1978–79 Boston Bruins season



The 1978–79 Boston Bruins season was the Bruins' 55th season. The Bruins finished 1st in the Adams Division and lost in the Semi-finals to the Montreal Canadiens 4 games to 3.

Regular Season
Al Secord made his NHL debut with the Bruins during the 1978–79 season.

Quarter-finals
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Boston Bruins Boston wins best-of-seven series 4 games to 0

Semi-finals
Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Canadiens

Game seven of the Montreal-Boston Semi-final is probably one of the most memorable in the history of the NHL. About a minute and a half after Boston's Rick Middleton scored with four minutes remaining in the third period to give the Bruins a 4–3 lead, linesman John D'Amico called a bench minor for too many men on the ice against the Bruins. Montreal's Guy Lafleur scored on the ensuing powerplay, sending the game to overtime where Yvon Lambert gave the Canadiens the win and a trip to their fourth straight Stanley Cup final.

Montreal wins best-of-seven series 4 games to 3


 * The 1979 NHL Playoffs would mark the end of Don Cherry's tenure with the Bruins. Cherry, who had an uneasy relationship with Bruins General Manager Harry Sinden, was fired by the Bruins after a critical coaching mistake during a 1979 semi-final playoff series against the Canadiens. Up by a goal with less than two minutes left in the seventh game, the Bruins were penalized for having too many men on the ice. The Canadiens' Guy Lafleur scored the tying goal on the subsequent powerplay and ultimately won the game in overtime. Montreal went on to defeat the New York Rangers for their fourth straight Cup title.

Regular Season

 * Scoring
 * Goaltending

Playoffs

 * Scoring
 * Goaltending

Note: Pos = Position; GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/- = plus/minus; PIM = Penalty minutes; PPG = Power-play goals; SHG = Short-handed goals; GWG = Game-winning goals

MIN = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GA = Goals-against; GAA = Goals-against average; SO = Shutouts

Awards and Records

 * Lester Patrick Trophy: Bobby Orr

Trivia

 * Bruins who recorded a Hat trick this season include:
 * Jean Ratelle during the 4-3 win over the Montreal Canadiens, Game 4 of the 1979 Stanley Cup Finals, May 3, 1979.
 * Stan Jonathan during the 5-2 win over Montreal, Game 6 of the 1979 Stanley Cup Finals, May 8, 1979.