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The '''1968-69 NHL season''' was the 52nd [[season]] of the [[National Hockey League]]. Twelve teams each played 76 games (two more than in 1967-68). For the second time in a row, the [[Montreal Canadiens]] faced the [[1968–69 St. Louis Blues season|St. Louis Blues]] in the [[Stanley Cup]] finals. Montreal won for their second Stanley Cup in a row as they swept the Blues in four, which was the exact same result of the previous season.
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The '''1968-69 NHL season''' was the 52nd [[season]] of the [[National Hockey League]]. Twelve teams each played 76 games (two more than in 1967-68). For the second time in a row, the [[1968–69 Montreal Canadiens season|Montreal Canadiens]] faced the [[1968–69 St. Louis Blues season|St. Louis Blues]] in the [[Stanley Cup]] finals. Montreal won for their second Stanley Cup in a row as they swept the Blues in four, which was the exact same result of the previous season.
   
 
==Regular Season==
 
==Regular Season==
  +
[[File:1968-Nov7-Favell-Berenson-Gendron.jpg|thumb|[[Red Berenson]] scores the 2nd of 6 goals, November 7, 1968.]]
Prior to this season no player had ever achieved 100 points in a season. This season saw not just one player reach 100, but three. The [[Boston Bruins]]' [[Phil Esposito]] led the way with 49 goals, 77 assists for an astounding new record of 126 points. [[Bobby Hull]] of [[Chicago Black Hawks|Chicago]] set a new record for goals with 58 and came in second in overall scoring with 107. Forty-one year old [[Gordie Howe]] came in third with 103 points.
+
Prior to this season no player had ever achieved 100 points in a season. This season saw not just one player reach 100, but three. The [[1968–69 Boston Bruins season|Boston Bruins]]' [[Phil Esposito]] led the way with 49 goals, 77 assists for an astounding new record of 126 points. [[Bobby Hull]] of [[1968–69 Chicago Black Hawks season|Chicago]] set a new record for goals with 58 and came in second in overall scoring with 107. Forty-one year old [[Gordie Howe]] came in third with 103 points.
   
[[Red Berenson]] of St. Louis tied an NHL record, scoring six goals for the Blues in an 8-0 conquest of the Philadelphia Flyers November 7th. [[Doug Favell]] was the victim of the goals.
+
[[Red Berenson]] of St. Louis tied an NHL record, scoring six goals for the Blues in an 8-0 conquest of the [[1968–69 Philadelphia Flyers season|Philadelphia Flyers]] on November 7, 1968. [[Doug Favell]] was the victim of the goals.
   
  +
[[File:1968-Dec4-Howe 700th.jpg|thumb|[[Gordie Howe]] scores his 700th career goal, December 4, 1968.]]
Despite finishing last in the West Division, Minnesota came up with a fine rookie left wing
 
in [[Danny Grant]], who tied [[Nels Stewart]]'s record for most goals by a rookie with 34.
+
Despite finishing last in the West Division, [[1968–69 Minnesota North Stars season|Minnesota]] came up with a fine rookie left wing in [[Danny Grant]], who tied [[Nels Stewart]]'s record for most goals by a rookie with 34. Norm Ferguson of [[1968–69 Oakland Seals season|Oakland ]] also tied the mark with 34.
  +
Norm Ferguson of Oakland also tied the mark with 34.
 
  +
[[Gordie Howe]] scored the 700th goal of his career during the 7-2 win over the [[1968–69 Pittsburgh Penguins season|Pittsburgh Penguins]] on December 4, 1968.
   
 
[[File:Williams_knee_injury-14Dec1968.gif|thumb|[[Howie Young]] ends [[Tom Williams (1940)|Tom Williams']] season, December 14, 1968.]]
 
[[File:Williams_knee_injury-14Dec1968.gif|thumb|[[Howie Young]] ends [[Tom Williams (1940)|Tom Williams']] season, December 14, 1968.]]
Line 14: Line 16:
   
 
[[File:Phil_scores_on_Tony-22Dec1968.gif|thumb|[[Phil Esposito]] scores on brother [[Tony Esposito|Tony]], December 22, 1968.]]
 
