Mark Pavelich Scores Five as Rangers Rout Hartford 11-3

Mark Pavelich needed just six shots to score five goals against the Hartford Whalers on February 23, 1983. The New York Rangers forward opened the scoring, finished it and supplied plenty of damage in between during an 11-3 victory at Madison Square Garden. Somehow, none of his five goals stood as the game-winner.

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Highlights

• Pavelich scored five goals in New York’s 11-3 victory on February 23, 1983.

• His five goals came on just six shots.

• He opened the scoring only 1:17 into the game.

• His hat trick was complete by 9:06 of the second period.

• His final two goals came eleven seconds apart.

• Kent-Erik Andersson scored the official game-winner.

• Glen Hanlon made 25 saves for the Rangers.

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Pavelich began his big night just 1:17 into the first period, beating Hartford goaltender Greg Millen with assists from Scot Kleinendorst and Mikko Leinonen. With ten seconds remaining in the period, he struck again. Leinonen and Vaclav Nedomansky assisted on that goal, sending the Rangers into the intermission with a commanding 5-1 lead.

Barry Beck kept New York rolling by scoring just nine seconds into the second period. Pavelich completed his hat trick at 9:06, and the Rangers carried a 9-3 advantage into the third. The result was well in hand, but Pavelich still had a memorable finish waiting.

At 8:40 of the third period, Pavelich scored his fourth goal of the game and 27th of the season, assisted by Rob McClanahan and Tom Laidlaw. Just eleven seconds later, Laidlaw set him up again. Pavelich’s fifth goal, his 28th of the campaign, completed the scoring in New York’s eight-goal victory.

The official game-winner belonged to Kent-Erik Andersson, whose sixth goal of the season had made it 4-1 at 18:36 of the first period. Robbie Ftorek and Nick Fotiu supplied the assists. Millen finished with 26 saves on 37 shots, while Glen Hanlon stopped 25 of Hartford’s 28 attempts. Pavelich owned the night, converting five of his six shots into goals.

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Jacques Lemaire’s Only NHL Penalty Shot Goal Opens Four-Point Night Against Rangers

Jacques Lemaire scored 366 regular-season goals during his NHL career, but only one came on a penalty shot. That goal opened the scoring at the Montreal Forum on March 31, 1973, as Lemaire collected four points to lead the Canadiens to a 5-1 victory over the New York Rangers.

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Highlights

• Montreal defeated the Rangers 5-1 at the Forum on March 31, 1973.

• Jacques Lemaire opened the scoring on a penalty shot at 1:33.

• The goal against Ed Giacomin was his only successful NHL penalty shot in three attempts.

• Lemaire added three assists for a four-point night.

• Larry Robinson, Chuck Lefley, Murray Wilson and Marc Tardif also scored for Montreal.

• Steve Vickers scored the lone Rangers goal.

• Lemaire finished 1972-73 with career highs of 44 goals and 95 points, then added 20 playoff points during Montreal’s Stanley Cup run.

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Just 1:33 into the first period, Lemaire beat Rangers goaltender Ed Giacomin on a penalty shot for his 43rd goal of the 1972-73 season. It was the second of three penalty shot attempts during his NHL career and the only one he converted.

Lemaire quickly followed that goal with a pair of assists. At 5:11, he and Marc Tardif helped set up Larry Robinson’s second goal of the season. Later in the opening period, Lemaire and Yvan Cournoyer assisted on a Chuck Lefley goal, sending Montreal into the first intermission with a 3-0 lead.

At 12:30 of the second period, Lemaire earned his third assist and fourth point on a goal by Murray Wilson. Tardif added another Montreal goal late in the period to make it 5-0. Steve Vickers supplied New York’s only answer at 11:21 of the third, completing the scoring in a convincing Canadiens win.

The performance came near the end of Lemaire’s most productive offensive season. He finished 1972-73 with career highs of 44 goals and 95 points, along with 51 assists. His goal total ranked fourth in the NHL, 11 behind league leader Phil Esposito, while his 95 points placed fifth in the Art Ross Trophy race, 35 behind Esposito. Lemaire followed that regular season with 20 points in 17 playoff games as Montreal captured the Stanley Cup.

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Ross Lonsberry’s Last-Second Goal Gives Kings a 5–4 Win Over Rangers in 1970

Ross Lonsberry waited until the final second to make his offensive contribution count. On January 28, 1970, at the Forum in Los Angeles, he scored with one second remaining to give the Kings a dramatic 5–4 victory over the New York Rangers. His ninth goal of the season capped a finish that featured three goals in the final 2:38.

