Mark Messier and Dave Lumley Set an NHL Record in 1981-82 (Wayne Gretzky Made History Too)

On March 28, 1982, hockey fans witnessed one of the most famous goals in NHL history when Wayne Gretzky scored his record-breaking 92nd goal of the season against the Los Angeles Kings. More than four decades later, it remains one of the sport’s most untouchable records.

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Highlights

• Wayne Gretzky scored his historic 92nd goal of the 1981-82 season

• Mark Messier scored just 14 seconds into the game

• Dave Lumley added another goal only 10 seconds later

• Edmonton set an NHL record with two goals in the first 24 seconds

• Glenn Anderson scored twice in the opening period

• Kings goalie Doug Keans allowed four goals on seven shots

• The Oilers defeated Los Angeles 6-2 at the Forum

• Dave Lumley finished with two points and 14 penalty minutes

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But before Gretzky made history at the Forum in Los Angeles, the Edmonton Oilers had already set another NHL record that still stands today.

Just 14 seconds into the opening period, Mark Messier beat Kings goaltender Doug Keans for his 47th goal of the season, with Lee Fogolin picking up the assist. Before the crowd had time to settle back into their seats, Dave Lumley struck just ten seconds later, scoring his 31st of the year with help from Kevin Lowe.

The two Edmonton goals came within the first 24 seconds of the game, establishing a new NHL record for the fastest two goals by one team to begin a game. The previous record of 29 seconds had been set by the Pittsburgh Penguins only one season earlier.

Things only got worse for Los Angeles from there. Glenn Anderson scored twice in the opening period, including one at the 10:51 mark that made it 4-0 Edmonton. After surrendering four goals on just seven shots, Keans was replaced by Mike Blake. Blake settled things down by stopping 28 of the 30 shots he faced, but the Oilers offense had already taken control.

Messier later added his second goal of the game, and then came the moment hockey history remembers best. At 1:50 of the third period, Gretzky fired home goal number 92, surpassing the previous single-season record in unforgettable fashion. The Oilers cruised to a 6-2 victory.

Lumley’s stat line from the game was one of the more unusual of the season. Despite recording only one shot on goal, he scored once and added an assist on Messier’s second tally for a two-point night. He also piled up 14 penalty minutes in the third period and finished tied with Matti Hagman for the team lead at plus-three.

The Battle of Alberta: The Historic Rivalry Between the Edmonton Oilers and the Calgary Flames

A deep dive into one of hockey’s most intense rivalries — the Edmonton Oilers vs. the Calgary Flames, featuring unforgettable games, personalities, and playoff clashes.

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Barry Pederson’s Shorthanded Dagger Helped Bruins Cruise Past Blues In 1982

The 1982-83 Boston Bruins featured plenty of offensive firepower, and one of the biggest contributors was forward Barry Pederson. By the end of the season, Pederson had piled up ten game-winning goals, tied for second-most in the NHL alongside Glenn Anderson of the Edmonton Oilers. One of the most memorable came on November 14, 1982, when the Bruins hosted the St. Louis Blues at Boston Garden.

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Highlights

• Barry Pederson scored the game-winning goal shorthanded against St. Louis

• The Bruins defeated the Blues 7-3 at Boston Garden on November 14, 1982

• Ray Bourque recorded two goals and two assists for a four-point night

• Pederson finished the 1982-83 season with 107 points

• Boston scored three times during a seven-minute stretch in the second period

• Pederson tied for second in the NHL with ten game-winning goals in 1982-83

• Vaclav Nedomansky, Perry Turnbull and Wayne Babych scored for St. Louis

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After a quiet opening period that ended scoreless, the game exploded offensively in the second. Boston struck three times in a seven-minute stretch while the Blues managed just one response. Then, with only 43 seconds remaining in the frame, Pederson delivered the knockout punch. With Terry O’Reilly serving a charging penalty, Pederson scored shorthanded against Blues goaltender Mike Liut to give Boston a commanding 4-1 lead.

That goal proved to be the game winner as the Bruins rolled to a convincing 7-3 victory. Pederson also picked up an assist later in the game on Ray Bourque’s second goal of the night. Bourque was sensational, finishing with two goals and two assists for a four-point performance. Keith Crowder, Luc Dufour, Peter McNab and Brad Palmer also found the back of the net for Boston.

The Blues received goals from Vaclav Nedomansky, Perry Turnbull and Wayne Babych, but they simply could not contain Boston’s attack. The Bruins controlled much of the night offensively and showcased the balanced scoring depth that made them one of the league’s strongest clubs during the early 1980s.

Pederson’s overall season was outstanding. He led the Bruins in scoring with 107 points in 1982-83, the first of back-to-back 100-point campaigns. He followed it up with 116 points the next season, finishing sixth overall in NHL scoring. His postseason performance in 1983 may have been even more impressive, as he recorded 14 goals and 32 points in just 17 playoff games, trailing only Rick Middleton for the Boston team lead.

Boston Bruins: Greatest Moments and Players

A celebration of the iconic history of the Boston Bruins — from legendary players to unforgettable moments.

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41-Year-Old Gump Worsley Turns Back 63 Bruins Shots In Stunning 1971 Performance

The 1970-71 Boston Bruins were one of the NHL’s most explosive offensive teams ever assembled. With stars like Bobby Orr and Phil Esposito leading the attack, Boston overwhelmed opponents night after night. But on February 7, 1971, the Bruins ran into a veteran goaltender who simply refused to crack.

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Highlights

• Gump Worsley stopped 63 of 67 shots against the Bruins in 1971

• The 41-year-old goalie earned Minnesota a dramatic 4-4 tie in Boston

• Bobby Orr fired 13 shots but recorded only one assist

• Phil Esposito was held scoreless despite 10 shots on goal

• Minnesota jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the first period

• The two teams combined for an incredible 99 shots in the game

• Worsley’s 63-save effort was one of the first 60-save games in NHL history

• The legendary performance remains one of hockey’s greatest goaltending displays

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At 41 years old, Gump Worsley delivered one of the greatest performances of his long NHL career for the Minnesota North Stars. Facing an incredible 67 shots from the Bruins, Worsley stopped 63 of them to earn Minnesota a hard-fought 4-4 tie in Boston. At the time, no NHL goalie had ever recorded 60 or more saves in a game since the league began officially tracking shots on goal.

Minnesota stunned the crowd early by racing out to a 3-0 lead before the first period was even halfway finished. Goals by Jude Drouin, Charlie Burns and Bill Goldsworthy put the Bruins on their heels. Boston eventually clawed back, but Worsley’s steady play kept the North Stars alive through wave after wave of pressure.

Even the Bruins’ biggest stars were frustrated. Orr fired 13 shots on goal but managed only a single assist on a goal by Ken Hodge. Esposito unleashed 10 shots of his own yet failed to score. Boston goalie Gerry Cheevers was also busy, facing 32 shots as the two Hall of Fame netminders combined to see 99 shots in the game.

The performance became even more legendary as the years passed. Only a handful of NHL goalies have since recorded 60-save games. Ron Tugnutt later topped the list with a remarkable 70-save-plus performance for the Quebec Nordiques against Boston in 1991. But Worsley’s effort remains one of the most remarkable displays of endurance and poise ever seen from a goaltender, especially considering he was just months away from turning 42 years old.

Stories From The Epic History Of NHL Hockey (Volume IV)

Dive into unforgettable tales from NHL history — the biggest moments, legendary players, and classic rivalries.

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