[[File:Phil_scores_on_Tony-22Dec1968.gif|thumb|[[Phil Esposito]] scores on brother [[Tony Esposito|Tony]], December 22, 1968.]]
  +
With [[Gump Worsley]] out of the line-up due to nervous exhaustion, [[Tony Esposito]] played his first NHL game in relief of [[Rogatien Vachon]] during the Canadiens 5-4 loss to the [[1968–69 Oakland Seals season|Oakland Seals]] on November 29, 1968. Vachon broke his hand during Montreal's 3-1 win over the [[1968–69 Chicago Black Hawks season|Chicago Black Hawks]] on December 1, 1968 and [[Ernie Wakely]] played his only game of the season on December 4, 1968 during the Canadiens 4-2 loss to the [[1968–69 New York Rangers season|New York Rangers]]. Tony Esposito started his first NHL game on December 5 against his brother [[Phil Esposito]] and the [[1968–69 Boston Bruins season|Boston Bruins]]. The game ended in a 2-2 tie with Phil scoring both goals. The Esposito brothers faced each other twice more during December, a 0-0 tie on December 21, and a 7-5 Bruins win on December 22 where Phil scored twice more. Tony played 11 more games during the season with a 5-4-4 record.
On December 21st, with [[Gump Worsley]] out because of a nervous breakdown and
 
  +
[[Rogie Vachon]] out with a broken hand, rookie goaltender [[Tony Esposito]] of the Canadiens
 
 
Los Angeles introduced a fine rookie goaltender named [[Gerry Desjardins]] who did a fine job for the ailing [[Wayne Rutledge]], who was bothered by a groin injuries most of the season. Desjardins recorded 4 shutouts during the season in helping the Kings make the playoffs and win their first round series over Oakland.
and [[Gerry Cheevers]] of the Bruins hooked up in a classic scoreless tie. Esposito made
 
  +
41 saves, many of the stellar variety, against [[Johnny McKenzie]], [[Fred Stanfield]],
 
[[Ron Murphy]] and big brother [[Phil Esposito|Phil]]. Cheevers made 34 saves, including breakaways by [[Henri Richard]] and [[Bobby Rousseau]], and a labeled backhand by [[Jean Beliveau]] on a three on one break. The Esposito brothers faced each other twice more during December, a 2-2 tie on December 5, where Phil scored both Bruins goals and a 7-5 Bruins win on December 22 where Phil scored twice more.
 
 
[[File:Espo_100th_pt-2Mar1969.gif|thumb|[[Phil Esposito]] becomes the first NHLer to score 100 points in a season, March 2, 1969.]]
 
[[File:Espo_100th_pt-2Mar1969.gif|thumb|[[Phil Esposito]] becomes the first NHLer to score 100 points in a season, March 2, 1969.]]
  +
On March 1, 1969, [[Bill Plager]] was called up from the minors and played defense against the [[1968–69 Montreal Canadiens season|Montreal Canadiens]] alongside his brothers [[Bob Plager|Bob]] and [[Barclay Plager|Barclay]]. This was the second time in NHL history three brothers played together on the same team, the first time all three were defensemen. [[Max Bentley]], [[Doug Bentley|Doug]] and [[Reg Bentley|Reg]] were the first, during the [[1942–43 Chicago Black Hawks season]].
Los Angeles introduced a fine rookie goaltender named [[Gerry Desjardins]] who did a fine job
 
for the ailing [[Wayne Rutledge]], who was bothered by a groin injuries most of the season.
 
Desjardins recorded 4 shutouts during the season in helping the Kings make the playoffs and win their first round series over Oakland.
 
   
On March 2nd, Phil Esposito became the first NHL player to score 100 points in a season
+
On March 2, 1969, Phil Esposito became the first NHL player to score 100 points in a season in a 4-0 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins by notching 2 goals on [[Joe Daley]].
in a 4-0 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins by notching 2 goals on [[Joe Daley]].
 
