1969–70 NHL season

The 1969–70 NHL season was the 53rd season of the National Hockey League. For the third straight season, the St. Louis Blues reached the Stanley Cup Finals, and for the third straight year, the winners of the expansion West Division were swept four games to none. This time, however, it was at the hands of the Boston Bruins, as the defending champions Montreal Canadiens narrowly missed the playoffs, something that did not happen again for the next quarter century. With both the Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs missing the 1970 Stanley Cup playoffs, it was the first time in league history that no Canadian team in the NHL (two Canadian teams at the time) qualified for the playoffs (something that has happened only once since, in 2016, when all seven NHL's Canadian teams missed the playoffs). It was also the final season that teams wore their colored jerseys at home until the 2003–04 season.

1969–70 NHL season
LeagueNational Hockey League
SportIce hockey
DurationOctober 11, 1969 – May 10, 1970
Number of games76
Number of teams12
TV partner(s)CBC, CTV, SRC (Canada)
CBS (United States)
Draft
Top draft pickRejean Houle
Picked byMontreal Canadiens
Regular season
Season championsChicago Black Hawks
Season MVPBobby Orr (Bruins)
Top scorerBobby Orr (Bruins)
Playoffs
Playoffs MVPBobby Orr (Bruins)
Stanley Cup
ChampionsBoston Bruins
  Runners-upSt. Louis Blues

Regular season

Detroit owner Bruce Norris installed a phone at the Red Wing bench connected to his at his seat in the Olympia. When coach Bill Gadsby saw the phone, he ordered it removed. Gadsby was fired after three games

Bobby Orr of the Boston Bruins became the first (and to date, the only) defenceman in NHL history to win the league scoring championship. He did it by setting a new record for assists with 87 and totalling 120 points, only six shy of the point record set the previous season by teammate Phil Esposito. Along the way, he also won the Norris Trophy for the third straight year as the top defenceman, the Hart Trophy for league MVP, and the Conn Smythe Trophy for the playoff MVP, being the only player in the NHL to win four individual awards in a single season.

Gordie Howe finished the season within the ten leading NHL point scorers for an all-time record of 21 consecutive seasons; it was the final season he did so.

For the second straight season, the St. Louis Blues easily won the West Division, being the only team in the division to have a winning record.

The East Division, however, saw a temporary changing of the guard, as Montreal dropped from first the previous season to fifth, missing the playoffs on the total goals scored tie-breaker with the New York Rangers. The Rangers were in first place for a time, but injuries on the blueline doomed any hope of a first-place finish, and they even obtained Tim Horton in desperation. It was the only season Montreal failed to make the playoffs between 1948 and 1995, and as the Toronto Maple Leafs also failed to make the postseason, this was the first playoffs in NHL history to feature no Canadian teams. These developments were instrumental in the decision to move Chicago to the West Division in conjunction with the 1970 expansion, and the adoption of "crossover" playoff series between East and West Division teams the following season. The division crossover kept the newer expansion teams out of the Stanley Cup Finals for the next three seasons. The Bruins and the Black Hawks both tied for the lead in the East (and entire league) with 99 points, but Chicago was awarded first place because they had 5 more wins. It was Chicago's second first-place finish in team history (the first being 1966–67).

Canadiens/Rangers tiebreaker

The last two playoff berths in the East Division were contested by three teams entering the final weekend of the season. The Detroit Red Wings were in third place with 93 points, followed by the Montreal Canadiens with 92 and the New York Rangers with 90.[1] The Red Wings captured the third seed with a 6–2 win over the Rangers on Saturday night. The Canadiens needed just one victory to clinch the fourth and final berth. A New York win and a Montreal loss in their final games would give each team identical 38–22–16 records. At that time, the next tiebreaker was goals scored, in which the Canadiens held a 242–237 advantage. The Rangers also had to outscore the Canadiens by at least five goals in order to qualify for the postseason.[2] The Rangers peppered Red Wings goaltender Crozier with a franchise-record 65 shots on goal en route to a 9–5 triumph and a four-goal lead over Montreal.[2]

Later that evening, the Canadiens either had to win, or score at least five goals in defeat, but were up against a Black Hawks team needing a victory to clinch top seed in the divisional playoffs. With Montreal trailing 5–2 and desperate for three more goals with 9:16 remaining in the third period, coach Claude Ruel pulled netminder Rogie Vachon for an extra attacker. Instead, the Canadiens surrendered five empty-net goals in a 10–2 defeat and missed the postseason for the only time within a 46-season span from 1949 to 1994.[3] Montreal's Yvan Cournoyer commented on the Red Wings' effort in the afternoon, bitterly stating, "Those guys have no pride."[2]

