1939–40 Boston Bruins season

1939–40 Boston Bruins
Division	1st NHL
1939–40 record	31–12–5
Goals for	170 (1st)
Goals against	98 (2nd)
Team information
General manager	Art Ross
Coach	Cooney Weiland
Captain	Dit Clapper
Arena	Boston Garden
Team leaders
Goals	Milt Schmidt Woody Dumart (22)
Assists	Milt Schmidt (30)
Points	Milt Schmidt (52)
Penalty minutes	Jack Shewchuk (55)
Wins	Frank Brimsek (31)
Goals against average	Frank Brimsek (2.04)

The 1939–40 Boston Bruins season was the Boston Bruins' sixteenth season of operation in the National Hockey League. The Bruins finished first overall, winning their third straight (and 9th overall) Prince of Wales Trophy. Injuries hampered the Bruins in the playoffs and they could not repeat as Stanley Cup champions, losing in the Semi-finals to the New York Rangers 4 games to 2.

Pre-season

All-Star team for the Babe Siebert Memorial game, October 29, 1939.

The tragic death of Babe Siebert in a drowning accident led to a memorial game at the Montreal Forum on October 29, 1939. The game raised over $15,000 to benefit Siebert's wife, who was paralyzed after giving birth to their second daughter. The Bruins Frank Brimsek, Eddie Shore, Dit Clapper and Bobby Bauer played for the All-Stars who beat the Montreal Canadiens 5-2.

Regular Season

Mel Hill wearing the 1939-40 jersey.

The Bruins continued with the uniforms adopted for the 1939 Stanley Cup Finals with gold added to the black on the shoulder yokes, stripes added to the pants and the socks pattern that would last nearly three decades. Black numbers remained on the jersey front and back with a black block "B" on the arms.

After purchasing the Springfield Indians, All-Star Eddie Shore agreed to play for the Bruins for $200 per game. He played his last game for the Bruins on December 5, 1939 against the New York Americans, the team he'd be traded to. The Bruins won 2-1 with Shore scoring the tying goal before Roy Conacher won it.

Before the December 19, 1939 game at Boston versus the Toronto Maple Leafs, Conn Smythe put an ad in the Boston Globe which stated "Attention Hockey Fans! If you're tired of seeing the kind of hockey the Boston Bruins are playing, come to the Garden tonight and see a real hockey club, the Toronto Maple Leafs." The Bruins won 3-2 in overtime.

The Bruins edged the Rangers for first place by beating and tying them in the last three games of the season. Bruins Milt Schmidt, Woody Dumart, Bobby Bauer and Bill Cowley finish 1-2-3-4 in league scoring for the first time in NHL history. This has only happened two other times, in the 1970–71 Boston Bruins season by Phil Esposito, Bobby Orr, John Bucyk and Ken Hodge and in the 1973–74 Boston Bruins season by Esposito, Orr, Hodge and Wayne Cashman.

Final Standings

National Hockey League

	GP	W	L	T	GF	GA	PIM	Pts
Boston Bruins	48	31	12	5	170	98	330	67
New York Rangers	48	27	11	10	136	77	520	64
Toronto Maple Leafs	48	25	17	6	134	110	485	56
Chicago Black Hawks	48	23	19	6	112	120	351	52
Detroit Red Wings	48	16	26	6	90	126	250	38
New York Americans	48	15	29	4	106	140	236	34
Montreal Canadiens	48	10	33	5	90	167	338	25

Note: GP = Games Played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, GF = Goals For, GA = Goals Against, PIM = Penalty Minutes, Pts = Points
Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold.

