Delvecchio, Howe, and Mahovlich Dominate North Stars on New Year’s Eve 1968

December 31, 1968 at Detroit Olympia: The Detroit Red Wings celebrated New Year’s Eve with a dominant 6-3 victory over the Minnesota North Stars, led by a powerhouse performance from Alex Delvecchio, Gordie Howe, and Frank Mahovlich. The trio combined for an impressive 12 points in one of the Red Wings’ standout games of the 1968-69 NHL season.

Offensive Explosion by Detroit’s Top Line

Alex Delvecchio delivered a five-point performance, opening the scoring at 10:27 of the first period with his 15th goal of the season. The goal came off a setup from Gordie Howe and Kent Douglas, and it was just the beginning. Delvecchio assisted on all three of Mahovlich’s goals, as well as one of Howe’s, making his impact felt throughout the night.

Gordie Howe, also known as "Mr. Hockey," added a goal and three assists to his season totals. His lone goal was the only score of the second period, marking his 17th of the season, and came with assists from Delvecchio and defenseman Bob Baun.

Frank Mahovlich completed the offensive trifecta with a hat trick, scoring his 17th, 18th, and 19th goals of the season. His second goal of the game, at 6:14 of the third period, proved to be the game-winner as Detroit pulled away from Minnesota.

North Stars Struggle to Contain Red Wings' Stars

The North Stars managed three goals from Bill Collins, Bill Goldsworthy, and Danny O’Shea, but couldn’t keep pace with Detroit’s relentless offense. Goaltender Roy Edwards secured the win for the Red Wings, turning aside 22 of 25 shots.

The game saw minimal penalty activity, with the only infraction being a two-minute tripping call against Danny Lawson of Detroit at 12:12 of the first period.

A Memorable New Year’s Eve Victory

This New Year’s Eve matchup was a memorable one for Red Wings fans, as three of the team's most iconic players showcased their elite talent. The victory not only added two points to Detroit’s standings but also highlighted the chemistry and scoring power of Delvecchio, Howe, and Mahovlich.

Detroit vs. Minnesota In 1968-69

This game on December 31, 1968 was the fourth of six regular season meetings between the Detroit Red Wings and Minnesota North Stars. In all, the Wings won four of the six, including all three at Detroit Olympia and one at the Met Center.

The second game was played on November 9, 1968 in Minnesota and was the highest scoring. Ten total goals were scored with the North Stars winning 6-4. The stars were powered by a hat trick from Danny Grant and a five point night (1G, 4A) from Ray Cullen.

In the end, neither the Red Wings or North Stars would qualify for the post season in 1968-69. Detroit finished fifth in the six team Eastern Division, seven points behind Toronto for the final playoff spot. Minnesota managed just 51 points and tied for last overall with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Because of the misalignment of the league post 1967 Expansion, depsite how dismal those two teams were, they were just seven points behind the Los Angeles Kings for the final spot in the West.

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.

The Last NHL Player to Score 4 Goals in a Stanley Cup Final Game: Maurice Richard’s Historic Night

Scoring four goals in a single Stanley Cup Final game is a rare feat, only five players in NHL history have ever done it. The most recent? None other than the legendary Maurice "Rocket" Richard, who accomplished this 67 years ago.

On April 6, 1957, the Montreal Canadiens faced off against the Boston Bruins in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final at the iconic Montreal Forum. The Canadiens had just dispatched the New York Rangers, while Boston earned their spot by eliminating the Detroit Red Wings, despite not making the playoffs the season before.

Boston struck first with a goal from Fleming Mackell midway through the second period. But it didn’t take long for Rocket Richard to take over. He scored two quick goals, with the second becoming the game-winner. Before the period ended, Richard completed his hat trick, pushing Montreal’s lead to 4-1. He capped off the night with his fourth goal in the third period, assisted by his brother, Henri Richard.

All five Canadiens goals were scored on Bruins goalie Don Simmons in a dominant 5-1 victory. Richard’s four-goal explosion made up half of his total goals during the 1956-57 playoffs. Defenseman Doug Harvey added three assists, while Henri Richard contributed two.

