Who Scored 50 First? The Penguins’ Historic 1975-76 Season

In the 1975-76 NHL season, the Pittsburgh Penguins achieved a franchise first. Not one, but two players reached 50 goals. Pierre Larouche and Jean Pronovost both cracked the milestone, with Larouche finishing at 53 goals and Pronovost close behind at 52. But who hit 50 first?

March 24, 1976: Pronovost Makes Penguins History

On a Wednesday night at the Civic Arena (a.k.a. The Igloo), the Penguins faced off against the powerhouse Boston Bruins. With the game tied in the third period, Jean Pronovost scored his 50th goal of the season at the 11:01 mark. The goal came on Gilles Gilbert, assisted by Lowell MacDonald and Syl Apps.

That moment made Pronovost the first Pittsburgh Penguin ever to reach 50 goals in a single season. Larouche also scored in the game, his 45^th, The match ended in a 5-5 tie.

April 3, 1976: Larouche Follows In A Flash

Just over a week later, Pierre Larouche entered a game against the Washington Capitals with 49 goals. He scored number 50 at 11:16 of the second period, assisted by Ron Stackhouse and Rick Kehoe. With eight seconds left in the same period, he added another, goal number 51.

Despite Larouche’s heroics, the Penguins lost 5-4. It was just the Capitals' 11th win of the year.

A Quick Playoff Exit

Although Larouche and Pronovost combined for 105 goals, the Penguins were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs, losing a best-of-three series to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Neither player scored during the series.

Today’s Franchise Benchmark: Lemieux’s 85

While Pronovost was the first to reach 50, and Larouche edged him in total, Mario Lemieux now holds the single-season franchise record with a jaw-dropping 85 goals in 1988-89.

1970's 50 Goal Scorers Quiz

Much more NHL hockey trivia can be found at our Hockey Trivia website!

1. Who was the first NHL player to score 50 goals in a season during the 1970s?
Phil Esposito (1971)
Phil Esposito (1970)
Bobby Hull (1970)
Guy Lafleur (1971)

2. In the 1970s, which NHL player had the most 50-goal seasons?
Marcel Dionne
Mike Bossy
Guy Lafleur
Rick Martin

3. Which of these players did NOT score 50 goals in a season during the 1970s?
Pierre Larouche
Jean Pronovost
Dave Keon
Ken Hodge

4. Which team had two players reach 50 goals in the same 1975-76 season?
Pittsburgh Penguins
Montreal Canadiens
New York Islanders
Buffalo Sabres

5. Who scored 52 goals in the 1974-75 season for the Buffalo Sabres?
Danny Gare
Gilbert Perreault
Rene Robert
Rick Martin

Steve Durbano’s 10 Points in 5 Games as a Rookie D-Man? Not Orr, But Still Impressive

When someone mentions a defenseman putting up 10 points in five NHL games during the 1972-73 season, your first thought might be Bobby Orr. Fair enough. Orr was in peak form that year. But the blueliner who did it in this stretch was rookie Steve Durbano of the St. Louis Blues.

In February 1973, Durbano scored a goal and assisted on nine others over a five-game tear. What's more surprising? He only took two minor penalties during that span, despite a career built on physicality and time in the box.

February 3, 1973: A Career Night

Durbano’s standout game came in a dominant 6-1 win over the California Golden Seals. He registered four assists, setting up two goals by Floyd Thomson, one from Phil Roberto, and the game-winner by Fran Huck. Durbano led all skaters with six shots on Gilles Meloche, as the Blues peppered the Seals with 51 total shots, compared to just 15 faced by Bob Johnson in the St. Louis net.

Durbano finished the night a +3 and didn’t take a single penalty, a rare stat line for the rugged blueliner.

From First-Round Pick to Journeyman 

Originally a first-round selection by the New York Rangers in 1971, Durbano never played a game for them. After some seasoning in the minors with the Omaha Knights, he broke into the NHL with the Blues in the 1972-73 season.

Over the course of his NHL career (1972-73 to 1978-79), Durbano played 220 regular season games and five playoff contests, suiting up for the Blues, Pittsburgh Penguins, Kansas City Scouts, and Colorado Rockies. True to his reputation, he compiled a staggering 1,127 penalty minutes in those 220 games, averaging over 5 minutes per game.

