1937–38 New York Americans season



The 1937–38 New York Americans season was the Americans' 13th season of play. The Americans had the second best season in their history, finishing in 2nd in the Canadian Division. They won in the Quarter-finals over the New York Rangers 2 games to 1 but lost in the Semi-finals to the Chicago Black Hawks 2 games to 1.

Off-season
GM Red Dutton overhauled the Americans during the off-season as he made eight transactions. He acquired defensemen Ching Johnson and Hap Day but most significantly, he traded for goalie Earl Robertson from the Detroit Red Wings on May 9, 1937. Robertson became the Americans starting goalie for the next four seasons and was a Second Team All-Star in the 1938-39 season.

Pre-season
The Americans and the New York Rangers played a seven game series in western Canada:


 * Saturday, October 23 Rangers 2 Americans 2 @ Calgary
 * Tuesday, October 26 Rangers 6 Americans 5 @ Edmonton
 * Wednesday, October 27 Americans 6 Rangers 2 @ Calgary
 * Thursday, October 28 Rangers 3 Americans 1 @ Edmonton
 * Saturday, October 30 Americans 1 Rangers 0 @ Saskatoon (afternoon)
 * Saturday, October 30 Americans 1 Rangers 1 @ Saskatoon (evening)
 * Monday, November 1 Americans 4 Rangers 3 @ Winnipeg

The Americans won 3 wins to 2 with 2 ties.

Regular Season
Boxing Day had the Boston Bruins facing the Americans at MSG. The Bruins had a wide shot margin but after going down 1-0, the Amerks constantly surrounded their net. With two seconds left in the second period, John Gallagher scored on a breakaway, New York's only chance of the middle frame. After Charlie Sands cut the lead to 2-1, Sweeney Schriner potted an empty-netter with a second left for a 3-1 Americans win, ending Boston's five game winning streak.

On March 17, 1938, Nels Stewart became the first player in NHL history to score 300 career goals.

After leading the NHL in assists during the 1934-35 and 1935-36 seasons, Art Chapman returned to form and finished second in the league with 27 assists. Sweeney Schriner's 21 goals was tied for fourth in the league.

Ching Johnson played the last season of his Hall of Fame career. His defensive prowess, along with Hap Day's, was largely responsible for the Americans lowest goals against in the eleven years they played a 48 game season.

Goalie Earl Robertson was the only netminder in the league to play every minute for his team. Robertson was third in both goals against average and shutouts.

New York Americans 2, New York Rangers 1
The Americans won Game 1 in double overtime and Game 3 in quadruple overtime with Lorne Carr scoring the series winning goal.

Regular Season

 * Scoring
 * Goaltending

Playoffs

 * Scoring
 * Goaltending

Awards and Records

 * The Americans did not win any awards this season.

Transactions

 * Trade John Doran and cash to the New York Rangers for Earl Robertson on May 9, 1937.
 * Purchase Hap Day from the Toronto Maple Leafs on September 23, 1937.
 * Purchase Charlie Mason from the Rangers on October 7, 1937.
 * Purchase John Gallagher from the Detroit Red Wings on October 7, 1937.
 * Trade Wally Stanowski to Toronto for Jack Shill on October 17, 1937.
 * Sell Ossie Asmundson to the Montreal Canadiens on October 28, 1937.
 * Purchase Hooley Smith from the Boston Bruins on November 5, 1937.
 * Purchase Glenn Brydson from the Chicago Black Hawks on January 9, 1938.
 * Trade Joe Lamb (with right of recall) to Detroit for Jack Beattie on January 24, 1938.
 * Sell Jack Shill to Chicago on January 26, 1938.

Trivia

 * Americans who recorded a hat trick this season include:
 * Nels Stewart during the 3-3 tie with the Boston Bruins on November 28, 1937.

Video
Action from Game 1 of the 1938 Quarter-finals Rangers-Americans game on March 22, 1938. Two different views of a goal by Jack Beattie which tied the game in the second period are shown. The Americans won 2-1 in double overtime on a goal by John Sorrell.