On March 10, 1980, the New York Islanders made a franchise-altering move by acquiring Butch Goring from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for Billy Harris and Dave Lewis. Just nine games into his tenure with the Isles, Goring showed exactly why the deal would become legendary.
On March 30, 1980, the Islanders visited the Quebec Nordiques for a wild offensive showcase. Goring went toe-to-toe with Quebec star Real “Buddy” Cloutier, with both players recording a hat trick and an assist for four-point nights. The Islanders came out on top, winning 9-6 in a game loaded with firepower.
Cloutier got off to a hot start, notching his 36th and 37th goals of the season in the first period, both assisted by Marc Tardif, beating goalie Glenn "Chico" Resch. Butch Goring got on the board early in the second, narrowing the score to 3-2, and shortly after, assisted on a Clark Gillies goal to help the Islanders gain momentum.
Despite another Quebec tally from Paul Stewart (assisted by Cloutier), the Islanders held a slim 6-5 lead heading into the third.
Cloutier completed his hat trick with his 38th of the season just under four minutes into the third, tying the game 6-6. But the Islanders would not be denied. John Tonelli put New York back ahead just seconds later, and Goring sealed the win with two more goals, his 24th and 25th of the campaign, both assisted by Denis Potvin, with the final helper also coming from goalie Glenn Resch.
Goring was a force all game, firing six shots, alongside Bob Nystrom, Bryan Trottier, and Potvin, all of whom also registered six shots. The Islanders peppered Quebec goalie Goran Hogosta with 49 total shots. Cloutier and Tardif combined for nearly half of Quebec's 29 shots on goal.