Final standings
East Division[4]
GP W L T GF GA DIFF Pts
1Chicago Black Hawks7645229250170+8099
2Boston Bruins76401719277216+6199
3Detroit Red Wings76402115246199+4795
4New York Rangers76382216246189+5792
5Montreal Canadiens76382216244201+4392
6Toronto Maple Leafs76293413222242−2071
West Division[4]
GP W L T GF GA DIFF Pts
1St. Louis Blues76372712224179+4586
2Pittsburgh Penguins76263812182238−5664
3Minnesota North Stars76193522224257−3360
4Oakland Seals76224014169243−7458
5Philadelphia Flyers76173524197225−2858
6Los Angeles Kings76145210168290−12238

East

West

Playoffs

Playoff bracket
Quarterfinals Semifinals Stanley Cup Finals
         
1 Chicago 4
3 Detroit 0
1 Chicago 0
East Division
2 Boston 4
2 Boston 4
4 New York 2
E2 Boston 4
W1 St. Louis 0
1 St. Louis 4
3 Minnesota 2
1 St. Louis 4
West Division
2 Pittsburgh 2
2 Pittsburgh 4
4 Oakland 0

(E1) Chicago Black Hawks vs. (E3) Detroit Red Wings

The Chicago Black Hawks finished as the NHL's best regular season team with 99 points. Detroit finished third in the East Division with 95 points. This was the ninth playoff meeting between these two teams, and they split their eight previous meetings. They last met in the 1966 semifinals which Detroit won in six games. These teams each won four games of their eight-game regular season series.

In the Chicago-Detroit series, the Black Hawks swept the series, winning all four games by 4–2 scores.

April 8 Detroit Red Wings 2–4 Chicago Black Hawks Chicago Stadium Recap  
Wayne Connelly (1) – pp – 02:59 First period 17:14 – pp – Pit Martin (1)
No scoring Second period 07:23 – pp – Stan Mikita (1)
18:35 – sh – Chico Maki (1)
Gordie Howe (1) – 08:43 Third period 19:31 – Eric Nesterenko (1)
Roy Edwards 40 saves / 43 shots Goalie stats Tony Esposito 34 saves / 36 shots
April 9 Detroit Red Wings 2–4 Chicago Black Hawks Chicago Stadium Recap  
Pete Stemkowski (1) – sh – 13:01 First period 14:38 – Jim Pappin (1)
No scoring Second period 01:33 – Bobby Hull (1)
Bruce MacGregor (1) – 09:42 Third period 15:20 – pp – Pit Martin (2)
18:42 – Dennis Hull (1)
Roy Edwards 30 saves / 34 shots Goalie stats Tony Esposito 31 saves / 33 shots
April 11 Chicago Black Hawks 4–2 Detroit Red Wings Olympia Stadium Recap  
Bobby Hull (2) – 06:37 First period No scoring
Bobby Hull (3) – 11:03
Stan Mikita (2) – pp – 14:38		 Second period 02:03 – Nick Libett (1)
Doug Jarrett (1) – 19:57 Third period 11:07 – Doug Volmar (1)
Tony Esposito 41 saves / 43 shots Goalie stats Roy Edwards 25 saves / 28 shots
April 12 Chicago Black Hawks 4–2 Detroit Red Wings Olympia Stadium Recap  
Jim Pappin (2) – 04:32
Stan Mikita (3) – 12:14		 First period 09:31 – pp – Gordie Howe (2)
Dennis Hull (2) – 04:43 Second period 14:16 – pp – Nick Libett (2)
Chico Maki (2) – 11:26 Third period No scoring
Tony Esposito 29 saves / 31 shots Goalie stats Roy Edwards 11 saves / 14 shots
Roger Crozier 15 saves / 16 shots
Chicago won series 4–0

(E2) Boston Bruins vs. (E4) New York Rangers

The Boston Bruins finished second in the East Division, earning 99 points. The New York Rangers earned 92 points to finish fourth in the East. This was the seventh playoff meeting between these two teams, with Boston winning four of their six previous meetings. They last met in the 1958 semifinals which Boston won in six games. These teams each won four games of their eight-game regular season series.

