Steve Payne Brings the Pain: North Stars Shock Bruins in 1981

The Minnesota North Stars and Boston Bruins were evenly matched on paper during the 1980-81 NHL season, each finishing with 87 points. But when the playoffs began, that balance quickly disappeared. In their best-of-five opening round series, one player made all the difference: Steve Payne.

Game 1 at Boston Garden on April 8 set the tone. Payne erupted for a hat trick, scoring three of Minnesota’s five goals. His biggest moment came just 3:34 into overtime, when he beat Rogie Vachon to seal the win. Payne had already opened the scoring and tied the game early in the third, delivering a complete performance right out of the gate.

Less than 24 hours later, Payne struck again. In Game 2, he piled up four points with two goals and two assists in a wild 9-6 victory. Once again, he solved Vachon twice before the Bruins turned to Marco Baron in relief. Dino Ciccarelli matched Payne with four points of his own, but it was Payne’s relentless pressure that kept Boston on its heels throughout.

Game 3 back in Minnesota brought even more chaos. The North Stars jumped out to a 4-0 lead, with Payne contributing two goals and an assist in the 6-3 win. The game featured four shorthanded goals, three by Boston and one by Minnesota, but the outcome was never truly in doubt. Payne’s late first-period goal stood as the game-winner, putting the finishing touch on a dominant series.

In just three games, Payne racked up seven goals and three assists for ten points, including two game-winning goals. He stayed hot into the next round, scoring twice in Game 1 against Buffalo. Minnesota rode that momentum all the way to the Stanley Cup Final before falling to the New York Islanders in five games. By the end of the playoffs, Payne had compiled an incredible 29 points in 19 games, cementing his place as one of the most impactful performers of the 1981 postseason.

Mirage of Destiny: The Story of the 1990-91 Minnesota North Stars

A deep dive into the remarkable season of the Minnesota North Stars — their playoff run, key moments, and legacy.

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Toronto’s “Other Swede” Shines: Inge Hammarstrom’s 5-Point Night Powers Leafs Rout

When discussing Swedish pioneers in Toronto Maple Leafs history, Borje Salming is usually the first name that comes to mind. But during the same era, another Swede quietly carved out a strong NHL career: Inge Hammarstrom.

• Inge Hammarstrom records a career-best 5-point night (1 goal, 4 assists)
• Game played February 12, 1977 at Maple Leaf Gardens
• Toronto defeats the Washington Capitals in a dominant 10-0 rout
• Hammarstrom scores his 18th goal of the 1976-77 season
• Goal assisted by Darryl Sittler and Borje Salming
• Adds assists on goals by Sittler (2), Kurt Walker, and Lanny McDonald
• Bernie Wolfe allows 5 goals on 11 shots before being pulled
• Ron Low gives up 5 more goals on 26 shots in relief
• Mike Palmateer earns shutout with 30 saves
• Sittler and McDonald each post 4-point games (2 goals, 2 assists)
• Ian Turnbull contributes 4 assists
• Only Bob Neely and Palmateer held without a point
• Tiger Williams records a goal and a fight, just missing a Gordie Howe hat trick

Joining the Leafs in the 1973-74 season, Hammarstrom never enjoyed the same spotlight as Salming. Criticized at times for a perceived lack of physicality, he still produced consistently, including a 20-goal rookie season and three additional 20+ goal campaigns over his six-year NHL tenure.

On February 12, 1977, at Maple Leaf Gardens, Hammarstrom delivered the best performance of his career in a lopsided matchup against the Washington Capitals.

The game was effectively decided early. Capitals goaltender Bernie Wolfe surrendered five goals on just eleven shots in the first period before being replaced by Ron Low, who allowed five more over the remaining two periods.

Hammarstrom led the offensive charge with a goal and four assists for a five-point night. His lone goal, his 18th of the 1976-77 season, came late in the first period, assisted by Darryl Sittler and Salming. He went on to add helpers on two Sittler goals, as well as tallies by Kurt Walker and Lanny McDonald.

In goal, Mike Palmateer was flawless, stopping all 30 shots he faced to secure the shutout in the 10-0 victory.

Toronto’s offensive dominance didn’t stop with Hammarstrom. Sittler and McDonald each recorded four-point games with two goals and two assists, while Ian Turnbull contributed four assists. Only Bob Neely and Palmateer were held off the scoresheet.

Meanwhile, Tiger Williams nearly completed a Gordie Howe Hat Trick, registering a goal and a fight with Bill Riley, but falling just short of adding an assist.

The King (Borje Salming)

A compelling look at the life and legacy of Borje Salming — one of hockey’s most respected trailblazers and legendary defensemen.

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6,338 Days Later: Dionne Sets Up Lafleur in a Full-Circle NHL Moment

A Draft Day Connection Years in the Making

At the 1971 NHL Amateur Draft, two future legends began their journeys just one pick apart. Guy Lafleur was selected first overall by the Montreal Canadiens, while Marcel Dionne went second to the Detroit Red Wings.

Both players went on to have incredible individual careers. Lafleur became synonymous with dynastic success in Montreal, winning five Stanley Cups, while Dionne established himself as one of the most prolific scorers in NHL history, despite limited playoff opportunities.

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A Rare Reunion on Broadway

Their careers unexpectedly converged years later in New York. Dionne arrived first, traded from the Los Angeles Kings to the New York Rangers on March 10, 1987.

Lafleur followed ahead of the 1988-89 season, ending a three-year retirement to join the Rangers. It didn’t take long for the former draft rivals to connect.

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6,338 Days Later… A Goal

On October 16, 1988, at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers hosted the Vancouver Canucks.

At 7:22 of the first period, Lafleur scored his first goal as a Ranger and his first since returning to the NHL. The goal came on the power play against goaltender Steve Weeks, with assists from Dionne and Brian Mullen.

A full 6,338 days after being drafted one-two, Dionne was helping Lafleur find the back of the net.

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Flashes of the Old Magic

Lafleur wasn’t done. Just 3:37 later, he picked up an assist on a power-play goal by Brian Leetch, showing glimpses of the brilliance that made him a legend.

But despite the early spark, the Rangers couldn’t hold the lead. Vancouver responded with goals from Normand Rochefort and two from Petri Skriko to secure a 3-2 comeback win.

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History Repeats Against Montreal

Less than a month later, on November 11, 1988, Lafleur faced his former team for the first time at MSG. In a fitting twist, he once again scored the Rangers’ opening goal, again assisted by Dionne.

However, just like their earlier game, the result didn’t go New York’s way, as the Canadiens claimed a 4-2 victory.

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A Unique NHL Full-Circle Moment

Hockey history is full of remarkable connections, but few are as poetic as this one. Two players drafted back-to-back in 1971, each taking vastly different career paths, reunited nearly two decades later to combine on a goal.

For Lafleur and Dionne, it was more than just a point on the scoresheet. It was a full-circle moment that tied together the beginning and twilight of two Hall of Fame careers.

Guy Lafleur: Autobiography

The story of the legendary Canadiens superstar — speed, scoring, and stardom in Montreal.

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Marcel Dionne's NHL Milestone Goals

A tribute to one of hockey’s greatest scorers, this book highlights Marcel Dionne’s most memorable milestone goals and the moments that defined his remarkable NHL career.

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