Steve Durbano Trivia Quiz

For much more NHL hockey trivia, visit our Hockey Trivia Site!

1. How many points did Steve Durbano score in his 5-game streak in 1973?

5
7
10
12

2. Which team did Durbano record 4 assists against on February 3, 1973?

New York Rangers
California Golden Seals
Boston Bruins
Pittsburgh Penguins

3. What unusual stat did Durbano achieve in that February 3 game?

He had a fight and a goal
He had no penalties
He scored a hat trick
He was ejected

4. How many total NHL regular season games did Durbano play?

150
198
220
275

5. Which team originally drafted Steve Durbano?

New York Rangers
St. Louis Blues
Kansas City Scouts
Colorado Rockies

Ken Hodge’s 6 Assist Game Still a Boston Bruins Record

On February 9, 1971, Ken Hodge turned playmaker and carved his name into Boston Bruins history with a record-setting performance that still stands today. Known more for lighting the lamp than setting up goals, Hodge dished out six assists in a 6-3 win over the visiting New York Rangers.

That night, Hodge played provider on two goals by Bobby Orr, two by Wayne Cashman, one by Phil Esposito, and one by Johnny Bucyk. Though he fired four shots of his own at Rangers goalie Gilles Villemure, he couldn’t find the back of the net. But it was his incredible setup work that stole the spotlight.

Just weeks earlier, Bucyk had tied the club’s previous record with five assists in a single game. Hodge surpassed it with his six-helper night, becoming the sole record-holder, though not for long. On January 1, 1973, Bobby Orr matched the feat with six assists of his own against the Vancouver Canucks. As of today, Hodge and Orr remain co-holders of the Bruins' single-game assist record.

Interestingly, Hodge joined the list of Bruins players with five-assist nights just over a year later, doing it again on November 9, 1972, in a game versus Detroit.

The 1970-71 season would prove to be Hodge’s best. He tallied 62 assists and 43 goals for 105 points, ranking fourth in the NHL in all three categories. Still, he remained somewhat in the shadows with teammates Phil Esposito and Bobby Orr were busy shattering league records of their own.

About Ken Hodge

Ken Hodge played 880 regular season and 97 playoff games in the National Hockey League between 1964-65 and 1977-78 with the Chicago Blackhawks, Boston Bruins and New York Rangers. Prior to his NHL start, he earned the Eddie Powers Trophy as the OHA Junior A (OHL) top scorer in 1964-65, putting up 63 goals and 123 points with the St. Catharines Black Hawks.

Involved in two major trades over his NHL career, Hodge was shipped from Chicago to Boston on May 15, 1967 with Phil Esposito and Fred Stanfield for Gilles Marotte, Pit Martin and Jack Norris. On May 26, 1976, he was traded from the Bruins to the Rangers for Rick Middleton. Middleton went on to a great career with Boston while Hodge soon fizzled out and played just one full season with the Blue Shirts.

NHL Hockey Card Greats: Ken Hodge [Video]

From Longshot to Legend: Dave Taylor’s Rookie Hat Trick for the LA Kings

The NHL Amateur Draft in 1975 looked very different than today. No Europeans in the early rounds, and U.S. college players were often late selections. That year, all 18 first-round picks came from Canadian junior teams. The first NCAA player chosen? Brian Engblom, in the second round by Montreal.

But the Los Angeles Kings took a chance way down in the 15th round, 210th overall, on a kid from Levack, Ontario, now part of Onaping Falls near Sudbury, who was playing for Clarkson University. That kid was Dave Taylor, and the hockey world had no idea what was coming.

Fast forward to the 1977-78 NHL season. Taylor, now a Kings rookie, posted a solid 22-goal campaign in 64 games. But it was January 14, 1978, at the Omni Coliseum in Atlanta, when he really made headlines.

Facing the Atlanta Flames, Taylor netted a hat trick, all in the second period. Each goal was assisted by veteran Danny Grant, who notched five assists that night. Taylor’s third goal, on Flames goalie Yves Bélanger, was the game-winner in an 8-4 Kings triumph. He added a fourth point with an assist on Ernie Hicke’s goal later in the game.

