1975–76 Boston Bruins season

1975–76 Boston Bruins
Division	1st Adams
Conference	2nd Prince of Wales
1975–76 record	48–15–17
Goals for	313 (5th)
Goals against	237 (4th-tie)
Team information
General manager	Harry Sinden
Coach	Don Cherry
Captain	Johnny Bucyk
Arena	Boston Garden
Team leaders
Goals	Johnny Bucyk (36)
Assists	Jean Ratelle (59)
Points	Jean Ratelle (90)
Penalty minutes	Terry O'Reilly (150)
Wins	Gilles Gilbert (33)
Goals against average	Gerry Cheevers (2.73)

The 1975–76 Boston Bruins season was the Bruins' 52nd season in the NHL. The Bruins finished 1st in the Adams Division and lost in the Semi-finals to the Philadelphia Flyers 4 games to 1.

Regular Season

The Bruins uniforms underwent one minor change from the previous season with the addition of the Massachusetts 200th anniversary patch to the shoulders. The white jersey was worn at home with white socks and the black jersey on the road with gold socks. Although player names on the backs of the jerseys existed for select games in the 1973–74 season, this practice was abandoned for the Bruins for both the 1974–75 and 1975-76 seasons.

Gregg Sheppard battling in front of Vladislav Tretiak, January 8, 1976.

As part of the 1976 Super Series, the Bruins played CSKA Moscow on January 8, 1976. After a scoreless first period, Dave Forbes opened the scoring for the Bruins early in the second period. Valeri Kharlamov scored a pair, followed by Alexander Maltsev. Jean Ratelle cut the lead to 3-2 with a Power play marker late in the period. Despite out shooting the Soviets 40-19, the brilliant play of goalie Vladislav Tretiak kept the Bruins from adding to their tally and CSKA Moscow won 5-2.

Final Standings

Adams Division

	GP	W	L	T	GF	GA	Pts
Boston Bruins	80	48	15	17	313	237	113
Buffalo Sabres	80	46	21	13	339	240	105
Toronto Maple Leafs	80	34	31	15	294	276	83
California Golden Seals	80	27	42	11	250	278	65

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.

