seed of the preliminary round and ninth overall with 82 points, losing the tie-breaker to Pittsburgh in head-to-head points (5 to 3). This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams. Los Angeles won this year's regular season series earning 6 of 8 points. Atlanta Flames Los Angeles Kings Omni Coliseum The Forum April 6 1–2 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/afm-vs-lak/1976/04/06/1975030131#game=1975030131,game_state=final No scoring 00:50 – Tom Williams (1) No scoring 02:40 – Bob Nevin (1) Barry Gibbs (1) – 14:36 No scoring Dan Bouchard 24 saves / 26 shots Rogie Vachon 19 saves / 20 shots April 8 1–0 2 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/lak-vs-afm/1976/04/08/1975030132#game=1975030132,game_state=final No scoring No scoring No scoring No scoring No scoring Bob Berry (1) – 18:16 Dan Bouchard 25 saves / 26 shots Rogie Vachon 27 saves / 27 shots Los Angeles won series 2–0 (4) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. (5) Pittsburgh Penguins The Toronto Maple Leafs were the fourth seed in the preliminary round and seventh overall with 83 points. The Pittsburgh Penguins were the fifth seed in the preliminary round and eighth overall with 82 points, winning the tiebreaker over Atlanta in head-to-head points (5 to 3). This was the first playoff series between these two teams. Pittsburgh won this year's regular season series earning 8 of 10 points. Pittsburgh Penguins Toronto Maple Leafs Civic Arena Maple Leaf Gardens April 6 1–4 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/pit-vs-tor/1976/04/06/1975030141#game=1975030141,game_state=final No scoring 13:01 – pp – Jim McKenny (1) No scoring 04:44 – Lanny McDonald (1)11:00 – Bob Neely (1) Stan Gilbertson (1) – 04:17 15:02 – George Ferguson (1) Michel Plasse 32 saves / 36 shots Wayne Thomas 35 saves / 36 shots April 8 0–2 2 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/tor-vs-pit/1976/04/08/1975030142#game=1975030142,game_state=final No scoring No scoring 11:25 – pp – Lowell MacDonald (1) No scoring 19:21 – en – Vic Hadfield (1) No scoring Michel Plasse 21 saves / 21 shots Wayne Thomas 47 saves / 48 shots April 9 0–4 1 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/pit-vs-tor/1976/04/09/1975030143#game=1975030143,game_state=final No scoring 17:01 – Jim McKenny (2) No scoring 02:03 – Pat Boutette (1)09:14 – pp – Borje Salming (1) No scoring 02:14 – Lanny McDonald (2) Michel Plasse 32 saves / 36 shots Wayne Thomas 26 saves / 26 shots Toronto won series 2–1 Quarterfinals (1) Montreal Canadiens vs. (8) Chicago Black Hawks The Montreal Canadiens finished first in the league with 127 points. The Chicago Black Hawks finished as the Smythe Division Champions as the eighth and lowest-remaining seed in the playoffs with 82 points. This was the 17th playoff series between these two teams. Montreal leads 11–5 in previous meetings. Their most recent meeting came in the 1973 Stanley Cup Finals, which Montreal won in six games. Montreal won this year's regular season series earning 5 of 8 points. Chicago Blackhawks Montreal Canadiens Chicago Stadium Montreal Forum April 11 0–4 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/chi-vs-mtl/1976/04/11/1975030211#game=1975030211,game_state=final No scoring 04:22 – Larry Robinson (1)08:30 – Peter Mahovlich (1) No scoring 16:41 – Doug Jarvis (1) No scoring 12:50 – Jimmy Roberts (1) Tony Esposito 33 saves / 37 shots Ken Dryden 22 saves / 22 shots April 13 1–3 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/chi-vs-mtl/1976/04/13/1975030212#game=1975030212,game_state=final Darcy Rota (1) – pp – 03:55 No scoring No scoring 14:51 – pp – Yvan Cournoyer (1)15:05 – pp – Jacques Lemaire (1) No scoring 00:12 – Guy Lafleur (1) Tony