Today In NHL History - Larry Robinson

On June 2nd in 1951, Larry Clark Robinson was born in Winchester, Ontario. Blessed with exceptional size, strength and skill, Big Bird patrolled the blueline for 20 seasons in the NHL with Montreal (17) and Los Angeles (3) scoring, banging and scrapping as he saw fit.
Selected 20th overall in the 1971 NHL Entry Draft, Robinson earned six Stanley Cup wins ('73, '76, '77, '78, '79, '86), two Norris nods ('77, '80) and a Conn Smythe ('78). In addition to his 958 regular season (208G/750A) and 144 playoff points (28G/116A), Robinson holds NHL records for plus-minus (+730) and most consecutive post season appearances (20). Stepping behind the bench for New Jersey ('93-'95, '00-'03, '05) and Los Angeles ('95-'99), Larry locked lips with Lord Stanley's Mug three more times, twice as an assistant ('95, '03) and once as a head coach ('00). He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1995 and had his number 19 retired by Montreal in 2007. That's today in NHL history.

Today In NHL History - Paul Coffey

On June 1st in 1961, Paul Douglas Coffey was born in Toronto, Ontario. Selected 6th overall by Edmonton in the 1980 NHL Entry Draft, the slick skating blueliner spent seven seasons with the Oilers before suiting up for eight others (PIT, LAK, DET, HAR, PHI, CHI, CAR, BOS).

During his 21 year career, Coffey posted five 100+ point campaigns (1984, 1985, 1986, 1989, 1990), two 40+ goal seasons (1984, 1986), and four 80+ assist (1984, 1985, 1986, 1989) efforts. The three time Norris winner (1985, 1986, 1995) also made seven trips to the Stanley Cup Final, winning four times (1984, 1985, 1987, 1991) and losing thrice (1983, 1995, 1997). With 1531 points (396G/1135A) in 1409 games, Coffey sits 13th in points (behind Ray Bourque) and 28th in points per game (behind Bobby Orr), and still holds defense records for goals in a season (48 goals in 1986), points in a playoff (37 points in 1985), and points in a game (8 points on March 14, 1986).When he wasn't putting up points Coffey amassed penalty minutes, sharing the distinction with Bobby Orr of being the only two defensemen in NHL history to collect 100 points and 100 penalty minutes in the same NHL season three different times (1984, 1986, 1989).

Coffey was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2004 and had his number 7 retired in Edmonton the following year in 2005. That's today in NHL history.

Canucks Game 7 Overtime & Stanley Cup Finals

A curious correlation has emerged between playing a Game 7 overtime match against the Vancouver Canucks and advancing to the Stanley Cup Finals. Specifically, to date, winning the former has ensured an appearance in the latter.

The Canucks met the Calgary Flames in three such overtime affairs and the Chicago Blackhawks once. Each time the victor qualified for the Cup Finals, hoisting once (1989) and losing three times (1994, 2004, 2011).  Interestingly, each Cup Final loss also occurred in a Game 7.

Year	Matchup	OT Winner
1989	Calgary over Vancouver	Joel Otto
1994	Vancouver over Calgary	Pavel Bure
2004	Calgary over Vancouver	Martin Gelinas
2011	Vancouver over Chicago	Alex Burrows

In 2024, the Edmonton Oilers eliminated the Canucks in Game 7 of the second round of the playoffs, by a score of 3-2. Unfortunately, the match was settled in regulation time, though Edmonton did advance to the Cup Final losing to Florida in seven games. Vancouver did not qualify for the 2026 postseason, so we'll have to wait at least another year before a Game 7 overtime opportunity presents itself and this peculiar pattern can be tested again.

* See also NHL Stanley Cup Playoff Game 7 History.
* See also Today In NHL History - Kirk McLean's Game 7 Save.

Today In NHL History - Bruins Shorthanded Record

On April 10th in 2010, the Boston Bruins set a NHL record scoring three shorthanded goals in 64 seconds against Carolina Hurricanes goalie Cam Ward during a Matt Hunwick minor penalty for hooking Jerome Samson.

