1978-79 NHL season
Encyclopedia
The 1978–79 NHL season was the 62nd season
of the National Hockey League
. The Montreal Canadiens
beat the New York Rangers
in the Stanley Cup
finals four games to one for their fourth Cup in a row. , this is the last time to date that two of the "Original Six
" teams met in the finals.
and Minnesota North Stars
franchises, reducing the number of teams to seventeen. The merged team continued as the Minnesota North Stars, but assumed the Barons' place in the Adams Division.
This reduction would only be temporary, however, as negotiations continued toward an agreement with the World Hockey Association
that would see it fold following this season, with four of its teams joining the NHL as expansion franchises for 1979–80.
For the first time since the NHL All-Star Game
became an annual tradition, it was not played. In its stead was the 1979 Challenge Cup
, which saw Soviet Union
players come over to North America
to play against NHL players. The Soviets won the series two games to one.
This was the last season until the 2004-05 lockout that the St. Louis Blues missed the playoffs.
had been steadily improving over the past few seasons and this season saw them beat out the Canadiens by one point for the best record in the league.
Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold
Philadelphia wins best-of-three series 2 games to 1.
Los Angeles Kings vs. New York Rangers
NY Rangers win best-of-three series 2 games to 0.
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Atlanta Flames
Toronto wins best-of-three series 2 games to 0.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Buffalo Sabres
Pittsburgh wins best-of-three series 2 games to 1.
NY Islanders win best-of-seven series 4 games to 0.
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Montreal Canadiens
Montreal wins best-of-seven series 4 games to 0.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Boston Bruins
Boston wins best-of-seven series 4 games to 0.
New York Rangers vs. Philadelphia Flyers
NY Rangers win best-of-seven series 4 games to 1.
NY Rangers win best-of-seven series 4 games to 2.
Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Canadiens
Game seven of the Montreal-Boston semifinal is perhaps one of the most memorable in the history of the NHL. About a minute and a half after Boston's Rick Middleton
scored with four minutes remaining in the third period to give the Bruins a 4–3 lead, linesman John D'Amico
called a bench minor for too many men on the ice against the Bruins. Montreal's Guy Lafleur
scored on the ensuing power play, sending the game to overtime where Yvon Lambert
gave the Canadiens the win and a trip to their fourth straight Stanley Cup final.
Montreal wins best-of-seven series 4 games to 3.
As of 2011, it is the last time two Original Six
clubs met in the finals.
Montreal wins best-of-seven series 4 games to 1.
Both teams would next appear in the Stanley Cup Finals: Canadiens in , Rangers in .
, A = Assists
, Pts = Points, PIM = Penalties In Minutes
Season (sports)
In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an...
of the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
. The Montreal Canadiens
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
beat the New York Rangers
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
in the Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
finals four games to one for their fourth Cup in a row. , this is the last time to date that two of the "Original Six
Original Six
The Original Six is a term for the group of six teams that composed the National Hockey League for the 25 seasons between the 1942–43 season and the 1967 NHL Expansion. These six teams are the Boston Bruins, Chicago Black Hawks, Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers, and the...
" teams met in the finals.
League business
This season saw the first reduction in the total number of teams since the Brooklyn Americans folded following the 1941–42 season. Fearing that two teams were on the verge of folding, the league approved the merger of the financially unstable Cleveland BaronsCleveland Barons (NHL)
The Cleveland Barons were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League from 1976–78. They were a relocation of the California Golden Seals franchise, which had played in Oakland since 1967...
and Minnesota North Stars
Minnesota North Stars
The Minnesota North Stars were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League for 26 seasons, from 1967 to 1993. The North Stars played their home games at the Met Center in Bloomington, and the team's colors for most of its history were green, yellow, gold and white...
franchises, reducing the number of teams to seventeen. The merged team continued as the Minnesota North Stars, but assumed the Barons' place in the Adams Division.
This reduction would only be temporary, however, as negotiations continued toward an agreement with the World Hockey Association
World Hockey Association
The World Hockey Association was a professional ice hockey league that operated in North America from 1972 to 1979. It was the first major competition for the National Hockey League since the collapse of the Western Hockey League in 1926...
that would see it fold following this season, with four of its teams joining the NHL as expansion franchises for 1979–80.
For the first time since the NHL All-Star Game
National Hockey League All-Star Game
The National Hockey League All-Star Game is an exhibition ice hockey game that is traditionally held at the midway point of the regular season of the National Hockey League , with many of the league's star players playing against each other...
became an annual tradition, it was not played. In its stead was the 1979 Challenge Cup
1979 Challenge Cup
The 1979 Challenge Cup was an international ice hockey series of games between the Soviet national ice hockey team and a team of all-stars from the National Hockey League, held in New York City. It replaced the NHL's all-star festivities for the 1978–79 NHL season.The Challenge Cup, unlike its...