Esposito 26 saves / 29 shots Ken Dryden 21 saves / 22 shots April 15 2–1 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/mtl-vs-chi/1976/04/15/1975030213#game=1975030213,game_state=final No scoring No scoring No scoring Yvon Lambert (1) – 05:21 17:49 – Pit Martin (1) Guy Lafleur (2) – 19:47 Tony Esposito 37 saves / 39 shots Ken Dryden 30 saves / 31 shots April 18 4–1 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/mtl-vs-chi/1976/04/18/1975030214#game=1975030214,game_state=final 10:31 – pp – Cliff Koroll (1) Serge Savard (1) – sh – 19:05 No scoring Peter Mahovlich (2) – pp – 02:40 No scoring Guy Lafleur (3) – 09:56Doug Jarvis (2) – 14:52 Tony Esposito 22 saves 26 shots Ken Dryden 34 saves / 35 shots Montreal won series 4–0 (2) Philadelphia Flyers vs. (7) Toronto Maple Leafs The Philadelphia Flyers finished as Clarence Campbell Conference regular season champions and second seed overall with 118 points. This was the second playoff series meeting between these two teams. This was a rematch of last year's Stanley Cup Quarterfinals, which Philadelphia won in a four-game sweep. Philadelphia won this year's regular season series earning 7 of 8 points. Toronto Maple Leafs Philadelphia Flyers Maple Leaf Gardens Spectrum April 12 1–4 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/tor-vs-phi/1976/04/12/1975030221#game=1975030221,game_state=final Lanny McDonald (3) – pp – 12:11 08:01 – Reggie Leach (1)13:59 – pp – Orest Kindrachuk (1) No scoring 06:55 – Bobby Clarke (1) No scoring 11:31 – pp – Gary Dornhoefer (1) Wayne Thomas 40 saves / 44 shots Bernie Parent 23 saves / 24 shots April 13 1–3 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/tor-vs-phi/1976/04/13/1975030222#game=1975030222,game_state=final No scoring 15:54 – Dave Schultz (1) Borje Salming (2) – 15:18 04:24 – Ross Lonsberry (1)05:34 – Don Saleski (1) No scoring No scoring Wayne Thomas 24 saves / 27 shots Bernie Parent 31 saves / 32 shots April 15 4–5 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/phi-vs-tor/1976/04/15/1975030223#game=1975030223,game_state=final 08:27 – pp – Scott Garland (1)14:00 – pp – Claire Alexander (1) Bobby Clarke (2) – pp – 12:00 03:25 – pp – Errol Thompson (1)03:54 – pp – Ian Turnbull (1)17:14 – pp – Stan Weir (1) Gary Dornhoefer (2) – 10:58Jimmy Watson (1) – 11:11 No scoring Bill Barber (1) – 15:12 Wayne Thomas 24 saves / 28 shots Bernie Parent 47 saves / 52 shots April 17 3–4 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/phi-vs-tor/1976/04/17/1975030224#game=1975030224,game_state=final 03:11 – pp – Errol Thompson (2) Mel Bridgman (1) – 12:26 16:12 – Borje Salming (3)18:59 – pp – Lanny McDonald (4) No scoring 05:57 – George Ferguson (2) Reggie Leach (2) – 03:55Mel Bridgman (2) – 08:30 Wayne Thomas 25 saves / 28 shots Bernie Parent 24 saves / 28 shots April 20 1–7 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/tor-vs-phi/1976/04/20/1975030225#game=1975030225,game_state=final No scoring 03:55 – Bill Barber (2) Bob Neely (2) – pp – 10:42 10:04 – sh – Don Saleski (2)11:24 – Gary Dornhoefer (3)11:37 – Don Saleski (3) No scoring 04:17 – Don Saleski (4)07:24 – Reggie Leach (3)07:51 – Reggie Leach (4) Wayne Thomas 27 saves / 33 shotsGord McRae 4 saves / 5 shots Bernie Parent 26 saves / 27 shots April 22 5–8 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/phi-vs-tor/1976/04/22/1975030226#game=1975030226,game_state=final 10:41 – pp – Darryl Sittler (1)18:21 – sh – Errol Thompson (3) Orest Kindrachuk (2) – 04:52 10:47 – pp – Darryl Sittler (2)11:19 – Darryl Sittler (3)19:21 – Darryl Sittler (4) Tom Bladon (1) – pp – 16:43Reggie Leach (5) – 16:51 02:06 – Darryl Sittler (5)10:16 – Jack Valiquette (1)15:31 – Claire Alexander (2) Bill Barber (3) – pp – 10:03Larry Goodenough (1) – 14:31 Wayne Thomas 42 saves / 47 shots Bernie Parent 31 saves / 39 shots April 25 3–7 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/tor-vs-phi/1976/04/25/1975030227#game=1975030227,game_state=final Jack Valiquette (2) – 01:24Bob Neely (3) – pp – 18:56 10:05 – pp – Andre Dupont (1) No scoring 04:43 – Don Saleski (5)05:48 – Mel Bridgman (3)06:04 – Mel Bridgman (4)07:59 – pp – Ross Lonsberry (2)19:07 – Reggie Leach (6) Ian Turnbull (2) – 18:24 09:45 – pp – Bill Barber (4) Wayne Thomas 36 saves / 43 shots Bernie Parent 21 saves / 24 shots Philadelphia won series 4–3 (3) Boston Bruins vs. (6) Los Angeles Kings The Boston Bruins finished as the Adams Division regular season champions and third seed overall with 113 points. This was the first playoff series between these two teams. Boston won this year's regular season series earning 8 of 10 points. Los Angeles Kings Boston Bruins The Forum Boston Garden April 11 0–4 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/lak-vs-bos/1976/04/11/1975030231#game=1975030231,game_state=final No scoring 16:34 – pp – Ken Hodge (1)16:57 – pp – Jean Ratelle (1) No scoring 00:52 – sh – Dave Forbes (1) No scoring 06:15 – pp – Jean Ratelle (2) Rogie Vachon 19 saves / 23 shots Gilles Gilbert 21 saves / 21 shots April 13 3–2 1 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/lak-vs-bos/1976/04/13/1975030232#game=1975030232,game_state=final No scoring 05:53 – Jean Ratelle (3) Marcel Dionne (1) – 3:08 14:31 – pp – Johnny Bucyk (1) Marcel Dionne (2) – pp – 06:53 No scoring Butch Goring (1) – pp – 00:27 No scoring Gary Edwards 28 saves / 30 shots Gerry Cheevers 20 saves / 23 shots April 15 4–6 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/bos-vs-lak/1976/04/15/1975030233#game=1975030233,game_state=final 09:23 – pp – Mike Murphy (1)16:17 – Marcel Dionne (3) Gregg Sheppard (1) – 05:02Brad Park (1) – 07:37 02:21 – pp – Marcel Dionne (4) Don Marcotte (1) – pp – 16:58 02:51 – Marcel Dionne (5)08:13 – Don Kozak (1)12:57 – Bob Nevin (2) Dallas Smith (1) – 15:33 Rogie Vachon 27 saves / 31 shots Gilles Gilbert 28 saves/ 34 shots April 17 3–0 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/bos-vs-lak/1976/04/17/1975030234#game=1975030234,game_state=final No scoring Gregg Sheppard (2) – pp – 17:28 No scoring Jean Ratelle (4) – 03:52 No scoring Don Marcotte (2) – 18:49 Rogie Vachon 25 saves / 27 shots Gerry Cheevers 27 saves / 27 shots April 20 1–7 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/lak-vs-bos/1976/04/20/1975030235#game=1975030235,game_state=final Marcel Dionne (6) – pp – 06:39 17:41 – Don Marcotte (3) No scoring 00:55 – Bobby Schmautz (1)06:31 – pp – Ken Hodge (2)13:52 – sh – Brad Park (2)16:12 – pp – Jean Ratelle (5) No scoring 09:03 – pp – Brad Park (3)10:46 – Terry O'Reilly (1) Gary Edwards 33 saves / 40 shots Gerry Cheevers 19 saves / 20 shots April 22 3–4 1 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/bos-vs-lak/1976/04/22/1975030236#game=1975030236,game_state=final No scoring No scoring 00:21 – Tom Williams (2) Bobby Schmautz (2) – 01:00Darryl Edestrand (1) – 16:14Gregg Sheppard (3) – 19:45 10:50 – Mike Corrigan (1)17:48 – Mike Corrigan (2) No scoring 18:28 – Butch Goring (2) No scoring Rogie Vachon 24 saves / 27 shots Gerry Cheevers 32 saves / 36 shots April 25 0–3 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/lak-vs-bos/1976/04/25/1975030237#game=1975030237,game_state=final No scoring No scoring No scoring 09:42 – pp – Jean Ratelle (6)12:21 – pp – Ken Hodge (3) No scoring 06:16 – Jean Ratelle (7) Rogie Vachon 35 saves / 38 shots Gilles Gilbert 15 saves / 15 shots Boston won series 4–3 (4) Buffalo Sabres vs. (5) New York Islanders This was the first playoff series between these two teams. The teams