Gilbert Perreault Becomes the 12th Player in NHL History to Reach the 500 Goal Plateau

On March 9, 1986, the Buffalo Sabres faithful at the Aud witnessed history. Their franchise cornerstone, Gilbert Perreault, became just the 12th player in NHL history to reach the 500-goal milestone.

Perreault had notched goal number 499 two nights earlier in a loss to the Hartford Whalers. Against the New Jersey Devils, he struck again, scoring his milestone marker at 10:44 of the second period on Alain Chevrier, with Mike Foligno and Bill Hajt picking up the assists.

Although it was Perreault’s only point of the night, the Sabres pulled off a 4-3 victory. Foligno added a goal and an assist, and Doug Smith netted the game-winner late in the third period. Tom Barrasso was solid between the pipes, turning aside 31 of 34 shots for the win.

For Perreault, the milestone came near the twilight of his brilliant career. His 500th was his 18th goal of the 1985-86 season, and he would finish that year with 21, good for fourth on the team despite his age and reduced ice time. The Sabres missed the playoffs, and Perreault would play only 20 more games the following season before retiring with 512 career goals.

A true one-franchise legend, Gilbert Perreault played 1,191 regular-season games and 90 playoff games, all with Buffalo. He remains the only player ever to wear No. 11 for the Sabres, and his 1990 induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame cemented his place among the game’s greatest. As of today, he still ranks 43rd on the NHL’s all-time goals list, just behind Jeremy Roenick, a testament to the skill, grace, and longevity that defined his career.

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NHL Hockey Trivia: Gilbert Perreault

Much more NHL hockey trivia can be found at our website: World's Best Hockey Trivia

1. In what year did Gilbert Perreault make his NHL debut with the Buffalo Sabres?

1968-69
1969-70
1970-71
1971-72

2. Which award did Perreault win during his rookie season in the NHL?

Lady Byng Trophy
Calder Memorial Trophy
Hart Trophy
Bill Masterton Trophy

3. Gilbert Perreault was the centerpiece of what famous Buffalo Sabres forward line?

The French Connection
The Production Line
The Triple Crown Line
The Legion of Doom

4. How many career goals did Perreault finish with before retiring in 1987?

486
500
512
519

5. In what year was Gilbert Perreault inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame?

1988
1989
1990
1991

Bob Bourne Delivers Clutch Goals and Grit vs. the Jets

The New York Islanders dynasty wasn’t built solely on superstars like Mike Bossy, Bryan Trottier, and Denis Potvin. Players like Bob Bourne quietly carved out reputations as game-changers in crucial moments. On March 11, 1981, he delivered one of his finest performances.

That season, Bourne scored 35 goals, including nine on the power play, seven shorthanded, and five game-winners. He was the very definition of a special teams specialist, thriving when it mattered most.

When the Islanders visited the Winnipeg Jets at Winnipeg Arena, the matchup looked lopsided. New York had 39 wins, while the Jets had only eight. Yet after the first period, the game was knotted 2-2. Bourne picked up an assist on Mike Bossy’s 62nd goal of the year to help even the score late in the frame.

In the second period, with Bob Nystrom serving a penalty, Bourne struck shorthanded. At 10:04, he snapped home his 28th goal of the season past Michel Dion, assisted by Denis Potvin. It stood up as the game-winning goal in a 6-3 Islanders victory.

Just 45 seconds later, Bourne showed he could mix it up, too. Dropping the gloves with Danny Geoffrion, he earned a five-minute major for fighting, giving him a Gordie Howe Hat Trick.

Bourne capped his night by scoring into the empty net with three seconds left, finishing with a three-point performance. His 35 goals and 76 points that season were both career highs, and he remained a vital cog in the Islanders’ machine during their run of four straight Stanley Cups.

About Bob Bourne

Bob Bourne played 964 regular season and 139 playoff games in the National Hockey League between 1974-75 and 1987-88 with the New York Islanders and Los Angeles Kings. Bourne was originally a draft pick of the Kansas City Scouts. He was selected in the third round of the 1974 NHL Amateur Draft after a junior career with the Saskatoon Blades. He was traded to the Islanders just prior to the start of the 1974-75 NHL season.