   
  +
[[File:1969-Mar20-Orr 21st goal.gif|thumb|[[Bobby Orr]] sets the record for most goals by a defenseman in a season, March 20, 1969.]]
In March 20th's Boston-Chicago game, two milestones were accomplished. [[Bobby Hull]] broke his
 
  +
On March 20, 1969 in Boston, the Bruins jumped out to a four goal lead against Chicago when [[Derek Sanderson]] scored a shorthanded goal early in the second period. [[Dennis Hull]] and [[Jim Pappin]] scored goals less than a minute apart to cut the Bruins lead to 4-2 heading into the third period. After former Bruin [[Doug Mohns]] pulled Chicago within one, [[Bobby Hull]] fired in two goals 13 second apart on the power play. These were his 54th and 55th goals of the season, setting a new NHL goal record. The Bruins fans gave Hull a standing ovation. Pulling [[Gerry Cheevers]] for an extra attacker, [[Bobby Orr]] tipped in [[Fred Stanfield]]'s point shot with a second left to salvage a 5-5 tie. It was Orr's 21st goal of the season, scored on his 21st birthday, breaking the record for defensemen set by [[Flash Hollett]].
own record for goals with his 55th goal, and [[Bobby Orr]] broke [[Flash Hollett]]'s record
 
for goals by a defenceman with his 21st goal. The game ended in a 5-5 tie.
 
   
 
===Final Standings===
 
===Final Standings===
Line 320: Line 317:
 
1969-Orr_Hampston_Johnston.jpg|The Bruins defeated the Oakland Seals 9-0 on February 27, 1969.
 
1969-Orr_Hampston_Johnston.jpg|The Bruins defeated the Oakland Seals 9-0 on February 27, 1969.
 
1Mar1969-Bruins_NYR_brawl.jpg|Bruins and Rangers brawl, March 1, 1969.
 
1Mar1969-Bruins_NYR_brawl.jpg|Bruins and Rangers brawl, March 1, 1969.
  +
1969-Bill-Bob-Barclay Plager.jpg|[[Bill Plager|Bill]], [[Bob Plager|Bob]] and [[Barclay Plager]] were the first three brothers to play defense for the same NHL team, March 1, 1969.
 
2Mar1969-Espo_100_pts.jpg|Phil Esposito scores his 100th point of the season, March 2, 1969.
 
2Mar1969-Espo_100_pts.jpg|Phil Esposito scores his 100th point of the season, March 2, 1969.
 
20Mar1969-Orr_21_goal_puck.jpg|[[Bobby Orr]] sets the record for most goals by a defenseman in a season, March 20, 1969.
 
20Mar1969-Orr_21_goal_puck.jpg|[[Bobby Orr]] sets the record for most goals by a defenseman in a season, March 20, 1969.

Latest revision as of 16:43, 26 December 2020

The 1968-69 NHL season was the 52nd season of the National Hockey League. Twelve teams each played 76 games (two more than in 1967-68). For the second time in a row, the Montreal Canadiens faced the St. Louis Blues in the Stanley Cup finals. Montreal won for their second Stanley Cup in a row as they swept the Blues in four, which was the exact same result of the previous season.

Regular Season

1968-Nov7-Favell-Berenson-Gendron

Red Berenson scores the 2nd of 6 goals, November 7, 1968.

Prior to this season no player had ever achieved 100 points in a season. This season saw not just one player reach 100, but three. The Boston Bruins' Phil Esposito led the way with 49 goals, 77 assists for an astounding new record of 126 points. Bobby Hull of Chicago set a new record for goals with 58 and came in second in overall scoring with 107. Forty-one year old Gordie Howe came in third with 103 points.

Red Berenson of St. Louis tied an NHL record, scoring six goals for the Blues in an 8-0 conquest of the Philadelphia Flyers on November 7, 1968. Doug Favell was the victim of the goals.

1968-Dec4-Howe 700th

Gordie Howe scores his 700th career goal, December 4, 1968.

Despite finishing last in the West Division, Minnesota came up with a fine rookie left wing in Danny Grant, who tied Nels Stewart's record for most goals by a rookie with 34. Norm Ferguson of Oakland also tied the mark with 34.

Gordie Howe scored the 700th goal of his career during the 7-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on December 4, 1968.

Williams knee injury-14Dec1968

Howie Young ends Tom Williams' season, December 14, 1968.

The December 14, 1968 Boston-Chicago game saw four different Bruins score 4 points and Bobby Orr net his first career hat trick (and 5 points) as Boston thumped Chicago 10-5. Having started 19 games in a row, Gerry Cheevers was pulled with 8:56 to go and backup Joe Junkin played in his only NHL game. Junkin held the fort and shutout Chicago for the remainder of the match. A major development during this game would affect the Bruins for the next decade. Tom Williams, an offensive bright spot for the Bruins for the last seven seasons, suffered a season-ending left knee injury during the first shift of the game when kneed by Howie Young. Wayne Cashman would win a regular spot in the line-up with Williams' injury.

