On January 18, 1973, what looked like a mismatch on paper turned into one of the most surprising high-scoring games of the season. The powerhouse Boston Bruins, dominant throughout 1972-73, hosted the struggling expansion New York Islanders at Boston Garden and few could have predicted what followed.
The Islanders entered the game with just four wins in their first 45 games in the NHL. Boston, meanwhile, had lost only eleven times in 43 games. But the visitors flipped expectations on their head early, racing out to a stunning 5-0 lead and silencing the home crowd.
John Bucyk finally got the Bruins on the board late in the first period, scoring his 21st of the season against Billy Smith, with assists from Bobby Orr and Wayne Cashman. Bucyk stayed hot, adding two more goals in the second period to pull Boston back within striking distance.
He completed his four-goal performance at 12:37 of the third period, bringing the Bruins within one at 8-7. However, Billy Harris responded with his second of the night just minutes later, sealing a wild 9-7 victory for the Islanders.
The scoring depth for New York was remarkable. Former Bruin Ed Westfall, Don Blackburn, and Harris each scored twice, and nearly every Islanders skater recorded a point. Even in defeat, Boston’s stars produced: Wayne Cashman had a four-point night (two goals, two assists), while Phil Esposito and Bobby Orr each chipped in three assists.
Boston’s struggles didn’t end there. Two nights later, they were shut out 3-0 by the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Pittsburgh Civic Arena, with Jim Rutherford earning the win and former Bruin Eddie Shack assisting on the game-winner.
As for the Islanders, they couldn’t sustain the momentum immediately, dropping their next game to the St. Louis Blues. However, they quickly bounced back in emphatic fashion, routing the California Golden Seals 8-1 in their following outing.
Boston Bruins: Greatest Moments and Players
A celebration of the iconic history of the Boston Bruins — from legendary players to unforgettable moments.
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