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NHL Hockey Trivia: Bob Bourne

Much more NHL hockey trivia can be found at our website: World's Best Hockey Trivia

1. Bob Bourne spent the majority of his NHL career with which team?

Winnipeg Jets
New York Islanders
Calgary Flames
Minnesota North Stars

2. Bourne’s best NHL season came in 1980-81. How many goals did he score that year?

29
35
41
25

3. Bourne was part of how many consecutive Stanley Cup championships with the Islanders?

4
2
3
5

4. After leaving the Islanders, Bourne played for which NHL team?

New Jersey Devils
Toronto Maple Leafs
Los Angeles Kings
Buffalo Sabres

5. Which honor did Bob Bourne receive in 1988 recognizing his contributions beyond the game itself?

Induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame
Conn Smythe Trophy
Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy
Lester Patrick Trophy

Mike Gartner Nets His First Career Hat Trick Against the Nordiques in 1979

On December 1, 1979, Mike Gartner gave Washington Capitals fans a glimpse of the legendary career that was about to unfold.

It had been a sluggish start for both Gartner and the Capitals during the 1979-80 NHL season. Through 24 games, Gartner had only three goals, while Washington’s record sat at a dismal 4-16-4. But that night at the Capital Centre against the Quebec Nordiques, everything changed.

After two periods, the game was locked at 2-2. Then came a third-period eruption. Washington buried five goals past Quebec netminder Goran Hogosta to secure a 7-2 victory. Gartner was the star, netting three of those goals, his 4th, 5th, and 6th of the season, on just four shots. Wes Jarvis assisted on all three and chipped in a goal of his own for a four-point night.

Though the Caps’ season struggles continued, Gartner found his scoring touch. He finished his rookie year with 36 goals, eventually hitting the 50-goal mark with Washington in 1984-85. Over his Hall of Fame career, he scored 708 goals in 1,432 games, ranking him 8th all-time, sandwiched between Phil Esposito and Mark Messier.

Gartner played for the Capitals, Minnesota North Stars, New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Phoenix Coyotes, where he notched the franchise’s first-ever hat trick after their move from Winnipeg. His induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame came in 2001, cementing his place among the game’s all-time greats.

NHL Hockey Trivia: Mike Gartner

Much more NHL hockey trivia can be found at our website: World's Best Hockey Trivia

1. In what season did Mike Gartner score his first NHL hat trick?

1978-79
1979-80
1980-81
1981-82

2. How many career goals did Mike Gartner score in the NHL?

612
650
708
742

3. Which team did Gartner score the first hat trick in franchise history for, after relocation?

Washington Capitals
New York Rangers
Toronto Maple Leafs
Phoenix Coyotes

4. Mike Gartner was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in which year?

1999
2000
2001
2003

5. Which of these teams did Gartner NOT play for in his NHL career?

Minnesota North Stars
New York Rangers
St. Louis Blues
Toronto Maple Leafs

Ken Dryden Shines in NHL Debut With 35 Saves Against Penguins

When Ken Dryden made his NHL debut on March 14, 1971, few could have predicted the legendary career that was about to unfold. Called up late in the season from the AHL’s Montreal Voyageurs, the 23-year-old goaltender wasted no time making an impact for the Montreal Canadiens.

His first start came on the road at the Pittsburgh Civic Arena against the Penguins. Despite Pittsburgh being one of the weaker teams in the league, they peppered Dryden with 36 shots. The rookie stood tall, turning aside 35 of them. Syl Apps, Jean Pronovost, and Bob Woytowich each fired five shots on goal, but it was John Stewart who scored the lone tally for Pittsburgh. Montreal’s offense ensured Dryden’s night ended comfortably, with goals from Pete Mahovlich, J.C. Tremblay, Henri Richard, Marc Tardif, and Frank Mahovlich in a 5-1 Canadiens victory.

At the other end, Pittsburgh netminder Al Smith also faced 36 shots, with Henri Richard leading the charge with seven attempts.

Dryden’s stint in the 1970-71 regular season was short but dominant. Sharing duties with Rogie Vachon and Phil Myre, he appeared in just six games, posting a dazzling 1.65 goals-against average and a remarkable .957 save percentage.

The real magic came in the playoffs. Dryden backstopped Montreal through all 20 postseason games, guiding the Canadiens to the Stanley Cup. His brilliance earned him the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.