Phil scores on Tony-22Dec1968

Phil Esposito scores on brother Tony, December 22, 1968.

With Gump Worsley out of the line-up due to nervous exhaustion, Tony Esposito played his first NHL game in relief of Rogatien Vachon during the Canadiens 5-4 loss to the Oakland Seals on November 29, 1968. Vachon broke his hand during Montreal's 3-1 win over the Chicago Black Hawks on December 1, 1968 and Ernie Wakely played his only game of the season on December 4, 1968 during the Canadiens 4-2 loss to the New York Rangers. Tony Esposito started his first NHL game on December 5 against his brother Phil Esposito and the Boston Bruins. The game ended in a 2-2 tie with Phil scoring both goals. The Esposito brothers faced each other twice more during December, a 0-0 tie on December 21, and a 7-5 Bruins win on December 22 where Phil scored twice more. Tony played 11 more games during the season with a 5-4-4 record.

Los Angeles introduced a fine rookie goaltender named Gerry Desjardins who did a fine job for the ailing Wayne Rutledge, who was bothered by a groin injuries most of the season. Desjardins recorded 4 shutouts during the season in helping the Kings make the playoffs and win their first round series over Oakland.

Espo 100th pt-2Mar1969

Phil Esposito becomes the first NHLer to score 100 points in a season, March 2, 1969.

On March 1, 1969, Bill Plager was called up from the minors and played defense against the Montreal Canadiens alongside his brothers Bob and Barclay. This was the second time in NHL history three brothers played together on the same team, the first time all three were defensemen. Max Bentley, Doug and Reg were the first, during the 1942–43 Chicago Black Hawks season.

On March 2, 1969, Phil Esposito became the first NHL player to score 100 points in a season in a 4-0 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins by notching 2 goals on Joe Daley.

1969-Mar20-Orr 21st goal

Bobby Orr sets the record for most goals by a defenseman in a season, March 20, 1969.

On March 20, 1969 in Boston, the Bruins jumped out to a four goal lead against Chicago when Derek Sanderson scored a shorthanded goal early in the second period. Dennis Hull and Jim Pappin scored goals less than a minute apart to cut the Bruins lead to 4-2 heading into the third period. After former Bruin Doug Mohns pulled Chicago within one, Bobby Hull fired in two goals 13 second apart on the power play. These were his 54th and 55th goals of the season, setting a new NHL goal record. The Bruins fans gave Hull a standing ovation. Pulling Gerry Cheevers for an extra attacker, Bobby Orr tipped in Fred Stanfield's point shot with a second left to salvage a 5-5 tie. It was Orr's 21st goal of the season, scored on his 21st birthday, breaking the record for defensemen set by Flash Hollett.

Final Standings

East Division
GP W L T GF GA PTS
Montreal Canadiens 76 46 19 11 271 202 103
Boston Bruins 76 42 18 16 303 221 100
New York Rangers 76 41 26 9 231 196 91
Toronto Maple Leafs 76 35 26 15 234 217 85
Detroit Red Wings 76 33 31 12 239 221 78
Chicago Black Hawks 76 34 33 9 280 246 77

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

West Division
GP W L T GF GA PTS
St. Louis Blues 76 37 25 14 204 157 88
Oakland Seals 76 29 36 11 219 251 69
Philadelphia Flyers 76 20 35 21 174 225 61
Los Angeles Kings 76 24 42 10 185 260 58
Pittsburgh Penguins 76 20 45 11 189 252 51
Minnesota North Stars 76 18 43 15 189 270 51

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


Scoring Leaders

Note: GP = Games played, G = Goals, A = Assists, PTS = Points, PIM = Penalties in minutes

Player Team GP G A PTS PIM
Phil Esposito Boston Bruins 74 49 77 126 79
Bobby Hull Chicago Black Hawks 74 58 49 107 48
Gordie Howe Detroit Red Wings 76 44 59 103 58
Stan Mikita Chicago Black Hawks 74 30 67 97 52
Ken Hodge Boston Bruins 75 45 45 90 75
Yvan Cournoyer Montreal Canadiens 76 43 44 87 31
Alex Delvecchio Detroit Red Wings 72 25 58 83 8
Red Berenson St. Louis Blues 76 35 47 82 43
Frank Mahovlich Detroit Red Wings 76 49 29 78 38
Jean Ratelle New York Rangers 76 32 46 78 26