Before the legendary Triple Crown Line was formed, Taylor was already proving he belonged, skating alongside Marcel Dionne and Grant. And he didn’t stop there. Of the 217 players drafted in 1975, Taylor was the only one to play over 1,000 NHL games. He spent his entire career with the Kings, suiting up for 1,111 regular season games and 92 playoff contests from 1977 to 1994. Not bad for a 15th-round pick.

Dave Taylor's NHL Hat Tricks

Over his lengthy NHL career, Dave Taylor scored three or more goals in a game nine times. In those nine games, the Kings were 8-1. On January 25, 1990, Taylor scored three goals on Edmonton Oilers goalie Bill Ranford in a 7-6 loss at Northlands Coliseum.

Dave's lone four goal game happened at the L.A. Forum on March 14, 1981 against the Minnesota North Stars. In a 10-4 blowout, Taylor scored the lone goal on Gilles Meloche after the veteran came in to relieve Don Beaupre. Beaupre allowed nine goals on 25 shots, including Taylor's first three of the game. Included in those was the game winner, scored at 10:22 of the first period with help from Marcel Dionne and Rick Chartraw.

His nine hat tricks were scored against nine different teams. Five were at home and four were on the road. All were regular season hatties, except for one. Dave had a playoff three goal game against the Calgary Flames in game four of the Smythe Division semi-final on April 10, 1990. In the 12-4 win, Taylor, Tony Granato and Tomas Sandstrom all record hat tricks while Granato, Wayne Gretzky and Sandstrom had five point games.

Bobby Clarke and the Flyers Unleash Offensive Fury Against Detroit

On February 2, 1974, the Philadelphia Flyers reminded the NHL they weren’t just fists and fury, they had firepower, too. In a dominant 12-2 victory over the Detroit Red Wings at the Spectrum, the Broad Street Bullies showcased the killer offense that would help propel them to a Stanley Cup championship just months later.

Captain Clarke Leads the Charge

Flyers captain Bobby Clarke wasted no time, opening the scoring just 2:38 into the first period. By the end of the night, Clarke had recorded a hat trick and three assists for a six-point performance, scoring a goal in every period and tallying both the first and last goals of the game.

Franchise History Made

The 12-goal outburst set a new franchise record at the time. Although the record would later be broken twice in 1984, this win stood out not just for the sheer number of goals, but for the balanced attack. Ross Lonsberry also netted a hat trick, completely separate from Clarke’s scoring line, while Simon Nolet recorded a goal and four assists for a five-point night, with three of his helpers coming on Lonsberry’s goals.

Wings Goalies Left Reeling

Detroit goaltender Jim Rutherford faced a barrage in the first two periods, stopping 29 of 36 shots before being replaced by Bill McKenzie, who fared no better, allowing five more goals on 19 shots in the third. The Flyers fired 55 total shots, with Clarke leading the way with nine and Bill Barber adding two goals on eight shots.

Redmond’s Lone Bright Spot for Detroit

In a game that offered little joy for Red Wings fans, Mickey Redmond managed to break through twice, notching his 29th and 30th goals of the season. He’d go on to score 51 that year, his second consecutive 50-goal campaign.

A Glimpse of Greatness to Come

While the Flyers were known for their grit and physical dominance during the Broad Street Bullies era, this game showed they had more than just muscle, they had elite offensive talent. Clarke’s performance was a statement, and it echoed loudly all the way to the 1974 Stanley Cup.

About Bobby Clarke

A lowly second round pick by the Philadelphia Flyers at the 1969 NHL Amateur Draft, Bobby Clarke went on to play 1,144 regular season and 136 playoff games in the National Hockey League between 1969-70 and 1983-84, all with the Flyers. Clarke topped the 100 point plateau three times, putting up a personal best 119 in 1975-76. He would take home his third and final Hart Trophy that same year.

Along with leading the Flyers to consecutive Stanley Cup championships in 1973-74 and 1974-75, Bobby was the NHL's assists leader in 1974-75 and 1975-76, contributing 89 helpers in each campaign. Clarke was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1987.

NHL Hockey Card Greats: Bobby Clarke [Video]