NHL Hockey Trivia: Ken Dryden

Much more NHL hockey trivia can be found at our website: World's Best Hockey Trivia

1. In which year did Ken Dryden make his NHL debut for the Montreal Canadiens?
   1969
   1970
   1971
   1972
   
2. How many regular season games did Dryden play before backstopping the Canadiens to the 1971 Stanley Cup?
   82
   6
   20
   12
   
3. Which trophy did Ken Dryden win as the 1971 playoff MVP?
   Vezina Trophy
   Conn Smythe Trophy
   Hart Trophy
   Calder Trophy
   
4. How many Stanley Cups did Dryden win with the Canadiens during his career?
   4
   6
   3
   5
   
5. After retiring from hockey, which profession did Ken Dryden famously pursue?
   Actor
   Lawyer & Politician
   Sports Broadcaster
   Business Executive
   

Darryl Sittler’s First Game Against the Maple Leafs: A Bittersweet End to a Blue & White Legacy

On April 4, 1982, at the Philadelphia Spectrum, NHL fans witnessed a bittersweet and historic moment: Darryl Sittler, once the heart and soul of the Toronto Maple Leafs, suited up for the Philadelphia Flyers to face his former team for the very first time.

Just months earlier, the Leafs had traded Sittler, one of their greatest players and longtime captain, to the Flyers for Rich Costello and a second-round pick in the 1982 NHL Draft, which became Peter Ihnacak. The trade felt like a slap in the face to fans and to Sittler himself, a player who had poured a decade of heart, hustle, and historic moments into the blue and white.

That night, the Flyers steamrolled the Leafs 7-1 in a game that underscored just how far Toronto had fallen. Sittler contributed modestly with a single assist on the opening goal by Ken Linseman, and fired five shots on goal. While Sittler played a steady game, it was Tim Kerr who stole the show for Philadelphia with a hat trick, his 19th, 20th, and 21st goals of the season. Flyers legend Bobby Clarke also notched three assists.

The Leafs mustered only 18 shots on Flyers goaltender Pete Peeters. Michel Larocque, on the other hand, faced a barrage of 59 shots in the Toronto net. The lone bright spot for the Maple Leafs was Rick Vaive, who scored his 54th goal of the season, a franchise record that stood for four decades until Auston Matthews finally broke it.

About Darryl Sittler

Darryl Sittler played 1,096 regular season and 76 playoff games in the National Hockey League between 1970-71 and 1984-85 with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Philadelphia Flyers and Detroit Red Wings. He was an eighth overall pick by Toronto at the 1970 NHL Amateur Draft out of the London Knights.

In 12 seasons, Sittler scored at least 27 goals. He topped the 40 goal plateau five times, putting up a career best 45 in 1977-78. That year he had 117 points, placing him third in the NHL behind Guy Lafleur and Bryan Trottier. Darryl was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1989.

NHL Hockey Card Legends: Darryl Sittler

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.

Marcel Dionne Becomes First King to Score 50 Goals in a Season

Marcel Dionne was already on fire heading into the final stretch of the 1976-77 NHL season. Just days earlier, he delivered a two-goal, three-point performance in a 7-5 win over the Colorado Rockies, his 47th and 48th goals of the year.

Dionne Reaches 50 Against The North Stars

Then came April 2, 1977, a historic night for the Los Angeles Kings and a career-defining moment for Dionne. Hosting the Minnesota North Stars in their final home game of the season, Dionne etched his name into franchise history.

He netted the only two goals of the second period, his 49th and 50th of the season, just 1:57 apart. With that, Dionne became the first player in Kings history to reach the coveted 50-goal mark, a milestone not seen in the team’s first ten years of existence. But he wasn’t finished.

Dionne completed the hat trick with his 51st goal at 5:38 of the third period and also recorded assists on first-period tallies by Glenn Goldup and Vic Venasky, finishing the night with five points and eight shots on goal. Pete LoPresti allowed goals 49 and 50, while Gary Smith gave up Dionne’s third in relief during the third period.

Setting The Mark At 53

In the final game of the season in Denver, Dionne added two more goals, numbers 52 and 53 against the Colorado Rockies. While Dionne closed his season with a bang, it was Butch Goring who led the finale with a hat trick and an assist.

Dionne’s 53-goal campaign stood as a Kings franchise record until he broke it himself with 59 goals in the 1978-79 season. That record was later surpassed by Bernie Nicholls, who scored 70 goals in the 1988-89 season, helped in part by the legendary Wayne Gretzky.

About Marcel Dionne

Marcel Dionne could score goals. He finished his NHL career with 731, placing him sixth all-time, ten behind Brett Hull and 24 ahead of Phil Esposito. From his first season with the Detroit Red Wings in 1971-72 until his last full season with the New York Rangers in 1987-88, Marcel scored no less than 24 goals in a single campaign. He reached the 50 goal plateau six times.

Between 1971-72 and 1988-89, Dionne played 1,348 regular season and 49 playoff games in the National Hockey League with the Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings and New York Rangers. The second overall pick behind Guy Lafleur at the 1971 NHL Amateur Draft won the Art Ross Trophy in 1979-80. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1992.