Leading Goaltenders

Note: GP = Games played; Min – Minutes Played; GA = Goals Against; GAA = Goals Against Average; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; SO = Shutouts

Player Team GP MIN GA GAA W L T SO
Jacques Plante St. Louis Blues 37 2139 70 1.96 18 12 6 5
Glenn Hall St. Louis Blues 41 2354 85 2.17 19 12 8 8
Gump Worsley Montreal Canadiens 30 1703 64 2.26 19 5 4 5
Roy Edwards Detroit Red Wings 40 2099 89 2.54 18 11 6 4
Eddie Giacomin New York Rangers 70 4114 175 2.55 37 23 7 7
Bernie Parent Philadelphia Flyers 58 3365 151 2.69 17 23 16 1
Bruce Gamble Toronto Maple Leafs 61 3446 161 2.80 28 20 11 3
Gerry Cheevers Boston Bruins 52 3112 145 2.80 28 12 12 3
Johnny Bower Toronto Maple Leafs 20 779 37 2.85 5 4 3 2
Rogie Vachon Montreal Canadiens 36 2051 98 2.87 22 9 3 2

Stanley Cup Playoffs

Playoff Bracket

Quarterfinals Semifinals Finals
         
1 Montreal Canadiens 4
3 New York Rangers 0
1 Montreal Canadiens 4
East Division
2 Boston Bruins 2
2 Boston Bruins 4
4 Toronto Maple Leafs 0
E1 Montreal Canadiens 4
W1 St. Louis Blues 0
1 St. Louis Blues] 4
3 Philadelphia Flyers 0
1 St. Louis Blues] 4
West Division
4 Los Angeles Kings 0
2 Oakland Seals 3
4 Los Angeles Kings 4

Boston Bruins 4, Toronto Maple Leafs 0

The teams last met a decade before in the 1959 Semi-finals where the Leafs edged the Bruins 4 games to 3. The Bruins ran roughshod over the Maple Leafs in the 1969 Quarter-finals, led by Phil Esposito who had 10 points, 5 goals from Derek Sanderson and Gerry Cheevers who had 2 shutouts and allowed only 5 goals in Boston's four game sweep.

Espo HT-2Apr1969

Phil Esposito's hat trick goal, 1969 Quarter-finals Game 1, April 2, 1969.

Game 1 at the Boston Garden was a wide open, penalty-filled affair dominated by the Bruins who outshot the Leafs 51-40. Boston scored two quick Power play goals by Esposito and John Bucyk and led 2-0 before four minutes were played. Esposito potted another before the first period ended. Johnny Bower was pulled and gave way to Bruce Gamble at the start of the second period. Bucyk scored his second goal and then Sanderson his first at 10:40. With the Bruins leading 5-0, the roughness picked up with the Leafs Forbes Kennedy drawing a double minor. Esposito scored on the power play for his first playoff Hat trick.

Orr leaves after Quinn hit-2Apr1969

Bobby Orr confronts Pat Quinn, April 2, 1969.

Sanderson and Tim Horton fought and with two minutes to go in the period, Pat Quinn caught Bobby Orr with his head down and hit him with a high check. Orr lay motionless and the crowd began to bay for Quinn's head. Eventually, Orr regained consciousness and skated off the ice unsteadily (he was not stretchered off). He even exchanged a few words with Quinn on his way to the dressing room. Though taken to hospital with a concussion, he played in the next game. Quinn received a 5 minute elbowing penalty and went to the penalty box where he was attacked by fans. The glass behind the box shattered, police had to intervene and the Leafs bench cleared to help Quinn, who escaped the box and went to the dressing room.

Fans attack Quinn-2Apr1969

Pat Quinn being attacked by fans, April 2, 1969.

Esposito scored his fourth goal of the game during Quinn's penalty. With Boston leading 7-0 starting the third period, Fred Stanfield scored during the remainder of Quinn's penalty. Quinn returned to the ice and fans showered him with debris. With less than four minutes to play, multiple fights broke out beginning with Eddie Shack and Jim Dorey. Kennedy instigated a fight with Gerry Cheevers which resulted in multiple Bruins going after him. When he neared the boards, Kennedy was hit by a fan and he punched linesman George Ashley, who tried to restrain him. In all, 17 penalties were called. Kennedy received seven penalties and a game misconduct as part of 135 minutes in penalties in the game. Sanderson scored his second of the game and Ken Hodge his first as the Bruins destroyed the Leafs 10-0 powered by 6 points by Esposito.