The Bruins clobbered the Rangers 8–2 in game one; Ranger coach Emile Francis replaced Ed Giacomin when the score reached 7–1, in favor of Terry Sawchuk. Sawchuk replaced Giacomin as the starter in game two, but Boston won 5–3.

Game three at Madison Square Garden featured a hostile crowd, with the New York fans booing, shouting obscenities and throwing objects at the Boston players. Giacomin – back in goal for the Rangers – reportedly told Bruin Derek Sanderson "We're being paid to get you tonight." A subsequent brawl erupted into both benches clearing, as well as fans littering the ice with debris; it took 19 minutes to play the first 91 seconds of the game. By the end of the Rangers' 4–3 win, the teams had set a new NHL playoff record for penalties (38) and penalty minutes (174).

Game four had Rod Gilbert score two goals in a 4–2 Ranger win. Giacomin was brilliant in goal for the Rangers and one of the highlights was stopping Derek Sanderson on a shorthanded breakaway. Game five was won by Boston 3–2 as Esposito scored two goals. Bobby Orr set up the winner when he stole a pass at center ice when the Rangers were caught on a line change. Game six was won easily by the Bruins and featured another display of fan abuse. Bobby Orr scored two goals, including the winner. Fans threw eggs and ball bearings on the ice, and when the outcome was no longer in doubt, set fires in the mezzanine of Madison Square Garden.

April 8 New York Rangers 2–8 Boston Bruins Boston Garden Recap  
Jack Egers (1) – 19:00 First period 03:51 – Phil Esposito (1)
09:32 – pp – Phil Esposito (2)
No scoring Second period 04:56 – Bobby Orr (1)
07:35 – sh – Bobby Orr (2)
08:19 – sh – Derek Sanderson (1)
11:44 – pp – Phil Esposito (3)
15:07 – Wayne Cashman (1)
Bob Nevin (1) – pp – 15:31 Third period 02:20 – pp – Fred Stanfield (1)
Ed Giacomin 19 saves / 26 shots
Terry Sawchuck 7 saves / 8 shots		 Goalie stats Gerry Cheevers 36 saves / 38 shots
April 9 New York Rangers 3–5 Boston Bruins Boston Garden Recap  
Jack Egers (2) – 13:15
Rod Gilbert (1) – pp – 17:15		 First period 07:06 – Jim Lorentz (1)
No scoring Second period 05:39 – John McKenzie (1)
19:14 – Johnny Bucyk (1)
Tim Horton (1) – 06:38 Third period 01:24 – Ken Hodge (1)
03:40 – Ed Westfall (1)
Terry Sawchuck 34 saves / 39 shots Goalie stats Gerry Cheevers 29 saves / 32 shots
April 11 Boston Bruins 3–4 New York Rangers Madison Square Garden Recap  
Bill Speer (1) – 09:31 First period 13:07 – Jean Ratelle (1)
14:24 – pp – Walt Tkaczuk (1)
No scoring Second period 13:48 – pp – Rod Gilbert (2)
Bobby Orr (3) – pp – 05:59
Fred Stanfield (2) – 12:07		 Third period 02:43 – Ted Irvine (1)
Gerry Cheevers 39 saves / 43 shots Goalie stats Ed Giacomin 26 saves / 29 shots
April 12 Boston Bruins 2–4 New York Rangers Madison Square Garden Recap  
No scoring First period 03:49 – pp – Rod Gilbert (3)
05:00 – Rod Gilbert (4)
Phil Esposito (4) – 11:30 Second period 11:51 – Dave Balon (1)
Bobby Orr (4) – pp – 08:41 Third period 11:16 – Walt Tkaczuk (2)
Eddie Johnston 35 saves / 39 shots Goalie stats Ed Giacomin 23 saves / 25 shots
April 14 New York Rangers 2–3 Boston Bruins Boston Garden Recap  
Jack Egers (3) – pp – 05:18 First period 02:44 – Bobby Orr (5)
Orland Kurtenbach (1) – 09:49 Second period No scoring
No scoring Third period 02:20 – Phil Esposito (5)
07:59 – Phil Esposito (6)
Ed Giacomin 25 saves / 28 shots
Terry Sawchuck 0 saves / 0 shots		 Goalie stats Gerry Cheevers 28 saves /30 shots
April 16 Boston Bruins 4–1 New York Rangers Madison Square Garden Recap  
No scoring First period 11:51 – pp – Brad Park (1)
Bobby Orr (6) – pp – 02:48
Wayne Cashman (2) – 04:56		 Second period No scoring
Bobby Orr (7) – 03:09
Derek Sanderson (2) – 07:22		 Third period No scoring
Gerry Cheevers 33 saves / 34 shots Goalie stats Ed Giacomin 22 saves / 26 shots
Boston won series 4–2

(W1) St. Louis Blues vs. (W3) Minnesota North Stars

The St. Louis Blues finished first in the West Division with 86 points. The Minnesota North Stars earned 60 points to finish third in the West. This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams. Their only previous meeting was in the 1968 semi-finals which St. Louis won in seven games. St. Louis won this year's eight-game regular season series, earning ten of sixteen points.