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Highlights

• Lonsberry scored at 19:59 of the third period on January 28, 1970.

• His ninth goal of the season gave Los Angeles a 5–4 victory.

• The teams combined for three goals in the final 2:38.

• Lonsberry accumulated nine penalty minutes, including a fight with Brad Park.

• Neither team scored a power-play goal.

• Leon Rochefort and Larry Cahan assisted on the winner.

• Bill Flett recorded seven shots, while Wayne Rutledge made 22 saves.

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Before delivering the winner, Lonsberry had been busy collecting penalty minutes. He received a hooking minor just 47 seconds into the game, fought Brad Park in the second period and took another hooking penalty in the third. That left him with nine minutes in the box. Park also received a ten-minute misconduct following their fight, having already dropped the gloves with Skip Krake in the opening period.

Despite the trips to the penalty box, neither team scored a power-play goal. The Rangers held a 2–1 lead entering the third period, but goals by Jimmy Peters and Butch Goring put Los Angeles ahead. Walt Tkaczuk answered at 10:12, bringing New York back into a 3–3 tie and setting up a frantic finish.

Bill Flett restored the Kings’ lead at 17:22 with his eighth goal of the season. Just 87 seconds later, Bob Nevin replied for the Rangers, with Park supplying the assist. With the score tied 4–4 and the clock winding down, the teams appeared headed for a draw.

Lonsberry changed that at 19:59, beating Ed Giacomin with assists from Leon Rochefort and Larry Cahan. The winner came on Los Angeles’ 31st shot, with Flett leading the Kings with seven shots on goal. At the other end, Wayne Rutledge made 22 saves to earn the victory. After spending much of his night on the penalty sheet, Lonsberry claimed the final, and most important, entry on the scoresheet.

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Rick Martin and René Robert Combine for Six Third-Period Points Against Rangers

Rick Martin and René Robert needed just ten seconds between goals to turn a close game into a comfortable Buffalo lead. On January 10, 1974, the two French Connection wingers combined for eight points in a 7–2 victory over the New York Rangers at Buffalo Memorial Auditorium. Six of those points came in the third period, including four in the opening 31 seconds. Gilbert Perreault, so often the driving force behind Buffalo’s offence, finished with a single assist.

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Highlights

• Buffalo defeated New York 7–2 on January 10, 1974.

• Martin and Robert each finished with four points.

• Six of their eight combined points came in the third period.

• Robert scored at 0:21 of the third; Martin followed at 0:31.

• Both assisted on Jim Lorentz’s first-period power-play goal.

• Martin finished the season with a franchise-first 52 goals.

• Buffalo missed the 1974 playoffs before reaching the 1975 Stanley Cup Final.

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Martin and Robert first appeared on the scoresheet late in the opening period, assisting on Jim Lorentz’s power-play goal against Ed Giacomin at 18:27. Lorentz scored again in the second, while Brad Park answered for New York. The Sabres carried a narrow 2–1 lead into the final frame, with little indication on the scoreboard of the outburst to come.

Robert started the third-period fireworks just 21 seconds after the faceoff, scoring his 13th goal of the season with assists from Martin and Perreault. Ten seconds later, Martin buried his 29th, helped by Robert and Jerry Korab. In barely half a minute, Buffalo’s one-goal advantage had grown to three, and Martin and Robert had already collected two points apiece in the period.

Don Luce and Korab also scored during Buffalo’s five-goal third period. Martin added his second of the night and 30th of the season at 14:54, with Robert earning the lone assist. Ted Irvine supplied New York’s other goal as the Sabres finished off the 7–2 win. Martin ended the evening with two goals and two assists, while Robert contributed a goal and three helpers.

Martin went on to become Buffalo’s first 50-goal scorer, finishing the 1973–74 season with 52 goals and 86 points. He matched that goal total the following year. Robert finished with 65 points, while Perreault recorded 51 in just 55 games. Buffalo missed the playoffs that spring, but the setback was temporary: the Sabres returned in 1974–75 and advanced all the way to the Stanley Cup Final.

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Yvan Cournoyer’s Hat Trick Evens Canadiens–Rangers Series in 1974

The New York Rangers struck first in their 1974 Stanley Cup quarter-final series against the Montreal Canadiens, winning the opener 4–1 at the Montreal Forum. When the teams returned for Game 2 on April 11, the final score was identical, but the winning side changed. Yvan Cournoyer scored three consecutive goals to give the Canadiens a 4–1 victory and even the best-of-seven series.

