Esposito, Hull, Howe: The Race to the NHL’s First 100-Point Season

Before 1968-69, no NHL player had ever scored 100 points in a single season. The closest came in the mid-60s: Bobby Hull with 97 points in 1965-66, and Stan Mikita matching the feat the next year. Mikita even won the 1967-68 Art Ross Trophy with just 87 points. But the next season would change NHL history forever.

In 1968-69, not one, but three hockey legends shattered the 100-point barrier for the first time: Phil Esposito, Bobby Hull, and Gordie Howe.

Phil Esposito: The First to 100

On March 2, 1969, Boston Bruins centre Phil Esposito reached the milestone in style. Facing the Pittsburgh Penguins at Boston Garden, Esposito scored his 39th goal of the season just 17 seconds into the third period, assisted by Ken Hodge and Ted Green. That goal marked point number 100.

He wasn’t done, adding a shorthanded goal later in the period, assisted by Hodge and Bobby Orr, on the way to a 4-0 win. Esposito ended the year with 126 points, earning his first of five Art Ross Trophies.

Bobby Hull: The Golden Jet Follows

On March 20, 1969, in the same Boston Garden, Bobby Hull of the Chicago Blackhawks became the second man to hit 100 points. Needing two points going into the game, Hull scored his 54th goal with less than three minutes left, then struck again just 13 seconds later for the magic number.

Hull closed the season with 107 points, finishing second to Esposito in the scoring race.

Gordie Howe: Mr. Hockey Joins the Club

Finally, on March 30, 1969, Gordie Howe entered the Detroit Red Wings last game of the season with 99 points. Against Hull’s Blackhawks, Howe scored his 43rd goal just 33 seconds into the second period for point number 100.

He added another goal and two assists for a four-point night, finishing the season with 103 points, good for third in the Art Ross race.

Quiz: NHL’s First Triple 100-Point Season (1968-69)

Much more NHL hockey trivia can be found at our Hockey Trivia website!

1. Who was the first player in NHL history to reach 100 points in a single season?
   Bobby Hull
   Phil Esposito
   Gordie Howe
   
2. In which month of 1969 did Phil Esposito hit the 100-point milestone?
   January
   March
   February
   
3. How many points did Bobby Hull finish with in the 1968-69 season?
   100
   107
   126
   
4. Gordie Howe reached his 100th point against which team?
   Boston Bruins
   Chicago Blackhawks
   New York Rangers
   
5. How many points did Phil Esposito total in 1968-69?
   107
   103
   126
   

Butch Goring’s First Islanders Hat Trick Comes in High-Octane Duel with Real Cloutier

On March 10, 1980, the New York Islanders made a franchise-altering move by acquiring Butch Goring from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for Billy Harris and Dave Lewis. Just nine games into his tenure with the Isles, Goring showed exactly why the deal would become legendary.

On March 30, 1980, the Islanders visited the Quebec Nordiques for a wild offensive showcase. Goring went toe-to-toe with Quebec star Real “Buddy” Cloutier, with both players recording a hat trick and an assist for four-point nights. The Islanders came out on top, winning 9-6 in a game loaded with firepower.

Cloutier got off to a hot start, notching his 36th and 37th goals of the season in the first period, both assisted by Marc Tardif, beating goalie Glenn "Chico" Resch. Butch Goring got on the board early in the second, narrowing the score to 3-2, and shortly after, assisted on a Clark Gillies goal to help the Islanders gain momentum.

Despite another Quebec tally from Paul Stewart (assisted by Cloutier), the Islanders held a slim 6-5 lead heading into the third.

Cloutier completed his hat trick with his 38th of the season just under four minutes into the third, tying the game 6-6. But the Islanders would not be denied. John Tonelli put New York back ahead just seconds later, and Goring sealed the win with two more goals, his 24th and 25th of the campaign, both assisted by Denis Potvin, with the final helper also coming from goalie Glenn Resch.