Game Log

Regular Season Results
No.	R	Date	Score	Opponent	Record
2	T	October 12, 1975	3–3	New York Islanders (1975–76)	0–1–1
3	T	October 16, 1975	2–2	@ Detroit Red Wings (1975–76)	0–1–2
4	W	October 18, 1975	5–2	@ New York Islanders (1975–76)	1–1–2
5	W	October 19, 1975	3–0	Toronto Maple Leafs (1975–76)	2–1–2
6	L	October 23, 1975	2–3	Kansas City Scouts (1975–76)	2–2–2
7	L	October 25, 1975	2–6	@ Montreal Canadiens (1975–76)	2–3–2
8	W	October 26, 1975	7–3	Detroit Red Wings (1975–76)	3–3–2
9	W	October 30, 1975	3–2	St. Louis Blues (1975–76)	4–3–2
10	L	November 1, 1975	1–8	@ Philadelphia Flyers (1975–76)	4–4–2
11	W	November 2, 1975	5–0	California Golden Seals (1975–76)	5–4–2
12	L	November 5, 1975	0–4	@ Buffalo Sabres (1975–76)	5–5–2
13	L	November 8, 1975	2–4	@ Vancouver Canucks (1975–76)	5–6–2
14	W	November 9, 1975	6–3	@ California Golden Seals (1975–76)	6–6–2
15	W	November 13, 1975	6–0	Minnesota North Stars (1975–76)	7–6–2
16	W	November 15, 1975	5–3	@ Atlanta Flames (1975–76)	8–6–2
17	W	November 16, 1975	4–2	Kansas City Scouts (1975–76)	9–6–2
18	T	November 19, 1975	3–3	@ Detroit Red Wings (1975–76)	9–6–3
19	T	November 20, 1975	2–2	New York Islanders (1975–76)	9–6–4
20	T	November 23, 1975	3–3	Toronto Maple Leafs (1975–76)	9–6–5
21	W	November 25, 1975	4–2	Los Angeles Kings (1975–76)	10–6–5
22	W	November 26, 1975	6–4	@ New York Rangers (1975–76)	11–6–5
23	T	November 29, 1975	4–4	@ Chicago Black Hawks (1975–76)	11–6–6
24	W	November 30, 1975	4–2	Pittsburgh Penguins (1975–76)	12–6–6
25	W	December 4, 1975	3–2	Washington Capitals (1975–76)	13–6–6
26	W	December 6, 1975	4–2	@ Toronto Maple Leafs (1975–76)	14–6–6
27	T	December 7, 1975	2–2	Montreal Canadiens (1975–76)	14–6–7
28	L	December 11, 1975	1–5	New York Rangers (1975–76)	14–7–7
29	T	December 13, 1975	4–4	@ Pittsburgh Penguins (1975–76)	14–7–8
30	W	December 14, 1975	3–2	Vancouver Canucks (1975–76)	15–7–8
31	W	December 17, 1975	3–2	@ Washington Capitals (1975–76)	16–7–8
32	W	December 20, 1975	5–3	Buffalo Sabres (1975–76)	17–7–8
33	L	December 21, 1975	1–2	Atlanta Flames (1975–76)	17–8–8
34	L	December 23, 1975	3–4	Los Angeles Kings (1975–76)	17–9–8
35	W	December 26, 1975	6–3	@ Buffalo Sabres (1975–76)	18–9–8
36	W	December 28, 1975	4–2	@ Philadelphia Flyers (1975–76)	19–9–8
37	W	December 31, 1975	6–1	@ Minnesota North Stars (1975–76)	20–9–8
38	T	January 2, 1976	4–4	@ Vancouver Canucks (1975–76)	20–9–9
39	W	January 3, 1976	3–0	@ Los Angeles Kings (1975–76)	21–9–9
40	W	January 10, 1976	3–2	California Golden Seals (1975–76)	22–9–9
41	W	January 11, 1976	7–4	@ Washington Capitals (1975–76)	23–9–9
42	W	January 13, 1976	6–2	Pittsburgh Penguins (1975–76)	24–9–9
43	W	January 15, 1976	4–0	Los Angeles Kings (1975–76)	25–9–9
44	L	January 17, 1976	5–7	@ St. Louis Blues (1975–76)	25–10–9
45	W	January 22, 1976	5–3	Buffalo Sabres (1975–76)	26–10–9
46	W	January 24, 1976	6–1	@ Detroit Red Wings (1975–76)	27–10–9
47	W	January 25, 1976	5–3	Philadelphia Flyers (1975–76)	28–10–9
48	W	January 29, 1976	5–3	Chicago Black Hawks (1975–76)	29–10–9
49	W	January 30, 1976	4–2	@ Atlanta Flames (1975–76)	30–10–9
50	W	February 1, 1976	5–3	Atlanta Flames (1975–76)	31–10–9
51	W	February 5, 1976	5–1	Pittsburgh Penguins (1975–76)	32–10–9
52	L	February 7, 1976	4–11	@ Toronto Maple Leafs (1975–76)	32–11–9
53	W	February 8, 1976	7–0	Detroit Red Wings (1975–76)	33–11–9
54	W	February 11, 1976	5–2	@ Minnesota North Stars (1975–76)	34–11–9
55	W	February 13, 1976	6–5	@ California Golden Seals (1975–76)	35–11–9
56	W	February 15, 1976	4–1	@ Chicago Black Hawks (1975–76)	36–11–9
57	T	February 18, 1976	3–3	@ Kansas City Scouts (1975–76)	36–11–10
58	W	February 21, 1976	2–1	@ New York Islanders (1975–76)	37–11–10
59	W	February 22, 1976	5–2	@ New York Rangers (1975–76)	38–11–10
60	W	February 26, 1976	4–2	St. Louis Blues (1975–76)	39–11–10
61	T	February 27, 1976	3–3	@ Washington Capitals (1975–76)	39–11–11
62	W	February 29, 1976	5–3	Vancouver Canucks (1975–76)	40–11–11
63	W	March 3, 1976	5–3	@ Los Angeles Kings (1975–76)	41–11–11
64	L	March 5, 1976	3–4	@ California Golden Seals (1975–76)	41–12–11
65	W	March 7, 1976	4–3	Washington Capitals (1975–76)	42–12–11
66	L	March 9, 1976	0–9	@ Atlanta Flames (1975–76)	42–13–11
67	W	March 11, 1976	6–2	Toronto Maple Leafs (1975–76)	43–13–11
68	L	March 13, 1976	2–4	@ Montreal Canadiens (1975–76)	43–14–11
69	W	March 14, 1976	4–2	California Golden Seals (1975–76)	44–14–11
70	T	March 16, 1976	3–3	@ St. Louis Blues (1975–76)	44–14–12
71	W	March 18, 1976	5–2	@ Kansas City Scouts (1975–76)	45–14–12
72	W	March 20, 1976	8–1	New York Rangers (1975–76)	46–14–12
73	T	March 24, 1976	5–5	@ Pittsburgh Penguins (1975–76)	46–14–13
74	W	March 25, 1976	4–2	Chicago Black Hawks (1975–76)	47–14–13
75	T	March 27, 1976	4–4	Philadelphia Flyers (1975–76)	47–14–14
76	T	March 28, 1976	2–2	Montreal Canadiens (1975–76)	47–14–15
77	T	March 30, 1976	4–4	Buffalo Sabres (1975–76)	47–14–16
78	L	April 1, 1976	2–7	@ Buffalo Sabres (1975–76)	47–15–16
79	W	April 3, 1976	4–2	@ Toronto Maple Leafs (1975–76)	48–15–16
80	T	April 4, 1976	2–2	Minnesota North Stars (1975–76)	48–15–17