The St. Louis Blues ousted the Minnesota North Stars in six games. The Blues won the first two games at the St. Louis Arena. Game three at the Metropolitan Sports Center featured Gump Worsley's sharp goaltending and Bill Goldsworthy scoring two goals in a 4–2 win for the North Stars. Cesare Maniago played in goal for Minnesota in game four and picked up a 4–0 shutout, tying the series. Game five at St. Louis Arena was tied 3–3 when St Louis scored three goals in the third period by Red Berenson, Terry Gray and Jim Roberts and the Blues won 6–3. In game six, Ab McDonald scored two goals as the Blues eliminated the North Stars by a score of 4–2.

April 8 Minnesota North Stars 2–6 St. Louis Blues St. Louis Arena Recap  
No scoring First period 02:29 – pp – Ab McDonald (1)
05:41 – pp – Red Berenson (1)
16:50 – Gary Sabourin (1)
Bill Goldsworthy (1) – pp – 00:19 Second period 02:00 – Terry Crisp (1)
Jean-Paul Parise (1) – pp – 10:55 Third period 00:33 – Ab McDonald (2)
05:20 – Terry Crisp (2)
Gump Worsley 40 saves / 46 shots Goalie stats Jacques Plante 19 saves / 21 shots
April 9 Minnesota North Stars 1–2 St. Louis Blues St. Louis Arena Recap  
No scoring First period 03:49 – Gary Sabourin (2)
17:28 – pp – Phil Goyette (1)
No scoring Second period No scoring
Bob Barlow (1) – 14:20 Third period No scoring
Cesare Maniago 38 saves / 40 shots Goalie stats Jacques Plante 17 saves / 18 shots
April 11 St. Louis Blues 2–4 Minnesota North Stars Met Center Recap  
No scoring First period 04:58 – Tom Polanic (1)
15:23 – Danny O'Shea (1)
Ab McDonald (3) – 01:34 Second period No scoring
Red Berenson (2) – pp – 03:15 Third period 08:16 – Bill Goldsworthy (2)
16:00 – pp – Bill Goldsworthy (3)
Ernie Wakely 27 saves / 31 shots Goalie stats Gump Worsley 32 saves / 34 shots
April 12 St. Louis Blues 0–4 Minnesota North Stars Met Center Recap  
No scoring First period No scoring
No scoring Second period 07:38 – pp – Bill Goldsworthy (4)
16:54 – Claude Larose (1)
No scoring Third period 00:58 – Tommy Williams (1)
02:12 – pp – Bob Barlow (2)
Glenn Hall 34 saves / 34 shots Goalie stats Cesare Maniago 31 saves / 35 shots
April 14 Minnesota North Stars 3–6 St. Louis Blues St. Louis Arena Recap  
Jean-Paul Parise (2) – 01:38
Jean-Paul Parise (3) – pp – 08:46		 First period 04:38 – pp – Tim Ecclestone (1)
No scoring Second period 06:32 – pp – Larry Keenan (1)
17:35 – Gary Sabourin (3)
Charlie Burns (1) – 09:06 Third period 02:37 – Terry Gray (1)
05:31 – Jimmy Roberts (1)
07:08 – sh – Red Berenson (3)
Gump Worsley 31 saves / 37 shots Goalie stats Glenn Hall 18 saves / 21 shots
April 16 St. Louis Blues 4–2 Minnesota North Stars Met Center Recap  
Ab McDonald (4) – pp – 07:42 First period 04:35 – pp – Barry Gibbs (1)
Ab McDonald (5) – pp – 10:17
Red Berenson (4) – pp – 11:04		 Second period 14:54 – Ray Cullen (1)
Larry Keenan (2) – 02:53 Third period No scoring
Glenn Hall 32 saves / 34 shots Goalie stats Cesare Maniago 23 saves / 27 shots
St. Louis won series 4–2

(W2) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (W4) Oakland Seals

Pittsburgh finished second in the West Division, earning 64 points. Oakland earned 58 points to finish fourth in the West. This was the first and only series between these two teams. Oakland won this year's eight-game regular season series, earning nine of sixteen points.

