1979–80 NHL season

The 1979–80 NHL season was the 63rd season of the National Hockey League. This season saw the addition of four teams from the disbanded World Hockey Association as expansion franchises. The Edmonton Oilers, Winnipeg Jets, New England Whalers (later renamed "Hartford Whalers" at the insistence of the Boston Bruins), and Quebec Nordiques joined the NHL, bringing the total to 21 teams. The other two WHA teams (Birmingham Bulls and Cincinnati Stingers) were paid to disband.

1979–80 NHL season
LeagueNational Hockey League
SportIce hockey
DurationOctober 9, 1979 – May 24, 1980
Number of games80
Number of teams21
TV partner(s)CBC, SRC (Canada)
Hughes, ESPN, USA, CBS[lower-alpha 1] (United States)
Draft
Top draft pickRob Ramage
Picked byColorado Rockies
Regular season
Season championsPhiladelphia Flyers
Season MVPWayne Gretzky (Oilers)
Top scorerMarcel Dionne (Kings)
Playoffs
Playoffs MVPBryan Trottier (Islanders)
Stanley Cup
ChampionsNew York Islanders
  Runners-upPhiladelphia Flyers

The New York Islanders won their first Stanley Cup, defeating the Philadelphia Flyers in six games, in the finals.

The season also marked the eighth and final season for the Flames in Atlanta before the franchise relocated to Calgary. The NHL would return to the Georgia capital in 1999 with the Thrashers, but that team would ultimately relocate away from Atlanta as well becoming the second (and current) incarnation of the Winnipeg Jets.

The collapse of the WHA also saw the much hyped super-star rookie Wayne Gretzky come to the NHL with the Edmonton Oilers. Gretzky would tie Marcel Dionne for the scoring lead with 137 points and capture the Hart Memorial Trophy as the most valuable player while Dionne took home the Art Ross Trophy as the leading scorer by virtue of having scored two more goals. Gretzky aside, many players made their debut in the NHL this season, both due to the WHA merger and to a change in the rules for the Entry Draft allowing eighteen- and nineteen-year-olds to be drafted for the first time; no fewer than seven Hall of Famers (Gretzky, Ray Bourque, Mark Messier, Mike Gartner, Michel Goulet, Mark Howe, and an undrafted Joe Mullen) debuted this season, along with numerous other perennial stars.

The big story of the regular season was the record-breaking undefeated streak compiled by the Philadelphia Flyers. After starting the season with a 5–2 win over the New York Islanders and a 9–2 loss to the Atlanta Flames, the Flyers did not lose again for nearly three months, earning at least one point in every game between a 4–3 win over Toronto on October 14, 1979, and a 4–2 win over Buffalo on January 6, 1980, earning a 35-game record of 25–0–10. This stands as the longest undefeated streak in North American professional sports history.

Regular season

With 21 teams in the league, the regular-season schedule was set without regard to divisional affiliation. Each team played each of the other 20 teams four times in the year, twice at home and twice on the road. As well, a new playoff structure was introduced with the four division winners plus the next 12 teams with the best records qualifying. Division winners were not granted any byes and the divisions were ignored for determining playoff match-up seeding. Thus the division grouping ensured that if the five worst teams were to be in the same five-team division, the winner of this division would have qualified for the playoffs despite having the fifth worst season record. Except for that unlikely possibility, the divisional affiliations were irrelevant and had no effect on playoff qualification or seeding. A few months into the season, the Detroit Red Wings started playing at Joe Louis Arena after having spent all but their first season at the Detroit Olympia.

For the four previous seasons, the Boston Bruins had owned first place in the Adams Division. This season saw the Buffalo Sabres dethrone the Bruins in the Adams. The New York Islanders finished first overall in the NHL the previous season with 116 points, but lost in the playoffs semifinals to the upstart New York Rangers. This season saw them fall considerably in the standings as they finished fifth overall with 91 points, a full 25 points below last year's finish. On the other hand, the Philadelphia Flyers improved by 21 points from the previous season. Their 35-game undefeated streak (25–0–10) propelled them to the best record in the NHL with 116 points.

All four expansion teams finished poorly with records below .500. The Hartford Whalers fared the best with 73 points and the Winnipeg Jets tied the Colorado Rockies for last overall with 51 points. Hartford (14th overall) and Edmonton (16th overall) qualified for the playoffs, but both teams were swept 3 games to 0 in their respective first-round playoff series.