Game Log

Regular Season Results
No.	R	Date	Score	Opponent	Record
1	L	November 4, 1939	0–5	@ Toronto Maple Leafs (1939–40)	0–1–0
2	L	November 12, 1939	1–2	@ Detroit Red Wings (1939–40)	0–2–0
3	W	November 14, 1939	3–1 OT	Chicago Black Hawks (1939–40)	1–2–0
4	T	November 16, 1939	3–3 OT	@ Montreal Canadiens (1939–40)	1–2–1
5	W	November 19, 1939	2–0	@ Chicago Black Hawks (1939–40)	2–2–1
6	L	November 21, 1939	1–2	Montreal Canadiens (1939–40)	2–3–1
7	T	November 26, 1939	2–2 OT	New York Rangers (1939–40)	2–3–2
8	W	November 28, 1939	6–2	Toronto Maple Leafs (1939–40)	3–3–2
9	W	December 3, 1939	6–2	@ New York Americans (1939–40)	4–3–2
10	W	December 5, 1939	2–1	New York Americans (1939–40)	5–3–2
11	W	December 8, 1939	3–0	@ Detroit Red Wings (1939–40)	6–3–2
12	L	December 10, 1939	2–3	@ New York Rangers (1939–40)	6–4–2
13	W	December 12, 1939	3–1	Detroit Red Wings (1939–40)	7–4–2
14	T	December 14, 1939	1–1 OT	@ Toronto Maple Leafs (1939–40)	7–4–3
15	W	December 17, 1939	4–2	@ Chicago Black Hawks (1939–40)	8–4–3
16	W	December 19, 1939	3–2 OT	Toronto Maple Leafs (1939–40)	9–4–3
17	W	December 21, 1939	3–2	@ Montreal Canadiens (1939–40)	10–4–3
18	W	December 24, 1939	3–2	@ New York Americans (1939–40)	11–4–3
19	W	December 25, 1939	6–3	Chicago Black Hawks (1939–40)	12–4–3
20	L	December 29, 1939	0–4	@ New York Rangers (1939–40)	12–5–3
21	W	December 31, 1939	6–1	Montreal Canadiens (1939–40)	13–5–3
22	L	January 2, 1940	4–6	New York Rangers (1939–40)	13–6–3
23	W	January 7, 1940	6–2	New York Americans (1939–40)	14–6–3
24	W	January 9, 1940	3–1	Detroit Red Wings (1939–40)	15–6–3
25	W	January 11, 1940	5–2	@ Toronto Maple Leafs (1939–40)	16–6–3
26	W	January 14, 1940	4–2	Montreal Canadiens (1939–40)	17–6–3
27	W	January 16, 1940	6–1	@ Montreal Canadiens (1939–40)	18–6–3
28	L	January 21, 1940	2–4	@ New York Rangers (1939–40)	18–7–3
29	W	January 23, 1940	4–1	Toronto Maple Leafs (1939–40)	19–7–3
30	T	January 25, 1940	2–2 OT	@ Chicago Black Hawks (1939–40)	19–7–4
31	L	January 28, 1940	2–4	@ Detroit Red Wings (1939–40)	19–8–4
32	W	January 30, 1940	5–0	Chicago Black Hawks (1939–40)	20–8–4
33	W	February 4, 1940	7–1	New York Americans (1939–40)	21–8–4
34	W	February 6, 1940	6–2	New York Rangers (1939–40)	22–8–4
35	W	February 11, 1940	4–2	@ New York Americans (1939–40)	23–8–4
36	W	February 13, 1940	10–3	Detroit Red Wings (1939–40)	24–8–4
37	W	February 20, 1940	5–0	Toronto Maple Leafs (1939–40)	25–8–4
38	L	February 24, 1940	1–3	@ Toronto Maple Leafs (1939–40)	25–9–4
39	L	February 25, 1940	1–3	@ Chicago Black Hawks (1939–40)	25–10–4
40	W	February 27, 1940	6–0	Chicago Black Hawks (1939–40)	26–10–4
41	W	February 29, 1940	4–2	@ Montreal Canadiens (1939–40)	27–10–4
42	L	March 3, 1940	3–6	@ Detroit Red Wings (1939–40)	27–11–4
43	W	March 5, 1940	7–2	Detroit Red Wings (1939–40)	28–11–4
44	W	March 7, 1940	2–1	@ New York Americans (1939–40)	29–11–4
45	L	March 9, 1940	2–4	New York Americans (1939–40)	29–12–4
46	W	March 12, 1940	2–1	New York Rangers (1939–40)	30–12–4
47	T	March 14, 1940	0–0 OT	@ New York Rangers (1939–40)	30–12–5
48	W	March 17, 1940	7–2	Montreal Canadiens (1939–40)	31–12–5

Playoffs

New York Rangers 4, Boston Bruins 2

The league's two best teams met in the second round of the playoffs, both teams having received byes in the first round. The Bruins lost 4 players to injury during the series. The Rangers held league leading scorer Milt Schmidt off the score sheet for the series and won 4-2, with goalie Dave Kerr posting three shutouts. The Rangers would go on to the beat the Leafs in the Finals.