Player Stats

Regular Season

Scoring

Player	Pos	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM	+/-	PPG	SHG	GWG
Ratelle, JeanJean Ratelle	C	67	31	59	90	16	17	15	1	3
Bucyk, JohnJohn Bucyk	LW	77	36	47	83	20	22	13	0	9
Sheppard, GreggGregg Sheppard	C	70	31	43	74	28	24	5	2	4
Cashman, WayneWayne Cashman	LW	80	28	43	71	87	30	9	0	6
Schmautz, BobbyBobby Schmautz	RW	75	28	34	62	116	13	7	0	7
Hodge, KenKen Hodge	RW	72	25	36	61	42	19	8	0	5
Park, BradBrad Park	D	43	16	37	53	95	23	7	1	2
O'Reilly, TerryTerry O'Reilly	RW	80	23	27	50	150	3	2	0	2
Savard, AndreAndre Savard	C	79	17	23	40	60	4	0	0	3
Marcotte, DonDon Marcotte	LW	58	16	20	36	24	15	1	0	2
Smith, DallasDallas Smith	D	77	7	25	32	103	42	0	0	0
Forbes, DaveDave Forbes	LW	79	16	13	29	52	15	0	4	1
Gibson, DougDoug Gibson	C	50	7	18	25	0	8	1	0	1
Edestrand, DarrylDarryl Edestrand	D	77	4	17	21	103	7	1	0	1
Orr, BobbyBobby Orr	D	10	5	13	18	22	10	3	1	0
Esposito, PhilPhil Esposito	C	12	6	10	16	8	-1	3	0	0
Nowak, HankHank Nowak	LW	66	7	3	10	41	-1	0	0	1
Zanussi, JoeJoe Zanussi	D	60	1	7	8	30	2	0	0	0
Sims, AlAl Sims	D	48	4	3	7	43	6	0	0	0
Vadnais, CarolCarol Vadnais	D	12	2	5	7	17	1	1	0	0
Doak, GaryGary Doak	D	58	1	6	7	60	25	0	0	1
Halward, DougDoug Halward	D	22	1	5	6	6	-4	1	0	0
Smith, BarryBarry Smith	C	19	1	0	1	2	-5	0	0	0
Ruhnke, KentKent Ruhnke	RW	2	0	1	1	0	1	0	0	0
Anderson, EarlEarl Anderson	RW	5	0	1	1	2	-2	0	0	0
Clark, GordieGordie Clark	RW	7	0	1	1	0	-5	0	0	0
Simmons, AlAl Simmons	D	7	0	1	1	21	0	0	0	0
Adduono, RickRick Adduono	C	1	0	0	0	0	-1	0	0	0
Jonathan, StanStan Jonathan	LW	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
O'Neil, PaulPaul O'Neil	C/RW	1	0	0	0	0	-1	0	0	0
Maluta, RayRay Maluta	D	2	0	0	0	2	-3	0	0	0
Milbury, MikeMike Milbury	D	3	0	0	0	9	1	0	0	0
Langdon, SteveSteve Langdon	LW	4	0	0	0	2	-1	0	0	0
Reece, DaveDave Reece	G	14	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Cheevers, GerryGerry Cheevers	G	15	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	0
Gilbert, GillesGilles Gilbert	G	55	0	0	0	18	0	0	0	0

