Trottier’s Two-Goal Night Sinks Kings On February 14, 1978

On February 14, 1978, the New York Islanders hosted the Los Angeles Kings for a Valentine’s Day showdown and there was no love shown by Bryan Trottier.

The Kings struck first. Dave Taylor opened the scoring early in the first period, beating goaltender Glenn Resch with assists from Gary Sargent and Randy Manery. The Islanders didn’t wait long to answer.

Less than two minutes later, Bryan Trottier tied the game with his 36th goal of the 1977-78 NHL season. He beat Rogie Vachon with helpers credited to Jude Drouin and Clark Gillies, setting the tone for what would become a memorable night for the Islanders’ star center.

The second period saw L.A. regain the lead thanks to Butch Goring, sending the Kings into the intermission up 2-1. But the third period belonged to the Islanders. Just 1:18 into the final frame, Denis Potvin fired home his 20th of the season to even the score at 2-2. Trottier picked up the primary assist, with Bill Harris drawing the secondary helper.

Midway through the period, with Kings forward Mike Murphy serving a tripping penalty, Trottier delivered the dagger. At 10:50, he scored his second of the night, his 37th of the season, on the power play. Potvin and Stefan Persson assisted on what stood as the game-winner in a 3-2 Islanders victory.

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Trottier’s Monster Season

The Valentine’s Day heroics were just part of a remarkable campaign. Trottier finished 1977-78 with:

• 46 goals

• 77 assists

• 123 points

• 6 game-winning goals

He finished runner-up to Guy Lafleur for the Hart Trophy that season, an award Trottier would capture the following year.

All Roads Home: A Life On and Off the Ice

The autobiography of Bryan Trottier — his journey through hockey greatness and life beyond the rink.

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Rogie Vachon Starts 1977-78 With Opening Night Shutout

The 1977-78 NHL season opened with a statement performance from Rogatien “Rogie” Vachon and the Los Angeles Kings.

On October 12, 1977, Vachon backstopped the Kings to a 2-0 Opening Night victory over the visiting Cleveland Barons, becoming the first goaltender of the season to record a shutout. Rogie was flawless, stopping all 24 shots he faced for the 42nd shutout of his NHL career. At the opposite end, Cleveland’s Gilles Meloche was strong as well, allowing just two goals on 28 shots.

Los Angeles wasted little time getting on the board. At 12:18 of the first period, Ernie Hicke scored the game-winning goal, set up by Marcel Dionne and Glenn Goldup. That same trio struck again just 39 seconds into the third period when Dionne finished off another perfectly executed sequence to make it 2-0.

While Vachon controlled the crease, the game also featured a bit of Opening Night theater to keep the crowd buzzing. In the first period, Kings enforcer Dave Schultz squared off with Cleveland’s Reg Kerr in a heavyweight bout. Midway through the third period, L.A.’s Dave Hutchison dropped the gloves with Barons defenseman Bob Girard.

The 1977-78 season would see Vachon record four shutouts for the Kings, matching his lowest total since the 1972-73 campaign. It also marked his final season in Los Angeles. Vachon began the following year with the Detroit Red Wings, spending two seasons in Hockeytown before finishing his Hall of Fame career with the Boston Bruins.

Tales from the Los Angeles Kings Locker Room

A collection of the greatest Kings stories ever told — from the locker room to unforgettable moments on the ice.

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