In game one, Nick Harbaruk's goal midway through the third period was the winner as Pittsburgh won 2–1. In game two, Gary Jarrett gave Oakland a 1–0 lead, but Pittsburgh came back to win 3–1. Game three at Oakland featured a hat trick by Ken Schinkel of the Penguins as Pittsburgh won 5–2. Game four saw Oakland holding 1–0 and 2–1 leads, but the Seals just couldn't hold on and the game was tied 2–2 at the end of regulation time, with Michel Briere scoring the series winning goal at 8:28 of overtime for Pittsburgh. It was the final time the Seals made the playoffs. The Stanley Cup Playoffs did not return to the Bay Area until 1994 when the San Jose Sharks made the playoffs for the first time. This also marks only the second of three times ever a team in any of the four North American major sports have swept a team in their first playoff series.[7]

April 8 Oakland Seals 1–2 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena Recap  
Gerry Ehman (1) – pp – 09:26 First period 01:05 – pp – Jean Pronovost (1)
No scoring Second period No scoring
No scoring Third period 12:47 – Nick Harbaruk (1)
Gary Smith 34 saves / 35 shots Goalie stats Les Binkley 28 saves / 29 shots
April 9 Oakland Seals 1–3 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena Recap  
Gary Jarrett (1) – pp – 07:13 First period No scoring
No scoring Second period 11:00 – Nick Harbaruk (2)
11:34 – Wally Boyer (1)
No scoring Third period 11:41 – Dunc McCallum (1)
Gary Smith 39 saves / 42 shots Goalie stats Les Binkley 25 saves / 26 shots
April 11 Pittsburgh Penguins 5–2 Oakland Seals Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena Recap  
No scoring First period 03:29 – sh – Earl Ingarfield (1)
Nick Harbaruk (3) – 05:20
Ken Schinkel (1) – 07:58
Jean Pronovost (2) – 11:38		 Second period No scoring
Ken Schinkel (2) – pp – 09:33
Ken Schinkel (3) – 14:09		 Third period 02:22 – Ted Hampson (1)
Les Binkley 27 saves / 29 shots Goalie stats Gary Smith 20 saves / 25 shots
April 12 Pittsburgh Penguins 3–2 OT Oakland Seals Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena Recap  
Dean Prentice (1) – 07:37 First period 02:34 – pp – Carol Vadnais (1)
Bob Woytowich (1) – 06:22 Second period 04:34 – pp – Carol Vadnais (2)
No scoring Third period No scoring
Michel Briere (1) – 08:28 First overtime period No scoring
Les Binkley 27 saves / 29 shots Goalie stats Gary Smith 28 saves / 31 shots
Pittsburgh won series 4–0

(E1) Chicago Black Hawks vs. (E2) Boston Bruins

This was the third meeting between these two teams with Boston winning both of their meetings. They last met in the 1942 quarter-finals where Boston won the best-of-three series in three games. These two teams split their eight-game regular season series, each earning eight points.

Boston beat Chicago in four straight games to win the East Division final for the first time.