Montreal went on to win the series in five games, capturing their second of five straight Stanley Cup championships. Maurice Richard’s four-goal performance remains one of the most iconic individual efforts in Stanley Cup Final history.

1957 Stanley Cup Playoffs

In the six team NHL, the Detroit Red Wing finished first overall with 88 points over 70 games. The Montreal Canadiens were next, six points behind the Wings. The Boston Bruins were just two points behind the Habs for third and the New York Rangers rounded out the playoff qualifiers with 66 pionts in 70 games. The Toronto Maple Leafs and Chicago Blackhawks missed the post season.

Montreal vs. New York (Semi-Final)

Despite the large gap in points between the Canadiens and Rangers, their semi-final series was the tightest. It took Montreal just five games to advance but overtime was needed in games 2 and 5. After the Canadiens won game one, it was the Rangers winning tying up the series with a 4-3 overtime win. In that match at Madison Square Garden, Andy Hebenton scored the game winner on Jacques Plante at 13:38 of the extra frame.

In game 5, New York fell 3-0 after two periods but came back with goals by Parker MacDonald, Red Sullivan and Harry Howell in the third to force the extra frame. Rocket Richard clinched the series with a goal 1:11 into OT on Gump Worsley, assisted by Henri Richard and Dickie Moore.

Boston vs. Detroit (Semi-Final)

This series lacked overtime but was close nonetheless, regardless of the Bruins dispatching the Red Wings in five games. Over the five, Boston outscored the Wings by just a single goal. Like the other semi-final series, the teams were tied after two games. Boston the won three straight and the series.

Game 4 featured a 20 save shutout by Don Simmons with Real Chevrefils scoring the game winner at the 6:00 mark of the first period. Boston eliminated the Red Wings on April 4, 1957 at Detroit Olympia in a tight 4-3 win. Ted Lindsay gave Detroit a 2-1 lead just 36 seconds into the third period but Boston scored three straight with Cal Gardner putting in the game winner. Wings goalie Glenn Hall allowed the four goals on just 15 shots on net.

Montreal vs. Boston (Stanley Cup Final)

Again, the final series went five games before the Montreal Canadiens were crowned Stanley Cup champions. The series featured a shutout for each team. In game 2, Plante stopped all 24 shots put his way while Boston goalie Simmons allowed just one on 23 shots in the 1-0 Habs win. Jean Beliveau scored the lone goal at 2:27 of the second, assisted by Dollard St. Laurent and Bernie Geoffrion.

Simmons got his second blank of the playoffs in game 4, turning away all 21 shots. Plante stopped 27 of 28 with one going into the empty net in the 2-0 Boston win. Fleming Mackell scored both goals for the Bruins in the game.

In the 5-1 Cup clinching win on April 16, 1957 at the Montreal Forum, it was Dickie Moore's goal 14 seconds into the second period that would stand as the game winner. Moore had a three point game, also assisting on third period goals by Don Marshall and Floyd Curry.

Version Française

Marquer quatre buts lors d’un match de finale de la Coupe Stanley est un exploit rare, seuls cinq joueurs dans l’histoire de la LNH y sont parvenus. Le plus récent? Nul autre que la légende Maurice "Rocket" Richard, qui a accompli cet exploit il y a 67 ans.

Le 6 avril 1957, les Canadiens de Montréal affrontaient les Bruins de Boston lors du premier match de la finale de la Coupe Stanley, au légendaire Forum de Montréal. Les Canadiens venaient tout juste d’éliminer les Rangers de New York, tandis que Boston s’était qualifié en battant les Red Wings de Detroit, malgré leur absence des séries éliminatoires la saison précédente.

Boston a ouvert la marque grâce à un but de Fleming Mackell à mi-chemin en deuxième période. Mais il n’a pas fallu longtemps avant que le Rocket prenne les choses en main. Maurice Richard a inscrit deux buts rapides, dont le deuxième s’est avéré être le but gagnant. Avant la fin de la période, Richard a complété son tour du chapeau, donnant une avance de 4-1 à Montréal. Il a terminé sa soirée avec un quatrième but en troisième période, aidé par son frère Henri Richard.

