Phil Esposito Records 3 Points In His Final Game Against The Bruins

Phil Esposito had been gone from the Boston Bruins for more than five years by the time he entered his final NHL season in 1980-81. Still, Boston was where Esposito enjoyed the greatest years of his legendary career, winning two Stanley Cups, five Art Ross Trophies and two Hart Trophies with the Bruins. Even late in his career with the New York Rangers, a matchup with his former club undoubtedly carried a little extra meaning.

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Highlights

• Phil Esposito's final NHL game against Boston came November 26, 1980.

• The Rangers defeated the Bruins 6-4 at Madison Square Garden.

• Esposito recorded one goal and two assists.

• He assisted on both of Ron Greschner's first two goals.

• Esposito's goal was his fifth of 1980-81 and the third-last of his NHL career.

• Greschner and Steve Vickers each scored twice for New York.

• Esposito's final game at Boston Garden came October 9, 1980.

• He assisted on the Rangers' opening goal in that final Boston appearance.

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Esposito faced the Bruins for the final time on November 26, 1980 at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers entered the game struggling badly but came away with a 6-4 victory, just their fifth win through the first 23 games of the season. Esposito played a major role in the victory, recording a goal and two assists before the game was even half over.

Ron Greschner opened the scoring at 10:05 of the first period, beating Boston goaltender Rogie Vachon with assists going to Esposito and Don Maloney. Just 40 seconds into the second period, Greschner struck again, this time with helpers from Esposito and Dave Silk. At 7:54, Esposito got a goal of his own, scoring his fifth of the season with Greschner picking up the assist.

That goal turned out to be the third-last of Esposito's NHL career. Greschner and Steve Vickers each scored twice in the 6-4 Rangers victory, while Esposito finished his final appearance against his former team with three points.

Esposito's final game at Boston Garden had come earlier that season, on October 9, 1980 in the 1980-81 season opener. The Bruins won that game decisively, 7-2, but Esposito still made his presence felt. He assisted on Mike Allison's goal just 2:44 into the first period, giving the Rangers an early lead. It was the final appearance in Boston for a player whose years with the Bruins had established him as one of the greatest goal scorers of his generation.

Thunder and Lightning: A No-B.S. Hockey Memoir

The candid and electrifying memoir of Phil Esposito — one of hockey’s most dynamic scorers and personalities.

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Bryan Trottier’s Historic 8-Point Night Against Rangers in 1978

The New York Islanders were already a powerhouse in the 1978-79 season, dropping only four games by the time they hosted the rival New York Rangers on December 23, 1978. On that night, Bryan Trottier gave Islanders fans an unforgettable early Christmas gift with one of the greatest single-game performances in franchise and NHL history.

Trottier recorded eight points on five goals and three assists, breaking his own Islanders record of five points in a game, set just a year earlier in 1977. His six points in the second period alone still stand as an NHL record for most points in a single period, later tied by Mika Zibanejad of the Rangers decades later.

The scoring started modestly, with Trottier netting one in the first period before the game stood tied 1-1. Then came the Islanders’ second-period explosion. New York’s goalie Wayne Thomas was overwhelmed as Trottier scored three goals in the frame and set up Mike Bossy twice and Garry Howatt once. By the end of the period, the Isles had buried seven goals, with Trottier firmly in the spotlight.

Trottier capped off his incredible night with his fifth goal early in the third period. While the Rangers clawed back with a pair of late goals, the Islanders skated off with a 9-4 victory. Bossy chipped in five points of his own, and Garry Howatt completed the Gordie Howe Hat Trick with a goal, an assist, and a third-period fight. For the Rangers, Ron Greschner did his best to keep things respectable, scoring twice in the loss.

About Bryan Trottier

Bryan Trottier played 1,279 regular season and 221 playoff games in the National Hockey League between 1975-76 and 1993-94 with the New York Islanders and Pittsburgh Penguins. He won six Stanley Cup championships, four with New York and two with Pittsburgh.

Trottier was the Calder Trophy winner in 1975-76 as NHL rookie of the year. Other accolades include an Art Ross Trophy, Hart Trophy and Conn Smythe Trophy. Bryan was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1997.