split this year's four-game regular season series. In game five, the Islanders scored two goals in the final five minutes, including the game-winner by Bert Marshall with 19 seconds left to take a 3–2 series lead. Clark Gilles scored the game-winner with just over 14 minutes left in the third period of game six to send the Isles to the semifinals against the Canadiens. New York Islanders Buffalo Sabres Nassau Coliseum Buffalo Memorial Auditorium April 11 3–5 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyi-vs-buf/1976/04/11/1975030241#game=1975030241,game_state=final No scoring 05:37 – Rene Robert (1)15:30 – Gilbert Perreault (2) Billy Harris (2) – 12:43 00:19 – Don Luce (2)16:28 – pp – Rick Martin (2) Bob Nystrom (2) – pp – 06:19Garry Howatt (2) – 16:37 07:26 – Rene Robert (2) Chico Resch 18 saves / 22 shotsBilly Smith 3 saves/ 4 shots Gerry Desjardins 19 saves / 22 shots April 13 2–3 1 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyi-vs-buf/1976/04/13/1975030242#game=1975030242,game_state=final No scoring 10:27 – Brian Spencer (1) No scoring 02:05 – Don Luce (3) Denis Potvin (1) – pp – 13:07J.P. Parise (2) – 18:55 No scoring No scoring 14:04 – Danny Gare (3) Billy Smith 40 saves / 43 shots Gerry Desjardins 27 saves / 29 shots April 15 3–5 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/buf-vs-nyi/1976/04/15/1975030243#game=1975030243,game_state=final 03:23 – Billy Harris (3)07:17 – Jude Drouin (1) No scoring 12:39 – J.P. Parise (3) Gilbert Perreault (3) – 11:34Don Luce (4) – 19:55 11:04 – Bill MacMillan (2)11:39 – Billy Harris (4) Rick Martin (3) – pp – 08:50 Billy Smith 25 saves / 28 shots Gerry Desjardins 32 saves / 37 shots April 17 2–4 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/buf-vs-nyi/1976/04/17/1975030244#game=1975030244,game_state=final 02:08 – pp – Denis Potvin (2) Rene Robert (3) – 05:25 13:00 – Garry Howatt (3)18:02 – Denis Potvin (3)18:44 – Billy Harris (5) No scoring No scoring Danny Gare (4) – 12:31 Billy Smith 27 saves / 29 shots Gerry Desjardins 19 saves / 23 shots April 20 4–3 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyi-vs-buf/1976/04/20/1975030245#game=1975030245,game_state=final Andre St. Laurent (1) – 07:40J.P. Parise (4) – pp – 14:10 05:37 – Rick Martin (4)06:57 – Danny Gare (5) No scoring No scoring Denis Potvin (4) – 15:32Bert Marshall (1) – 19:41 10:16 – Jim Lorentz (1) Billy Smith 21 saves / 24 shots Gerry Desjardins 26 saves / 30 shots April 22 2–3 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/buf-vs-nyi/1976/04/22/1975030246#game=1975030246,game_state=final 07:45 – Jude Drouin (2) No scoring 13:07 – pp – Ed Westfall (1) Gilbert Perreault (4) – 04:42 05:58 – Clark Gillies (2) Jerry Korab (1) – 4:09 Billy Smith 15 saves / 17 shots Gerry Desjardins 26 saves / 29 shots New York won series 4–2 Semifinals (1) Montreal Canadiens vs. (4) New York Islanders This was the first playoff series meeting between these two teams. New York Islanders Montreal Canadiens Nassau Coliseum Montreal Forum April 27 2–3 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyi-vs-mtl/1976/04/27/1975030311#game=1975030311,game_state=final No scoring No scoring Ed Westfall (2) – 03:40 08:05 – Steve Shutt (1) Bill MacMillan (3) – 06:59 13:18 – Larry Robinson (2)14:44 – Yvan Cournoyer (2) Billy Smith 26 saves / 29 shots Ken Dryden 15 saves / 17 shots April 29 3–4 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyi-vs-mtl/1976/04/29/1975030312#game=1975030312,game_state=final No scoring 02:46 – Bob Gainey (1)04:06 – Steve Shutt (2) Jude Drouin (3) – pp – 16:33 06:23 – pp – Guy Lapointe (1) Ralph Stewart (1) – pp – 04:34Jude Drouin (4) – 08:14 02:42 – Serge Savard (2) Billy Smith 17 saves / 21 shotsChico Resch 6 saves / 6 shots Ken