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Highlights

• Montreal won Game 2 on April 11, 1974, at the Montreal Forum.

• Cournoyer scored three consecutive goals for a natural hat trick.

• His first goal, at 18:11 of the second period, was the game winner.

• Goaltender Michel Larocque assisted on the winning goal.

• Jacques Lemaire assisted on both third-period goals.

• Cournoyer and Lemaire combined for 14 of Montreal’s 31 shots.

• The Rangers ultimately won the series in six games.

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New York again grabbed the early advantage. Bruce MacGregor scored the only goal of the first period, with assists going to Pete Stemkowski and Brad Park. Montreal answered at 5:03 of the second when Steve Shutt beat Rangers goaltender Ed Giacomin, taking a setup from Henri Richard to tie the game.

Cournoyer then took control. At 18:11 of the second period, the Roadrunner scored his first goal of the playoffs to put Montreal ahead 2–1. Defenceman Pierre Bouchard and goaltender Michel Larocque earned the assists on what proved to be the winning goal.

The third period belonged to Cournoyer as well. He scored at 11:53 and completed his natural hat trick at 14:51, turning a one-goal lead into a comfortable three-goal cushion. Jacques Lemaire assisted on both third-period goals, while Chuck Lefley also picked up a helper on the hat-trick goal.

Cournoyer and Lemaire each fired seven shots at Giacomin, combining for 14 of Montreal’s 31 shots. At the other end, Larocque stopped 18 of the Rangers’ 19 attempts, contributing both a strong performance in goal and an assist on the deciding tally.

Montreal carried that momentum into Game 3, winning 4–2 at Madison Square Garden on April 13 to take a 2–1 series lead. The Rangers responded with three straight victories to eliminate the Canadiens in six games. New York then pushed the Philadelphia Flyers to seven games in the semi-finals before its playoff run ended.

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J.P. Parise’s 11-Second OT Goal Gives Islanders Their First Playoff Series Win

The New York Islanders could hardly have asked for a more dramatic introduction to the Stanley Cup playoffs. Making their first postseason appearance in 1975, they faced their neighbours and natural rivals, the New York Rangers, in a best-of-three preliminary round. After the teams split the opening two games, the series came down to an April 11 showdown at Madison Square Garden.

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Highlights

• The Islanders made their first Stanley Cup playoff appearance in 1975.

• Their opening series against the Rangers required a deciding third game.

• Clark Gillies and Denis Potvin built a 3-0 Islanders lead.

• Bill Fairbairn and Steve Vickers led the Rangers’ third-period comeback.

• J.P. Parise scored just 11 seconds into overtime for a 4-3 victory.

• The goal broke Pit Martin’s 12-second playoff overtime record from 1972.

• Parise and Jude Drouin had joined the Islanders in separate January trades with Minnesota.

• The Islanders advanced to the semifinals before losing to Philadelphia in seven games.

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For two periods, the Islanders appeared to have the deciding game under control. Clark Gillies opened the scoring in the first, and Denis Potvin added two second-period goals, one on the power play and another shorthanded. That gave the visitors a 3-0 lead heading into the third. The Rangers, however, refused to let their season end quietly. Bill Fairbairn scored twice before Steve Vickers supplied the equalizer, sending the game into overtime.

The extra period lasted just 11 seconds. Jude Drouin found J.P. Parise, who beat Ed Giacomin to give the Islanders a 4-3 victory and the first playoff series win in franchise history. Giacomin had replaced Gilles Villemure during the second period and stopped all four shots he faced before overtime. The next one ended the Rangers’ season.

Parise’s winner also established a record for the fastest overtime goal in Stanley Cup playoff history. He shaved one second off the previous mark, set by Chicago’s Pit Martin against the Pittsburgh Penguins on April 9, 1972. For the Islanders, the historical footnote was a bonus: their first taste of playoff hockey had produced a series victory over their biggest rivals.

The two forwards behind the winning goal had arrived from the Minnesota North Stars just three months earlier. On January 5, 1975, the Islanders acquired Parise for Ernie Hicke and Doug Rombough. Two days later, they sent Craig Cameron to Minnesota for Drouin. Those separate deals gave New York a pair of experienced forwards who would make an immediate postseason impact.

