1927–28 New York Rangers season



The 1927–28 New York Rangers season was the 2nd season for the team in the National Hockey League. The Rangers finished 2nd in the American Division with a 19–16–9 record and qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs. In a pair of two-game total goals series, New York defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates and Boston Bruins to advance to the 1928 Stanley Cup Finals, where they faced the Montreal Maroons. The Rangers defeated the Maroons 3 games to 2 to win their first Stanley Cup.

New York Rangers 5 Goals, Boston Bruins 2 Goals
The Bruins gained a first-round bye by virtue of winning the division, and played the New York Rangers in the second round in a two-game, total goal series. Their scoring problems of the regular season continued, exacerbated by a flu bug going through the dressing room and various minor injuries. Eddie Shore, Dit Clapper, Dutch Gainor and Harry Connor were particularly affected.

Boston tied the first game 1-1 in New York, the Rangers' final home game of the playoffs - this was the first of perennial disruptions to the Rangers' playoff schedule due to Madison Square Garden hosting the circus in the spring. The Bruins lost the second match in Boston 4-1, on three Ranger third-period goals as the weakened Brown-and-Gold folded at last, to drop the total-goal series five goals to two. Harry Oliver, who scored a goal in each game, was the sole offensive threat.

New York Rangers 3, Montreal Maroons 2
The circus knocked the Rangers out of Madison Square Garden, and all games were played in the Montreal Forum, even though Boston offered to host the Rangers. The Maroons won Game 1 by 2–0, with Nels Stewart and goaltender Clint Benedict the stars.

Drama took over in Game 2 when Nels Stewart fired a hard shot that struck New York goaltender Lorne Chabot in the eye. He could not continue, and the Rangers needed a goaltender. However, Maroons coach Eddie Gerard refused to let the Rangers use Alex Connell or minor league goaltender Hugh McCormick. Lester Patrick, the Rangers coach, in anger, decided to don the pads himself. The Rangers then checked any Maroon who got near Patrick. Bill Cook scored, putting the Rangers ahead 1–0, but Nels Stewart was not to be denied and scored, tying the game. In overtime, Frank Boucher got the winner for the Rangers and they carried Patrick, tears streaming down his eyes, off the ice. Patrick stopped 17 of 18 shots he faced.

Joe Miller, New York Americans goalie, was allowed to take Chabot's place in goal and he played well in a 2–0 loss in Game 3. However, Frank Boucher starred as the Rangers took the next two games and the Stanley Cup. Drama almost took place in the final game when Miller was badly cut on a shot, but he was able to continue. The crowd became unruly at times and referee Mike Rodden took abuse for disallowed goals by Maroon players.

Awards and Records

 * Lady Byng Memorial Trophy: Frank Boucher