Dryden 38 saves / 41 shots May 1 3–2 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/mtl-vs-nyi/1976/05/01/1975030313#game=1975030313,game_state=final 11:29 – Garry Howatt (4)12:44 – Bryan Trottier (1) No scoring No scoring No scoring No scoring Guy Lapointe (2) – 03:29Jimmy Roberts (2) – sh – 11:50Yvon Lambert (2) – 16:12 Chico Resch 30 saves / 33 shots Ken Dryden 33 saves / 35 shots May 4 2–5 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/mtl-vs-nyi/1976/05/04/1975030314#game=1975030314,game_state=final 06:55 – Jude Drouin (5)07:30 – Denis Potvin (5) No scoring 05:53 – Jude Drouin (6)13:29 – Bill MacMillan (4) No scoring 19:14 – pp-en – Lorne Henning (2) Guy Lafleur (4) – 17:21Guy Lafleur (5) – 18:26 Chico Resch 36 saves / 38 shots Ken Dryden 28 saves / 32 shots May 6 2–5 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyi-vs-mtl/1976/05/06/1975030315#game=1975030315,game_state=final No scoring No scoring Garry Howatt (5) – 11:51 02:38 – Steve Shutt (3)10:29 – Murray Wilson (1)19:01 – pp – Serge Savard (3) Bob Nystrom (3) – 16:30 14:47 – pp – Peter Mahovlich (3)17:10 – Steve Shutt (4) Chico Resch 28 saves / 33 shots Ken Dryden 21 saves / 23 shots Montreal won series 4–1 (2) Philadelphia Flyers vs. (3) Boston Bruins This was the second playoff series meeting between these two teams. Philadelphia won the only previous meeting in a major upset in the 1974 Stanley Cup Finals in six games. Boston Bruins Philadelphia Flyers Boston Garden Spectrum April 27 4–2 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/bos-vs-phi/1976/04/27/1975030321#game=1975030321,game_state=final Gary Doak (1) – 07:45 18:45 – Orest Kindrachuk (3) Ken Hodge (4) – pp – 12:09 15:10 – pp – Reggie Leach (7) Dallas Smith (2) – 04:29Gregg Sheppard (4) – 06:17 No scoring Gilles Gilbert 25 saves / 27 shots Bernie Parent 20 saves / 24 shots April 29 1–2 1 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/bos-vs-phi/1976/04/29/1975030322#game=1975030322,game_state=final No scoring 08:20 – Don Saleski (6) No scoring No scoring Johnny Bucyk (2) – pp – 13:17 No scoring No scoring 13:38 – Reggie Leach (8) Gerry Cheevers 36 saves / 38 shots Wayne Stephenson 32 saves / 33 shots May 2 5–2 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/phi-vs-bos/1976/05/02/1975030323#game=1975030323,game_state=final 11:09 – pp – Jean Ratelle (8) Ross Lonsberry (3) – 05:26 13:56 – Wayne Cashman (1) Bill Barber (5) – 19:11 No scoring Mel Bridgman (5) – 02:11Reggie Leach (9) – 07:02Tom Bladon (2) – 14:30 Gilles Gilbert 21 saves / 26 shots Wayne Stephenson 26 saves / 28 shots May 4 4–2 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/phi-vs-bos/1976/05/04/1975030324#game=1975030324,game_state=final 11:49 – Terry O'Reilly (2)19:39 – Terry O'Reilly (3) Mel Bridgman (6) – 18:31 No scoring Reggie Leach (10) – 00:23 No scoring Orest Kindrachuk (4) – 02:59Joe Watson (1) – 17:59 Gerry Cheevers 21 saves / 25 shots Wayne Stephenson 27 saves / 29 shots May 6 3–6 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/bos-vs-phi/1976/05/06/1975030325#game=1975030325,game_state=final No scoring 05:45 – Reggie Leach (11) Gregg Sheppard (5) – 00:59 02:02 – Reggie Leach (12)08:51 – Reggie Leach (13)17:09 – Reggie Leach (14) Don Marcotte (4) – 06:09Andre Savard (1) – 17:57 08:07 – Reggie Leach (15)17:13 – Larry Goodenough (2) Gilles Gilbert 15 saves / 21 shots Wayne Stephenson 25 saves / 28 shots Philadelphia won series 4–1 Stanley Cup Finals 1976 Stanley Cup Finals This was the second playoff series (and only Finals) meeting between these two teams. Montreal won the only previous meeting in the 1973 Stanley Cup Semifinals in five games. The two-time defending Stanley Cup Champions, the Philadelphia Flyers, once again made it to the