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1968–69 NHL season

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1968–69 NHL season
LeagueNational Hockey League
Season1968–69
CaptionMontreal Canadiens celebrating the Stanley Cup
SportIce hockey
DurationOctober 11, 1968 – May 4, 1969
No of games76
No of teams12
TvCBC
Draft1968 NHL Amateur Draft
Top pickMichel Plasse
Picked byMontreal Canadiens
Playoffs eastMontreal Canadiens
Playoffs westSt. Louis Blues
Playoffs mvpSerge Savard
Fin champMontreal Canadiens
Champ nameStanley Cup
Champ count16th
Runner upSt. Louis Blues
SeasonslistnamesNHL
Prevseason1967–68 NHL season
Nextseason1969–70 NHL season

1968–69 NHL season was the 52nd season of the National Hockey League and the second of the Expansion era. The league operated with its expanded twelve-team format, split into the East Division and West Division. The Montreal Canadiens dominated the regular season and captured their 16th Stanley Cup championship, sweeping the St. Louis Blues in the Finals.

Regular season

The 76-game schedule commenced on October 11, 1968, and concluded on April 6, 1969. The East Division featured the established "Original Six" clubs, while the West Division consisted of the six expansion teams from the 1967 expansion. The Montreal Canadiens, led by coach Claude Ruel, finished with the league's best record, powered by the stellar goaltending of Rogatien Vachon and Gump Worsley. Key rule changes included the introduction of the center red line for two-line passes and stricter enforcement of penalties for elbowing and high-sticking. The Philadelphia Flyers made their playoff debut, while the Los Angeles Kings struggled in the competitive West Division.

Playoffs

The 1969 Stanley Cup playoffs followed a format where the top four teams from each division qualified. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the New York Rangers in a four-game quarterfinal sweep and then overcame the Boston Bruins, led by Phil Esposito, in a six-game semifinal series. In the West Division bracket, the St. Louis Blues, coached by Scotty Bowman, bested the Philadelphia Flyers and the Los Angeles Kings to reach the Stanley Cup Finals for the second consecutive year. The 1969 Stanley Cup Finals saw the Canadiens defeat the Blues in four straight games, with Serge Savard winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. Goaltender Glenn Hall performed valiantly for St. Louis but was ultimately overwhelmed by the Montreal Canadiens' offensive depth.

Standings

The East Division was tightly contested behind the dominant Montreal Canadiens. The Boston Bruins, fueled by Phil Esposito's record-setting 126-point season, finished second, followed by the New York Rangers and Toronto Maple Leafs. The Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Black Hawks missed the postseason. In the West Division, the St. Louis Blues claimed first place, with the Oakland Seals, Philadelphia Flyers, and Los Angeles Kings also qualifying. The Minnesota North Stars and Pittsburgh Penguins finished at the bottom of the division standings, failing to secure a playoff berth.

Statistics

The season was marked by extraordinary offensive performances. Boston Bruins center Phil Esposito shattered records with 49 goals and 77 assists for 126 points, winning the Art Ross Trophy. His teammate Bobby Orr revolutionized the defenceman position, tallying 64 points. Gordie Howe of the Detroit Red Wings continued his legendary career, while Chicago Black Hawks star Bobby Hull scored 58 goals. In goal, Rogatien Vachon and Gump Worsley of the Montreal Canadiens shared the Vezina Trophy, posting a combined 2.31 goals-against average. Glenn Hall and Jacques Plante of the St. Louis Blues were also among the league's top netminders.

Awards

The 1969 NHL Awards ceremony recognized the season's top performers. Phil Esposito of the Boston Bruins won the Hart Memorial Trophy as Most Valuable Player and the Art Ross Trophy. Montreal Canadiens defenseman Serge Savard was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy for his playoff excellence. The Calder Memorial Trophy for top rookie went to Danny Grant of the Minnesota North Stars. Montreal Canadiens coach Claude Ruel received the Jack Adams Award, while Boston Bruins general manager Milt Schmidt was honored with the Lester Patrick Trophy for service to ice hockey in the United States.

Transactions

Notable transactions included the 1968 NHL Amateur Draft, where the Montreal Canadiens selected goaltender Michel Plasse first overall. The Toronto Maple Leafs acquired veteran forward Norm Ullman from the Detroit Red Wings in a major trade. The Philadelphia Flyers obtained defenseman Barry Ashbee from the Boston Bruins, strengthening their blue line. Several expansion teams, including the Los Angeles Kings and Oakland Seals, made waiver draft selections to bolster their rosters. Coaching changes saw Larry Regan take over behind the bench for the Los Angeles Kings, and Red Kelly begin his tenure with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Category:National Hockey League seasons Category:1968 in ice hockey Category:1969 in ice hockey