Goaltending

Player	MIN	GP	W	L	T	GA	GAA	SO
Gilbert, GillesGilles Gilbert	3123	55	33	8	10	151	2.90	3
Cheevers, GerryGerry Cheevers	900	15	8	2	5	41	2.73	1
Reece, DaveDave Reece	777	14	7	5	2	43	3.32	2
Team:	4800	80	48	15	17	235	2.94	6

Playoffs

Scoring

Player	Pos	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG
Ratelle, JeanJean Ratelle	C	12	8	8	16	4	5	0	1
Sheppard, GreggGregg Sheppard	C	12	5	6	11	6	1	0	1
Park, BradBrad Park	D	11	3	8	11	14	1	1	0
Hodge, KenKen Hodge	RW	12	4	6	10	4	4	0	1
Schmautz, BobbyBobby Schmautz	RW	11	2	8	10	13	0	0	1
Bucyk, JohnJohn Bucyk	LW	12	2	7	9	0	2	0	0
Marcotte, DonDon Marcotte	LW	12	4	2	6	8	1	0	0
Cashman, WayneWayne Cashman	LW	11	1	5	6	16	0	0	0
Savard, AndreAndre Savard	C	12	1	4	5	9	0	0	0
O'Reilly, TerryTerry O'Reilly	RW	12	3	1	4	25	0	0	0
Smith, DallasDallas Smith	D	11	2	2	4	19	0	0	1
Edestrand, DarrylDarryl Edestrand	D	12	1	3	4	23	0	0	0
Forbes, DaveDave Forbes	LW	12	1	1	2	5	0	1	0
Doak, GaryGary Doak	D	12	1	0	1	22	0	0	0
Zanussi, JoeJoe Zanussi	D	4	0	1	1	2	0	0	0
Clark, GordieGordie Clark	RW	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Sims, AlAl Sims	D	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Halward, DougDoug Halward	D	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Maluta, RayRay Maluta	D	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Langdon, SteveSteve Langdon	LW	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Milbury, MikeMike Milbury	D	11	0	0	0	29	0	0	0
Nowak, HankHank Nowak	LW	10	0	0	0	8	0	0	0
Gilbert, GillesGilles Gilbert	G	6	0	0	0	2	0	0	0
Cheevers, GerryGerry Cheevers	G	6	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

Goaltending

Player	MIN	GP	W	L	GA	GAA	SO
Gilbert, GillesGilles Gilbert	360	6	3	3	19	3.17	2
Cheevers, GerryGerry Cheevers	392	6	2	4	14	2.14	1
Team:	752	12	5	7	33	2.63	3

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

• Jack Adams Award: Don Cherry
• Lady Byng Memorial Trophy: Jean Ratelle (2nd win)
• Brad Park, Defenceman, NHL First Team All-Star

Transactions

• Trade Phil Esposito and Carol Vadnais to the New York Rangers for Jean Ratelle, Brad Park and Joe Zanussi on November 7, 1975.
• Sell Al Simmons to the New York Rangers on November 14, 1975.

Draft Picks

Round	#	Player	Nationality	College/Junior/Club Team
1	14	Doug Halward (D)	Canada	Peterborough Petes (OHA)

Trivia

• On October 30, 1975, John Bucyk scored the 500th goal of his career in a 3-2 win over the St. Louis Blues.
• Bruins who recorded a Hat trick this season include:
  • Bobby Schmautz during the 5-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings on October 26, 1975.
  • Don Marcotte during the 6-1 win over the Minnesota North Stars on December 31, 1975.
  • John Bucyk during the 7-4 win over the Washington Capitals on January 11, 1976.
  • Jean Ratelle during the 4-1 win over the Chicago Black Hawks on February 15, 1976.
  • John Bucyk during the 5-3 win over the Los Angeles Kings on March 3, 1976.
  • Ken Hodge during the 6-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on March 11, 1976.

Gallery

John Bucyk scores his 500th goal, October 30, 1975.

John Bucyk scores his 500th goal, October 30, 1975.

Bobby Orr and Brad Park play together, November 16, 1975.

References

• Bruins on Hockey Database