Bryan Trottier’s Historic 8-Point Night Against Rangers in 1978

The New York Islanders were already a powerhouse in the 1978-79 season, dropping only four games by the time they hosted the rival New York Rangers on December 23, 1978. On that night, Bryan Trottier gave Islanders fans an unforgettable early Christmas gift with one of the greatest single-game performances in franchise and NHL history.

Trottier recorded eight points on five goals and three assists, breaking his own Islanders record of five points in a game, set just a year earlier in 1977. His six points in the second period alone still stand as an NHL record for most points in a single period, later tied by Mika Zibanejad of the Rangers decades later.

The scoring started modestly, with Trottier netting one in the first period before the game stood tied 1-1. Then came the Islanders’ second-period explosion. New York’s goalie Wayne Thomas was overwhelmed as Trottier scored three goals in the frame and set up Mike Bossy twice and Garry Howatt once. By the end of the period, the Isles had buried seven goals, with Trottier firmly in the spotlight.

Trottier capped off his incredible night with his fifth goal early in the third period. While the Rangers clawed back with a pair of late goals, the Islanders skated off with a 9-4 victory. Bossy chipped in five points of his own, and Garry Howatt completed the Gordie Howe Hat Trick with a goal, an assist, and a third-period fight. For the Rangers, Ron Greschner did his best to keep things respectable, scoring twice in the loss.

About Bryan Trottier

Bryan Trottier played 1,279 regular season and 221 playoff games in the National Hockey League between 1975-76 and 1993-94 with the New York Islanders and Pittsburgh Penguins. He won six Stanley Cup championships, four with New York and two with Pittsburgh.

Trottier was the Calder Trophy winner in 1975-76 as NHL rookie of the year. Other accolades include an Art Ross Trophy, Hart Trophy and Conn Smythe Trophy. Bryan was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1997.

NHL Hockey Trivia: Bryan Trottier

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

1. Bryan Trottier won the Calder Trophy as NHL Rookie of the Year in which season?

A) 1973-74
B) 1974-75
C) 1975-76
D) 1976-77

2. How many Stanley Cups did Bryan Trottier win during his playing career?

A) 4
B) 6
C) 7
D) 8

3. Trottier won the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP in which season?

A) 1977-78
B) 1978-79
C) 1979-80
D) 1980-81

4. Which superstar winger formed a legendary scoring duo with Trottier on the Islanders?

A) Mike Bossy
B) Clark Gillies
C) Pat LaFontaine
D) Denis Potvin

5. How many career NHL regular season points did Trottier finish with?

A) 1,280
B) 1,425
C) 1,565
D) 1,704

Syl Apps Explodes For Six Points As Islanders Suffer Rough Start

When the New York Islanders entered the NHL for the 1972-73 season, few imagined that just eight years later they would become a dynasty with four straight Stanley Cup championships. Their early years, however, were filled with growing pains and one December night in Pittsburgh highlighted just how far they had to go.

On December 13, 1972, the expansion Islanders came into the Civic Arena with a dismal 3-21-3 record, having already allowed nine or more goals three times. Against the Penguins, things quickly spiraled out of control. Pittsburgh fired nine unanswered goals past beleaguered New York goaltender Gerry Desjardins, who faced a staggering 55 shots on the night. The Islanders only avoided being shut out when they scored with six seconds left, barely spoiling Denis Herron’s quiet evening in the other crease.

The star of the night was Syl Apps Jr., who delivered the finest offensive performance of his 1972-73 season. Apps recorded a hat trick, his first of three career NHL hat tricks, while also setting up three more goals for a six-point masterpiece. His linemate Lowell MacDonald added two goals and two assists, while Al McDonough chipped in with a goal and three helpers.

For Apps, this game was one of the highlights of a productive campaign. Along with this six-point night, he notched a five-point game against Toronto and three four-point outings. His offensive flair reached another peak in December 1977, when he tallied his only career four-goal game against the Los Angeles Kings.

About Syl Apps

Syl Apps played 727 regular season and 23 playoff games in the National Hockey League between 1970-71 and 1979-80 with the New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins and Los Angeles Kings. He was a playoff champion with both the Omaha Knights in the CHL and the Buffalo Bisons in the AHL in 1969-70.

NHL Hockey Trivia: Syl Apps Jr.

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

1. Which NHL team did Syl Apps Jr. spend the majority of his career with?

New York Islanders
Pittsburgh Penguins
Los Angeles Kings
Toronto Maple Leafs

2. How many career NHL hat tricks did Syl Apps Jr. record?

1
3
5
7

3. In which season did Apps record his only four-goal game?

1972-73
1974-75
1977-78
1979-80

4. What was Syl Apps Jr.’s highest single-season point total in the NHL?

70
85
99
110

5. Which NHL franchise originally drafted Syl Apps Jr. in 1964?

Montreal Canadiens
Toronto Maple Leafs
New York Rangers
Pittsburgh Penguins

Two Goals in Six Seconds: Turgeon’s Historic Whalers Moment

On March 28, 1987, Sylvain Turgeon snapped out of a scoring slump in dramatic fashion for the Hartford Whalers. Facing Mario Lemieux and the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Hartford Civic Center, Turgeon delivered one of the most memorable performances in franchise history.

After scoring just one goal in his previous eight games, Turgeon opened the scoring late in the first period, beating Pat Riggin unassisted. The second period turned into a wild offensive showcase, with six goals scored in just over five minutes.

Lemieux tied the game at 13:39 with his 53rd goal of the season, but Turgeon responded instantly. Just 20 seconds later, he notched his second of the night. Six seconds after that, he completed the hat trick. The two lightning-quick tallies remain a Whalers franchise record for the fastest two goals by a single player. Even after the team relocated and became the Carolina Hurricanes, the closest anyone has come was Ray Whitney’s two goals in 31 seconds back in 2007.

The Whalers went on to win 5-4, thanks to a clutch goal from captain Ron Francis. Turgeon himself fired 10 of Hartford’s 22 total shots, while goaltender Mike Liut made 19 saves for the victory.

Turgeon went on to play 669 regular season and 36 playoff games in the NHL with the Whalers, New Jersey Devils, Montreal Canadiens, and Ottawa Senators. Twice he hit the 40-goal plateau in Hartford, peaking with a career-best 45 in 1985-86.

NHL Hockey Trivia: Sylvain Turgeon

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

1. Which NHL team drafted Sylvain Turgeon second overall in the 1983 NHL Entry Draft?

Montreal Canadiens
Hartford Whalers
Ottawa Senators
New Jersey Devils

2. Turgeon’s career-best season came in 1985-86 with how many goals scored for Hartford?

35
40
45
50

3. Which of the following teams did Sylvain Turgeon NOT play for during his NHL career?

Hartford Whalers
Montreal Canadiens
New Jersey Devils
Toronto Maple Leafs

4. In March 1987, Turgeon set a Hartford Whalers record by scoring two goals just six seconds apart. Who were the opponents that night?

Boston Bruins
Pittsburgh Penguins
Buffalo Sabres
New York Rangers

5. Across his NHL career, how many regular season games did Sylvain Turgeon play?

450
669
710
820