1975–76 NHL season

1975–76 NHL season was the 59th season of the National Hockey League. The league expanded to 18 teams with the addition of the Washington Capitals and the Kansas City Scouts, bringing a new divisional alignment. The Montreal Canadiens ended the Philadelphia Flyers' two-year reign as Stanley Cup champions, capturing their 19th title. The season was marked by the continued offensive dominance of the Montreal Canadiens and the Boston Bruins, while the Washington Capitals set a modern record for futility.

Regular season

The regular season schedule featured 80 games for each of the 18 teams, divided into the Prince of Wales Conference and the Clarence S. Campbell Conference. The Montreal Canadiens, led by coach Scotty Bowman, posted the league's best record with 58 wins and 127 points, powered by the high-scoring "Big Three" line of Guy Lafleur, Steve Shutt, and Pete Mahovlich. The Philadelphia Flyers again topped the Campbell Conference, while the Boston Bruins and Buffalo Sabres were formidable in the Wales Conference. The two expansion clubs, the Washington Capitals and Kansas City Scouts, struggled immensely; the Washington Capitals won only 11 games, setting a record for the fewest victories in the modern era.

Stanley Cup playoffs

The 1976 Stanley Cup playoffs saw the top three teams from each of the four divisions qualify. The Montreal Canadiens swept the Chicago Black Hawks and outlasted the New York Islanders in a five-game semi-final. In the Prince of Wales Conference Finals, they defeated the Buffalo Sabres in six games, with key performances from Ken Dryden and Guy Lafleur. The Philadelphia Flyers, seeking a third consecutive championship, defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Boston Bruins to win the Clarence S. Campbell Conference. The 1976 Stanley Cup Finals pitted the Montreal Canadiens against the Philadelphia Flyers; the Canadiens won the series in a four-game sweep, with Guy Lafleur scoring crucial goals and Reggie Leach of the Flyers winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP despite being on the losing team.

League leaders

Guy Lafleur of the Montreal Canadiens won the Art Ross Trophy as scoring champion with 125 points (56 goals, 69 assists). His teammate Pete Mahovlich finished second with 105 points, while Bobby Clarke of the Philadelphia Flyers was third with 119 points. Reggie Leach of the Flyers led the league with 61 goals, winning the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy. In net, Ken Dryden and Michel Larocque of the Montreal Canadiens shared the Vezina Trophy, allowing a league-low 174 goals. Bobby Clarke also captured the Hart Memorial Trophy as league MVP, and Bryan Trottier of the New York Islanders won the Calder Memorial Trophy as top rookie.

Milestones and events

The season was notable for the debut of the Washington Capitals and Kansas City Scouts, with the Capitals' poor performance becoming a historic benchmark. Darryl Sittler of the Toronto Maple Leafs set a single-game NHL record with 10 points (6 goals, 4 assists) in a February game against the Boston Bruins. The Montreal Canadiens set a then-record with 58 wins. Off the ice, the NHL introduced the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy for the first time, awarded to the league's top goal-scorer. The World Hockey Association continued to challenge the NHL for talent, influencing player salaries and league dynamics.

Team summaries

The Montreal Canadiens were the class of the league, boasting a deep roster featuring Guy Lafleur, Larry Robinson, and Ken Dryden. The Philadelphia Flyers, known as the "Broad Street Bullies," remained a physical powerhouse led by Bobby Clarke and Bernie Parent. The Boston Bruins featured high scorers like Bobby Orr and Phil Esposito, while the Buffalo Sabres were led by the "French Connection" line of Gilbert Perreault, Rick Martin, and René Robert. The New York Islanders, with young stars Bryan Trottier and Denis Potvin, emerged as a rising power. At the bottom, the Washington Capitals and Kansas City Scouts faced immense challenges, with the Capitals posting a record of 11–59–10.

Category:National Hockey League seasons