The Islanders went on to eliminate Pittsburgh in seven games before pushing the Philadelphia Flyers to a seventh game in the semifinals. Against Philadelphia, New York lost the first three games before winning three straight to stay alive. Parise and Drouin helped launch that comeback in Game 4, this time reversing roles: Drouin scored the overtime winner, with assists going to Parise and Ed Westfall. The Flyers eventually ended the run, but the Islanders’ first postseason had given their fans plenty to remember.

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Hardy Astrom Makes 49 Saves as Colorado Rockies Beat Rangers in 1981

The New York Rangers fired 52 shots at Hardy Astrom on January 15, 1981, but the Colorado Rockies goaltender had an answer for all but three. Facing the team that gave him his NHL start, Astrom made 49 saves while Mike Gillis supplied a hat trick in a 4-3 Colorado victory.

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Highlights

• Astrom stopped 49 of 52 shots on January 15, 1981.

• Colorado defeated the visiting Rangers 4-3.

• Mike Gillis scored three of the Rockies’ four goals.

• Gillis completed his hat trick with the winner at 15:18 of the third period.

• Walt McKechnie scored Colorado’s other goal while shorthanded.

• New York outshot Colorado 52-22.

• Astrom played 83 NHL games with the Rangers and Rockies.

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It was the second time Astrom faced at least 50 shots in a game with the Rockies. On October 13, 1979, he stopped 48 of 50 in a 2-1 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. This time, his teammates provided enough offence to turn another exhausting night into a win.

Colorado opened a 2-0 first-period lead on goals by Gillis and Walt McKechnie against Rangers goalie Doug Soetaert. McKechnie’s goal came shorthanded with Dave Watson serving a roughing penalty. Dave Silk replied for New York before the intermission, but Gillis struck again early in the second period to restore Colorado’s two-goal cushion.

The Rangers kept coming. Eddie Johnstone scored shorthanded in the second period, and Anders Hedberg tied the game 3-3 at 9:04 of the third. Gillis then completed his hat trick at 15:18, putting Colorado ahead for good. Despite outshooting the Rockies 52-22, New York left with a loss as Soetaert allowed four goals on 22 shots.

The victory improved Colorado’s record to 16 wins, 22 losses and seven ties through 45 games. Unfortunately, Astrom’s standout performance did not mark the beginning of a turnaround. The Rockies won just once in their next 17 games.

Astrom spent most of his professional career in Sweden and appeared in 83 NHL games with the Rangers and Rockies between 1977-78 and 1980-81. He never recorded an NHL shutout, but he did collect an assist in Colorado’s 6-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on December 17, 1980. Along with stopping 28 of 29 shots, he earned the lone helper on Joel Quenneville’s game-winning goal.

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Lindy Ruff’s Four-Goal Night Against the Quebec Nordiques

Lindy Ruff was hardly a regular visitor to the scoresheet’s goal column, averaging roughly one goal every six or seven games over his NHL career. But on December 15, 1985, the Buffalo Sabres veteran enjoyed a night that any superstar would have treasured. Ruff scored four times against the Quebec Nordiques at Buffalo Memorial Auditorium, powering the Sabres to a 6-2 victory.

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Highlights

• Ruff scored four goals against Quebec on December 15, 1985.

• Buffalo won 6-2 at Memorial Auditorium.

• Three of Ruff’s goals came in the second period.

• His second goal stood as the game winner.

• Two of his four goals came on the power play.

• It was his second and final NHL hat trick.

• Ruff later scored a penalty-shot winner against Quebec with the Rangers on November 26, 1989.

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Nothing in the opening period hinted at the offensive outburst to come. The teams remained scoreless through 20 minutes before Mike Ramsey opened the scoring just 1:19 into the second. Ruff took over from there, beating Quebec goaltender Clint Malarchuk at 7:29 for his tenth goal of the season, assisted by Mike Foligno and Dave Andreychuk.

Just 1:58 later, Ruff struck again. With Buffalo on the power play, he scored at 9:27 with assists from John Tucker and Gilbert Perreault. That goal gave the Sabres a 3-0 lead and ultimately stood as the game winner. Quebec got on the board before Ruff completed his hat trick at 16:58, assisted by Foligno and Phil Housley, restoring Buffalo’s three-goal cushion.

Three goals would have made it a memorable evening, but Ruff had another finish waiting. At 13:33 of the third period, he scored his fourth of the game and 13th of the season, with Andreychuk and Ramsey collecting the assists. His second power-play goal of the night completed the scoring in Buffalo’s 6-2 win. It was the second and final hat trick of his NHL career.