The three second period penalty kill tallies from Paille, Wheeler and Begin doubled Boston's shorthanded output for the season and set up a 4-2 win over Carolina, clinching a playoff berth for the Bruins in the process.

That's today in NHL history.

Today In NHL History - Fastest Hat Trick

On March 23rd in 1952, Bill Mosienko of the Chicago Blackhawks scored three third period goals in 21 seconds against New York Rangers netminder Lorne Anderson laying claim to the fastest hat trick ever had in the NHL.

Assisting on each score, linemate Gus Bodnar owns the league's quickest three assists to date. The hat trick came with Chicago trailing 6-2 in the final frame. The Blackhawks ultimately beat the Rangers 7–6.

That's today in NHL history.

Today In NHL History - Richard's Three Stars

On March 23rd in 1944, Maurice "Rocket" Richard was awarded each of the game's Three Stars after his five goal Stanley Cup Semifinal performance, leading the Montreal Canadiens to a 5-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Upon being announced the game's Third Star, fans booed believing none had outperformed Richard that night. When the Rocket was called for the Second Star and then First Star, the Forum faithful applauded the historic moment. Only Maple Leaf captain Mats Sundin has replicated this feat earning all Three Stars at the ACC on October 11, 2007.

Montreal won the series against Toronto 4-1 and beat the Chicago Blackhawks in the Stanley Cup Final claiming their first Cup in 13 years.

That's today in NHL history.

Today In NHL History - Bobby Orr

On March 20th in 1948, Robert Gordon "Bobby" Orr was born in Parry Sound, Ontario. Widely considered the greatest defenceman to ever play the game, Number 4 revolutionized the blueline position with his fluid skating style and unprecedented offensive approach.

Orr entered the NHL at the age of 18 as the league's highest paid player (earning $25,000/year) and soon after became its best. During his abbreviated and injury-riddled career, Orr won the Calder (1967), Norris (1968-1975), Art Ross (1970, 1975), Hart (1970-1972), Conn Smythe (1970, 1972), and Stanley Cup (1970, 1972). He even scored the championship goal in both Cup wins. When it was all over, Orr had amassed 270 goals and 645 assists in 657 games, behind only Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux and Mike Bossy in points per game.

To this day, Orr remains the only player to win all four major awards (Hart, Conn Smythe, Art Ross, Norris) in the same year (1970) and the only defenseman to lead the league in scoring (1970, 1975). He also still holds single season NHL records for plus/minus rating (+124), points by a defenseman (139), and assists by a defenseman (102), as well as leading the league in plus/minus six times (1969-1972, 1974-1975) and being named the top defenseman eight years in a row (1968-1975).

On June 9, 1976, Orr signed with Chicago on the misrepresentations of his agent Alan Eagleson despite being offered an 18.6% ownership share in the Bruins to remain with Boston. Orr's injuries limited him to 26 games over the next three seasons, ultimately retiring in 1979 after over a dozen knee surgeries. Famously, he never cashed a Blackhawks pay check, stating that he wouldn't accept a salary if didn't play.

The NHL waived the mandatory three year waiting period for induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame, making him the youngest player (age 31) to be enshrined. On January 9, 1979, the Bruins retired his number 4 jersey. Much of the ceremony had to be scrapped due to the unstoppable applauding of the Boston Garden faithful.

In addition to his NHL awards and records, Orr was named Sports Illustrated's Sportsman of the Year, the greatest athlete in Boston history by the Boston Globe (beating out Ted Williams, Bill Russell, Carl Yastrzemski, and Bob Cousy), and the second greatest hockey player of all time by The Hockey News (behind only Wayne Gretzky).

Bobby Orr, a legend ahead of his time.

That's today in NHL history.

Today In NHL History - Selanne's Goal Celebration

On March 2nd of 1993, Winnipeg Jets forward Teemu Selanne shattered Mike Bossy's rookie record of 53 goals collecting the 54th score of his freshman campaign against goaltender Stephane Fiset of the Quebec Nordiques in just the 64th game of the season, giving the Jets a 4-3 lead.

