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 black block "B's" on the arms.
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.
The league's two best teams met in the second round of the playoffs, both teams having received byes in the first round. The Rangers won 4-2, with goalie Dave Kerr posting three shutouts, and 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. After Mac Colville scored a first period Shorthanded goal, the Bruins special teams took over during a penalty-filled 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.
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 third period goal by Muzz Patrick to tie the series 2-2.
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.
Game 6 in New York saw the Bruins go ahead 1-0 on a late first period goal by Roy Conacher. The Rangers responded with four goals by Alf Pike, Alex Shibicky, Clint Smith and Phil Watson to win the series in front of their home town faithful.
Hill dressing in 1939, showing the paucity of equipment protection.
Brimsek stops the Rangers #10 Clint Smith in a 1939 game.
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 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 Semifinals Game 1 which the Rangers won 4-0 on their way to winning the Stanley Cup.
New York Rangers Defeat Boston Bruins in Stanley Cup Quarterfinal Game, Madison Square Garden (1940)