Bobby Orr’s Historic Playoff Hat Trick Lifts Bruins Over Canadiens in 1971

Bobby Orr found another way to make hockey history on April 11, 1971. Playing at the Montreal Forum in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup quarter-finals, the Boston Bruins defenseman scored three goals in a 5-2 victory over the Montreal Canadiens. It was the first playoff hat trick by a defenseman in nearly half a century, and it pulled Boston even at two games apiece in a series that would bring its remarkable season to an unexpectedly early end.

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Highlights

• Orr scored three goals at the Montreal Forum on April 11, 1971.

• Boston defeated Montreal 5-2 in Game 4 of their quarter-final series.

• The victory tied the series at two games apiece.

• Mike Walton’s power-play goal gave Boston a 2-1 second-period lead.

• Orr’s second goal, 37 seconds into the third period, was the winner.

• His shorthanded empty-net goal completed the hat trick with three seconds remaining.

• Esposito and Hodge each had three assists; Cheevers made 26 saves.

• Montreal ultimately won the series in seven games and captured the Stanley Cup.

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The Canadiens entered the game holding a 2-1 series lead, and Frank Mahovlich gave them another advantage by scoring the only goal of the first period. Montreal remained ahead beyond the halfway point of the game before Orr finally beat Ken Dryden at 11:01 of the second period. Wayne Cashman and Ken Hodge assisted on the tying goal, Orr’s third of the series. Mike Walton then scored on the power play at 18:26, sending Boston into the second intermission with a 2-1 lead.

Orr wasted little time extending that advantage. Just 37 seconds into the third period, he scored again, with Hodge and Phil Esposito drawing the assists. That goal gave Boston a 3-1 lead and ultimately stood as the winner. Yvan Cournoyer brought Montreal within one at 6:13, but Fred Stanfield restored the Bruins’ two-goal cushion at 17:21.

The Canadiens received a late opportunity when Boston defenseman Don Awrey took a hooking penalty at 18:25. Montreal pulled Dryden for an extra attacker, creating a six-on-four advantage, but Orr supplied the final blow. With just three seconds remaining, he scored into the empty net to complete his hat trick and seal the 5-2 victory. The shorthanded goal was his fifth of the series.

Orr led all players with seven shots on goal, while Esposito and Hodge each contributed three assists. Gerry Cheevers stopped 26 shots to help Boston reclaim some momentum. The Bruins would push the series to seven games, but Montreal prevailed and went on to win the Stanley Cup. For Boston, a brilliant regular season ended in the opening round. For Orr, Game 4 remained another memorable entry in a career filled with extraordinary achievements.

Bobby: My Story in Pictures

A visual celebration of Bobby Orr’s groundbreaking career — through photos and memorable moments.

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Dennis Maruk Did Everything He Could In 1986... But The North Stars Fell Short

Dennis Maruk Shines In 1985-86 Playoffs But Can't Help North Stars Out Of 1st Round

Highlights

• Dennis Maruk became the first Washington Capitals player to score 50 and 60 goals in a season.

• Despite his offensive success, Maruk played only 34 NHL playoff games during his career.

• His best postseason performance came with the Minnesota North Stars in the 1985-86 playoffs.

• Minnesota faced the St. Louis Blues in a tightly contested best-of-five opening-round series.

• The Blues advanced in five games, but the North Stars actually outscored St. Louis 20-18 in the series.

• Maruk recorded 13 points (4 goals, 9 assists) and contributed to 65% of Minnesota's goals.

• No other North Stars player recorded more than five points in the series.

• Maruk recorded at least one point in all five playoff games.

• His best performance came in Game 2, when he scored twice and added two assists in Minnesota's 6-2 victory.

• Game 5 marked the final Stanley Cup playoff appearance of Dennis Maruk's NHL career.   

Dennis Maruk is best known for becoming the first player in Washington Capitals history to score both 50 and 60 goals in a season. Despite his offensive brilliance, however, he experienced a career similar to Marcel Dionne's in one respect: limited playoff success. Maruk appeared in just 34 Stanley Cup playoff games during his NHL career.

Nearly half of those postseason games came with the Minnesota North Stars during the 1983-84 playoffs, but his greatest playoff performance arrived two years later in the spring of 1986.

A Closely Contested Norris Division Battle

The North Stars faced the St. Louis Blues in a best-of-five opening-round series after the two Norris Division rivals finished only two points apart in the regular-season standings. The series was every bit as competitive as expected.