April 19 Boston Bruins 6–3 Chicago Black Hawks Chicago Stadium Recap  
Phil Esposito (7) – 12:28
Phil Esposito (8) – pp – 16:01		 First period No scoring
Johnny Bucyk (2) – 05:11
Phil Esposito (9) – pp – 14:59		 Second period 08:26 – Dennis Hull (3)
17:00 – pp – Jim Pappin (3)
John McKenzie (2) – 01:00
Ken Hodge (2) – 08:45		 Third period 10:39 – pp – Stan Mikita (4)
Gerry Cheevers 32 saves / 35 shots Goalie stats Tony Esposito 24 saves / 30 shots
April 21 Boston Bruins 4–1 Chicago Black Hawks Chicago Stadium Recap  
Bobby Orr (8) – 05:08 First period No scoring
John McKenzie (3) – 10:32
Don Marcotte (1) – 13:09		 Second period No scoring
Phil Esposito (10) – 02:18 Third period 05:02 – Bill White (1)
Gerry Cheevers 22 saves / 23 shots Goalie stats Tony Esposito 28 saves / 32 shots
April 23 Chicago Black Hawks 2–5 Boston Bruins Boston Garden Recap  
Cliff Koroll (1) – 06:33
Pit Martin (3) – 19:45		 First period 08:50 – Wayne Carleton (1)
No scoring Second period 03:28 – pp – Johnny Bucyk (3)
06:17 – Wayne Cashman (3)
13:07 – pp – Johnny Bucyk (4)
No scoring Third period 19:39 – Phil Esposito (11)
Tony Esposito 28 saves / 32 shots Goalie stats Gerry Cheevers 25 saves / 27 shots
April 26 Chicago Black Hawks 4–5 Boston Bruins Boston Garden Recap  
No scoring First period 13:14 – sh – Don Marcotte (2)
17:00 – pp – Johnny Bucyk (5)
Fred Stanfield (3) – 15:40 Second period 05:07 – Keith Magnuson (1)
09:20 – Dennis Hull (4)
13:10 – Dennis Hull (5)
Ken Hodge (3) – 15:19
John McKenzie (4) – 18:19		 Third period 04:10 – pp – Bryan Campbell (1)
Tony Esposito 49 saves / 54 shots Goalie stats Gerry Cheevers 20 saves / 24 shots
Boston won series 4–0

(W1) St. Louis Blues vs. (W2) Pittsburgh Penguins

This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams. St. Louis won this year's eight-game regular season series, earning twelve of sixteen points.

The St. Louis Blues beat the Pittsburgh Penguins in six games to have won every West Division Final, as there were no Division Finals the following season. The Pens did not get to the semifinals again until their championship season in 1991.

April 19 Pittsburgh Penguins 1–3 St. Louis Blues St. Louis Arena Recap  
No scoring First period No scoring
No scoring Second period 07:12 – pp – Gary Sabourin (4)
08:10 – Phil Goyette (2)
12:58 – Red Berenson (5)
Ken Schinkel (4) – 02:10 Third period No scoring
Les Binkley 30 saves / 33 shots Goalie stats Glenn Hall 24 saves / 25 shots
April 21 Pittsburgh Penguins 1–4 St. Louis Blues St. Louis Arena Recap  
No scoring First period 00:31 – Jean-Guy Talbot (1)
09:07 – pp – Larry Keenan (3)
15:35 – Phil Goyette (3)
No scoring Second period No scoring
Michel Briere (2) – 05:58 Third period 09:36 – Frank St. Marseille (1)
Les Binkley 32 saves / 36 shots Goalie stats Jacques Plante 23 saves / 24 shots
April 23 St. Louis Blues 2–3 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena Recap  
No scoring First period 05:22 – pp – Dean Prentice (2)
No scoring Second period 07:07 – Jean Pronovost (3)
10:30 – pp – Michel Briere (3)
Larry Keenan (4) – pp – 01:41
Larry Keenan (5) – 05:56		 Third period No scoring
Jacques Plante 24 saves / 27 shots Goalie stats Les Binkley 14 saves / 16 shots
April 26 St. Louis Blues 1–2 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena Recap  
No scoring First period 07:06 – Duane Rupp (1)
Andre Boudrias (1) – 05:05 Second period 06:34 – Michel Briere (4)
No scoring Third period No scoring
Ernie Wakely 23 saves / 24 shots Goalie stats Al Smith 49 saves / 51 shots
April 28 Pittsburgh Penguins 0–5 St. Louis Blues St. Louis Arena Recap  
No scoring First period 11:56 – Frank St. Marseille (2)
15:59 – pp – Andre Boudrias (2)
No scoring Second period 05:26 – pp – Frank St. Marseille (3)
17:18 – sh – Tim Ecclestone (2)
No scoring Third period 05:17 – Frank St. Marseille (4)
Al Smith 30 saves / 35 shots Goalie stats Jacques Plante 21 saves / 21 shots
April 30 St. Louis Blues 4–3 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena Recap  
No scoring First period 13:41 – Duane Rupp (2)
Red Berenson (6) – 07:37 Second period 04:24 – Ron Schock (1)
Bill McCreary Sr. (1) – 05:26
Tim Ecclestone (3) – 06:57
Larry Keenan (6) – 14:25		 Third period 06:17 – Michel Briere (5)
Glenn Hall 30 saves / 33 shots Goalie stats Al Smith 26 saves / 30 shots
St. Louis won series 4–2

Stanley Cup Finals
Main article: 1970 Stanley Cup Finals

This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams. This was St. Louis' third Stanley Cup Finals, having advanced to the round every season since entering the league. In both of their previous appearances, they lost to the Montreal Canadiens in four games. This was Boston's eleventh Stanley Cup Finals appearance, having won the championship three times previously. They last advanced to the Finals in 1958 where they lost to Montreal in six games. Boston won this year's six-game regular season series, earning eight of twelve points.