The Nordiques would also provide the opposition for another unusual Ruff scoring milestone. On November 26, 1989, now wearing a New York Rangers uniform, he beat Mario Brunetta on a penalty shot at Madison Square Garden. The goal came at 11:20 of the second period, put New York ahead 2-0 and proved to be the winner in a 3-1 victory.

John Ogrodnick supplied the Rangers’ other two goals, including the opener just 15 seconds into the second period. Ruff’s only NHL penalty-shot goal was a fitting companion to his four-goal performance in Buffalo: two rare offensive highlights, two game-winning goals and the same unfortunate opponent.

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Finding His Footing in New York: Bruce MacGregor’s Five-Point Breakout

Bruce MacGregor needed a little time to find his footing with the New York Rangers. On February 1, 1971, the Detroit Red Wings traded the veteran forward and Larry Brown to New York for Arnie Brown, Tom Miller and Mike Robitaille. After 673 regular-season games with Detroit, MacGregor was adjusting to unfamiliar surroundings. Through his first 12 games as a Ranger, he had two goals and five assists, with three of those assists coming against his former club.

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Highlights

• Detroit traded Bruce MacGregor to the Rangers on February 1, 1971.

• He recorded seven points through his first 12 games with New York.

• On March 3, he scored three goals and added two assists against California.

• His first goal was the game-winner; his third came shorthanded.

• Pete Stemkowski also finished with five points: two goals and three assists.

• New York outshot California 46-20 in the 8-1 victory.

• Ed Giacomin stopped 19 shots, allowing only a Norm Ferguson power-play goal.

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On March 3, 1971, everything clicked. With the California Golden Seals visiting Madison Square Garden, MacGregor delivered a hat trick and two assists in an 8-1 Rangers victory. His five-point performance more than doubled his goal total with New York and gave the home crowd a memorable introduction to what their recent acquisition could contribute.

Walt Tkaczuk opened the scoring at 4:50 of the first period before MacGregor made it 2-0 at 14:19. Larry Brown and Pete Stemkowski assisted on the goal, MacGregor’s ninth of the season, against California goaltender Gary Smith. It ultimately stood as the game-winner. MacGregor struck again at 14:01 of the second period, with Stemkowski supplying another assist, to send the Rangers into the intermission ahead 4-1.

MacGregor completed his hat trick at 5:37 of the third period, this time while the Rangers were shorthanded. With Jim Neilson serving a tripping penalty, MacGregor beat Smith with help from Stemkowski and Andre Dupont. He then returned the favour to Stemkowski, assisting on two of his teammate’s goals to finish with three goals and two assists. Stemkowski also recorded five points, combining two goals with three assists and leading the Rangers with seven shots.

The Rangers kept Smith under pressure throughout the evening, firing 46 shots and forcing the California goalie to make 38 saves. At the other end, Ed Giacomin stopped 19 of 20 shots, beaten only by a Norm Ferguson power-play goal in the second period. Just over a month after leaving Detroit, MacGregor had delivered his biggest offensive night yet as a Ranger.

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Anders Hedberg’s 4-Goal Night Powers Wild Rangers Comeback

The Detroit Red Wings of the 1970s and early 1980s had an unfortunate knack for finding ways to lose games that appeared to be theirs. On October 26, 1980, at Madison Square Garden, that tendency was on full display. Detroit held a 6-5 lead with just 1:14 remaining, only to watch Anders Hedberg take over and lead the New York Rangers to a stunning 7-6 victory.

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Highlights

• October 26, 1980 at Madison Square Garden

• New York Rangers defeated Detroit 7-6

• Anders Hedberg recorded 4 goals and 2 assists

• Detroit led 6-5 with only 1:14 remaining

• Hedberg tied the game at 18:46 of the third

• He scored the winner just 33 seconds later

• Reed Larson and Mike Blaisdell scored seven seconds apart for Detroit

• Hedberg led all players with 7 shots on goal

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Hedberg opened the scoring just 4:50 into the first period, beating Detroit goaltender Gilles Gilbert on the power play for his third goal of the season. Ulf Nilsson and Rangers goalie John Davidson picked up the assists. Later in the period, Hedberg added an assist on a Steve Vickers goal as New York and Detroit settled into what would become a high-scoring battle.