Rule changes

In August 1979, John Ziegler, the NHL president, announced that protective helmets were made mandatory for all NHL players. "The introduction of the helmet rule will be an additional safety factor", he said. The only exception were for players who signed their pro contracts prior to June 1, 1979. Those players under the exception who chose not to wear a helmet also had to sign a waiver form, if they so desired. At the time of the rule change, about 70% of NHLers were wearing helmets already. The first player to wear protective headgear on a regular basis was George Owen of the Boston Bruins in the 1928–29 season. Prior to that, the only time protective headgear was worn was to temporarily protect injuries. Craig MacTavish, while playing for the St. Louis Blues, was the last helmetless player, retiring after the 1996–97 season.

Final standings

Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against, PIM = Penalties in minutes
Note: Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold

Prince of Wales Conference

Adams Division
GP W L T GF GA Pts
Buffalo Sabres80471716318201110
Boston Bruins80462113310234105
Minnesota North Stars8036281631125388
Toronto Maple Leafs803540530432775
Quebec Nordiques8025441124831361

[1]

Norris Division
GP W L T GF GA Pts
Montreal Canadiens80472013328240107
Los Angeles Kings8030361429031374
Pittsburgh Penguins8030371325130373
Hartford Whalers8027341930331273
Detroit Red Wings8026431126830663

[1]

Clarence Campbell Conference

Patrick Division
GP W L T GF GA Pts
Philadelphia Flyers80481220327254116
New York Islanders8039281328124791
New York Rangers8038321030828486
Atlanta Flames8035321328226983
Washington Capitals8027401326129367

[1]

Smythe Division
GP W L T GF GA Pts
Chicago Black Hawks8034271924125087
St. Louis Blues8034341226627880
Vancouver Canucks8027371625628170
Edmonton Oilers8028391330132269
Winnipeg Jets8020491121431451
Colorado Rockies8019481323430851

[1]

Playoffs

With the league expansion from 17 to 21 teams, the playoffs were also expanded, from a 12-team tournament to a 16-team tournament. The sixteen teams were composed of the four divisional champions plus the top 12 finishers of the remaining 17 teams. The 16 qualifying teams were then seeded based on regular season points, with divisional rankings ignored. Division leaders no longer received first round byes. The teams were seeded 1 through 16, with the top team playing the 16th team in the first round, and so on. In subsequent rounds, matchups were similarly arranged, with the top remaining seed against the lowest remaining seed, and so on. The Preliminary Round was a best-of-five set.[2] The Atlanta Flames played their final playoff games in this postseason, and moved to Calgary soon after. The playoffs returned to Atlanta in 2007.

Playoff seeds

The sixteen teams that qualified for the playoffs are ranked 1–16 based on regular season points.

  1. Philadelphia Flyers, Patrick Division champions, Clarence Campbell Conference regular season champions – 116 points
  2. Buffalo Sabres, Adams Division champions, Prince of Wales Conference regular season champions – 110 points
  3. Montreal Canadiens, Norris Division champions – 107 points
  4. Boston Bruins – 105 points
  5. New York Islanders – 91 points
  6. Minnesota North Stars – 88 points
  7. Chicago Black Hawks, Smythe Division champions – 87 points
  8. New York Rangers – 86 points
  9. Atlanta Flames – 83 points
  10. St. Louis Blues – 80 points
  11. Toronto Maple Leafs – 75 points
  12. Los Angeles Kings – 74 points
  13. Pittsburgh Penguins – 73 points (30 wins)
  14. Hartford Whalers – 73 points (27 wins)
  15. Vancouver Canucks – 70 points
  16. Edmonton Oilers – 69 points

Playoff bracket

Preliminary Round Quarterfinals Semifinals Stanley Cup Finals
            
1 Philadelphia 3
16 Edmonton 0
1 Philadelphia 4
8 NY Rangers 1
2 Buffalo 3
15 Vancouver 1
1 Philadelphia 4
4 Minnesota 1
3 Montreal 3
14 Hartford 0
2 Buffalo 4
7 Chicago 0
4 Boston 3
13 Pittsburgh 2
1 Philadelphia 2
3 NY Islanders 4
5 NY Islanders 3
12 Los Angeles 1
3 Montreal 3
6 Minnesota 4
6 Minnesota 3
11 Toronto 0
2 Buffalo 2
3 NY Islanders 4
7 Chicago 3
10 St. Louis 0
4 Boston 1
5 NY Islanders 4
8 NY Rangers 3
9 Atlanta 1