, which saw Soviet Union
Soviet national ice hockey team
The Soviet national ice hockey team , was the national hockey team of the Soviet Union. The Soviets were the most dominant team of all time in international play. The team won nearly every world championship and Olympic tournament between 1954 and 1991 held by the International Ice Hockey Federation...
players come over to North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
to play against NHL players. The Soviets won the series two games to one.
This was the last season until the 2004-05 lockout that the St. Louis Blues missed the playoffs.
Regular season
For the past three seasons, the Montreal Canadiens had dominated the regular season, but times were changing. The New York IslandersNew York Islanders
The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
had been steadily improving over the past few seasons and this season saw them beat out the Canadiens by one point for the best record in the league.
Final standings
GP = Games Played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals For, GA = Goals Against, PIM = Penalties In MinutesTeams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold
Prince of Wales Conference
Clarence Campbell Conference
Preliminary round
Vancouver Canucks vs. Philadelphia Flyers| Date | Away | Score | Home | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 10 | Vancouver | 3 | Philadelphia | 2 | |
| April 12 | Philadelphia | 6 | Vancouver | 4 | |
| April 14 | Vancouver | 2 | Philadelphia | 7 |
Philadelphia wins best-of-three series 2 games to 1.
Los Angeles Kings vs. New York Rangers
| Date | Away | Score | Home | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 10 | Los Angeles | 1 | New York | 7 | |
| April 12 | New York | 2 | Los Angeles | 1 | (OT) |
NY Rangers win best-of-three series 2 games to 0.
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Atlanta Flames
| Date | Away | Score | Home | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 10 | Toronto | 2 | Atlanta | 1 | |
| April 12 | Atlanta | 4 | Toronto | 7 |
Toronto wins best-of-three series 2 games to 0.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Buffalo Sabres
| Date | Away | Score | Home | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 10 | Pittsburgh | 4 | Buffalo | 3 | |
| April 12 | Buffalo | 3 | Pittsburgh | 1 | |
| April 14 | Pittsburgh | 4 | Buffalo | 3 | (OT) |
Pittsburgh wins best-of-three series 2 games to 1.
Quarter-finals
Chicago Black Hawks vs. New York Islanders| Date | Away | Score | Home | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 16 | Chicago | 2 | New York | 6 | |
| April 18 | Chicago | 0 | New York | 1 | (OT) |
| April 20 | New York | 4 | Chicago | 0 | |
| April 22 | New York | 3 | Chicago | 1 |
NY Islanders win best-of-seven series 4 games to 0.
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Montreal Canadiens
| Date | Away | Score | Home | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 16 | Toronto | 2 | Montreal | 5 | |
| April 18 | Toronto | 1 | Montreal | 5 | |
| April 21 | Montreal | 4 | Toronto | 3 | (OT) |
| April 22 | Montreal | 5 | Toronto | 4 | (OT) |
Montreal wins best-of-seven series 4 games to 0.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Boston Bruins
| Date | Away | Score | Home | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 16 | Pittsburgh | 2 | Boston | 6 | |
| April 18 | Pittsburgh | 3 | Boston | 4 | |
| April 21 | Boston | 2 | Pittsburgh | 1 | |
| April 22 | Boston | 4 | Pittsburgh | 1 |
Boston wins best-of-seven series 4 games to 0.
New York Rangers vs. Philadelphia Flyers
| Date | Away | Score | Home | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 16 | New York | 2 | Philadelphia | 3 | (OT) |
| April 18 | New York | 7 | Philadelphia | 1 | |
| April 20 | Philadelphia | 1 | New York | 5 | |
| April 22 | Philadelphia | 0 | New York | 6 | |
| April 24 | New York | 8 | Philadelphia | 3 |
NY Rangers win best-of-seven series 4 games to 1.
Semi-finals
New York Rangers vs. New York Islanders| Date | Away | Score | Home | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 26 | Rangers | 4 | Islanders | 1 | |
| April 28 | Rangers | 3 | Islanders | 4 | (OT) |
| May 1 | Islanders | 1 | Rangers | 3 | |
| May 3 | Islanders | 3 | Rangers | 2 | (OT) |
| May 5 | Rangers | 4 | Islanders | 3 | |
| May 8 | Islanders | 1 | Rangers | 2 |
NY Rangers win best-of-seven series 4 games to 2.
Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Canadiens
Game seven of the Montreal-Boston semifinal is perhaps one of the most memorable in the history of the NHL. About a minute and a half after Boston's Rick Middleton
Rick Middleton
Richard David "Nifty" Middleton is a former professional ice hockey player for the New York Rangers and Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League.-Playing career:...
scored with four minutes remaining in the third period to give the Bruins a 4–3 lead, linesman John D'Amico
John D'Amico
John David D'Amico was a National Hockey League linesman and later supervisor of officials.A native of Toronto, D'Amico's NHL career started as a referee on October 12, 1964, when he was 27 years old...
called a bench minor for too many men on the ice against the Bruins. Montreal's Guy Lafleur
Guy Lafleur
Guy Damien "The Flower" / "Le Démon Blond" Lafleur, OC, CQ is a former Canadian professional ice hockey player who is widely regarded as one of the most naturally gifted and popular players ever to play professional ice hockey...
scored on the ensuing power play, sending the game to overtime where Yvon Lambert
Yvon Lambert
Yvon Pierre Lambert is a retired Canadian ice hockey forward.Yvon started his National Hockey League career with the Montreal Canadiens in 1973. He would spend nine years in Montreal before being traded to the Buffalo Sabres...
gave the Canadiens the win and a trip to their fourth straight Stanley Cup final.
| Date | Away | Score | Home | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 26 | Boston | 2 | Montreal | 4 | |
| April 28 | Boston | 2 | Montreal | 5 | |
| May 1 | Montreal | 1 | Boston | 2 | |
| May 3 | Montreal | 3 | Boston | 4 | (OT) |
| May 5 | Boston | 1 | Montreal | 5 | |
| May 8 | Montreal | 2 | Boston | 5 | |
| May 10 | Boston | 4 | Montreal | 5 | (OT) |
Montreal wins best-of-seven series 4 games to 3.
Final
New York Rangers vs. Montreal CanadiensAs of 2011, it is the last time two Original Six
Original Six
The Original Six is a term for the group of six teams that composed the National Hockey League for the 25 seasons between the 1942–43 season and the 1967 NHL Expansion. These six teams are the Boston Bruins, Chicago Black Hawks, Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers, and the...
clubs met in the finals.
| Date | Away | Score | Home | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 13 | New York | 4 | Montreal | 1 | |
| May 15 | New York | 2 | Montreal | 6 | |
| May 17 | Montreal | 4 | New York | 1 | |
| May 19 | Montreal | 4 | New York | 3 | (OT) |
| May 21 | New York | 1 | Montreal | 4 |
Montreal wins best-of-seven series 4 games to 1.
Both teams would next appear in the Stanley Cup Finals: Canadiens in , Rangers in .
Playoff bracket
NHL awards
| Prince of Wales Trophy Prince of Wales Trophy The Prince of Wales Trophy, also known as the Wales Trophy, is an award presented by the National Hockey League to the Eastern Conference playoff champions, prior to the final series of games for the Stanley Cup... : |
Montreal Canadiens Montreal Canadiens The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ... |
| Clarence S. Campbell Bowl Clarence S. Campbell Bowl The Clarence S. Campbell Bowl, or simply the Campbell Bowl, is a National Hockey League trophy awarded to the Western Conference playoff champions. It is named after Clarence S. Campbell, who served as President of the NHL from to . The trophy itself is constructed of sterling silver, crafted in... : |
New York Islanders New York Islanders The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... |
| Art Ross Trophy Art Ross Trophy The Art Ross Trophy is awarded to the National Hockey League player who leads the league in scoring points at the end of the regular season. It was presented to the NHL by former player, general manager, and head coach Art Ross. The trophy has been awarded 61 times to 25 players since its inception... : |
Bryan Trottier Bryan Trottier Bryan John Trottier is a retired Canadian-American professional ice hockey centre who played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League for the New York Islanders and Pittsburgh Penguins. He won four Stanley Cups with the Islanders, two with the Penguins and one as an assistant coach with the... , New York Islanders |
| Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy The Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the National Hockey League player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to ice hockey. The winner is selected by a poll of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association after each team nominates one... : |
Serge Savard Serge Savard Serge Aubrey "The Senator" Savard, OC, CQ is a retired professional ice hockey defenceman, most famously with the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League . He is also a local businessman in Montreal, and is nicknamed the Senator.-Playing career:Savard played minor league hockey with the... , Montreal Canadiens |
| Calder Memorial Trophy Calder Memorial Trophy The Calder Memorial Trophy is an annual award given "to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition in the National Hockey League." The Rookie of the Year trophy has been awarded 79 times since its creation for the 1936–37 NHL season... : |
Bobby Smith, Minnesota North Stars Minnesota North Stars The Minnesota North Stars were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League for 26 seasons, from 1967 to 1993. The North Stars played their home games at the Met Center in Bloomington, and the team's colors for most of its history were green, yellow, gold and white... |
| Conn Smythe Trophy Conn Smythe Trophy The Conn Smythe Trophy is awarded annually to the player judged most valuable to his team during the National Hockey League's Stanley Cup playoffs. The Conn Smythe Trophy has been awarded 46 times to 40 players since the 1964–65 NHL season... : |
Bob Gainey Bob Gainey Robert Michael "Le Capitaine" Gainey is the former executive vice president and general manager of the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League . He is also a former professional ice hockey player who played for the Canadiens from 1973 until 1989... , Montreal Canadiens |
