During the NHL’s hiatus, we at the Last Word on Hockey are going to look back at each date’s historical significance to the game. We’ll remember the moments that shaped the sport of hockey that happened on this day. Here’s our look at this date in hockey history for March 26th, featuring Tony Esposito.
Today in Hockey History
Tony Esposito Wins 30 Games for Eighth Time
1980: The Chicago Blackhawks goalie helps them beat the Quebec Nordiques, 7-2, at Le Colisee. It’s the eighth time that Esposito has won at least 30 games in a season, which is a league record.
It comes 10 years after he get his 14th shutout in a season after blanking the Detroit Red Wings, 1-0. Esposito broke Harry Lumley‘s modern record from 16 years prior.
Other Notable Events
1919: The Montreal Canadiens and the Seattle Metropolitans play to a scoreless tie after 80 minutes of hockey in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final. Montreal would win the next game 4-3 in overtime, but the series would be called after an influenza outbreak.
1950: Ted Lindsay sets a league record for assists in a season with 55 in the Red Wings 5-4 loss to the Blackhawks.
1961: Glenn Hall makes 53 saves as Chicago holds off Montreal 2-1 in three overtimes in Game 3 of the semifinal series. Murray Balfour scores the game-winner 12:12 into the third OT.
1985: Jarri Kurri is the third player to score 70 goals in a season. The Edmonton Oilers top the New York Islanders, 7-5. Oilers’ teammate Paul Coffey gets two goals and an assist to reach 100 points for the second straight season.
1986: Neal Broten of the Minnesota North Stars is the first American-born player to get 100 points in a season. Minnesota would beat the Toronto Maple Leafs, 6-1, after Broten dishes out a pair of assists.
1996: Mario Lemieux scores five goals for the fourth time in his career. The Pittsburgh Penguins beat the St. Louis Blues, 8-4. Super Mario would tie Wayne Gretzky for most four-goal games in the modern era.
1999: Patrick Roy ties Jacques Plante for most regular season and playoff wins in NHL history with 505th victory.
2018: The Vegas Golden Knights are the first expansion team since 1967-68 to clinch a post-season spot. Vegas would beat Colorado, 4-1, en route to winning the Pacific Division and reaching the Stanley Cup Final.
Happy Birthday to You
1964: Ulf Samuelsson
1969: Luke Richardson
1974: Michael Peca
1984: Jimmy Howard
1994: Brady Skjei