NHL Hockey Trivia: Bryan Trottier

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

1. Bryan Trottier won the Calder Trophy as NHL Rookie of the Year in which season?

A) 1973-74
B) 1974-75
C) 1975-76
D) 1976-77

2. How many Stanley Cups did Bryan Trottier win during his playing career?

A) 4
B) 6
C) 7
D) 8

3. Trottier won the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP in which season?

A) 1977-78
B) 1978-79
C) 1979-80
D) 1980-81

4. Which superstar winger formed a legendary scoring duo with Trottier on the Islanders?

A) Mike Bossy
B) Clark Gillies
C) Pat LaFontaine
D) Denis Potvin

5. How many career NHL regular season points did Trottier finish with?

A) 1,280
B) 1,425
C) 1,565
D) 1,704

3 Goals and 1 Fight: Wendel Clark’s Rookie Statement Game

On February 25, 1986, Toronto Maple Leafs fans witnessed a performance that would define the fiery rookie season of Wendel Clark, the franchise’s first-ever first overall draft pick.

Facing the higher-ranked New York Rangers at Maple Leaf Gardens, the Leafs quickly fell behind 2-0. But Clark and company stormed back in thrilling fashion to earn a 7-3 victory and the young forward played a starring role.

In a game that had everything, Wendel served five minutes for fighting after a heated scrap with RonGreschner. Just seconds after leaving the box, he netted his 24th goal of the season, the eventual game-winner, assisted by Russ Courtnall, who had a standout night himself with a goal and three helpers.

Clark wasn’t done. He added two more goals in the third period, his 25th and 26th of the season, both again set up by Courtnall to complete the hat trick. All seven Leafs goals were scored on John Vanbiesbrouck, with Clark’s third tally sending the goalie to the bench in favor of Glen Hanlon.

Clark wrapped up his 1985-86 rookie season with 34 goals and helped the Leafs win their first playoff series since 1979. He would finish second in Calder Trophy voting, just behind Gary Suter of the Calgary Flames.

About Wendel Clark

Wendel Clark played 793 regular season and 95 playoff games in the National Hockey League between 1985-86 and 1999-00 with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Quebec Nordiques, New York Islanders, Tampa Bay Lightning, Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks. He was originally a first overall pick by Toronto at the 1985 NHL Entry Draft.

Despite an injury plagued career that saw Wendel play just one full schedule, he totaled 330 regular season goals. Clark's career best came in 1993-94 when he scored 46 for the Maple Leafs in just 64 games.

Wendel Clark Rookie Game Trivia Quiz

The first set of trivia questions pertains to the content above. Following that, there's another short hockey trivia quiz for Wendel Clark's NHL career. 

There is much more NHL hockey trivia at our hockey trivia website!

1. How many goals did Wendel Clark score in the February 25, 1986 game against the Rangers?
   2
   3
   4
   5
   


2. Who did Wendel Clark fight in that game?
   Barry Beck
   Ron Greschner
   Ulf Samuelsson
   George McPhee
   


3. Which teammate assisted on all three of Clark’s goals that night?
   Russ Courtnall
   Gary Leeman
   Al Iafrate
   Steve Thomas
   


4. How many goals did Wendel Clark score in his rookie season?
   26
   34
   38
   40
   


5. Who won the Calder Trophy over Wendel Clark in 1985-86?
   Brian MacLellan
   Claude Lemieux
   Gary Suter
   Patrick Roy
   

Wendel Clark NHL Career Trivia Quiz

1. In what year was Wendel Clark selected 1st overall in the NHL Draft?
   1985
   1983
   1986
   1984
   


2. What position did Wendel Clark play for most of his NHL career?
   Left Wing
   Defense
   Center
   Right Wing
   


3. Wendel Clark was traded from the Leafs to which team in a blockbuster 1994 deal?
   Edmonton Oilers
   Quebec Nordiques
   New York Islanders
   Detroit Red Wings
   


4. What future superstar did the Leafs receive in return for Wendel Clark in 1994?
   Mats Sundin
   Joe Sakic
   Owen Nolan
   Mike Modano
   


5. How many times did Wendel Clark score 30 or more goals in an NHL season?
   1
   3
   5
   7