| Frank J. Selke Trophy Frank J. Selke Trophy The Frank J. Selke Trophy is awarded annually to the National Hockey League forward who demonstrates the most skill in the defensive component of the game. The winner is selected by a poll of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association following the regular season. It has been awarded 33 times to... : |
Bob Gainey Bob Gainey Robert Michael "Le Capitaine" Gainey is the former executive vice president and general manager of the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League . He is also a former professional ice hockey player who played for the Canadiens from 1973 until 1989... , Montreal Canadiens |
| Hart Memorial Trophy Hart Memorial Trophy The Hart Memorial Trophy, originally known as the Hart Trophy, the "oldest and most prestigious individual award in hockey", is awarded annually to the "player adjudged most valuable to his team" in the National Hockey League . The Hart Memorial Trophy has been awarded 86 times to 53 different... : |
Bryan Trottier Bryan Trottier Bryan John Trottier is a retired Canadian-American professional ice hockey centre who played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League for the New York Islanders and Pittsburgh Penguins. He won four Stanley Cups with the Islanders, two with the Penguins and one as an assistant coach with the... , New York Islanders |
| Jack Adams Award Jack Adams Award The Jack Adams Award is awarded annually to the National Hockey League coach "adjudged to have contributed the most to his team's success." It has been awarded 37 times to 32 different coaches. The winner is selected by a poll of the National Hockey League Broadcasters Association at the end of the... : |
Al Arbour Al Arbour Alger Joseph "Radar" Arbour is a retired Canadian ice hockey player and a coach and executive in the National Hockey League .-Playing career:... , New York Islanders |
| James Norris Memorial Trophy James Norris Memorial Trophy The James Norris Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the National Hockey League's top "defense player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position". The James Norris Memorial Trophy has been awarded 55 times to 23 different players since its beginnings in... : |
Denis Potvin Denis Potvin Denis Charles Potvin is a former defenseman and team captain for the New York Islanders in the National Hockey League and cornerstone for the Islanders' four Stanley Cup championship teams in the early 1980s. His brother, Jean Potvin, was also an NHL defenseman and the brothers were teammates for... , New York Islanders |
| Lady Byng Memorial Trophy Lady Byng Memorial Trophy The Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, formerly known as the Lady Byng Trophy, is presented each year to the National Hockey League "player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability"... : |
Bob MacMillan Bob MacMillan Robert Lea MacMillan is a former professional ice hockey forward who played in the NHL for 11 seasons from 1974–75 until 1984–85.MacMillan was drafted 15th overall by the New York Rangers in the 1972 NHL Amateur Draft.... , Atlanta Flames Atlanta Flames The Atlanta Flames were a professional ice hockey team based in Atlanta, Georgia, USA from 1972 to 1980. The team, a member of the National Hockey League , was relocated to Calgary, Alberta, Canada for the start of the 1980–81 NHL season and were re-named the Calgary Flames. The NHL returned to the... |
| Lester B. Pearson Award Lester B. Pearson Award The Ted Lindsay Award, formerly known as the Lester B. Pearson Award, is awarded annually to the National Hockey League's most outstanding player in the regular season as judged by the members of the NHL Players Association. It has been awarded 40 times to 23 different players since its beginnings... : |
Marcel Dionne Marcel Dionne Marcel Elphege "Little Beaver" Dionne is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings and New York Rangers... , Los Angeles Kings Los Angeles Kings The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League... |
| NHL Plus/Minus Award NHL Plus/Minus Award The NHL Plus-Minus Award is a trophy awarded annually by the National Hockey League to the ice hockey "player, having played a minimum of 60 games who leads the league in plus/minus statistics." It is sponsored by a commercial business, and it has been known under five different names... : |
Bryan Trottier, New York Islanders |
| Vezina Trophy Vezina Trophy The Vezina Trophy is awarded annually to the National Hockey League's goaltender who is "adjudged to be the best at this position". At the end of each season, the 30 General Managers of the teams in the National Hockey League vote to determine the goaltender who was the most valuable to his team... : |
Ken Dryden Ken Dryden Kenneth Wayne Dryden, PC, is a Canadian politician, lawyer, businessman, author, and former NHL goaltender. Dryden is married with two children and four grandchildren and is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame... & Michel Larocque Michel Larocque Michel Raymond "Bunny" Larocque was a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played for the Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Philadelphia Flyers and St. Louis Blues in the National Hockey League.... , Montreal Canadiens |
| Lester Patrick Trophy Lester Patrick Trophy The Lester Patrick Trophy has been presented by the National Hockey League and USA Hockey since 1966 to honor a recipient's contribution to ice hockey in the United States. It is considered a non-NHL trophy because it may be awarded to players, coaches, officials, and other personnel outside the NHL... : |
Bobby Orr Bobby Orr Robert Gordon "Bobby" Orr, OC is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. Orr played in the National Hockey League for his entire career, the first ten seasons with the Boston Bruins, joining the Chicago Black Hawks for two more. Orr is widely acknowledged to be one of the greatest... |