Stanley Cup Finals

The story of the playoffs was Mike Bossy and the New York Islanders. After a dismal start for their franchise in the early seventies, the Islanders built a contender for the Stanley Cup and won their first of four in a row by beating the Philadelphia Flyers in overtime of game six of the final. Defenceman Denis Potvin scored a crucial overtime goal in game one and the Cup was won when Bobby Nystrom scored the Cup-winning goal from John Tonelli and Lorne Henning at 7:11 of the first overtime. Ken Morrow became the first hockey player in history to win an Olympic gold medal and the Stanley Cup in the same season. Hall of Fame announcer Dan Kelly was calling the play-by-play for CBS Sports on that day, May 24, 1980, which was the last NHL game to air on American network television for nearly ten years.[3]

May 13 New York Islanders 4–3 OT Philadelphia Flyers Spectrum Recap  
Mike Bossy (7) – pp – 12:02 First period 10:31 – Mel Bridgman (2)
Denis Potvin (2) – 02:20 Second period 17:08 – ppBobby Clarke (5)
Stefan Persson (3) – pp – 16:18 Third period 13:10 – Rick MacLeish (7)
Denis Potvin (3) – pp – 04:07 First overtime period No scoring
Billy Smith 30 saves / 33 shots Goalie stats Pete Peeters 32 saves / 36 shots
May 15 New York Islanders 3–8 Philadelphia Flyers Spectrum Recap  
Butch Goring (5) – 03:23 First period 07:22 – ppPaul Holmgren (7)
08:37 – Bob Kelly (1)
17:23 – Bobby Clarke (6)
Bryan Trottier (9) – pp – 03:28 Second period 01:06 – Bill Barber (12)
04:13 – pp – Paul Holmgren (8)
15:47 – ppBrian Propp (3)
Butch Goring (6) – pp – 15:00 Third period 01:40 – Tom Gorence (3)
04:19 – Paul Holmgren (9)
Billy Smith 20 saves / 26 shots
Chico Resch 3 saves / 5 shots
Goalie stats Pete Peeters 20 saves / 23 shots
May 17 Philadelphia Flyers 2–6 New York Islanders Nassau Coliseum Recap  
No scoring First period 02:38 – shLorne Henning (3)
07:43 – ppDenis Potvin (4)
13:04 – ppBryan Trottier (10)
14:29 – ppMike Bossy (8)
No scoring Second period 15:41 – ppClark Gillies (5)
17:25 – pp – Denis Potvin (5)
Bobby Clarke (7) – 09:48
Mike Busniuk (1) – 11:32
Third period No scoring
Phil Myre 34 saves / 40 shots Goalie stats Billy Smith 30 saves / 32 shots
May 19 Philadelphia Flyers 2–5 New York Islanders Nassau Coliseum Recap
May 22 New York Islanders 3–6 Philadelphia Flyers Spectrum Recap
May 24 Philadelphia Flyers 4–5 OT New York Islanders Nassau Coliseum Recap
New York won series 4–2

Awards

1980 NHL awards
Prince of Wales Trophy
(Wales Conference regular season champion)
Buffalo Sabres
Clarence S. Campbell Bowl
(Campbell Conference regular season champion)
Philadelphia Flyers
Art Ross Trophy
(Top scorer, regular season)
Marcel Dionne, Los Angeles Kings
Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy
(Perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication)
Al MacAdam, Minnesota North Stars
Calder Memorial Trophy
(Top first-year player)
Ray Bourque, Boston Bruins
Conn Smythe Trophy
(Most valuable player, playoffs)
Bryan Trottier, New York Islanders
Frank J. Selke Trophy
(Best defensive forward)
Bob Gainey, Montreal Canadiens
Hart Memorial Trophy
(Most valuable player, regular season)
Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers
Jack Adams Award
(Best coach)
Pat Quinn, Philadelphia Flyers
James Norris Memorial Trophy
(Best defenceman)
Larry Robinson, Montreal Canadiens
Lady Byng Memorial Trophy
(Excellence and sportsmanship)
Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers
Lester B. Pearson Award
(Outstanding player, regular season)
Marcel Dionne, Los Angeles Kings
Vezina Trophy
(Goaltender(s) of team(s) with best goaltending record)
Don Edwards & Bob Sauve, Buffalo Sabres
Lester Patrick Trophy
(Service to hockey in the U.S.)
Bobby Clarke, Edward M. Snider, Frederick A. Shero