Bucyk goal-Game2-3Apr1969

John Bucyk makes it 2-0, 1969 Quarter-finals Game 2, April 3, 1969.

Game 2 at Boston saw Toronto's Forbes Kennedy out of the line-up with a four game suspension and $1000 fine. It was a much tamer affair than Game 1 with only one fight. The Bruins continued to dominate the Leafs as John Bucyk opened the scoring in the first period, finishing off a 2 on 1 with Phil Esposito. Bucyk then blasted a slapshot from the left wing between Johnny Bower's pads. A Ted Green slapshot from the point sailed over Bower's shoulder to make it 3-0 Bruins at the end of the period. John McKenzie added another in the second period and Gamble was pulled in favour of Johnny Bower. Ken Hodge put the Bruins up 5-0 by the end of the second period and third period goals by Phil Esposito and Ron Murphy completed a 7-0 rout.

Game 3 at Maple Leaf Gardens was the closest game of the series as the Leafs came to life. The teams traded chances all game with Ed Westfall opening the scoring with a shorthanded goal to which Ron Ellis responded four minutes later. Ted Green's second of the series put the Bruins up 2-1 heading into the second period. Fred Stanfield extended the lead to 3-1 before Murray Oliver and Norm Ullman tied the game 3-3. Johnny Bower was pulled for the third game in a row for Bruce Gamble but Derek Sanderson's was set up by Bobby Orr for the third period's only goal as Boston edged Toronto 4-3. It was the first victory for Boston in Toronto since November 27, 1965.

Sanderson-6Apr1969

Derek Sanderson's 1969 Quarter-finals series winner, April 6, 1969.

Game 4 at Toronto saw Phil Esposito take a hooking penalty 23 seconds into the game. Ed Westfall picked off a pass by George Armstrong and sent Derek Sanderson in for a shorthanded goal at 1:21. Two minutes later on the power play, John Bucyk beat two Leafs to the puck in the left corner and passed it to Phil Esposito whose one-timer beat Johnny Bower for a 2-0 Bruins lead. The Leafs got one back on the power play as Murray Oliver made a nice move on Don Awrey and fed it to Ron Ellis who shot in the open right side of the net. In the second period, Westfall beat two Leafs to the puck and passed it out front to Eddie Shack. He pulled Tim Horton with him and then fed a pass to Derek Sanderson, who fired the game winner into the open left side of the net. With Mike Pelyk off for cross checking, Dave Keon scored a shorthanded goal on a 2 on 1 with Ellis. The Leafs couldn't even the score in the third period and the game ended with a 3-2 Boston win and a series sweep. It was the only game in which the Maple Leafs didn't pull their goalie. Immediately afterwards, Leafs GM and coach of over a decade, Punch Imlach, was let go.

# Date Visitor Score Home Record
1 April 2 Toronto Maple Leafs 0-10 Boston Bruins 0-1
2 April 3 Toronto Maple Leafs 0-7 Boston Bruins 0-2
3 April 5 Boston Bruins 4-3 Toronto Maple Leafs 3-0
4 April 6 Boston Bruins 3-2 Toronto Maple Leafs 4-0

Montreal Canadiens 4, Boston Bruins 2

The teams met the year before in the 1968 Quarter-finals where Montreal swept Boston 4 games to 0. The 1969 Semi-finals was much closer with the Canadiens winning three games in overtime to take the series 4 games to 2.

Sanderson-10Apr1969

Derek Sanderson's second goal, Game 1 of the 1969 Semi-finals, April 10, 1969.