All-Star teams
| First team | Position | Second team |
|---|---|---|
| Ken Dryden Ken Dryden Kenneth Wayne Dryden, PC, is a Canadian politician, lawyer, businessman, author, and former NHL goaltender. Dryden is married with two children and four grandchildren and is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame... , Montreal Canadiens Montreal Canadiens The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ... |
G Goaltender In ice hockey, the goaltender is the player who defends his team's goal net by stopping shots of the puck from entering his team's net, thus preventing the opposing team from scoring... |
Glenn Resch, New York Islanders New York Islanders The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... |
| Denis Potvin Denis Potvin Denis Charles Potvin is a former defenseman and team captain for the New York Islanders in the National Hockey League and cornerstone for the Islanders' four Stanley Cup championship teams in the early 1980s. His brother, Jean Potvin, was also an NHL defenseman and the brothers were teammates for... , New York Islanders New York Islanders The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... |
D Defenceman (ice hockey) Defence in ice hockey is a player position whose primary responsibility is to prevent the opposing team from scoring... |
Borje Salming Börje Salming Anders Börje Salming , nicknamed "The King", is a retired Swedish professional ice hockey defenceman. He played for Kiruna AIF, Brynäs IF, the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Detroit Red Wings, and AIK. Salming was one of the first European players to make an impact in the National Hockey League , paving... , Toronto Maple Leafs Toronto Maple Leafs The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... |
| Larry Robinson Larry Robinson Larry Clark Robinson is a former ice hockey player and coach in the National Hockey League. Robinson was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1995 and is currently the defensive coach for the New Jersey Devils... , Montreal Canadiens Montreal Canadiens The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ... |
D | Serge Savard Serge Savard Serge Aubrey "The Senator" Savard, OC, CQ is a retired professional ice hockey defenceman, most famously with the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League . He is also a local businessman in Montreal, and is nicknamed the Senator.-Playing career:Savard played minor league hockey with the... , Montreal Canadiens Montreal Canadiens The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ... |
| Bryan Trottier Bryan Trottier Bryan John Trottier is a retired Canadian-American professional ice hockey centre who played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League for the New York Islanders and Pittsburgh Penguins. He won four Stanley Cups with the Islanders, two with the Penguins and one as an assistant coach with the... , New York Islanders New York Islanders The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... |
C Centre (ice hockey) The centre in ice hockey is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play is the middle of the ice, away from the side boards. Centres have more flexibility in their positioning and are expected to cover more ice surface than any other player... |
Marcel Dionne Marcel Dionne Marcel Elphege "Little Beaver" Dionne is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings and New York Rangers... , Los Angeles Kings Los Angeles Kings The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League... |
| Guy Lafleur Guy Lafleur Guy Damien "The Flower" / "Le Démon Blond" Lafleur, OC, CQ is a former Canadian professional ice hockey player who is widely regarded as one of the most naturally gifted and popular players ever to play professional ice hockey... , Montreal Canadiens Montreal Canadiens The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ... |
RW Winger (ice hockey) Winger, in the game of hockey, is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play on the ice is along the outer playing area. They typically work by flanking the centre forward. Originally the name was given to forward players who went up and down the sides of the rink... |
Mike Bossy Mike Bossy Michael Dean Bossy is a former Canadian ice hockey player who played for the New York Islanders for his entire career and was part of their four-year reign as Stanley Cup champions in the early 1980s... , New York Islanders New York Islanders The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... |
| Clark Gillies Clark Gillies Clark "Jethro" Gillies is a retired professional ice hockey player. He is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame. He provided both physical presence and offensive punch for the NHL's New York Islanders during their four-year run as Stanley Cup champions. In a career that spanned 958 games, Gillies... , New York Islanders New York Islanders The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... |
LW Winger (ice hockey) Winger, in the game of hockey, is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play on the ice is along the outer playing area. They typically work by flanking the centre forward. Originally the name was given to forward players who went up and down the sides of the rink... |
Bill Barber Bill Barber William Charles Barber is a Canadian former professional ice hockey forward who played twelve seasons for the Philadelphia Flyers in the National Hockey League . As part of the famed LCB line, Barber helped lead the Flyers to the franchise's two Stanley Cups in 1974 and 1975... , Philadelphia Flyers Philadelphia Flyers The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... |
Scoring leaders
GP = Games Played, G = GoalsGoal (ice hockey)
In ice hockey, a goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the two goal posts and below the goal crossbar. A goal awards one point to the team attacking the goal scored upon, regardless of which team the player who actually deflected the puck into the goal belongs to...