The second period featured a remarkable burst from the Red Wings. Reed Larson and Mike Blaisdell scored just seven seconds apart, nearly matching a Detroit franchise record. The Rangers battled back, however, with Mike Allison scoring with an assist from Hedberg before Hedberg added another goal of his own. By the end of the second, the teams were deadlocked at 4-4.

Detroit struck quickly again to open the third. George Lyle scored just 58 seconds into the period, and Mike Foligno followed only 55 seconds later to give the Red Wings a 6-4 advantage. Ron Greschner cut the lead to one at 11:45, but as the clock wound down, it appeared Detroit was finally going to escape Madison Square Garden with a 6-5 victory.

Then Hedberg took over. With just 1:14 remaining, he scored the tying goal with assists from Phil Esposito and Tom Laidlaw. Only 33 seconds later, Hedberg struck again, this time unassisted, completing the Rangers' remarkable comeback and giving New York a 7-6 lead. In the span of 33 seconds, Detroit went from being on the verge of victory to trailing for good.

Hedberg finished the night with four goals and two assists for six points, while leading all skaters with seven of New York's 37 shots on Gilles Gilbert. At the other end, John Davidson allowed six goals on 30 shots but still walked away with the victory. It was a wild night at Madison Square Garden and one of the biggest offensive performances of Hedberg's NHL career.

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Lorne Ferguson's Rare Two-Shorthanded Goal Hat Trick Powers Red Wings Past Rangers

Lorne Ferguson was never known as a prolific shorthanded scorer during his NHL career. In fact, the Palmerston, Ontario native scored just four shorthanded goals over 422 regular season games. Remarkably, half of that career total came in a single period against the New York Rangers.

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Highlights

• Lorne Ferguson scored a hat trick against the New York Rangers on February 2, 1957.

• Detroit won the game 5-4 at Madison Square Garden.

• Ferguson scored two shorthanded goals in the first period.

• Both shorthanded goals were assisted by Metro Prystai.

• Ferguson scored only four shorthanded goals during his entire NHL career.

• His third goal completed the hat trick and proved to be the game-winner.

• Ferguson finished with three goals and one assist for four points.

• He scored 13 goals and 23 points during the 1956-57 season.

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On February 2, 1957, Ferguson and the Detroit Red Wings visited Madison Square Garden for a matchup with the Rangers. New York opened the scoring, but Ferguson answered at 7:05 of the first period with a shorthanded goal assisted by Metro Prystai. Detroit's Ted Lindsay was serving a high-sticking penalty at the time, but Ferguson's goal evened the score at 1-1.

Ferguson wasn't finished. At 17:14, he assisted on an Alex Delvecchio goal that gave Detroit a 3-1 advantage. Then, with Warren Godfrey in the penalty box for slashing, Ferguson struck again. With just 14 seconds remaining in the opening period, he scored his second shorthanded goal of the night, once again assisted by Prystai. Ferguson had scored half of his career shorthanded goals in less than 13 minutes.

He completed the hat trick at 11:10 of the second period, beating Rangers goaltender Gump Worsley with Delvecchio picking up the assist. That third goal proved especially important. New York battled back, but Detroit held on for a 5-4 victory, making Ferguson's hat trick goal the game-winner. He finished the night with three goals and an assist for a four-point performance.

The offensive explosion represented a significant chunk of Ferguson's production during the 1956-57 season. He finished the year with 13 goals and ten assists for 23 points over 70 games. Between 1949-50 and 1958-59, Ferguson appeared in 422 NHL regular season games and another 31 playoff contests with the Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks. His best goal-scoring season came with Boston in 1954-55, when he reached the 20-goal mark.

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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.

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DeJordy Perfect, Mohns Has 3 Points As Hawks Hammer Rangers In 1966-67 Finale

The Chicago Blackhawks closed out a dominant 1966-67 NHL regular season in emphatic fashion. On April 2, 1967, the Blackhawks visited Madison Square Garden for the final game of the schedule for both Chicago and the New York Rangers and walked away with a crushing 8-0 victory.

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Highlights

• Chicago defeated the Rangers 8-0 on April 2, 1967.

• It was the final regular-season game for both teams.

• Denis DeJordy stopped all 33 shots for the shutout.

• Doug Mohns had a goal and two assists for three points.

• Ed Van Impe recorded three assists despite having only 11 all season.

• Bill Hay scored twice — the final two goals of his NHL career.

• Cesare Maniago made his final appearance for the Rangers.

• Minnesota selected Maniago with its first pick in the 1967 NHL Expansion Draft.