Game 1 at the Montreal Forum had 10 penalties called in the first period as both teams tried to establish a physical edge. Derek Sanderson opened the scoring as he pulled the puck through Canadiens defenseman Ted Harris and then fired a slapshot past Gump Worsley's stick side at 13:28 of the first period. Montreal pressed hard for an equalizer in the second period and out chanced Boston. Mickey Redmond hit the post, Bobby Rousseau and Henri Richard had great chances which Bruins goalie Gerry Cheevers turned aside. With Boston down two men, Derek Sanderson for slashing and Bobby Orr off for tripping, the Bruins killed off Sanderson's penalty. He returned to the ice, picked up the puck in his own zone, broke into the Habs zone, beat J.C. Tremblay to the outside left, cut to the net and caromed a shot off Worsley for a shorthanded goal. The Bruins continued to frustrate the Habs in the third period, killing off two early penalties in which Montreal had few chances and the crowd began to boo. Fred Stanfield hit the post and nearly made it 3-0 before Eddie Shack took an elbowing penalty that would change the game. John Ferguson took a long shot while racing down the left wing that beat Cheevers and made it 2-1. Boston had no chances on a power play with less than five minutes to play. With 1:02 to play, Montreal pulled Worsley for an extra attacker and Jean Béliveau won a face-off over Phil Esposito in Boston's zone. Cheevers saved a point shot but Beliveau whacked in the rebound to send the game into overtime. 40 seconds in, Dallas Smith turned over the puck at the Bruins blueline to Serge Savard who passed it to Ralph Backstrom, who was in full flight. Backstrom's slapper from the slot beat Cheevers to the stick side for a 3-2 Montreal win.

Game 2 at Montreal mirrored Game 1 in many ways. Despite taking too many penalties (Montreal had 7 power plays), the Bruins penalty killing was excellent but eventually it proved fatal. After a scoreless first period, Yvan Cournoyer and John McKenzie traded goals with the man advantage in the second period. Jean Beliveau put the Habs up 2-1 but Ron Murphy tied it up less than a minute later. With less than six minutes left in the third period, John Bucyk gave the Bruins a 3-2 lead. As in Game 1, the Canadiens pulled Gump Worsley for an extra attacker. Serge Savard tied the game in the last minute, shovelling a bouncing puck past Gerry Cheevers. In overtime, Ted Green took a hooking penalty 3:31 in and Ralph Backstrom won a draw in the Bruins zone back to Savard. Mickey Redmond deflected Savard's point shot past Cheevers for a 4-3 Canadiens win.

17Apr1969-Espo scores

Phil Esposito scores the first goal of Semi-finals Game 3, April 17, 1969.

Game 3 at the Boston Garden saw the Bruins play with more discipline and Phil Esposito's line dominated Montreal's top line of Jean Beliveau, Dick Duff and Bobby Rousseau. Esposito opened the scoring as he one-timed a Bobby Orr dump-in that bounced off the boards in front of the Habs net 3:37 into the game. After killing off three penalties, the Bruins made it 2-0 at 16:35 of the second period as Ed Westfall picked off a Montreal clearing attempt, passed it to Esposito in the corner who found Orr in front of the Canadiens net. Orr passed it to Westfall, after drawing the Habs defenders to him, and Westfall slid it into the open net. Early in the third period on the power play, Ron Murphy won a puck battle at centre ice, skated into Montreal's zone and backhanded a pass to Esposito in the slot. Orr drove for net, leaving Esposito to fire the puck past Worsley. At 10:07, Ken Hodge stripped Rousseau of the puck in the Canadiens zone, passed it back to Murphy who beat Worsley to the stick side for a 4-0 Boston lead. Right off the face-off, Dallas Smith carried the puck into the Canadien's zone and fed it to Esposito. His shot on Worsley rebounded out to Ken Hodge who made it 5-0. Jean Beliveau finished -4, Esposito had a hand in all five Bruin goals as Boston narrowed Montreal's series lead to 2-1.

20Apr1969-Westfall scores

Ed Westfall scores the first goal of Semi-finals Game 4, April 20, 1969.

Game 4 at Boston was penalty-filled with the Bruins taking the majority of the 18 called. However, Boston turned this to their advantage with Ed Westfall and Derek Sanderson both scoring shorthanded goals in the first period, countered by a power play goal by Jacques Lemaire. The game remained scoreless through the second period with a melee involving spearing between Ted Harris and Glen Sather. With less than two minutes left in the third period, Bobby Orr put the Bruins up 3-1. Serge Savard again scored with Worsley pulled but the game ended in a 3-2 Bruins win and the series tied 2-2.

Game 5 at Montreal saw the Bruins fail to take advantage of their chances. Jacques Laperriere opened the scoring on the power play late in the first period. Claude Provost and J.C. Tremblay scored two quick goals early in the second period before Ken Hodge notched a pair, including one on the power play. Provost's second of the game at 7:06 of the third period made it 4-2 Montreal. Despite out shooting Montreal 42-25 and having seven power plays, the game ended 4-2 and the Canadiens took a 3-2 series lead.