finals, but were swept in four games by the Montreal Canadiens. Philadelphia Flyers Montreal Canadiens Spectrum Montreal Forum May 9 3–4 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/phi-vs-mtl/1976/05/09/1975030411#game=1975030411,game_state=final Reggie Leach (16) – 00:21Ross Lonsberry (4) – 13:22 No scoring No scoring 04:04 – Jim Roberts (3)06:30 – Larry Robinson (3) Larry Goodenough (3) – pp – 05:17 10:02 – Jacques Lemaire (2)18:38 – Guy Lapointe (3) Wayne Stephenson 32 saves / 36 shots Ken Dryden 17 saves / 20 shots May 11 1–2 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/phi-vs-mtl/1976/05/11/1975030412#game=1975030412,game_state=final No scoring No scoring No scoring 15:19 – sh – Jacques Lemaire (3) Dave Schultz (2) – 17:35 02:41 – Guy Lafleur (6) Wayne Stephenson 17 saves / 19 shots Ken Dryden 25 saves / 26 shots May 13 3–2 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/mtl-vs-phi/1976/05/13/1975030413#game=1975030413,game_state=final 08:40 – pp – Reggie Leach (17)18:14 – Reggie Leach (18) Steve Shutt (5) – pp – 03:17 No scoring Steve Shutt (6) – pp – 01:09 No scoring Pierre Bouchard (1) – 09:16 Wayne Stephenson 22 saves / 25 shots Ken Dryden 20 saves / 22 shots May 16 5–3 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/mtl-vs-phi/1976/05/16/1975030414#game=1975030414,game_state=final 00:40 – Reggie Leach (19)18:20 – pp – Bill Barber (6) Steve Shutt (7) – pp – 05:35Pierre Bouchard (2) – pp – 11:48 13:59 – pp – Anrde Dupont (2) Yvan Cournoyer (3) – pp – 19:49 No scoring Guy Lafleur (7) – 14:18Peter Mahovlich (4) – 15:16 Wayne Stephenson 25 saves / 30 shots Ken Dryden 21 saves / 24 shots Montreal won series 4–0 Awards 1976 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) Rod Gilbert, New York RangersCalder Memorial Trophy:(Top first-year player) Bryan Trottier, New York IslandersConn Smythe Trophy:(Most valuable player, playoffs) Reggie Leach, Philadelphia FlyersHart Memorial Trophy:(Most valuable player, regular season) Bobby Clarke, Philadelphia FlyersJack Adams Award:(Best coach) Don Cherry, Boston BruinsJames Norris Memorial Trophy:(Best defenceman) Denis Potvin, New York IslandersLady Byng Memorial Trophy:(Excellence and sportsmanship) Jean Ratelle, New York Rangers/Boston BruinsLester B. Pearson Award:(Outstanding player, regular season) Guy Lafleur, Montreal CanadiensVezina Trophy:(Goaltender(s) of team(s) with best goaltending record) Ken Dryden, Montreal Canadiens All-Star teams First Team   Position   Second TeamKen Dryden, Montreal Canadiens GGlenn Resch, New York IslandersDenis Potvin, New York Islanders DBorje Salming, Toronto Maple LeafsBrad Park, Boston Bruins/New York Rangers DGuy Lapointe, Montreal CanadiensBobby Clarke, Philadelphia Flyers CGilbert Perreault, Buffalo SabresGuy Lafleur, Montreal Canadiens RWReggie Leach, Philadelphia FlyersBill Barber, Philadelphia Flyers LWRick Martin, Buffalo Sabres Player statistics Scoring leaders Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points Player Team GP G A Pts PIM Guy Lafleur Montreal Canadiens 80 56 69 125 36 Bobby Clarke Philadelphia Flyers 76 30 89 119 136 Gilbert Perreault Buffalo Sabres 80 44 69 113 36 Bill Barber Philadelphia Flyers 80 50 62 112 104 Pierre Larouche Pittsburgh Penguins 76 53 58 111 33 Jean Ratelle New York Rangers/Boston Bruins 80 36 69 105 18 Pete Mahovlich Montreal Canadiens 80 34 71 105 76 Jean Pronovost Pittsburgh Penguins 80 52 52 104 24 Darryl Sittler Toronto Maple Leafs 79 41 59 100 90 Syl Apps Jr. Pittsburgh Penguins 80 32 67 99 24 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 62 3580 121 2.03 42 10 8 8Chico Resch N.Y. Islanders 44 2546 88 2.07 23 11 8 7Dan Bouchard Atlanta Flames 47 2671 113 2.54 19 17 8 2Wayne Stephenson Philadelphia