Phil Esposito of the Bruins led all playoff scorers with 13 goals and 14 assists for 27 points, at the time a new NHL playoff record, followed by Orr with 20 points and Johnny Bucyk of the Bruins with 19 points. Gerry Cheevers of the Bruins led all goaltenders with twelve wins, while Jacques Plante of the Blues led all goaltenders in goals against average in the playoffs with 1.48.

May 3 Boston Bruins 6–1 St. Louis Blues St. Louis Arena Recap  
Johnny Bucyk (6) – 19:45 First period No scoring
Johnny Bucyk (7) – 05:16 Second period 01:52 – Jimmy Roberts (2)
Wayne Carleton (2) – 04:59
Johnny Bucyk (8) – 05:31
Derek Sanderson (3) – sh – 17:20
Phil Esposito (12) – 18:58		 Third period No scoring
Gerry Cheevers 28 saves / 29 shots Goalie stats Ernie Wakely 16 saves / 21 shots
Jacques Plante 13 saves / 14 shots
May 5 Boston Bruins 6–2 St. Louis Blues St. Louis Arena Recap  
Fred Stanfield (4) – pp – 08:10
Ed Westfall (2) – 13:38
Ed Westfall (3) – sh – 19:15		 First period No scoring
Derek Sanderson (4) – pp – 09:37 Second period 17:26 – pp – Terry Gray (2)
Derek Sanderson (5) – 00:58
Johnny Bucyk (9) – 15:00		 Third period 04:15 – pp – Frank St. Marseille (5)
Gerry Cheevers 17 saves / 19 shots Goalie stats Ernie Wakely 29 saves / 35 shots
May 7 St. Louis Blues 1–4 Boston Bruins Boston Garden Recap  
Frank St. Marseille (6) – pp – 05:32 First period 13:23 – pp – Johnny Bucyk (10)
18:23 – John McKenzie (5)
No scoring Second period No scoring
No scoring Third period 03:26 – Wayne Cashman (4)
14:26 – Wayne Cashman (5)
Glenn Hall 20 saves / 21 shots Goalie stats Gerry Cheevers 42 saves / 46 shots
May 10 St. Louis Blues 3–4 OT Boston Bruins Boston Garden Recap  
Red Berenson (7) – 19:17 First period 05:28 – Rick Smith (1)
Gary Sabourin (5) – 03:22 Second period 14:22 – Phil Esposito (13)
Larry Keenan (7) – pp – 00:19 Third period 13:28 – Johnny Bucyk (11)
No scoring First overtime period 00:40 – Bobby Orr (9)
Glenn Hall 28 saves / 32 shots Goalie stats Gerry Cheevers 28 saves / 31 shots
Boston won series 4–0

Awards
1969–70 NHL awards
Prince of Wales Trophy:
(East Division champion, regular season)		Chicago Black Hawks
Clarence S. Campbell Bowl:
(West Division champion, regular season)		St. Louis Blues
Art Ross Trophy:
(Top scorer, regular season)		Bobby Orr, Boston Bruins
Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy:
(Perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication)		Pit Martin, Chicago Black Hawks
Calder Memorial Trophy:
(Top first-year player)		Tony Esposito, Chicago Black Hawks
Conn Smythe Trophy:
(Most valuable player, playoffs)		Bobby Orr, Boston Bruins
Hart Memorial Trophy:
(Most valuable player, regular season)		Bobby Orr, Boston Bruins
James Norris Memorial Trophy:
(Best defenceman)		Bobby Orr, Boston Bruins
Lady Byng Memorial Trophy:
(Excellence and sportsmanship)		Phil Goyette, St. Louis Blues
Vezina Trophy:
(Goaltender(s) of team with best goaltending record)		Tony Esposito, Chicago Black Hawks
Lester Patrick Trophy:
(Service to hockey in the U.S.)		Edward W. Shore, James C. V. Hendy