Game 1 at Madison Square Garden was dominated by the Rangers. After Phil Watson put the Rangers up 1-0 in the second period, the "Bread Line" of Alex Shibicky, Neil Colville and Mac Colville took over. Combining for 7 points on a goal by Shibicky and two by Mac, the Rangers blanked the Bruins 4-0 with Dave Kerr earning the shutout.

Game 2 in Boston was special teams battle. A huge brawl in the first period saw seven players in the penalty box after which Mac Colville scored a Shorthanded goal. The Bruins special teams took over in the second period. Power play goals by Flash Hollett and Woody Dumart and a shorthanded goal by Herb Cain spotted them a 3-1 lead. The Rangers Dutch Hiller made it close at 9:56 of the third but Art Jackson sealed the Bruins 4-2 victory with a late goal. The Bruins Mel Hill broke his ankle and was lost for the remainder of the series.

Game 3 in Boston was a close affair with the team trading goals throughout the game. A pair by Eddie Wiseman, who opened the scoring at 7:21 of the first and netted the winner at 7:49 of the third period was the difference as the Bruins took game 3 by a 4-3 score and led in the series 2-1.

Game 4 in New York was a goaltending duel between Frank Brimsek and Kerr with the Rangers prevailing 1-0 on a 40 foot shot by Muzz Patrick at 10:40 of the third period to tie the series 2-2. The Bruins lost defenseman Des Smith to injury for the remainder of the series.

Game 5 in Boston was a repeat of Game 4 but with Babe Pratt scoring the game's only goal at 4:27 of the third period on a two on one with Alex Shibicky. The Bruins Art Jackson broke his ankle in the first period. With 20 seconds left, the Bruins pulled Brimsek for an extra attacker but to no avail. Dit Clapper hurt his ankle at the end of the game and wouldn't play in Game 6.

Game 6 in New York saw the Bruins go ahead 1-0 on a late first period goal by Roy Conacher assisted by Art Jackson's replacement Terry Reardon. But the shorthanded Bruins, playing without Jackson, Des Smith, Mel Hill and Clapper couldn't hold off the Rangers and Alf Pike tied it up in the second period. In the third, Alex Shibicky scored to make it 2-1 and in the process Robert "Red" Hamill took a major penalty for high-sticking and broke Shibicky's nose. The Rangers capitalized on the power play with goals by Clint Smith and Phil Watson to win the series with a 4-1 victory in front of their home town faithful.

#	Date	Visitor	Score	Home	Record
1	March 19	Boston Bruins	0-4	New York Rangers	0-1
2	March 21	New York Rangers	2-4	Boston Bruins	1-1
3	March 24	New York Rangers	3-4	Boston Bruins	1-2
4	March 26	Boston Bruins	0-1	New York Rangers	2-2
5	March 28	New York Rangers	1-0	Boston Bruins	3-2
6	March 30	Boston Bruins	1-4	New York Rangers	2-4

Player Stats

Regular Season

Scoring

#	Player	Pos	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
15	Schmidt, MiltMilt Schmidt	C/D	48	22	30	52	37
14	Dumart, WoodyWoody Dumart	LW	48	22	21	43	16
17	Bauer, BobbyBobby Bauer	RW	48	17	26	43	2
10	Cowley, BillBill Cowley	C	48	13	27	40	24
4	Cain, HerbHerb Cain	LW	48	21	10	31	30
9	Conacher, RoyRoy Conacher	LW	31	18	12	30	9
5	Clapper, DitDit Clapper	RW/D	44	10	18	28	25
12	Hollett, FlashFlash Hollett	D	44	10	18	28	18
18	Jackson, ArtArt Jackson	C	46	7	18	25	6
16	Hill, MelMel Hill	RW	38	9	11	20	19
6, 9	Hamill, RedRed Hamill	LW	30	10	8	18	16
7	Wiseman, EddieEddie Wiseman	RW	18	2	6	8	0
11	Pettinger, GordGord Pettinger	C	24	2	6	8	2
19	Shewchuk, JackJack Shewchuk	D	47	2	4	6	55
6	Crawford, JackJack Crawford	D	35	1	4	5	26
7, 8	Portland, JackJack Portland	D	28	0	5	5	16
8	Smith, DesDes Smith	D	20	2	2	4	23
2	Shore, EddieEddie Shore	D	4	2	1	3	4
16	McReavy, PatPat McReavy	C	2	0	0	0	2
1	Brimsek, FrankFrank Brimsek	G	48	0	0	0	0