Although the Blues won the series in five games, Minnesota actually outscored St. Louis 20-18. Maruk was the driving force behind the North Stars' offense, recording 13 points on four goals and nine assists. He factored into an incredible 65 percent of Minnesota's goals, while no other teammate recorded more than five points.

Maruk's Best Performance

Maruk registered at least one point in all five games, but his finest outing came in Game 2. Minnesota earned a convincing 6-2 victory on home ice to even the series at one game apiece.

He scored twice, added assists on goals by Tony McKegney and Brian Bellows, and finished the night with an outstanding +5 rating.

The Final Playoff Game

The deciding Game 5 ended in a 6-3 victory for the Blues, eliminating the North Stars despite Minnesota's strong offensive showing throughout the series.

Maruk contributed two more assists on goals by Brian Bellows and Ron Wilson in the loss. It would prove to be the final Stanley Cup playoff game of his NHL career, bringing the curtain down on one of the most productive yet often overlooked postseason performances of the 1980s.

Dennis Maruk: Hockey Biography

The story of Dennis Maruk — a prolific scorer whose 60-goal season remains one of the great NHL achievements.

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Bobby Gould’s Big Moment in Washington’s First Playoff Run

The Washington Capitals endured a long and difficult start after entering the NHL in 1974-75. With just eight wins in their inaugural season and no playoff appearances in their first eight years, success seemed distant for the struggling expansion franchise.

That finally changed in 1982-83. The Capitals posted their first winning season and finished third in the Patrick Division, just two points behind the powerhouse New York Islanders, who also happened to be their first-ever playoff opponent.

In Game 1 of that opening-round series, Bobby Gould made franchise history. At 4:01 of the first period, he scored the Capitals’ first playoff goal against Billy Smith, with Dennis Maruk picking up the assist. Gould added another goal in the game, though Washington fell 5-2.

He stayed red-hot in Game 2, scoring twice, including the game-winner, to give the Capitals their first playoff victory. But after that, the Islanders took control, eliminating Washington in four games before continuing their march to another Stanley Cup.

Despite the short series, Gould left his mark with five goals in four games, an unforgettable performance that helped launch Capitals playoff history.

Washington Capitals: Team History

A look back at the history of the Washington Capitals — from expansion years to modern success.

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Broadway Hero: Pete Stemkowski’s 3OT Goal vs. Blackhawks

In one of the most dramatic moments of the 1971 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Pete Stemkowski etched his name into New York Rangers history with a triple overtime goal that kept their season alive.

The Rangers had already endured three overtime games in the 1970-71 postseason. In their semi-final series against the Chicago Blackhawks, they had just suffered an overtime defeat in Game 5, courtesy of Bobby Hull, putting them on the brink of elimination. Game 6 on April 29, 1971, at Madison Square Garden was a must-win.

Chicago carried a 2-1 lead into the third period before Jean Ratelle tied it up at 4:21 with help from Vic Hadfield and Rod Gilbert. Regulation solved nothing, nor did the first two overtime periods. Finally, at 1:29 of the third overtime, Pete Stemkowski beat Tony Esposito with the 49th shot of the night for New York. Assists went to Ted Irvine and Tim Horton, and the Rangers had life.

Ed Giacomin faced just 26 shots in net for the Rangers, turning aside all but two. Stemkowski’s goal forced a Game 7, giving fans hope for a miraculous comeback. Unfortunately for New York, the magic ran out in Chicago. The Blackhawks closed the series with a 4-2 win at Chicago Stadium, behind Esposito’s 36-save performance and Bobby Hull’s game-winning goal early in the third.

Stemkowski had joined the Rangers earlier that season in a one-for-one trade with the Detroit Red Wings for Larry Brown. In an odd twist, Brown returned to New York later that same season in a multi-player deal that also involved Bruce MacGregor, Arnie Brown, Tom Miller, and Mike Robitaille.

About Pete Stemkowski

Between 1963-64 and 1977-78, Pete Stemkowski played 967 regular season and 83 playoff games in the National Hockey League with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings, New York Rangers and Los Angeles Kings. He was a Stanley Cup champion with the Maple Leafs in 1966-67, playing a prominent role with 12 points in 12 playoff games.

Five times during his NHL career, Stemkowski reached the 20 goal plateau. His career best came in both 1969-70 with the Red Wings an 1973-74 with the Rangers, scoring 25 in each of the those seasons. His career high for points was 70 with the Rangers in that 1973-74 campaign.