Jacques Plante Records Final NHL Shutout and Sets Up Game Winner in Style

On March 3, 1973, legendary goaltender Jacques Plante was traded from the Toronto Maple Leafs to the Boston Bruins in a move that would mark the final chapter of his NHL career. Though his time in Boston was brief, just eight regular season games and two playoff appearances, Plante made it count. His final NHL shutout came in a standout performance on March 24, 1973, at the historic Boston Garden.

Facing off against the New York Rangers, a team with nearly identical standings, Plante delivered a vintage performance. Just one minute into the game, Gregg Sheppard netted his 24th goal of the season, assisted by none other than Bobby Orr and Plante himself. The assist was one of two points Plante earned in his eight-game stint with the Bruins, an impressive stat for a 44-year-old netminder.

Plante stopped all 29 shots he faced, while Rangers goalie Gilles Villemure let in three goals on 22 shots. The Bruins’ scoring was rounded out by Derek Sanderson with his fifth goal of the season and Phil Esposito with his 49th. Bobby Orr and Ken Hodge both tallied two assists, contributing to Boston’s solid 3-0 victory. The game also featured a spirited third-period fight between two rising stars Terry O’Reilly and Steve Vickers at 6:14, earning both players five-minute majors for fighting.

Though the 1972-73 season was Plante’s final in the NHL, his hockey journey wasn’t quite over. Two years later, he returned to play 40 games with the WHA’s Edmonton Oilers, proving he still had gas in the tank. In 1978, Jacques Plante was rightfully inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, cementing his legacy as one of hockey’s all-time great goaltenders.

About Jacques Plante

Between 1952-53 and 1972-73, Jacques Plante played 837 regular season and 112 playoff games in the National Hockey League with the Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers, St. Louis Blues, Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins. 

In his first year, 1952-53, Plante played just three regular season and four playoff games, backing up Gerry McNeil while earning his first of six Stanley Cup championships. Two years later, Jacques was Montreal's number one goaltender with McNeil mostly relegated to the minors.

Plante was a seven time Vezina Trophy winner, three time First Team All-Star, four time Second Team All-Star and the Hart Trophy winner in 1961-62. Jacques was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1978 and his jersey number 1 has been retired by the Canadiens.

Rookie Sensation Joe Mullen Sets Blues Record with Lightning-Fast Goals

When Joe Mullen took the ice for the St. Louis Blues during the 1981-82 NHL season, few could’ve predicted the impact he’d make so quickly. Splitting time early in the season between the Blues and their CHL affiliate, the Salt Lake Golden Eagles, Mullen’s breakout moment came on January 5, 1982, a night that still echoes in franchise history.

A Historic Night in St. Louis

Hosting the Minnesota North Stars, the Blues were locked in a 1-1 battle when Mullen made his move. At 18:22 of the second period, he netted his first NHL goal against goalie Gilles Meloche, with an assist from Ed Kea. Just eight seconds later, he struck again, this time with help from Brian Sutter and Larry Patey. That second goal not only gave the Blues the lead, but also stood as the game-winner in a 4-1 victory.

Mullen’s two goals in eight seconds still hold as a St. Louis Blues franchise record for the fastest two goals by a player. Rich Sutter came close in 1990 with two goals in ten seconds, but Mullen’s mark stands tall.

Nearly an NHL Record

To make things even more exciting, the North Stars’ Tim Young had scored just moments earlier at 18:11. That made for an incredible three goals in just 19 seconds, the fifth-fastest three-goal span in NHL history. While not a league record, it was a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment for fans.

The NHL record for fastest three goals also involves the North Stars. On February 10, 1983, playing against the New York Rangers, three goals were scored in 15 seconds: Mark Pavelich (Rangers) at 19:18, Ron Greschner (Rangers) at 19:27, and Willi Plett (North Stars) at 19:33.

Joe Mullen’s Rookie Season Impact

Mullen finished his rookie season with 25 goals and 34 assists in just 45 games, totaling 59 points. He added another 18 points in 10 playoff appearances. Despite missing a chunk of the season, he still finished 11th in Calder Trophy voting for NHL rookie of the year, a strong showing that hinted at the stellar career to come.

Legacy of a Lightning Start

Joe Mullen's explosive performance on that winter night not only earned him a place in the Blues' record books but also served notice that the undrafted rookie was here to stay. Had he played a full season, the Calder might have been his. 

About Joe Mullen

Between 1979-80 and 1996-97, Joe Mullen played 1,062 regular season and 143 playoff games in the National Hockey League with the St. Louis Blues, Calgary Flames, Pittsburgh Penguins and Boston Bruins. Undrafted, the Blues signed Mullen out of Boston College.

The two-time Lady Byng Trophy winner scored 20 or more goals in eleven seasons, topping six times. His career best came in 1988-89 with the Flames when he scored 51 and totaled 110 points. He tied for fifth in goal scoring with teammate Joe Nieuwendyk, 34 behind leader Mario Lemieux. He was seventh in the race for the Art Ross Trophy.

Mullen was a three time Stanley Cup champion. His first was with Calgary in 1988-89 before winning back-to-back with the Penguins in 1990-91 and 1991-92. A long time assistant coach in the NHL after retiring, Joe was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2000.

Joe Nieuwendyk Makes Calgary Flames History With 5 Goals in 1989 Win Over Winnipeg Jets

On January 11, 1989, Joe Nieuwendyk delivered one of the greatest individual performances in Calgary Flames history. Hosting the Winnipeg Jets at the Saddledome, the Flames dominated the game in more ways than one, setting a franchise record at the time with 131 penalty minutes, while Nieuwendyk let his stick do the talking.

In a wild 8-3 victory, Nieuwendyk scored five goals, becoming the only player in Atlanta/Calgary Flames history to accomplish the feat. His performance was highlighted by three goals in just 1:53 during the second period, a franchise record for the fastest hat trick by a single player that still stands.

Nieuwendyk opened the scoring at 11:45 of the first period, followed by a shorthanded goal early in the second. His lightning-fast hat trick followed, and his second-period shorty turned out to be the game-winner.

While chaos unfolded around him, Nieuwendyk remained composed, one of seven Flames players, including goalie Mike Vernon, who didn’t take a penalty that night. He fired 12 shots on Jets goalie Daniel Berthiaume, accounting for one-third of Calgary’s 36.

This was the fifth of 14 career NHL hat tricks for Nieuwendyk, who scored 51 goals in the 1988-89 season, matching his output from the year prior. Though he never hit the 50-goal mark again, he went on to notch 564 goals over 1,257 regular-season games, also winning Stanley Cups with Calgary, Dallas, and New Jersey.

NHL Record: Fastest 3 Goals

By one player, the fastest three goals in an NHL game was recorded nearly 75 years ago and has the staying power to remain an unbroken record. Bill Mosienko of the Chicago Blackhawks scored three in 21 seconds in a game on March 23, 1952, a 7-6 win over the New York Rangers. All three were assisted by Gus Bodnar.

By one team, the fastest is 20 seconds, set by the Boston Bruins on February 25, 1971 in an 8-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks. John Bucyk, Ed Westfall and Ted Green each scored for the Bruins in a rapid fire third period.

The fastest three goals by two teams in a game is a mind-blowing 15 seconds. This was set on February 10, 1983 in a game between the Minnesota North Stars and New York Rangers. Mark Pavelich and Ron Greschner scored for the Rangers before Willi Plett replied for the Stars. This was all in the last minute of the second period. The North Stars won the game 7-5.