All-Star teams
First team  Position  Second team
Tony Esposito, Chicago Black Hawks G Ed Giacomin, New York Rangers
Bobby Orr, Boston Bruins D Carl Brewer, Detroit Red Wings
Brad Park, New York Rangers D Jacques Laperriere, Montreal Canadiens
Phil Esposito, Boston Bruins C Stan Mikita, Chicago Black Hawks
Gordie Howe, Detroit Red Wings RW John McKenzie, Boston Bruins
Bobby Hull, Chicago Black Hawks LW Frank Mahovlich, Detroit Red Wings

Player statistics

Scoring leaders

Note: GP = Games Played, G = Goals, A = Assists, Pts = Points

PlayerTeamGPGAPtsPIM
Bobby Orr Boston Bruins763387120125
Phil Esposito Boston Bruins7643569950
Stan Mikita Chicago Black Hawks7639478650
Phil Goyette St. Louis Blues7229497816
Walt Tkaczuk New York Rangers7627507738
Jean Ratelle New York Rangers7532427428
Red Berenson St. Louis Blues6733397238
J. P. Parise Minnesota North Stars7424487272
Gordie Howe Detroit Red Wings7631407158
Frank Mahovlich Detroit Red Wings7438327059
Dave Balon New York Rangers76333770100
John McKenzie Boston Bruins72294170114

Source: NHL.[8]

Leading goaltenders

Note: GP = Games played; Min = Minutes played; GA = Goals against; GAA = Goals against average; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; SO = Shutouts

Player Team GP MIN GA GAA W L T SO
Ernie WakelySt. Louis Blues301651582.1112944
Tony EspositoChicago Black Hawks6337631362.173817815
Jacques PlanteSt. Louis Blues321839672.1918955
Ed GiacominNew York Rangers7041481632.363521146
Roy EdwardsDetroit Red Wings4726831162.59241562
Rogatien VachonMontreal Canadiens6436971622.633118124
Roger CrozierDetroit Red Wings341877832.6516690
Gerry CheeversBoston Bruins4123841082.7224884
Bernie ParentPhiladelphia Flyers6236801712.791329203
Ed JohnstonBoston Bruins3721761082.98169113

Other statistics

Coaches

East

West

Debuts

The following is a list of players of note who played their first NHL game in 1969–70 (listed with their first team, asterisk(*) marks debut in playoffs):

Last games

The following is a list of players of note that played their last game in the NHL in 1969–70 (listed with their last team):

Broadcasting

Hockey Night in Canada on CBC Television televised Saturday night regular season games and Stanley Cup playoff games. HNIC also produced Wednesday night regular season game telecasts for CTV.

This was the fourth season under the U.S. rights agreement with CBS, airing Sunday afternoon regular season and playoff games.

See also

References
  • Diamond, Dan, ed. (2000). Total Hockey. Kingston, NY: Total Sports. ISBN 1-892129-85-X.
  • Dinger, Ralph, ed. (2011). The National Hockey League Official Guide & Record Book 2012. Toronto, ON: Dan Diamond & Associates. ISBN 978-1-894801-22-5.
  • Dryden, Steve, ed. (2000). Century of hockey. Toronto, ON: McClelland & Stewart Ltd. ISBN 0-7710-4179-9.
  • Fischler, Stan; Fischler, Shirley; Hughes, Morgan; Romain, Joseph; Duplacey, James (2003). The Hockey Chronicle: Year-by-Year History of the National Hockey League. Lincolnwood, IL: Publications International Inc. ISBN 0-7853-9624-1.
  • McFarlane, Brian (1973). The Story of the National Hockey League. New York, NY: Pagurian Press. ISBN 0-684-13424-1.
Notes
  1. "NHL standings at the end of play on Friday, April 3, 1970 – dropyourgloves.com". Archived from the original on May 2, 2016. Retrieved April 1, 2016.
  2. Caldwell, Dave (March 31, 2016). "Improbable Rangers Win in 1970 Left Canada Out in the Cold (Published 2016)". Retrieved August 14, 2023.
  3. Klein, Jeff Z.; Reif, Karl-Eric (April 1, 2007). "Down to the Wire in 1970, Rangers Came Out Firing (Published 2007)". Retrieved August 14, 2023.
  4. "1969–1970 Division Standings Standings - NHL.com - Standings". National Hockey League.
  5. "All-Time NHL Results". NHL.com. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  6. "All-Time NHL Results". NHL.com. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  7. Blackburn, Pete. "Golden Knights sweep Kings in their first playoff series with shutout victory in Game 4". cbssports.com. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  8. Dinger 2011, p. 150.
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