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There wasn't much at stake in the standings. Chicago had already secured first place with 41 wins and 94 points, finishing 17 points ahead of the second-place Montreal Canadiens. New York was locked into the fourth and final playoff position. Bobby Hull was also missing from the Chicago lineup after scoring his 52nd goal of the season a few games earlier. None of that stopped the Blackhawks from putting on a show.

Denis DeJordy was perfect in the Chicago net, turning aside all 33 shots he faced for the shutout. At the other end of the ice, Doug "Diesel" Mohns contributed a goal and two assists for a three-point night. Defenseman Ed Van Impe also had an unusually productive offensive game, recording three assists. He finished the entire season with just 11.

Bill Hay scored twice in the victory, with the two goals proving to be the final goals of his NHL career. Rangers starter Ed Giacomin endured a difficult night, allowing six goals on 22 shots over the first two periods before being replaced by Cesare Maniago.

Maniago stopped nine of 11 shots in the third period, and the appearance turned out to be his last as a member of the Rangers. Just a few months later, Minnesota made Maniago its first selection in the 1967 NHL Expansion Draft. He was the fourth player taken overall and would go on to become the North Stars' primary goaltender during their early years.

The 8-0 victory was a fitting conclusion to Chicago's outstanding regular season, but the success wouldn't carry into the playoffs. Despite finishing comfortably atop the NHL standings, the Blackhawks were eliminated by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the opening round.

The Big 50: Chicago Blackhawks (The Men and Moments that Made the Chicago Blackhawks)

Relive the greatest players, personalities, and turning points in Blackhawks history in this countdown of the 50 most influential figures and moments that shaped the franchise.

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Pierre Jarry Scored His First 2 NHL Goals Just 8 Seconds Apart

There was plenty of history made at Madison Square Garden on November 21, 1971, when the New York Rangers overwhelmed the California Golden Seals 12-1. The 12 goals remain the most ever scored by the Rangers in a single game, while Jean Ratelle enjoyed the only four-goal game of his NHL career. But buried within the blowout was another unusual piece of Rangers history involving Pierre Jarry.

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Highlights

• New York beat the California Golden Seals 12-1 on November 21, 1971.

• The Rangers scored a franchise-record 12 goals in the game.

• Jean Ratelle recorded the only four-goal game of his NHL career.

• Pierre Jarry scored the first NHL goal of his career in the third period.

• His goal chased Gilles Meloche from the California net.

• Jarry scored again on replacement Lyle Carter just eight seconds later.

• The eight-second span established a Rangers record later tied by Don Maloney.

• Jarry scored only three goals as a Ranger, meaning two came within eight seconds of each other.

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Jarry entered the night still looking for the first goal of his NHL career. He finally got it at 11:03 of the third period, scoring with assists from Walt Tkaczuk and Jim Neilson. It was the fifth of an incredible eight Rangers goals in the final period and pushed New York's lead to 9-1.

That goal also ended the night for California goaltender Gilles Meloche, who had allowed nine goals on 42 shots. Lyle Carter came in to finish the game, but he barely had time to settle into the crease. Just eight seconds after scoring his first NHL goal, Jarry struck again, this time against Carter.

The two goals in eight seconds established a Rangers record that would later be matched by Don Maloney. What makes Jarry's accomplishment even more unusual is that the two goals came against two different goaltenders. Scoring twice in eight seconds is rare enough; doing it against two goalies makes the sequence one of the more curious scoring feats in NHL history.

Remarkably, those two goals accounted for two-thirds of Jarry's entire goal total as a Ranger. He scored just once more for New York before being traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs for Jim Dorey on February 20, 1972.

Jarry went on to appear in 344 NHL regular season games and five playoff contests from 1971-72 through 1977-78 with the Rangers, Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings and Minnesota North Stars. He also played 23 WHA games with the Edmonton Oilers in 1977-78 before his professional career came to an end.

Tales from the New York Rangers Locker Room

A collection of the greatest Rangers stories ever told — insider tales featuring legends past and present.

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Paul Henderson Explodes for 5 Points in Red Wings Comeback Win

On October 27, 1966, the Detroit Red Wings hosted the New York Rangers at Detroit Olympia, still searching for their first win of the young 1966-67 season. After dropping their first four games, frustration was building, until Paul Henderson delivered a performance for the ages.