Goring was a force all game, firing six shots, alongside Bob Nystrom, Bryan Trottier, and Potvin, all of whom also registered six shots. The Islanders peppered Quebec goalie Goran Hogosta with 49 total shots. Cloutier and Tardif combined for nearly half of Quebec's 29 shots on goal.

Hockey Trivia: Butch Goring Quiz

Much more NHL hockey trivia can be found at our Hockey Trivia website!

1. What team did Butch Goring start his NHL career with?
   New York Islanders
   Boston Bruins
   Los Angeles Kings
   Atlanta Flames
2. How many Stanley Cups did Butch Goring win as a player with the Islanders?
   1
   2
   3
   4
3. Which NHL award did Butch Goring win in the 1977–78 season?
   Hart Trophy
   Lady Byng Trophy
   Conn Smythe Trophy
   Bill Masterton Trophy
4. Who did the Islanders trade to get Butch Goring in 1980?
   Bob Bourne and Stefan Persson
   Bryan Trottier and Dave Langevin
   Billy Harris and Dave Lewis
   Mike Bossy and Bob Lorimer
5. What was Goring famously known for wearing on his head instead of a traditional helmet?
   A Spaps brand helmet
   A Jofa bubble helmet
   A heavily padded mask
   A clear plastic visor

Who Scored 50 First? The Penguins’ Historic 1975-76 Season

In the 1975-76 NHL season, the Pittsburgh Penguins achieved a franchise first. Not one, but two players reached 50 goals. Pierre Larouche and Jean Pronovost both cracked the milestone, with Larouche finishing at 53 goals and Pronovost close behind at 52. But who hit 50 first?

March 24, 1976: Pronovost Makes Penguins History

On a Wednesday night at the Civic Arena (a.k.a. The Igloo), the Penguins faced off against the powerhouse Boston Bruins. With the game tied in the third period, Jean Pronovost scored his 50th goal of the season at the 11:01 mark. The goal came on Gilles Gilbert, assisted by Lowell MacDonald and Syl Apps.

That moment made Pronovost the first Pittsburgh Penguin ever to reach 50 goals in a single season. Larouche also scored in the game, his 45^th, The match ended in a 5-5 tie.

April 3, 1976: Larouche Follows In A Flash

Just over a week later, Pierre Larouche entered a game against the Washington Capitals with 49 goals. He scored number 50 at 11:16 of the second period, assisted by Ron Stackhouse and Rick Kehoe. With eight seconds left in the same period, he added another, goal number 51.

Despite Larouche’s heroics, the Penguins lost 5-4. It was just the Capitals' 11th win of the year.

A Quick Playoff Exit

Although Larouche and Pronovost combined for 105 goals, the Penguins were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs, losing a best-of-three series to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Neither player scored during the series.

Today’s Franchise Benchmark: Lemieux’s 85

While Pronovost was the first to reach 50, and Larouche edged him in total, Mario Lemieux now holds the single-season franchise record with a jaw-dropping 85 goals in 1988-89.

1970's 50 Goal Scorers Quiz

Much more NHL hockey trivia can be found at our Hockey Trivia website!

1. Who was the first NHL player to score 50 goals in a season during the 1970s?
Phil Esposito (1971)
Phil Esposito (1970)
Bobby Hull (1970)
Guy Lafleur (1971)

2. In the 1970s, which NHL player had the most 50-goal seasons?
Marcel Dionne
Mike Bossy
Guy Lafleur
Rick Martin

3. Which of these players did NOT score 50 goals in a season during the 1970s?
Pierre Larouche
Jean Pronovost
Dave Keon
Ken Hodge

4. Which team had two players reach 50 goals in the same 1975-76 season?
Pittsburgh Penguins
Montreal Canadiens
New York Islanders
Buffalo Sabres

5. Who scored 52 goals in the 1974-75 season for the Buffalo Sabres?
Danny Gare
Gilbert Perreault
Rene Robert
Rick Martin