Selanne's glove toss machine gun goal celebration remains a fan favorite and highlight fixture, despite Teemu feeling “a little embarrassed that I did that, but I was so pumped, and it was so special for me."

Interestingly, the play was almost whistled before the milestone was met as Tie Domi was challenged to a fight by Tony Twist after he chipped the puck ahead to Teemu. Tie did not oblige and history was made.

The Finnish Flash completed his rookie campaign with 76 goals and 132 points, winning the Calder Trophy and setting NHL rookie records that remain to this day. Quebec came back to beat Winnipeg that night 7-4.

That's today in NHL history.

Today In NHL History - Sittler's Ten Point Game

On February 7th in 1976, Darryl Sittler of the Toronto Maple Leafs collected 10 points (6G, 4A) on 10 shots in a single NHL game against goalie David Reece, including hat tricks in the both second and third periods, en route to an 11-4 win over Adams division rival Boston Bruins.

The performance broke the previous single game point record of eight originally set by Maurice Richard in 1944. Sittler's record survived the Gretzky and Lemieux era and stands to this day. "Wrong Place at the Wrong Time" Reece never played another game in the NHL.

That's today in NHL history.

NHL Stanley Cup Playoff Length By Days & Games

The 2023 NHL playoffs began on April 17 and ended on June 13, boasting 88 games in 58 days. During this time, the Stanley Cup winning Vegas Golden Knights skated in 22 playoff games, for a total of 104 games (82 + 22). 

Vegas' playoff run begs the question, how long does a typical NHL postseason last. The chart below describes each postseason since 1987 (when the NHL expanded each playoff round to seven games) by start date, end date and length (i.e., total days and games).

Year	Start Date / End Date	Days	Games
1987	April 8 - May 31	54	87
1988	April 6 - May 26	51	83
1989	April 5 - May 25	51	82
1990	April 5 - May 24	50	85
1991	April 3 - May 25	53	92
1992	April 18 - June 1	45	86
1993	April 18 - June 9	53	85
1994	April 16 - June 14	60	91
1995	May 6 - June 24	50	80
1996	April 16 - June 10	56	86
1997	April 16 - June 7	53	82
1998	April 22 - June 16	56	82
1999	April 21 - June 19	60	86
2000	April 12 - June 10	60	83
2001	April 11 - June 9	60	86
2002	April 17 - June 13	58	90
2003	April 9 - June 9	62	89
2004	April 7 - June 7	62	90
2006	April 21 - June 19	60	84
2007	April 11 - June 6	57	81
2008	April 9 - June 4	57	85
2009	April 15 - June 12	59	87
2010	April 14 - June 9	57	89
2011	April 13 - June 15	64	89
2012	April 11 - June 11	62	86
2013	April 30 - June 24	56	86
2014	April 16 - June 13	59	93
2015	April 15 - June 15	62	89
2016	April 13 - June 12	61	91
2017	April 12 - June 11	61	87
2018	April 11 - June 7	58	84
2019	April 10 - June 12	64	87
2020	August 11 - September 28	49	79
2021	May 15 - July 7	54	84
2022	May 2 - June 26	56	89
2023	April 17 - June 13	58	88
Avg		57	86

Since the NHL expanded all four rounds of the playoffs to a seven game series, the maximum number of playoff games that could possibly be played if all series went to a Game 7 is 105. Alternatively, the least possible number of playoff games if all 15 series resulted in a sweep is 60 games.

In terms of total games played in a postseason since 1987, the fewest is 79 games (2020). Only four times has a playoff lasted more than 90 games (1991, 1994, 2014, 2016), the longest postseason being 93 games in 2014. The average playoff length during this span is 86 games.

Only twice in the past 36 postseasons has a playoff lasted fewer than 50 days (1992, 2020) and just eight times has it exceeded 60 days (2003, 2004, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019), the longest lasting 64 days (2011, 2019). The average playoff length during this span sits at 57 days.

With each team playing 82 regular season games, 2023 Stanley Cup Champion Vegas Golden Knights skated in 104 games (82 + 22) during 250 days dating back to the opener on October 10, 2022, representing almost 70% of the days in a calendar year and leaving only 119 days off between the Stanley Cup winning game and opening night of the next regular season on October 10, 2023.

