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 April 4th, featuring Denis Potvin.
Today in Hockey History
Denis Potvin First Defenceman to 1,000 Points
1987: The New York Islanders defenceman scores twice in a 6-6 tie with the Buffalo Sabres. Potvin is the first at his position to get to 1,000 points and the 21st player overall.
He would reach the milestone with a game-tying goal with 17 seconds left to go in regulation. Potvin would retire after the 1987-88 with 1,052 points, which would be the most for a blueliner at the time.
Other Notable Events
1921: The Ottawa Senators are the first NHL team to win back-to-back crowns as they beat the Vancouver Millionaires, 2-1, in Game 5.
1944: Maurice Richard makes his Stanley Cup Final debut in the Montreal Canadiens 5-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 1.
1961: The Habs’ quest for a sixth Stanley Cup ends after a 4-2 loss to the Blackhawks in Game 6 of the semifinals. It’s the first time since 1950 that Montreal failed to reach the final.
1971: Both Gordie Howe and Jean Beliveau make their last regular season appearances. The Hall of Fame duo would retire at the end of the post-season. However, Howe would play six seasons in the WHA before one last season with the Hartford Whalers.
1979: Ken Dryden is the first goalie to win 30 games in his first seven season in the Canadiens’ 4-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings.
1990: Larry Robinson of the Los Angeles Kings skates in the post-season for a record 18th straight season. Los Angeles would beat the Calgary Flames, 5-3.
2004: Brad Fast scores in his only NHL game as the Carolina Hurricanes and Florida Panthers play to the last tie in NHL history. Fast scored at 17:34 of the third period to forge a 6-6 stalemate. The league would adopt a shootout for the locked out 2004-05 season.
2019: Carolina makes the playoffs for the first time since 2009 with a 3-1 win over the New Jersey Devils.
Happy Birthday to You
1952: Pat Burns
1953; Blake Dunlop
1963: Dale Hawerchuk
1971: Yanic Perreault
1979: Roberto Luongo
1996: Andrew Mangiapane