, A = Assists
Assist (ice hockey)
In ice hockey, an assist is attributed to up to two players of the scoring team who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning that they were "assisting" in the goal. There can be a maximum of two assists per goal...
, Pts = Points, PIM = Penalties In Minutes
Penalty (ice hockey)
A penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which, the player can not participate in play. The offending team usually may not replace the player on the ice,...
| Player | Team | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bryan Trottier Bryan Trottier Bryan John Trottier is a retired Canadian-American professional ice hockey centre who played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League for the New York Islanders and Pittsburgh Penguins. He won four Stanley Cups with the Islanders, two with the Penguins and one as an assistant coach with the... |
New York Islanders | 76 | 47 | 87 | 134 | 50 |
| Marcel Dionne Marcel Dionne Marcel Elphege "Little Beaver" Dionne is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings and New York Rangers... |
Los Angeles Kings | 80 | 59 | 71 | 130 | 30 |
| Guy Lafleur Guy Lafleur Guy Damien "The Flower" / "Le Démon Blond" Lafleur, OC, CQ is a former Canadian professional ice hockey player who is widely regarded as one of the most naturally gifted and popular players ever to play professional ice hockey... |
Montreal Canadiens | 80 | 52 | 77 | 129 | 28 |
| Mike Bossy Mike Bossy Michael Dean Bossy is a former Canadian ice hockey player who played for the New York Islanders for his entire career and was part of their four-year reign as Stanley Cup champions in the early 1980s... |
New York Islanders | 80 | 69 | 57 | 126 | 25 |
| Bob MacMillan Bob MacMillan Robert Lea MacMillan is a former professional ice hockey forward who played in the NHL for 11 seasons from 1974–75 until 1984–85.MacMillan was drafted 15th overall by the New York Rangers in the 1972 NHL Amateur Draft.... |
Atlanta Flames | 79 | 37 | 71 | 108 | 14 |
| Guy Chouinard Guy Chouinard Guy Camil "Gramps" Chouinard is a retired professional ice hockey player who played in the 1970s and 80's for the Atlanta Flames, Calgary Flames, and St. Louis Blues... |
Atlanta Flames | 80 | 50 | 57 | 107 | 14 |
| Denis Potvin Denis Potvin Denis Charles Potvin is a former defenseman and team captain for the New York Islanders in the National Hockey League and cornerstone for the Islanders' four Stanley Cup championship teams in the early 1980s. His brother, Jean Potvin, was also an NHL defenseman and the brothers were teammates for... |
New York Islanders | 73 | 31 | 70 | 101 | 58 |
| Bernie Federko Bernie Federko Bernard Allan Federko is a retired professional ice hockey centre who played fourteen seasons in the National Hockey League from 1976 through 1990.-Playing career:... |
St. Louis Blues | 74 | 31 | 64 | 95 | 14 |
| Dave Taylor | Los Angeles Kings | 78 | 43 | 48 | 91 | 124 |
| Clark Gillies Clark Gillies Clark "Jethro" Gillies is a retired professional ice hockey player. He is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame. He provided both physical presence and offensive punch for the NHL's New York Islanders during their four-year run as Stanley Cup champions. In a career that spanned 958 games, Gillies... |
New York Islanders | 75 | 35 | 56 | 91 | 68 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ken Dryden Ken Dryden Kenneth Wayne Dryden, PC, is a Canadian politician, lawyer, businessman, author, and former NHL goaltender. Dryden is married with two children and four grandchildren and is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame... |
Montreal Canadiens | 47 | 2814 | 108 | 2.30 | 30 | 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Chico Resch Chico Resch Glenn Allan "Chico" Resch is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender and television sportscaster. Resch played 14 seasons in the National Hockey League from 1973 to 1986, winning one Stanley Cup with the New York Islanders in 1980... |
N.Y. Islanders | 43 | 2539 | 106 | 2.50 | 26 | 7 | 10 | 2 |
| Bernie Parent Bernie Parent Bernard Marcel Parent , better known as Bernie Parent, is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played 13 National Hockey League seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers, Boston Bruins, and Toronto Maple Leafs, and also spent one season in the World Hockey Association with the... |
Philadelphia Flyers | 36 | 1979 | 89 | 2.70 | 16 | 12 | 7 | 4 |
| Michel Larocque Michel Larocque Michel Raymond "Bunny" Larocque was a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played for the Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Philadelphia Flyers and St. Louis Blues in the National Hockey League.... |