Les cinq buts des Canadiens ont été inscrits contre le gardien des Bruins Don Simmons dans une victoire dominante de 5-1. L’explosion offensive de quatre buts de Richard représentait la moitié de sa production totale pendant les séries éliminatoires de 1956-1957. Le défenseur Doug Harvey a ajouté trois passes, tandis qu’Henri Richard en a obtenu deux.

Montréal a remporté la série en cinq matchs, décrochant ainsi sa deuxième conquête consécutive dans une séquence de cinq Coupes Stanley de suite. La performance de Maurice Richard reste l’une des plus marquantes de l’histoire des finales de la Coupe Stanley.

Séries éliminatoires de la Coupe Stanley 1957

Dans la LNH à six équipes, les Red Wings de Detroit ont terminé au premier rang avec 88 points en 70 matchs. Les Canadiens de Montréal suivaient à six points, puis les Bruins de Boston à seulement deux points derrière les Habs. Les Rangers de New York ont complété le carré d’as avec 66 points. Les Maple Leafs de Toronto et les Blackhawks de Chicago ont manqué les séries.

Montréal vs New York (demi-finale)

Malgré un écart important au classement, la série entre les Canadiens et les Rangers fut la plus serrée. Montréal a remporté la série en cinq matchs, mais deux d’entre eux se sont rendus en prolongation. Après une victoire du CH dans le premier match, les Rangers ont égalisé la série grâce à une victoire de 4-3 en prolongation. Lors de ce match au Madison Square Garden, Andy Hebenton a marqué le but gagnant contre Jacques Plante à 13:38 de la période supplémentaire.

Lors du cinquième match, New York tirait de l’arrière 3-0 après deux périodes mais est revenu à égalité grâce à des buts de Parker MacDonald, Red Sullivan et Harry Howell. Rocket Richard a ensuite clos le débat avec un but après seulement 1:11 en prolongation, aidé par Henri Richard et Dickie Moore.

Boston vs Detroit (demi-finale)

Même si cette série ne s’est pas rendue en prolongation, elle a été très serrée. Les Bruins ont éliminé les Red Wings en cinq matchs, mais n’ont marqué qu’un but de plus que Detroit au total. Après deux matchs, les équipes étaient à égalité. Boston a ensuite remporté les trois suivants.

Lors du match numéro 4, Don Simmons a obtenu un blanchissage de 20 arrêts, et Real Chevrefils a inscrit le but gagnant à la sixième minute de la première période. Boston a éliminé les Wings le 4 avril 1957 au Detroit Olympia, avec une victoire serrée de 4-3. Ted Lindsay avait donné l’avance 2-1 à Detroit seulement 36 secondes après le début de la troisième période, mais Boston a marqué trois buts consécutifs, dont le but gagnant de Cal Gardner. Le gardien Glenn Hall a accordé quatre buts sur seulement 15 tirs.

Montréal vs Boston (finale de la Coupe Stanley)

Encore une fois, la série finale s’est terminée en cinq matchs, les Canadiens de Montréal étant couronnés champions. La série a été marquée par un blanchissage de chaque côté. Lors du match numéro 2, Plante a bloqué les 24 tirs dirigés contre lui, tandis que Simmons n’a cédé qu’une fois sur 23 tirs dans une victoire de 1-0 du CH. Jean Béliveau a inscrit l’unique but à 2:27 de la deuxième période, aidé par Dollard St. Laurent et Bernie Geoffrion.

Simmons a obtenu son deuxième blanchissage des séries au match 4, repoussant 21 tirs. Plante en a arrêté 27 sur 28, l’un d’eux étant marqué dans un filet désert lors de la victoire de 2-0 de Boston. Fleming Mackell a inscrit les deux buts des Bruins.

Dans la victoire décisive de 5-1 le 16 avril 1957 au Forum de Montréal, c’est le but de Dickie Moore après seulement 14 secondes en deuxième période qui s’est avéré être le but gagnant. Moore a connu un match de trois points, ajoutant des passes sur les buts de Don Marshall et Floyd Curry en troisième période.