When the New York Islanders welcomed the Washington Capitals to Nassau Coliseum on April 1, 1978, everyone in the building knew what was at stake. Rookie sensation Mike Bossy entered the game sitting on 49 goals, just one away from becoming the first player in Islanders history, and the first rookie in NHL history, to reach the coveted 50-goal milestone.
Highlights
Mike Bossy entered the game with 49 goals.
Scored his historic 50th goal on April 1, 1978.
Became the first Islanders player to reach 50 goals.
First NHL rookie ever to score 50 goals.
Added his 51st goal with five seconds remaining.
Islanders rallied for a 3-2 victory over Washington.
Finished his rookie season with 53 goals.
Began a streak of nine consecutive 50-goal seasons.
For more than two periods, Washington goaltender Bernie Wolfe kept Bossy off the scoresheet. The rookie finally broke through at 11:52 of the third period, firing a power-play goal past Wolfe while Bill Riley served a tripping penalty. Bryan Trottier and Denis Potvin picked up the assists as the Nassau Coliseum crowd erupted in celebration.
Bossy wasn't finished. With just five seconds remaining, he struck again on another power play, scoring his 51st goal of the season with Bryan Watson in the penalty box for holding. Clark Gillies and Potvin assisted on the game-winning goal, completing a dramatic comeback as New York erased a 2-1 deficit to defeat the Capitals 3-2.
Despite the loss, Bernie Wolfe turned in an outstanding performance for Washington, stopping 41 shots, including 11 from the stick of Denis Potvin. At the other end, Glenn Resch faced only 18 shots, surrendering goals to Guy Charron and Tom Rowe.
Bossy finished his remarkable rookie campaign with 53 goals, shattering Rick Martin's rookie record of 44 set during the 1971-72 season. The achievement launched one of the greatest goal-scoring careers in NHL history, as Bossy recorded nine consecutive 50-goal seasons. More than four decades later, only four NHL rookies have ever scored 50 goals in their first season. Teemu Selanne set the all-time rookie record with 76 goals in 1992-93, while Joe Nieuwendyk and Alex Ovechkin are the only others to join Bossy in the exclusive club.
Rangers vs. Islanders: Denis Potvin, Mark Messier, and Everything Else You Wanted to Know about New York's Greatest Hockey Rivalry
Explore the fierce rivalry between the New York Rangers and New York Islanders, featuring legendary figures, unforgettable clashes, and the moments that defined one of hockey’s most intense matchups.
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