Philadelphia Outscores Pittsburgh 19-2 In Two 1977-78 Early-Season Meetings

The Pittsburgh Penguins faced their cross-state rival Philadelphia Flyers twice over their first five games of the 1977-78 NHL season. Neither meeting went remotely according to plan for Pittsburgh. The Penguins were beaten 8-2 at home in the first matchup before suffering an even more lopsided 11-0 loss at the Spectrum. Through it all, goaltender Dunc Wilson remained in the Pittsburgh net, facing an incredible 90 shots over the two games.

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Highlights

• Pittsburgh faced Philadelphia twice over its first five games of 1977-78.

• The Flyers won the two games by scores of 8-2 and 11-0.

• Dunc Wilson played every minute in net for Pittsburgh.

• Wilson faced a combined 90 shots over the two losses.

• Bobby Clarke recorded five points in the first game and four in the second.

• Philadelphia outscored Pittsburgh 19-2 across the two meetings.

• Bernie Parent made 20 saves for the shutout in the 11-0 victory.

• Wilson played 287 NHL games but never appeared in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

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It was a dramatic change of fortune for Wilson after a strong 1976-77 season. He had posted a 2.95 goals-against average and recorded five shutouts, tying Philadelphia's Bernie Parent for third in the NHL. A year later, Wilson appeared in just 21 games for Pittsburgh, finishing with a 4.84 GAA and no shutouts. Over his NHL career, he played 287 regular-season games between 1969-70 and 1978-79 with the Flyers, Vancouver Canucks, Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers and Penguins, but never appeared in a playoff game.

In the first meeting with Philadelphia, Wilson stopped 28 of the 36 shots he faced in an 8-2 defeat. Bobby Clarke powered the Flyers with a goal and four assists for a five-point night, while Bob Kelly contributed two goals and an assist. Tom Bladon added a shorthanded goal and Ross Lonsberry was credited with the game winner as Philadelphia overwhelmed the Penguins.

Things became even more difficult in the rematch at the Spectrum. Philadelphia fired 54 shots at Wilson and rolled to an 11-0 victory. Clarke once again led the attack, recording a goal and three assists. Bob Kelly, Orest Kindrachuk, Rick Lapointe, Reg Leach and Jimmy Watson each finished with three points as the Flyers spread the offense throughout the lineup.

Only Bob Dailey, Gary Dornhoefer, Paul Holmgren and Joe Watson failed to record a point among Philadelphia's skaters in the 11-goal outburst. At the other end, Bernie Parent needed to make just 20 saves to earn the shutout. Over the two games, Philadelphia outscored Pittsburgh 19-2 and fired 90 shots at Wilson, a brutal early-season introduction to the Flyers for the Penguins and their goaltender.

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Bunny Larocque Was The Only Hab Without A Point In This 12-0 Blowout In 1979

On February 22, 1979, the Pittsburgh Penguins visited the Montreal Forum and ran headfirst into the powerhouse Canadiens near the end of their 1970s dynasty. Montreal dominated from start to finish, rolling to a 12-0 victory in a game that showcased just how deep that championship roster really was.

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Highlights

• Montreal defeated Pittsburgh 12-0 on February 22, 1979.

• All 17 Canadiens skaters recorded at least one point.

• Guy Lafleur scored the game-winning goal just 2:05 into the game.

• Guy Lapointe led Montreal with four assists.

• Yvon Lambert, Doug Risebrough and Mario Tremblay each had two goals and one assist.

• Montreal scored 12 times on 37 shots.

• Michel Larocque stopped 25 shots for the shutout.

• The Canadiens went on to win their fourth consecutive Stanley Cup.

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Guy Lafleur got things started just 2:05 into the opening period, beating Denis Herron for what technically stood as the game-winning goal. Interestingly, despite Montreal scoring another 11 times, Lafleur did not record another point. On most nights, keeping Lafleur to a single point would have been considered a major accomplishment. On this night, it meant absolutely nothing.

The Canadiens dressed 17 skaters and every one of them recorded at least one point. Guy Lapointe led the way with four assists, while Yvon Lambert, Doug Risebrough and Mario Tremblay each scored twice and added an assist. Réjean Houle also finished with three points, all assists. It was a remarkably balanced attack in which virtually everyone got involved.

Perhaps even more surprising was that Montreal didn't need an overwhelming number of shots to reach a dozen goals. Herron faced 24 shots over the first two periods and surrendered seven goals. Greg Millen took over for the third and allowed another five goals on just 13 shots. In total, the Canadiens scored 12 times on 37 shots.

At the other end, Michel "Bunny" Larocque quietly took care of business. He stopped all 25 Pittsburgh shots to record the shutout, making him the only Montreal player who dressed that night without a point. It was Larocque's second of three shutouts during the 1978-79 season. His first came with a 14-save performance against the Atlanta Flames, while his third would also require 25 saves against the New York Rangers.

For a Canadiens team headed toward its fourth consecutive Stanley Cup championship, the 12-0 demolition of Pittsburgh was a striking display of roster depth. Lafleur scored the winner, every Montreal skater found the scoresheet, and Larocque was the lone Hab without a point but came away with the shutout.

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Gary Edwards And The Kings Hand Defending Stanley Cup Champions An Opening-Night Loss

The defending Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins opened their 1972-73 NHL season at home on October 8, 1972, but the Los Angeles Kings spoiled the celebration. Behind an outstanding performance from goaltender Gary Edwards, the Kings walked out of Boston Garden with a 4-2 victory.

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Highlights

• October 8, 1972 at Boston Garden

• Los Angeles defeated Boston 4-2

• Gary Edwards stopped 36 of 38 shots

• Boston's Mike Walton recorded seven shots

• Phil Esposito and Bobby Orr were held pointless

• Serge Bernier scored the third-period game-winner

• Boston went on to finish with 51 wins and 107 points

• Edwards appeared in 286 NHL regular-season games during his career

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Los Angeles had opened its season with a loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, making this their second game of the campaign. Edwards got the start in goal and turned aside 36 of Boston's 38 shots. Mike Walton fired seven shots without scoring, while Bruins superstars Phil Esposito and Bobby Orr were both held off the scoresheet.

Boston actually struck first. Dallas Smith scored just 2:16 into the opening period with an assist from Fred Stanfield. The lead didn't last. Mike Corrigan and Butch Goring responded for Los Angeles before the end of the period, sending the Kings to the dressing room with a 2-1 advantage. Carol Vadnais tied the game late in the second period, with Stanfield picking up his second assist of the night.

The deciding goal came at 11:47 of the third period when Serge Bernier beat Boston goaltender Eddie Johnston to put Los Angeles ahead 3-2. Bill Lesuk sealed the victory with an empty-net goal at 19:38. Edwards did the rest, completing his 36-save performance and helping the Kings hand Boston a loss in its season opener.

The victory wasn't a sign of things to come for Los Angeles. The Kings finished the 1972-73 regular season four points short of the final playoff position in the West Division. Boston quickly recovered from the opening-night setback, winning 51 games and finishing with 107 points, second overall in the NHL behind the Montreal Canadiens.

Edwards appeared in 27 games for Los Angeles that season. Although he had been the Kings' primary goaltender in 1971-72, Rogie Vachon soon took over the number-one role. Edwards went on to play 286 NHL regular-season games and 11 playoff games between 1968-69 and 1981-82, appearing with the St. Louis Blues, Los Angeles Kings, Cleveland Barons, Minnesota North Stars, Edmonton Oilers and Pittsburgh Penguins.

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