Game 6 at Boston was a wide open, goaltender's duel in which the Bruins outshot the Canadiens 51-47. Ron Murphy opened the scoring 2:29 into the game and then Boston killed off three penalties. The second period was scoreless, despite the Bruins having a 5 on 3 power play for 1:24. Early in the third period, Serge Savard tied the game on the power play. The teams kept trading chances for the remainder of regulation and the first overtime period, in which the Bruins had a power play, but with no scoring. Past the midway point of the second overtime period, Phil Esposito won a face-off in the Bruins zone and Hodge cleared it back to Ted Green. Green rounded the net and passed it out front to Don Awrey. Claude Provost picked off Awrey's clearing attempt, passed it in the slot to Jean Beliveau who beat Cheevers with a high shot to the glove side for his only career OT goal. The Canadiens took the close series 4 games to 2. Despite not playing in the Cup Finals, Esposito still led all playoff scorers with 18 points.

# Date Visitor Score Home Record
1 April 10 Boston Bruins 2-3 (OT) Montreal Canadiens 0-1
2 April 13 Boston Bruins 3-4 (OT) Montreal Canadiens 0-2
3 April 17 Montreal Canadiens 0-5 Boston Bruins 2-1
4 April 20 Montreal Canadiens 2-3 Boston Bruins 2-2
5 April 22 Boston Bruins 2-4 Montreal Canadiens 2-3
6 April 24 Montreal Canadiens 2-1 (OT) Boston Bruins 4-2

Montreal Canadiens 4, St. Louis Blues 0

# Date Visitor Score Home Record
1 April 27 St. Louis Blues 1-3 Montreal Canadiens 0-1
2 April 29 St. Louis Blues 1-3 Montreal Canadiens 0-2
3 May 1 Montreal Canadiens 4-0 St. Louis Blues 3-0
4 May 4 Montreal Canadiens 2-1 St. Louis Blues 4-0

NHL Awards

68-69NHLAwards
Prince of Wales Trophy: Montreal Canadiens
Clarence S. Campbell Bowl: St. Louis Blues
Art Ross Memorial Trophy: Phil Esposito, Boston Bruins
Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy: Ted Hampson, Oakland Seals
Calder Memorial Trophy: Danny Grant, Minnesota North Stars
Conn Smythe Trophy: Serge Savard, Montreal Canadiens
Hart Memorial Trophy: Phil Esposito, Boston Bruins
James Norris Memorial Trophy: Bobby Orr, Boston Bruins
Lady Byng Memorial Trophy: Alex Delvecchio, Detroit Red Wings
NHL Plus/Minus Award: Bobby Orr, Boston Bruins
Vezina Trophy: Glenn Hall & Jacques Plante, St. Louis Blues
Lester Patrick Trophy: Bobby Hull

All-Star Teams

68-69NHLAS
First Team   Position   Second Team
Glenn Hall, St. Louis Blues G Ed Giacomin, New York Rangers
Bobby Orr, Boston Bruins D Ted Green, Boston Bruins
Tim Horton, Toronto Maple Leafs D Ted Harris, Montreal Canadiens
Phil Esposito, Boston Bruins C Jean Beliveau, Montreal Canadiens
Gordie Howe, Detroit Red Wings RW Yvan Cournoyer, Montreal Canadiens
Bobby Hull, Chicago Black Hawks LW Frank Mahovlich, Detroit Red Wings

Debuts

The following is a list of players of note who played their first NHL game in 1968-69 (listed with their first team, asterisk(*) marks debut in playoffs):

Last Games

The following is a list of players of note that played their last game in the NHL in 1968-69 (listed with their last team):

Gallery

Video

Complete game with commercials from the Leafs-Bruins match on October 26, 1968. During the second intermission (at 1:34:00), Tim Horton talks about his donut stores.

Footage of the third period melee between the Bruins and Leafs during Game 1 of the 1969 Quarter-finals in which Forbes Kennedy has multiple fights, April 2, 1969.

The game tying and overtime goal from the Bruins-Canadiens Semi-finals Game 2, all five goals from Game 3, the overtime winner in Game 6, then highlights from the 1969 Stanley Cup Finals.

See Also

References


NHL Seasons

1964-65 | 1965-66 | 1966-67 | 1967-68 | 1968-69 | 1969-70 | 1970-71 | 1971-72 | 1972-73