Flyers 66 3819 164 2.58 40 10 13 1Billy Smith N.Y. Islanders 39 2254 98 2.61 19 10 9 3Gilles Gilbert Boston Bruins 55 3123 151 2.90 33 8 10 3Tony Esposito Chicago Black Hawks 68 4003 198 2.97 30 23 13 4Rogatien Vachon L.A. Kings 51 3060 160 3.14 26 20 5 5Wayne Thomas Toronto Maple Leafs 64 3684 196 3.19 28 24 12 2Gary Simmons California Golden Seals 40 2360 131 3.33 15 19 5 2 Other statistics Plus-minus: Bobby Clarke, Philadelphia Flyers Coaches Patrick Division Atlanta Flames: Fred Creighton New York Islanders: Al Arbour New York Rangers: Ron Stewart and John Ferguson Sr. Philadelphia Flyers: Fred Shero Adams Division Boston Bruins: Don Cherry Buffalo Sabres: Floyd Smith California Golden Seals: Jack Evans Toronto Maple Leafs: Red Kelly Norris Division Detroit Red Wings: Alex Delvecchio Los Angeles Kings: Bob Pulford Montreal Canadiens: Scotty Bowman Pittsburgh Penguins: Marc Boileau and Ken Schinkel Washington Capitals: Milt Schmidt and Tom McVie Smythe Division Chicago Black Hawks: Billy Reay Kansas City Scouts: Bep Guidolin, Sid Abel and Eddie Bush Minnesota North Stars: Ted Harris St. Louis Blues: Garry Young, Lynn Patrick and Leo Boivin Vancouver Canucks: Phil Maloney Debuts The following is a list of players of note who played their first NHL game in 1975–76 (listed with their first team, asterisk(*) marks debut in playoffs): Willi Plett, Atlanta Flames Dennis Maruk, California Golden Seals Bob Murray, Chicago Blackhawks Gary Sargent, Los Angeles Kings Doug Jarvis, Montreal Canadiens Doug Risebrough, Montreal Canadiens Bryan Trottier, New York Islanders Mel Bridgman, Philadelphia Flyers Last games The following is a list of players of note that played their last game in the NHL in 1975–76 (listed with their last team): Gary Bergman, Kansas City Scouts Bryan Hextall Jr., Minnesota North Stars Chico Maki, Chicago Black Hawks Bob Nevin, Los Angeles Kings Noel Price, Atlanta Flames Mickey Redmond, Detroit Red Wings Bill White, Chicago Black Hawks Terry Crisp, Philadelphia Flyers Andre Boudrias, Vancouver Canucks Tommy Williams, Washington Capitals NOTE: Boudrias finished his major professional career in the World Hockey Association. Broadcasting Hockey Night in Canada on CBC Television televised Saturday night regular season games and Stanley Cup playoff games. This was the last season that HNIC aired both radio and television broadcasts of games; the broadcasts would become exclusive to television the next season. This was also the last season that CTV regularly aired HNIC-produced Wednesday night regular season game telecasts before the network started to give the rights to these midweek games back to local stations. CBC did not televise any opening round playoff games this postseason, selling those rights back to the individual Canadian teams. Unable to sign a U.S. national television contract, the league put together a broadcast syndication package called the NHL Network to have games aired on various American independent stations. The 1976 Stanley Cup Finals on the NHL Network marked the first time that the NHL's championship series was nationally televised in its entirety in the United States. On January 4, 1976, CBS decided to televise the Soviet Wings–Buffalo Sabres Super Series game nationally in the U.S., but that was the network's only involvement in broadcasting an NHL team this season. See also List of Stanley Cup champions 1975 NHL amateur draft 1975–76 NHL transactions 29th National Hockey League All-Star Game National Hockey League All-Star Game List of WHA seasons Lester Patrick Trophy Ice hockey at the 1976 Winter Olympics 1975 in sports 1976 in sports Notes 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 1975 1L Category:1975–76 in American ice hockey by league