Goaltending

Player	MIN	GP	W	L	T	GA	GAA	SO
Brimsek, FrankFrank Brimsek	2950	48	31	12	5	98	1.99	6
Team:	2950	48	31	12	5	98	1.99	6

Playoffs

Scoring

#	Player	Pos	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
4	Cain, HerbHerb Cain	LW	6	1	3	4	2
9	Conacher, RoyRoy Conacher	LW	6	2	1	3	0
7	Wiseman, EddieEddie Wiseman	RW	6	2	1	3	2
12	Hollett, FlashFlash Hollett	D	5	1	2	3	2
18	Jackson, ArtArt Jackson	C	5	1	2	3	0
5	Clapper, DitDit Clapper	RW/D	5	0	2	2	2
17	Bauer, BobbyBobby Bauer	RW	6	1	0	1	2
14	Dumart, WoodyWoody Dumart	LW	6	1	0	1	0
16	Reardon, TerryTerry Reardon	C/RW	1	0	1	1	0
11	Hamill, RedRed Hamill	LW	5	0	1	1	5
10	Cowley, BillBill Cowley	C	6	0	1	1	7
16	Hill, MelMel Hill	RW	3	0	0	0	0
6	Crawford, JackJack Crawford	D	6	0	0	0	0
15	Schmidt, MiltMilt Schmidt	C/D	6	0	0	0	0
19	Shewchuk, JackJack Shewchuk	D	6	0	0	0	0
8	Smith, DesDes Smith	D	6	0	0	0	0
1	Brimsek, FrankFrank Brimsek	G	6	0	0	0	0

Goaltending

Player	MIN	GP	W	L	GA	GAA	SO
Brimsek, FrankFrank Brimsek	360	6	2	4	15	2.50	0
Team:	360	6	2	4	15	2.50	0

Note: Pos = Position; GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; 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

• Prince of Wales Trophy: Boston Bruins (9th win)
• NHL Scoring Leader: Milt Schmidt
• Lady Byng Memorial Trophy: Bobby Bauer (1st win)
• Milt Schmidt, Centre, NHL First Team All-Star
• Dit Clapper, Defence, NHL First Team All-Star
• Bobby Bauer, Right Wing, NHL Second Team All-Star
• Woody Dumart, Left Wing, NHL Second Team All-Star
• Frank Brimsek, Goaltender, NHL Second Team All-Star

Transactions

• Trade Ray Getliffe and Charlie Sands to the Montreal Canadiens for Herb Cain on October 10, 1939.
• Purchase George Brown from the Canadiens for cash on November 29, 1939.
• Trade Eddie Shore to the New York Americans for Eddie Wiseman and cash on January 25, 1940.
• Trade Jack Portland to the Chicago Black Hawks for Des Smith on January 27, 1940.

Trivia

• No Bruins recorded a Hat trick this season.

Gallery

Hill dressing in 1939, showing the paucity of equipment protection.

Bruins' defence 1939-40, Clapper, Crawford, Portland, Shewchuk.

Brimsek stops the Rangers #10 Clint Smith in a 1939 game.

Bruins #4 Herb Cain, #18 Art Jackson, Mel Hill, Canadiens Doug Young, Claude Bourque in 1939-40 action.

Bruins Brimsek, #6 Jack Crawford and #18 Art Jackson defend against Bryan Hextall and #3 Ott Heller of the Rangers. Game 1 of the 1940 Semi-finals, March 19, 1940.

Bruins Brimsek, #6 Jack Crawford holds off Rangers #16 Alf Pike while #8 Des Smith defends against Lynn Patrick. Game 4 of the 1940 Semi-finals, March 26, 1940.

Video

A minute of highlights of the March 19, 1940 Semi-finals Game 1 which the Rangers won 4-0 on their way to winning the Stanley Cup. Second period goals by Phil Watson and Alex Shibicky are shown.

New York Rangers Defeat Boston Bruins in Stanley Cup Quarterfinal Game, Madison Square Garden (1940)

See Also

• 1939–40 NHL season