Montreal Canadiens | 34 | 1986 | 94 | 2.84 | 22 | 7 | 4 | 3 |
| Billy Smith Billy Smith (ice hockey) William John Smith, better known as Billy Smith, is a retired professional ice hockey goaltender and is best known for winning four Stanley Cups with the New York Islanders and being the first goalie to be credited with a goal.... |
N.Y. Islanders | 40 | 2261 | 108 | 2.87 | 25 | 8 | 4 | 1 |
| Mike Palmateer Mike Palmateer Michael Scott Palmateer is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey goalie. He played in the NHL from 1976 to 1984 for the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Washington Capitals.-Playing career:... |
Toronto Maple Leafs | 58 | 3396 | 167 | 2.95 | 26 | 21 | 10 | 4 |
| Don Edwards Don Edwards William Donlon Edwards is an American politician of the Democratic Party, formerly a member of the United States House of Representatives from California.-Biography:... |
Buffalo Sabres | 54 | 3160 | 159 | 3.02 | 26 | 18 | 9 | 2 |
| Mario Lessard Mario Lessard Mario Lessard is a retired Canadian ice hockey goaltender.Lessard started his National Hockey League career with the Los Angeles Kings in 1978. He would play his entire NHL career with the Kings. He retired after the 1984 season. Lessard was a NHL Second Team All-Star in 1981... |
L.A. Kings | 49 | 2860 | 148 | 3.10 | 23 | 15 | 10 | 4 |
| Glen Hanlon Glen Hanlon Glen A. Hanlon is a retired Canadian National Hockey League goaltender and a former head coach of the Washington Capitals of the NHL, Dynamo Minsk of the Kontinental Hockey League , and the Belarusian national ice hockey team. He was a goaltender scout for the Vancouver Canucks... |
Vancouver Canucks | 31 | 1821 | 94 | 3.10 | 12 | 13 | 5 | 3 |
| Gerry Cheevers Gerry Cheevers Gerald Michael "Cheesey" Cheevers is a former goaltender in the National Hockey League and World Hockey Association between 1961 and 1980, most famous for his two stints with the Boston Bruins, where he backstopped the team to Stanley Cup wins in 1970 and 1972... |
Boston Bruins | 43 | 2509 | 132 | 3.16 | 23 | 9 | 10 | 1 |
Debuts
The following is a list of players of note who played their first NHL game in 1978–79 (listed with their first team, asterisk (*) marks debut in playoffs):- Brad MarshBrad MarshCharles Bradley Marsh is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played 15 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Atlanta Flames, Calgary Flames, Philadelphia Flyers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings and Ottawa Senators.-Playing career:Originally selected by the...
, Atlanta Flames - Reggie LemelinRejean LemelinRéjean M. "Reggie" Lemelin is a former National Hockey League goaltender. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in the seventh round, 125th overall, in the 1974 NHL Amateur Draft...
, Atlanta Flames - Al SecordAl SecordAlan William Secord is a retired professional ice hockey left wing who played in the National Hockey League for twelve seasons from 1978–79 until 1989–90.-Playing career:...
, Boston Bruins - Bobby Smith, Minnesota North Stars
- Steve Payne, Minnesota North Stars
- Rod LangwayRod LangwayRod Cory Langway is a retired American professional ice hockey defenseman who played for the Montreal Canadiens and Washington Capitals in the National Hockey League and Birmingham Bulls of the World Hockey Association...
, Montreal Canadiens - John TonelliJohn TonelliJohn A. Tonelli is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey forward. He was a four-time Stanley Cup champion with the New York Islanders, and also played with the Calgary Flames, Los Angeles Kings, Chicago Blackhawks, and the Quebec Nordiques of the National Hockey League.-Bio:In 1982 and 1985,...
, New York Islanders - Anders HedbergAnders HedbergAnders Hedberg is a retired former professional ice hockey player who was one of the first European-born players to make an impact in North America...
, New York Rangers - Ulf Nilsson, New York Rangers
- Ken LinsemanKen LinsemanKenneth "The Rat" Linseman is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre who played 15 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Philadelphia Flyers, Edmonton Oilers, Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs...
, Philadelphia Flyers - Pete PeetersPete PeetersPeter H. Peeters is a retired Vezina-winning professional ice hockey goaltender who was one of the NHL's most colourful characters in the 1980s.-Early life:...
, Philadelphia Flyers - Greg Millen, Pittsburgh Penguins
- Wayne BabychWayne BabychWayne Joseph Babych is a retired professional ice hockey right winger who played in the NHL for the St. Louis Blues, Pittsburgh Penguins, Quebec Nordiques, and Hartford Whalers. He is the brother of retired NHL player Dave Babych....
