Mark Messier Scores Four as Oilers Beat Canadiens in 1982

Wayne Gretzky finished with one assist and Jari Kurri was held off the scoresheet, but the Montreal Canadiens still couldn’t contain Edmonton’s offence on December 19, 1982. Mark Messier scored four times to lead the Oilers to a 5-2 victory at Northlands Coliseum. It was his fourth regular-season NHL hat trick and his first four-goal game.

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Highlights

• Messier scored four goals in Edmonton’s 5-2 win on December 19, 1982.

• It was his first NHL four-goal game.

• He opened the scoring on a second-period power play.

• Two of his goals were unassisted, including the winner.

• His hat trick goal came at 7:30 of the third period.

• Gretzky and Anderson finished with one assist each.

• Lumley contributed two assists; Fuhr made 29 saves.

• Boschman scored Edmonton’s only other goal.

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Montreal entered the matchup with the better record, and neither team scored through the opening half of the game. Messier finally broke through at 11:59 of the second period, just 19 seconds after Steve Shutt received a tripping penalty. The unassisted power-play goal beat Richard Sévigny and opened what would become a memorable night for the Edmonton forward.

Less than two minutes later, Messier struck again. His 19th goal of the 1982-83 season gave the Oilers a 2-0 lead, with Gretzky and Glenn Anderson collecting the assists. That would be the only point of the game for either player. Montreal responded with goals from Ryan Walter and Gilbert Delorme, erasing Edmonton’s advantage and setting up a third-period battle.

Messier supplied the deciding goal at 7:30 of the third. Once again, he scored without an assist, completing his hat trick and putting Edmonton ahead for good. Laurie Boschman supplied the Oilers’ only goal that didn’t belong to Messier, while Moose finished his four-goal performance by hitting the empty net with 33 seconds remaining. Dave Lumley and Charlie Huddy assisted on the final goal.

Lumley finished with two assists, making him the only Oiler besides Messier to record more than one point. Walter figured in both Montreal goals, scoring once and assisting on Delorme’s marker. Grant Fuhr stopped 29 of 31 shots for Edmonton, while Sévigny made 47 saves on 51 shots before Messier’s empty-net finish. On a team loaded with scoring talent, this night belonged to Moose.

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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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Bobby Orr’s Historic Playoff Hat Trick Lifts Bruins Over Canadiens in 1971

Bobby Orr found another way to make hockey history on April 11, 1971. Playing at the Montreal Forum in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup quarter-finals, the Boston Bruins defenseman scored three goals in a 5-2 victory over the Montreal Canadiens. It was the first playoff hat trick by a defenseman in nearly half a century, and it pulled Boston even at two games apiece in a series that would bring its remarkable season to an unexpectedly early end.

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Highlights

• Orr scored three goals at the Montreal Forum on April 11, 1971.

• Boston defeated Montreal 5-2 in Game 4 of their quarter-final series.

• The victory tied the series at two games apiece.

• Mike Walton’s power-play goal gave Boston a 2-1 second-period lead.

• Orr’s second goal, 37 seconds into the third period, was the winner.

• His shorthanded empty-net goal completed the hat trick with three seconds remaining.

• Esposito and Hodge each had three assists; Cheevers made 26 saves.

• Montreal ultimately won the series in seven games and captured the Stanley Cup.

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The Canadiens entered the game holding a 2-1 series lead, and Frank Mahovlich gave them another advantage by scoring the only goal of the first period. Montreal remained ahead beyond the halfway point of the game before Orr finally beat Ken Dryden at 11:01 of the second period. Wayne Cashman and Ken Hodge assisted on the tying goal, Orr’s third of the series. Mike Walton then scored on the power play at 18:26, sending Boston into the second intermission with a 2-1 lead.

Orr wasted little time extending that advantage. Just 37 seconds into the third period, he scored again, with Hodge and Phil Esposito drawing the assists. That goal gave Boston a 3-1 lead and ultimately stood as the winner. Yvan Cournoyer brought Montreal within one at 6:13, but Fred Stanfield restored the Bruins’ two-goal cushion at 17:21.

The Canadiens received a late opportunity when Boston defenseman Don Awrey took a hooking penalty at 18:25. Montreal pulled Dryden for an extra attacker, creating a six-on-four advantage, but Orr supplied the final blow. With just three seconds remaining, he scored into the empty net to complete his hat trick and seal the 5-2 victory. The shorthanded goal was his fifth of the series.

Orr led all players with seven shots on goal, while Esposito and Hodge each contributed three assists. Gerry Cheevers stopped 26 shots to help Boston reclaim some momentum. The Bruins would push the series to seven games, but Montreal prevailed and went on to win the Stanley Cup. For Boston, a brilliant regular season ended in the opening round. For Orr, Game 4 remained another memorable entry in a career filled with extraordinary achievements.

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A visual celebration of Bobby Orr’s groundbreaking career — through photos and memorable moments.

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Pit Martin Scores Four Goals Against His Future Team in Bruins’ 5–3 Win

Before Pit Martin joined the Chicago Black Hawks in one of hockey’s most famous trades, he gave them a memorable night for entirely different reasons. On January 27, 1966, Martin scored four goals against Chicago at Boston Garden, powering the Bruins to a 5–3 victory. Boston had entered the game with just ten wins in its first 40 games, making Martin’s offensive outburst a welcome bright spot in a difficult season.

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Highlights

• Martin scored four goals in Boston’s 5–3 win on January 27, 1966.

• The Bruins entered the game with ten wins through 40 games.

• John Bucyk assisted on all four Martin goals.

• Martin scored twice in the first period and once in each remaining period.

• Bobby Hull scored his 40th goal of the season for Chicago.

• Phil Esposito’s late second-period goal brought Chicago within one.

• Martin and Esposito changed teams in the six-player trade of May 15, 1967.

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Martin opened the scoring against Glenn Hall at 4:02 of the first period, with John Bucyk collecting the assist. He struck again at 15:17, this time assisted by Bucyk and Al Langlois. Bucyk would have a hand in all four of Martin’s goals, and the Bruins carried a comfortable 3–0 lead into the first intermission.

Chicago quickly made things interesting in the second period. Bobby Hull spoiled Ed Johnston’s shutout bid with his 40th goal of the season at 1:26, and Doug Mohns followed with a goal that trimmed Boston’s lead to 3–2. Martin answered at 11:02, completing his hat trick with help from Ron Stewart and Bucyk. The Black Hawks weren’t finished, however. With just 40 seconds remaining in the period, Phil Esposito scored his 16th goal of the season to bring Chicago within one again.

Martin supplied the final answer just 2:02 into the third period. His fourth goal restored Boston’s two-goal cushion and completed the scoring in a 5–3 victory. Bucyk earned his fourth assist of the night as the Bruins secured their 11th win of the season.

The matchup would take on an added layer of significance the following year. On May 15, 1967, Boston traded Martin, defenceman Gilles Marotte and goaltender Jack Norris to Chicago for Esposito, Ken Hodge and Fred Stanfield. Martin’s four-goal performance had come against his future team, while one of Chicago’s scorers that night would soon help transform the Bruins.

NHL Playoff Hat Tricks Of The 1960s

Relive the NHL playoff hat tricks of the 1960s with the stories, stars, and memorable performances behind some of the decade’s biggest postseason scoring nights.

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