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1970–71 NHL season

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Article Genealogy
Parent: Ken Dryden Hop 4
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1970–71 NHL season
LeagueNational Hockey League
SportIce hockey
Season1970–71
No of games78
No of teams14
TvCBC
Draft1970 NHL Amateur Draft
Top pickGilbert Perreault
Picked byBuffalo Sabres
Regular seasonBoston Bruins
Season champsBoston Bruins
MvpBobby Orr (Boston Bruins)
Mvp linkHart Memorial Trophy
Top scorerPhil Esposito (Boston Bruins)
Top scorer linkArt Ross Trophy
Playoffs1971 Stanley Cup playoffs
Playoffs linkStanley Cup playoffs
Conf champChicago Black Hawks (West), Montreal Canadiens (East)
Conf champ link1971 Stanley Cup Finals
Finals1971 Stanley Cup Finals
Finals champMontreal Canadiens
Finals runner-upChicago Black Hawks
Seasons<< 1969–70
Next seasons1971–72 >>

1970–71 NHL season was the 54th season of the National Hockey League. The league expanded to 14 teams with the addition of the Buffalo Sabres and the Vancouver Canucks, who were placed in the newly formed East Division and West Division, respectively. The Boston Bruins, led by superstars Bobby Orr and Phil Esposito, dominated the regular season, while the Montreal Canadiens captured their 17th Stanley Cup championship.

Regular season

The Boston Bruins set a new NHL record with 57 wins and 121 points, powered by the historic offensive production of Phil Esposito, who shattered records with 76 goals and 152 points. His teammate, defenseman Bobby Orr, won his second consecutive Art Ross Trophy as scoring champion with 139 points, also capturing the James Norris Memorial Trophy. The league's two new franchises, the Buffalo Sabres and Vancouver Canucks, finished with 24 and 24 wins respectively, with Sabres' rookie Gilbert Perreault winning the Calder Memorial Trophy. The Montreal Canadiens, led by coach Al MacNeil, finished third in the East Division behind the Bruins and the New York Rangers.

Stanley Cup playoffs

The 1971 Stanley Cup playoffs saw the Montreal Canadiens defeat the Boston Bruins in a stunning seven-game quarterfinal series, with Ken Dryden making his playoff debut in goal for Montreal. In the semifinals, the Canadiens ousted the Minnesota North Stars in six games, while the Chicago Black Hawks, led by Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita, defeated the New York Rangers in seven. The 1971 Stanley Cup Finals pitted the Canadiens against the Black Hawks, with Montreal winning the series four games to three, clinching the championship at Chicago Stadium. Rookie goaltender Ken Dryden was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.

League leaders

Phil Esposito of the Boston Bruins led the league in goals (76), assists (76), and points (152), setting single-season records in all three categories. His teammate Bobby Orr led all defensemen in scoring with 139 points, while also leading in plus-minus. Bobby Hull of the Chicago Black Hawks finished second in goal scoring with 44. In net, Ed Giacomin of the New York Rangers and Tony Esposito of the Black Hawks shared the Vezina Trophy, with Gilles Villemure also contributing for New York. Dave Keon of the Toronto Maple Leafs won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy for sportsmanship.

Awards

The Hart Memorial Trophy for league MVP was awarded to Bobby Orr of the Boston Bruins for the second consecutive year. The Vezina Trophy was shared by Ed Giacomin and Gilles Villemure of the New York Rangers and Tony Esposito of the Chicago Black Hawks. Gilbert Perreault of the Buffalo Sabres won the Calder Memorial Trophy as top rookie. The James Norris Memorial Trophy for best defenseman went to Bobby Orr, while the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy was awarded to Dave Keon of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jean Béliveau of the Montreal Canadiens received the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy.

Team standings

In the East Division, the Boston Bruins finished first with 121 points, followed by the New York Rangers with 109 points, and the Montreal Canadiens with 97 points. The Toronto Maple Leafs, Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings, and Vancouver Canucks rounded out the division. The West Division was won by the Chicago Black Hawks with 107 points, with the St. Louis Blues, Philadelphia Flyers, Minnesota North Stars, Los Angeles Kings, Pittsburgh Penguins, and California Golden Seals following. The top four teams from each division qualified for the 1971 Stanley Cup playoffs.

Notable events

The season was marked by the debut of the Buffalo Sabres and Vancouver Canucks, with the 1970 NHL Amateur Draft seeing Gilbert Perreault selected first overall by Buffalo. Phil Esposito became the first player to score 70 goals in a season, a record many thought unbreakable. The Montreal Canadiens' championship victory was considered an upset, led by rookie goaltender Ken Dryden. Off the ice, the NHL Players' Association gained strength, and the league continued to negotiate with the World Hockey Association. The season also saw the final games played at the Montreal Forum before a major renovation.

Category:National Hockey League seasons Category:1970–71 NHL season Category:1970 in ice hockey Category:1971 in ice hockey