, St. Louis Blues - Curt FraserCurt FraserCurtis Martin Fraser is a former ice hockey player of dual American and Canadian citizenship...
, Vancouver Canucks - Thomas GradinThomas GradinThomas Kjell Gradin was a professional ice hockey player in the National Hockey League from 1978 to 1987. He is best remembered for the 8 seasons he spent with the Vancouver Canucks, and remains one of the top players in that franchise's history.-NHL career:Gradin was already one of the top...
, Vancouver Canucks - Stan SmylStan SmylStanley Philip Smyl is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey winger. As a junior, he appeared in three consecutive Memorial Cups with the New Westminster Bruins, winning the championship twice in 1977 and 1978...
, Vancouver Canucks - Brad SmithBrad Smith (ice hockey)Bradley Allan Smith is a retired professional ice hockey player who played 242 regular-season and playoff games over nine National Hockey League seasons with the Vancouver Canucks, Atlanta Flames, Calgary Flames, Detroit Red Wings, and Toronto Maple Leafs...
, Vancouver Canucks - Ryan WalterRyan WalterRyan William Walter is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre who played 15 seasons in the National Hockey League...
, Washington Capitals
Last games
The following is a list of players of note that played their last game in the NHL in 1978–79 (listed with their last team):- Bobby OrrBobby OrrRobert Gordon "Bobby" Orr, OC is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. Orr played in the National Hockey League for his entire career, the first ten seasons with the Boston Bruins, joining the Chicago Black Hawks for two more. Orr is widely acknowledged to be one of the greatest...
, Chicago Black Hawks - Joe Watson, Colorado Rockies
- Danny GrantDanny GrantDaniel Frederick Grant is a retired Canadian ice hockey right winger, who played in the National Hockey League for parts of fourteen seasons, most notably for the Minnesota North Stars....
, Los Angeles Kings - J. P. Parise, Minnesota North Stars
- Jacques LemaireJacques LemaireJacques Gerard Lemaire is a former ice hockey forward for the Montreal Canadiens and a long-time coach, most notably with the New Jersey Devils and the Minnesota Wild.-Playing career:...
, Montreal Canadiens - Ken DrydenKen DrydenKenneth Wayne Dryden, PC, is a Canadian politician, lawyer, businessman, author, and former NHL goaltender. Dryden is married with two children and four grandchildren and is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame...
, Montreal Canadiens - Yvan CournoyerYvan CournoyerYvan Serge "The Roadrunner" Cournoyer is a retired Canadian hockey right winger who played in the National Hockey League for the Montreal Canadiens from 1963 to 1979. Cournoyer was born in Drummondville, Quebec. He was nicknamed "The Roadrunner" due to his small size and blazing speed, which he...
, Montreal Canadiens - Ed WestfallEd WestfallEdwin Vernon "Shadow" Westfall is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player who played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League with the Boston Bruins and the New York Islanders from 1961 until 1978–79...
, New York Islanders - Bernie ParentBernie ParentBernard Marcel Parent , better known as Bernie Parent, is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played 13 National Hockey League seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers, Boston Bruins, and Toronto Maple Leafs, and also spent one season in the World Hockey Association with the...
, Philadelphia Flyers - Garry MonahanGarry MonahanGarry Michael Monahan is a retired Canadian professional hockey player who played 12 seasons in the National Hockey League.- Playing career :...
, Toronto Maple Leafs - Pit MartinPit MartinHubert Jacques "Pit" Martin was a Canadian professional ice hockey centre who served as captain for the Chicago Black Hawks of the National Hockey League from 1975 to 1977...
, Vancouver Canucks
See also
- List of Stanley Cup champions
- 1978 NHL Amateur Draft1978 NHL Amateur DraftThe 1978 NHL Amateur Draft occurred at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal, Quebec on June 15, 1978. It was the last draft to be called the "Amateur Draft" before the process was renamed to the NHL Entry Draft in 1979.-Selections by round:...
- 1979 Challenge Cup1979 Challenge CupThe 1979 Challenge Cup was an international ice hockey series of games between the Soviet national ice hockey team and a team of all-stars from the National Hockey League, held in New York City. It replaced the NHL's all-star festivities for the 1978–79 NHL season.The Challenge Cup, unlike its...
- 1978–79 WHA season
- 1978 in sports1978 in sports1978 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Ingemar Stenmark, Sweden** Women's overall season champion: Hanni Wenzel, Liechtenstein-American football:...
- 1979 in sports1979 in sports1979 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Peter Lüscher, Switzerland** Women's overall season champion: Annemarie Moser-Pröll, Austria-American football:...