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Today in Hockey History: 1973-74 Philadelphia Flyers Win Stanley Cup

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 May 19th, featuring the 1973-74 Philadelphia Flyers.

Today in Hockey History

1973-74 Philadelphia Flyers First Expansion to Win Cup

1974: Rick MacLeish scores a first-period, power-play goal as the Flyers win Game 6, 1-0, over the Boston Bruins. Bernie Parent makes 30 saves to win the Conn Smythe as Philadelphia is the first expansion to win a title. Parent finishes with a 12-5 mark and 2.02 goals-against-average.

The Stanley Cup if the first of two straight for the Flyers. They’d win the division title four years in a row starting the next season. Philadelphia has reached the Final seven more times, but have not hoisted a third Stanley Cup.

Other Notable Events

1984: The Edmonton Oilers start a dynasty with a 5-2 Game 5 win over the New York Islanders. Wayne Gretzky gets a goal and an assist to dethrone the four-time defending champs. Edmonton goes on to win the Cup four times in five years.

1994: Stephane Matteau scores the first of two double-overtime goals as the New York Rangers beat the New Jersey Devils, 3-2. Matteau helps the Rangers win Game 3 at 6:13 of the second OT.

1995: Wade Flaherty makes 56 saves in his second post-season start for the San Jose Sharks. Ray Whitney scores 1:54 into the second OT as the Sharks beat the Calgary Flames, 5-4, in Game 7 of round one.

1996: Paul Coffey becomes the highest-scoring defenceman in post-season history with two goals. The Detroit Red Wings blueliner scores twice a 3-2 Game 1 OT loss to the Colorado Avalanche.

2008: Chris Osgood makes 28 saves as the Red Wings reach the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in six years. Detroit downs the Dallas Stars, 4-1, in Game 6 of the Western Final.

2012: Chris Kreider sets a record for most playoff goals scored by a player that hasn’t played a regular season game. He nets his fifth playoff goal for the Rangers in a 3-0 Game 3 win over the Devils.

2016: Martin Jones gets his second straight shutout in a 3-0 Game 3 win for San Jose over the St. Louis Blues.

2017: Matt Murray wins his first post-season start in the Pittsburgh Penguins Game 4 win over the Ottawa Senators.

2019: Jaden Schwartz gets his second hat trick of the post-season in the Blues 5-0 win over the Sharks in Game 5 of the Western Final. Vladimir Tarasenko is the first Blue to score on a post-season penalty shot.