Players on the 16 teams that did not skate in the 2023 postseason will enjoy 179 days off between regular season games, almost two extra months or 60 days over their Cup winning counterpart. For those suffering playoff drought, here's hoping that rest translates into success.

* See also NHL League Size And Regular Season Length.
* See also Fewest And Most Games Needed to Win Stanley Cup.

NHL Stanley Cup Final Appearance Droughts

This week the Florida Panthers and Vegas Golden Knights met in the 2023 Stanley Cup Final erasing a Stanley Cup Final appearance drought of 25 and 4 seasons, respectively, while the NHL's other 30 teams extended their absence by another season. The chart below describes, in descending order, the number of seasons each club has gone without a Cup Final appearance, showing the last year they qualified (if ever).

Team	Seasons	Last Cup Final
Toronto Maple Leafs	55	1967
Arizona Coyotes*	43	Never
New York Islanders	38	1984
Buffalo Sabres	23	1999
Winnipeg Jets**	23	Never
Columbus Blue Jackets	22	Never
Minnesota Wild	22	Never
Calgary Flames	18	2004
Carolina Hurricanes	17	2006
Edmonton Oilers	17	2006
Anaheim Ducks	16	2007
Ottawa Senators	16	2007
Detroit Red Wings	14	2009
Philadelphia Flyers	13	2010
Vancouver Canucks	12	2011
New Jersey Devils	11	2012
Los Angeles Kings	9	2014
New York Rangers	9	2014
Chicago Blackhawks	8	2015
San Jose Sharks	7	2016
Nashville Predators	6	2017
Pittsburgh Penguins	6	2017
Washington Capitals	5	2018
Boston Bruins	4	2019
St. Louis Blues	4	2019
Dallas Stars	3	2020
Montreal Canadiens	2	2021
Seattle Kraken	2	Never
Colorado Avalanche	1	2022
Tampa Bay Lightning	1	2021

*   Includes record of Winnipeg Jets prior to relocation to Phoenix
** Includes record of Atlanta Thrashers prior to relocation to Winnipeg

The average drought rests at roughly 14 seasons with Toronto laying claim to the longest at 55 seasons, a streak that began prior to NHL expansion beyond its original six teams. Arguably worse is the fact that 5 of the 32 teams (15%) have never skated in a Final in their franchise history (Arizona, Winnipeg, Columbus, Minnesota, Seattle), a list that was reduced by one with the Golden Knights earning a Stanley Cup Final appearance in their inaugural season (2018).

In ten months the quest for the Cup continues for 16 of the 32 clubs that qualify for the postseason. The goal is to hoist the hardware, but simply qualifying for the Stanley Cup Final would be a step in the right direction.
Indeed, one thing leads to another.

* See also NHL Stanley Cup Playoff Qualification Droughts.
* See also NHL Stanley Cup Playoff Series Win Droughts.
* See also NHL Stanley Cup Championship Droughts.

NHL Stanley Cup Championship Droughts

This week the Vegas Golden Knights won their first Stanley Cup with a Game 5 win over the Florida Panthers. The NHL's other 31 teams, however, extended their respective win-less droughts by another year. The chart below describes, in descending order, the number of years each team has gone without winning a Stanley Cup, showing the last year they hoisted the hardware (if ever).

Team	Seasons	Last Cup Win
Toronto Maple Leafs	55	1967
Buffalo Sabres	52	Never
Vancouver Canucks	52	Never
Philadelphia Flyers	47	1975
Arizona Coyotes*	43	Never
New York Islanders	39	1983
Calgary Flames	33	1989
Edmonton Oilers	32	1990
San Jose Sharks	31	Never
Ottawa Senators	20	Never
Montreal Canadiens	29	1993
Florida Panthers	29	Never
New York Rangers	28	1994
Nashville Predators	24	Never
Dallas Stars	23	1999
Winnipeg Jets**	23	Never
Columbus Blue Jackets	22	Never
Minnesota Wild	22	Never
New Jersey Devils	19	2003
Carolina Hurricanes	17	2006
Anaheim Ducks	16	2007
Detroit Red Wings	15	2008
Boston Bruins	12	2011
Los Angeles Kings	9	2014
Chicago Blackhawks	8	2015
Pittsburgh Penguins	6	2017
Washington Capitals	5	2018
St. Louis Blues	4	2019
Seattle Kraken	2	Never
Tampa Bay Lightning	2	2021
Colorado Avalanche	1	2022
Average	22

