The Night Rick Martin Mixed Goals and Grit Against Toronto

Rick Martin was closing in on his second straight 50-goal season for the Buffalo Sabres when they faced the Toronto Maple Leafs at Maple Leaf Gardens on March 16, 1975. Known for his world-class shot and smooth skating, Martin put on a show, scoring his 45th, 46th, and 47th goals of the 1974-75 campaign. He also added an assist on a Fred Stanfield goal for a four-point night.

But Martin didn’t stop at scoring. In the third period, he dropped the gloves with Lanny McDonald, completing a rare Gordie Howe Hat Trick, goal, assist, and fight. McDonald, frustrated after Toronto’s long night, had already tangled with Jim Schoenfeld earlier in the game.

The Sabres dominated from start to finish, jumping out to a 5-2 lead in the first and cruising to an 11-3 victory. Toronto’s Gord McRae was pulled early in the second after allowing six goals on 15 shots, replaced by Doug Favell, who faced another 31 shots and gave up five more.

While Martin’s performance was stellar, linemate Gilbert Perreault stole some of the spotlight with a six-point night, three goals and three assists on eight shots. Stanfield also shone with a goal and four helpers, while Rick Dudley and Peter McNab each chipped in four points.

For Toronto, Dave Keon, Jim McKenny, and Blaine Stoughton managed to score, but Buffalo’s Gerry Desjardins stood tall, stopping 29 of 32 shots for the win.

About Rick Martin

A fifth overall pick by the Buffalo Sabres at the 1971 NHL Amateur Draft, Rick Martin played 685 regular season and 63 playoff games in the National Hockey League between 1971-72 and 1981-82 with the Buffalo Sabres and Los Angeles Kings. He was the first in Buffalo franchise history to record a 50 goal season.

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NHL Hockey Trivia: Rick Martin

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

1. Rick Martin was part of one of the NHL’s most famous lines with the Buffalo Sabres. What was the trio called?

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

2. How many times did Rick Martin score 50 or more goals in a single NHL season?

• Once
• Twice
• Three times
• Four times

3. Martin was selected by the Buffalo Sabres in the first round of the 1971 NHL Amateur Draft. What overall pick was he?

• 3rd overall
• 4th overall
• 5th overall
• 6th overall

4. In which season did Rick Martin post career highs of 52 goals and 95 points?

• 1973-74
• 1974-75
• 1975-76
• 1976-77

5. Rick Martin’s NHL career was cut short due to injury while playing with which team?

• Buffalo Sabres
• Los Angeles Kings
• Montreal Canadiens
• Toronto Maple Leafs

Sabres Legends Shine Bright in 1978 NHL All-Star Game at the Aud

On January 24, 1978, the Buffalo Memorial Auditorium played host to the 31st NHL All-Star Game, marking the only time the Buffalo Sabres have hosted the league’s prestigious mid-season event. Representing the Sabres and the Wales Conference were local fan favorites Gilbert Perreault and Rick Martin, both iconic members of the legendary “French Connection” line.

With just under two minutes left in regulation, the Wales Conference found themselves trailing the Campbell Conference 2-1. But at 18:21, Rick Martin tied the game with a clutch goal, assisted by Marcel Dionne and Terry O'Reilly. This goal sent the game into uncharted territory: the first-ever sudden-death overtime in NHL All-Star Game history.

Buffalo fans erupted once more when, 3:55 into overtime, Gilbert Perreault netted the game-winner with assists from Steve Shutt and Borje Salming. The dramatic comeback gave the Wales Conference a 3-2 victory. Despite the thrilling finish, the game’s MVP honors went to Campbell Conference goaltender Billy Smith, who shut out the Wales team in the first half of the game. All three Wales goals came against second-half goalie Wayne Stephenson.

Perreault and Martin's standout performances on All-Star night were a highlight of a stellar 1977–78 season for the Buffalo Sabres. That year, the team finished second in the Adams Division with 105 points. They went on to defeat the New York Rangers in the preliminary playoff round before falling to the Philadelphia Flyers in the quarter-finals.

The 1978 NHL All-Star Game remains a cherished moment in Buffalo sports history, especially for the Sabres faithful who watched their hometown heroes shine on one of hockey’s biggest stages.

About Gilbert Perreault

Between 1970-71 and 1986-87, Gilbert Perreault played 1,191 regular season and 90 playoff games in the National Hockey League, all with the Buffalo Sabres. He was the first overall pick at the 1970 NHL Amateur Draft out of the Montreal Junior Canadiens and was the first ever draft pick of the Sabres.

Gil led the Sabres to the post season in nine consecutive years, reaching the Stanley Cup finals in 1974-75 before bowing out to the Philadelphia Flyers. He reached the 100 point plateau twice, topping out with a career best 113 in 1975-76.

The 1970-71 Calder Trophy winner was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1990. That same year, his jersey number 11 became the first to be retired by the Sabres. Perrreault was also the Lady Byng Trophy winner in 1972-73 and was named a Second Team All-Star twice.

About Rick Martin

Between 1971-72 and 1981-82, Rick Martin played 685 regular season and 63 playoff games in the National Hockey League with the Buffalo Sabres and Los Angeles Kings. His time in L.A. consisted of just four regular season and a single post season game.

Like Perreault, he played his junior hockey with the Montreal Junior Canadiens and was a fifth overall pick at the 1971 NHL Amateur Draft. He was the first in Buffalo Sabres franchise history to score 50 goals in a season, totaling 52 in both 1973-74 and 1974-75.