All-Star teams

First team  Position  Second team
Tony Esposito, Chicago Black Hawks G Don Edwards, Buffalo Sabres
Larry Robinson, Montreal Canadiens D Borje Salming, Toronto Maple Leafs
Ray Bourque, Boston Bruins D Jim Schoenfeld, Buffalo Sabres
Marcel Dionne, Los Angeles Kings C Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers
Guy Lafleur, Montreal Canadiens RW Danny Gare, Buffalo Sabres
Charlie Simmer, Los Angeles Kings LW Steve Shutt, Montreal Canadiens

Player statistics

Scoring leaders

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points

Player Team GP G A Pts PIM
Marcel DionneLos Angeles Kings80538413732
Wayne GretzkyEdmonton Oilers79518613721
Guy LafleurMontreal Canadiens74507512512
Gilbert PerreaultBuffalo Sabres80406610657
Mike RogersHartford Whalers80446110510
Bryan TrottierNew York Islanders78426210468
Charlie SimmerLos Angeles Kings64564510165
Blaine StoughtonHartford Whalers80564410016
Darryl SittlerToronto Maple Leafs7340579762
Blair MacDonaldEdmonton Oilers804648946
Bernie FederkoSt. Louis Blues7938569424

Source: NHL.[4]

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
Bob SauveBuffalo Sabres321880742.3620844
Denis HerronMontreal Canadiens341909802.5125330
Don EdwardsBuffalo Sabres4929201252.57279122
Pete PeetersPhiladelphia Flyers4023731082.7329551
Gilles GilbertBoston Bruins331933882.7320931
Gerry CheeversBoston Bruins4224791162.81241174
Billy SmithN.Y. Islanders3821141042.95151472
Tony EspositoChicago Black Hawks6941402052.973122166
Glenn ReschN.Y. Islanders4526061323.04231463
Gilles MelocheMinnesota North Stars5431411603.06272051

Other statistics

Coaches

Patrick Division

Adams Division

Norris Division

Smythe Division

Milestones

Debuts

The following is a list of players of note who played their first NHL game in 1979–80 (listed with their first team, asterisk(*) marks debut in playoffs):

Players marked with § previously started their major professional career in the World Hockey Association.

Last games

The following is a list of players of note that played their last game in the NHL in 1979–80 (listed with their last team):

Broadcasting

Hockey Night in Canada on CBC Television televised Saturday night regular season games and Stanley Cup playoff games.

In the U.S., the league dissolved the NHL Network, the national broadcast syndication package that aired games from the 1975–76 through the 1978–79 seasons. The fledgling cable networks ESPN and UA-Columbia (later known as the USA Network) each signed agreements to broadcast slates of regular season games. The Hughes Television Network, the NHL Network's former distributor, also signed a deal to syndicate a schedule of Thursday night regular season games, selected playoff games, and the first five games of the 1980 Stanley Cup Finals. CBS then agreed to televise Game 6 of the Cup Finals. That would be the last NHL game to air on U.S. network television until NBC televised the 1990 All-Star Game, as the league remained on national cable television for the rest of the 1980s.

See also

Notes

  1. CBS only televised Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals.

References

  • Diamond, Dan, ed. (2000). Total Hockey. 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, Illinois: Publications International Inc. ISBN 0-7853-9624-1.
  • McCarthy, Dave, ed. (2008). The National Hockey League Official Guide & Record Book/2009. Dan Diamond Associates. ISBN 978-1-894801-14-0.
Notes
  1. Dinger, Ralph, ed. (2011). The National Hockey League Official Guide & Record Book 2012. Dan Diamond & Associates. p. 152. ISBN 9781894801225.
  2. McCarthy, p. 249
  3. Podnieks, Andrew; Szemberg, Szymon (2008). IIHF Top 100 Hockey Stories of All Time. Bolton, Ontario, Canada: Fenn Publishing. p. 74. ISBN 978-1-55168-358-4.
  4. Dinger 2011, p. 152.
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