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Game Highlights

• Paul Henderson records 4 goals and 5 points

• First of four career NHL hat tricks for Henderson

• Red Wings earn first win after 0-4 start

• Detroit rallies from 2-0 deficit

• Henderson scores natural hat trick in second period

• Henderson & Norm Ullman combine for 9 points

• Gordie Howe and Alex Delvecchio held pointless

• High-scoring battle ends in 5-4 Detroit victory

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The game didn’t start in Detroit’s favour. The Rangers jumped out to a 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Bernie Geoffrion and Don Marshall, putting the Red Wings on the brink of a fifth straight loss. But momentum began to shift midway through the second period when Norm Ullman got Detroit on the board, finishing a play set up by Henderson.

Just 31 seconds later, Henderson struck for his first goal of the night, assisted by Ullman and Gary Bergman, igniting the home crowd and completely flipping the script. From there, Henderson took over.

He completed a natural hat trick with more than five minutes remaining in the second period, turning a 2-0 deficit into a Red Wings lead in stunning fashion. Although Marshall added another for New York just before the period ended to keep things tight, Henderson wasn’t finished.

At 12:55 of the third period, Henderson scored his fourth goal of the game, his fifth point overall, to seal the victory for Detroit. It was a dominant individual effort that powered the Red Wings to a much-needed 5-4 win.

Henderson and Ullman were unstoppable together, combining for five goals and four assists while accounting for 13 of Detroit’s 49 shots on Ed Giacomin. Remarkably, legends Gordie Howe and Alex Delvecchio were held off the scoresheet entirely.

Despite the loss, the Rangers saw strong production from their own stars. The trio of Geoffrion, Marshall, and Phil Goyette, all former Montreal Canadiens, combined for eight points in a game that showcased offensive firepower on both sides.

1972: The Series That Changed Hockey Forever

A compelling look at the iconic 1972 Summit Series — how it reshaped international hockey and captivated fans around the world.

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Pete Stemkowski: A Gordie Howe Hat Trick Beside Mr. Hockey Himself (1968)

When the Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings pulled off a blockbuster trade on March 3, 1968, it reshaped both franchises. Heading to Detroit was Pete Stemkowski, along with Carl Brewer, Frank Mahovlich, and Garry Unger. In return, Toronto received Paul Henderson, Norm Ullman, Floyd Smith, and Doug Barrie.

• Massive March 3, 1968 trade sends Pete Stemkowski from Toronto to Detroit
• Game played at Detroit Olympia early in the 1968–69 NHL season
• Stemkowski records an assist on Gary Bergman’s first-period goal
• Drops the gloves with rugged forward Reg Fleming just 44 seconds later
• Adds another assist on Alex Delvecchio’s game-tying goal
• Scores his first goal of the season in the third period
• Completes a Gordie Howe Hat Trick (goal, assist, fight)
• Shares the ice with Gordie Howe during the milestone performance
• Finishes the season with a career-high 21 goals
• Goes on to record five 20+ goal seasons in his NHL career

Stemkowski finished the 1967-68 season with Detroit, but it was clear early in the following year that he was ready to elevate his game. Just three games into the 1968-69 season, the Red Wings hosted the New York Rangers at the historic Detroit Olympia and Stemkowski made sure his presence was felt.

The Rangers had to contend with more than one “Big Pete” that night. Pete Mahovlich contributed a goal and an assist, but the spotlight belonged to Stemkowski. Late in the first period, he set up Gary Bergman for the game’s opening goal against goaltender Ed Giacomin. Moments later, the intensity ramped up when Stemkowski dropped the gloves with tough guy Reg Fleming, earning five minutes for fighting in a spirited exchange.

After Bob Nevin scored twice to give New York the lead, Stemkowski answered again, this time setting up Alex Delvecchio to tie the game in the second period. By the third, with Detroit in control, Stemkowski capped his performance with his first goal of the season, assisted by Delvecchio and Bruce MacGregor.

The result? A classic Gordie Howe Hat Trick, a goal, an assist, and a fight, all while sharing the ice with Gordie Howe himself. Howe had a quieter night with a single assist, but the performance from Stemkowski showed he was ready to make his mark in Detroit.

That season, Stemkowski scored 21 goals, surpassing his previous career high of 13 set with Toronto in 1966-67. It was just the beginning of a productive stretch, as he would go on to record five 20-goal seasons in his NHL career, two with Detroit and three later with the Rangers.

The Franchise: Detroit Red Wings: A Curated History of Hockeytown

Explore the storied history of the Detroit Red Wings — legends, moments, rivalries, and the culture that made Hockeytown iconic.

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