Mike Bossy Makes NHL History as the First Rookie (and Islander) to Reach 50 Goals

When the New York Islanders welcomed the Washington Capitals to Nassau Coliseum on April 1, 1978, everyone in the building knew what was at stake. Rookie sensation Mike Bossy entered the game sitting on 49 goals, just one away from becoming the first player in Islanders history, and the first rookie in NHL history, to reach the coveted 50-goal milestone.

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Highlights

• Mike Bossy entered the game with 49 goals.

• Scored his historic 50th goal on April 1, 1978.

• Became the first Islanders player to reach 50 goals.

• First NHL rookie ever to score 50 goals.

• Added his 51st goal with five seconds remaining.

• Islanders rallied for a 3-2 victory over Washington.

• Finished his rookie season with 53 goals.

• Began a streak of nine consecutive 50-goal seasons.

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For more than two periods, Washington goaltender Bernie Wolfe kept Bossy off the scoresheet. The rookie finally broke through at 11:52 of the third period, firing a power-play goal past Wolfe while Bill Riley served a tripping penalty. Bryan Trottier and Denis Potvin picked up the assists as the Nassau Coliseum crowd erupted in celebration.

Bossy wasn't finished. With just five seconds remaining, he struck again on another power play, scoring his 51st goal of the season with Bryan Watson in the penalty box for holding. Clark Gillies and Potvin assisted on the game-winning goal, completing a dramatic comeback as New York erased a 2-1 deficit to defeat the Capitals 3-2.

Despite the loss, Bernie Wolfe turned in an outstanding performance for Washington, stopping 41 shots, including 11 from the stick of Denis Potvin. At the other end, Glenn Resch faced only 18 shots, surrendering goals to Guy Charron and Tom Rowe.

Bossy finished his remarkable rookie campaign with 53 goals, shattering Rick Martin's rookie record of 44 set during the 1971-72 season. The achievement launched one of the greatest goal-scoring careers in NHL history, as Bossy recorded nine consecutive 50-goal seasons. More than four decades later, only four NHL rookies have ever scored 50 goals in their first season. Teemu Selanne set the all-time rookie record with 76 goals in 1992-93, while Joe Nieuwendyk and Alex Ovechkin are the only others to join Bossy in the exclusive club.

Rangers vs. Islanders: Denis Potvin, Mark Messier, and Everything Else You Wanted to Know about New York's Greatest Hockey Rivalry

Explore the fierce rivalry between the New York Rangers and New York Islanders, featuring legendary figures, unforgettable clashes, and the moments that defined one of hockey’s most intense matchups.

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Doug Keans Recorded Back-to-Back Shutouts in His First NHL Season with the Bruins

For most goaltenders, recording a first career NHL shutout is a milestone they'll never forget. For Boston Bruins netminder Doug Keans, the memory became even sweeter when he followed it up with another shutout in his very next start during the 1983-84 season.

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Highlights

• Doug Keans recorded the first two shutouts of his NHL career in consecutive starts.

• Blanked the New York Islanders 2-0 on January 16, 1984.

• Followed with a 32-save shutout over the Hartford Whalers on January 21.

• Both victories came by identical 2-0 scores.

• The wins were part of Keans' eight-game personal winning streak.

• 1983-84 was Keans' first season with the Boston Bruins.

• Keans finished his NHL career with four shutouts, half of them coming in these back-to-back starts.

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Keans earned his first career NHL shutout on January 16, 1984, turning aside all 27 shots he faced in a 2-0 victory over the New York Islanders at Boston Garden. Defenseman Gord Kluzak scored the game-winning goal on the power play early in the opening period, beating Billy Smith at 6:10 with Rick Middleton picking up the assist.

Although Bruins starter Pete Peeters handled the next two games, Keans returned to the crease on January 21 and picked up right where he left off. Facing the Hartford Whalers at the Hartford Civic Center, he was even busier, stopping all 32 shots in another 2-0 Boston victory. Mike O'Connell opened the scoring in the first period before Rick Middleton added an insurance goal later in the game.

The consecutive shutouts also marked Keans' sixth and seventh victories during an impressive eight-game personal winning streak. It was a remarkable run for a goaltender who had seen limited NHL action with the Los Angeles Kings over the previous four seasons before arriving in Boston.

The 1983-84 campaign was Keans' first with the Bruins, and he would spend five seasons with the club as a dependable backup. During that span, he provided valuable depth behind a succession of Boston starters, including Pete Peeters, Pat Riggin, Bill Ranford and Reggie Lemelin, while producing four career NHL shutouts, two of which came in memorable back-to-back starts.

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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Brian Cullen And Billy Harris Deliver Twin Hat Tricks As Maple Leafs Crush Bruins 7-0

The Toronto Maple Leafs couldn't have asked for a better remedy after opening the 1957-58 NHL season with three consecutive losses. On October 19, 1957, a packed Maple Leaf Gardens crowd watched the Leafs completely dominate the Boston Bruins in a 7-0 victory that finally put Toronto in the win column. Goaltender Ed Chadwick was flawless, turning aside all 30 Boston shots, while Brian Cullen and Billy Harris each recorded memorable hat tricks.

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Highlights

• The Maple Leafs snapped an 0-3 start with a dominant 7-0 victory over the Bruins.

• Brian Cullen scored the first hat trick of the night, including the game-winning goal.

• Billy Harris matched Cullen with a hat trick of his own in the third period.

• Ed Chadwick earned a 30-save shutout against Boston.

• Ron Stewart added a shorthanded goal just 24 seconds into the second period.

• Barry Cullen assisted on two of his brother Brian's three goals.

• The game remains one of the rare occasions in NHL history where two teammates recorded hat tricks in the same game.

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Cullen opened the scoring late in the first period, converting a power-play opportunity at 18:06. George Armstrong and Bob Pulford set up the goal, which proved to be the eventual game winner. Although the Leafs would score six more times, Boston never seriously threatened Chadwick, who was in complete control from start to finish.

Toronto buried the Bruins in the second period. Ron Stewart struck just 24 seconds into the frame with a shorthanded goal before Brian Cullen added his second of the night at 17:19. His brother, Barry Cullen, and defenseman Bob Baun picked up the assists. Barry would also help set up Brian's third goal in the final period, giving the Cullen brothers a special family connection on an unforgettable evening.

Not to be overshadowed, Billy Harris took over in the third period. He scored twice within 30 seconds early in the frame before completing his own hat trick with only 22 seconds remaining in regulation. Remarkably, Toronto had two different players score three goals in the same game, accounting for six of the club's seven goals in one of the most lopsided wins of the season.

Despite their explosive performances that night, neither player went on to challenge the league's scoring leaders. Harris finished the season with 16 goals, while Cullen enjoyed the finest offensive campaign of his NHL career, scoring a personal-best 20. Even so, their unforgettable outburst against Boston remains one of the more unique offensive performances in Maple Leafs history, proving that sometimes one spectacular night can leave a lasting place in franchise lore.

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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