*   Includes record of Winnipeg Jets prior to relocation to Phoenix
** Includes record of Atlanta Thrashers prior to relocation to Winnipeg

The average drought rests at 22 seasons with longest being 55 seasons (Toronto Maple Leafs), besting the previous all-time win-less streak held by the New York Rangers (1940-1994). Not only has Toronto failed to win since the NHL expansion beyond its original six teams, they haven't reached the Stanley Cup Final during that span. In fact, they've won only one playoff series since the 2004 NHL lockout.

More intriguing than the length of each team's drought is the fact that 11 of the 32 current NHL teams (34%) have never won the Stanley Cup. In fact, 5 of the 32 teams (15%) have never skated in a Final in their franchise history (Arizona Coyotes, Winnipeg Jets, Columbus Blue Jackets, Minnesota Wild, Seattle Kraken).

In ten months the quest for the Stanley Cup continues for 16 of the 32 clubs that qualify for the postseason. Early Vegas odds favor Colorado (9 /1), Carolina (9/1), Toronto (11/1), Edmonton (11/1), New Jersey (11/1) and Vegas (13/1), with Arizona (300/1) pulling up the rear.

* See also NHL Stanley Cup Playoff Qualification Droughts.
* See also NHL Stanley Cup Playoff Series Win Droughts.
* See also NHL Stanley Cup Final Appearance Droughts.

Every Vancouver Canucks Goal - 2011 Season

Having been held off the scoresheet in a recent 4-0 loss to the New York Rangers, the time is right to reflect on the Vancouver Canucks 2011 goal scoring frenzy, combining for 316 goals in 107 regular season and playoff games.

Despite falling short of franchise (346 in 1993) and league (446 in 1984) records, no team topped the Canucks 258 regular season goals in 2011 and only the Boston Bruins bested their 58 goal playoff output.

The good people of Pass It To Bulis have compiled all 316 Canucks goals from the 2011 regular season and playoffs in the video below.

If you prefer to parse it out by player, simply click on the individual's name for video of every regular season score. One goal scorers are honored in a single video linked to the number 1 below.

Goals ' Player
0 ------- Oreskovich, Tanev
1 ------- Alberts, Bliznak, Hodgson, Lapierre, Rome,
------'-'--Schaefer, Shirokov, Sweatt, Volpatti
2 ------- Ballard, Bolduc, Higgins
3 ------- Glass, Salo
6 ------- Bieksa, Hamhuis
8 ------- Edler
9 ------- Hansen, Tambellini
11 ------ Malhotra
14 ------ Ehrhoff, Torres
15 ------ Raymond
18 ------ Samuelsson
19 ------ H. Sedin
26 ----'- Burrows (1-13, 14-26)
41 ------ Kesler (1-10, 11-20, 21-30, 31-41)
41 ------ D. Sedin (1-10, 11-20, 21-30, 31-41)

If you only have time to watch one goal, let it be Alex Burrows' overtime blast to slay Canucks arch-rival Chicago Blackhawks. Without a doubt the most important goal of the season and perhaps in franchise history.

Early season stumbles aside, rest assured there will be goals. Plenty.

Olympic Games And Stanley Cup Champions

An interesting direct relationship has emerged in Canada between staging an Olympics and winning the Stanley Cup. Specifically, both times a Canadian city hosted the Olympic Games (Montreal 1976, Calgary 1988) the host city's NHL team won the Stanley Cup the following year (Montreal Canadiens 1977, Calgary Flames 1989).

The only other Canadian city to host an Olympic Games was Vancouver in 2010. Time will tell if the Vancouver Canucks can uphold this curious trend and hoist Lord Stanley's Cup come June 2011.