Stan Mikita’s OT Heroics Spark Chicago’s Final Playoff Win Before Historic Losing Streak

On April 17, 1975, at Chicago Stadium, Stan Mikita delivered a clutch overtime performance that would unknowingly mark the end of an era for the Chicago Blackhawks. Facing the Buffalo Sabres in Game 3 of their quarter-final series, the Blackhawks were already down 2-0 and fighting to stay alive in the 1974-75 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

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Highlights

• Stan Mikita scored the overtime winner in Game 3 on April 17, 1975

• Chicago defeated Buffalo 5-4 for their only win of the series

• Mikita had a 3-point game (1 goal, 2 assists)

• The Blackhawks were already down 2-0 in the series at the time

• Chicago lost the next two games and was eliminated

• That victory became their last playoff win for nearly 5 years

• The team went on to lose 16 straight playoff games (NHL record)

• The streak finally ended on April 8, 1980, with an OT goal by Doug Lecuyer   

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Chicago controlled much of the game but couldn’t shake Buffalo. Holding a 4-3 lead after two periods, the Blackhawks saw their advantage disappear when Jim Schoenfeld tied the game midway through the third. With momentum hanging in the balance, the game headed into sudden-death overtime.

Just 2:31 into the extra frame, Mikita stepped up in vintage fashion. Scoring his third goal of the playoffs, he beat Gerry Desjardins with a perfectly timed finish, assisted by Cliff Koroll and Dick Redmond. Mikita’s overtime winner capped off a dominant three-point performance, as he also assisted on earlier goals by Redmond and Koroll.

What no one could have predicted at the time was the historical weight of that goal. Chicago would go on to lose the next two games and the series, and that victory would stand as their last playoff win for nearly five years. The Blackhawks then endured a staggering 16-game postseason losing streak, a record that still stands in NHL history.

Despite the drought, Chicago continued to qualify for the playoffs each year, only to fall short repeatedly. They were swept by the Montreal Canadiens in 1976, eliminated quickly by the New York Islanders in 1977, pushed but lost to Boston in 1978, and swept again by the Islanders in 1979.

The streak finally ended on April 8, 1980, when Doug Lecuyer scored an overtime winner against Mike Liut. Though Mikita had retired by then, Tony Esposito was a constant presence in both the 1975 victory and the 1980 breakthrough, a rare bridge between two vastly different moments in Blackhawks playoff history.

Forever a Blackhawk

A tribute to Stan Mikita — one of the greatest Chicago Blackhawks of all time and a Hall of Famer.

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Paul Henderson Explodes for 5 Points in Red Wings Comeback Win

On October 27, 1966, the Detroit Red Wings hosted the New York Rangers at Detroit Olympia, still searching for their first win of the young 1966-67 season. After dropping their first four games, frustration was building, until Paul Henderson delivered a performance for the ages.

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Game Highlights

• Paul Henderson records 4 goals and 5 points

• First of four career NHL hat tricks for Henderson

• Red Wings earn first win after 0-4 start

• Detroit rallies from 2-0 deficit

• Henderson scores natural hat trick in second period

• Henderson & Norm Ullman combine for 9 points

• Gordie Howe and Alex Delvecchio held pointless

• High-scoring battle ends in 5-4 Detroit victory

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The game didn’t start in Detroit’s favour. The Rangers jumped out to a 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Bernie Geoffrion and Don Marshall, putting the Red Wings on the brink of a fifth straight loss. But momentum began to shift midway through the second period when Norm Ullman got Detroit on the board, finishing a play set up by Henderson.

Just 31 seconds later, Henderson struck for his first goal of the night, assisted by Ullman and Gary Bergman, igniting the home crowd and completely flipping the script. From there, Henderson took over.

He completed a natural hat trick with more than five minutes remaining in the second period, turning a 2-0 deficit into a Red Wings lead in stunning fashion. Although Marshall added another for New York just before the period ended to keep things tight, Henderson wasn’t finished.

At 12:55 of the third period, Henderson scored his fourth goal of the game, his fifth point overall, to seal the victory for Detroit. It was a dominant individual effort that powered the Red Wings to a much-needed 5-4 win.

Henderson and Ullman were unstoppable together, combining for five goals and four assists while accounting for 13 of Detroit’s 49 shots on Ed Giacomin. Remarkably, legends Gordie Howe and Alex Delvecchio were held off the scoresheet entirely.

Despite the loss, the Rangers saw strong production from their own stars. The trio of Geoffrion, Marshall, and Phil Goyette, all former Montreal Canadiens, combined for eight points in a game that showcased offensive firepower on both sides.

1972: The Series That Changed Hockey Forever

A compelling look at the iconic 1972 Summit Series — how it reshaped international hockey and captivated fans around the world.

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Bobby Hull’s Lone Hat Trick Highlights Blackhawks’ 1960-61 Cup Season

During the 1960-61 NHL season, the Chicago Blackhawks achieved the ultimate goal, winning the Stanley Cup. But surprisingly, offensive fireworks were not a regular occurrence.

Across the entire league, 21 hat tricks were recorded that year. The Blackhawks accounted for just one of them. Despite finishing third overall in the six-team NHL and placing fourth in goals scored, Chicago relied heavily on elite goaltending and structured defensive play rather than high-powered offense.

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Highlights

• Chicago recorded just one hat trick during the 1960–61 season
• The Blackhawks still went on to win the Stanley Cup
• Bobby Hull scored all three goals in a 3–2 win over the Rangers
• Hull fired 13 shots on goal in the game
• Two of his goals came on the power play
• The hat trick included the game-winning goal late in the third
• Hull followed it up by factoring in all goals in a 3–0 shutout win
• Chicago relied more on defense and goaltending than offense

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The Golden Jet Takes Over At Chicago Stadium

That lone hat trick came early in the season and it belonged to a rising superstar.

On October 9, 1960, at Chicago Stadium, Bobby Hull delivered a dominant performance, scoring all three goals in a 3-2 victory over the New York Rangers. Hull was a one-man offensive engine, firing 13 of Chicago’s 38 shots on goal against Rangers netminder Gump Worsley.

Hull opened the scoring late in the first period with a power-play goal, assisted by Bill Hay and Murray Balfour. The timing was especially painful for New York, as Andy Hebenton was just seconds away from exiting the penalty box.

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Clutch Goals Seal The Comeback

The Rangers responded by taking a 2-1 lead into the third period on goals from Harry Howell and Brian Cullen. But the final frame belonged entirely to Hull.

Just 2:53 into the period, he struck again on the power play to tie the game, with assists from Ed Litzenberger and Moose Vasko. Once again, the Rangers were on the verge of killing the penalty before Hull capitalized.

Then, at 16:08, Hull completed the hat trick, scoring the game-winning goal with help from Bill “Red” Hay.

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Hull Stays Red Hot

Hull didn’t slow down after his standout performance.

In the very next game, a 3-0 shutout win over the Toronto Maple Leafs, he factored into every Chicago goal. Hull assisted on Dollard St. Laurent’s game-winner, scored an insurance goal, and added another assist on Murray Balfour’s first goal of the season.

The Golden Jet: A Spectacular Career In Stunning Photographs

A visually rich tribute to Bobby Hull’s legendary career, featuring stunning photographs that capture the speed, power, and charisma of one of hockey’s greatest goal scorers.

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