Normally we’d be in the midst of starting up another hockey season now, but we’re in a different world. Last Word on Hockey is still 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 December 6th, featuring Larry Robinson.
Today in Hockey History
Larry Robinson Scores 200th Goal
1989: The Los Angeles Kings defenceman gets his 200th goal and 900th point in a 5-4 OT win over the Vancouver Canucks. Robinson becomes the first player to reach 200 goals without scoring 20 in a season. The most he scored in a season was 19 twice while a member of the Montreal Canadiens.
Robinson plays until the end of the 1991-92 season, which is his third with Los Angeles. The Winchester, Ontario native is elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1995.
Other Notable Events
1932: The Cook Brothers, Fred Cook and Bill Cook, help the New York Rangers to a 5-3 win over the Canadiens. Bill scores twice and assists on both goals by his brother, Bun. Frank Boucher gets three assists as the trio all become Hockey Hall of Famers.
1952: Alex Delvecchio assists on both Detroit Red Wings goals in a 2-0 win over the Chicago Black Hawks. Terry Sawchuk gets the first regular-season shutout in a game outside an NHL city in 1928. The game is played in Indianapolis because both arenas are booked.
1977: Los Angeles scores a team-record six goals in the second period in a 6-1 win over the St. Louis Blues. Mike Murphy sores twice in 17 seconds and assists on another goal.
1987: Edmonton Oilers great Wayne Gretzky gets his fourth five-goal game of his career in a 10-4 win over the Minnesota North Stars. Mario Lemieux ties the mark later on for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
1988: Blues goalie Greg Millen gets his third straight shutout in a 3-0 win over the North Stars. Millen is the first goalie since Tony Esposito in 1971-72 to get three shutouts in a row.
1990: The NHL announces expansion teams in Ottawa and Tampa Bay, Fla. It’s a return for the Ottawa Senators and a venture south for the Tampa Bay Lightning. Both teams start play in 1992-93.
2001: Toronto Maple Leafs forward Gary Roberts gets a hat trick to get 350 goals and 2,000 penalty minutes. Leafs head coach Pat Quinn gets his 500th win in Toronto’s 6-3 win over the Rangers.
2014: Detroit head coach Mike Babcock gets his 500th win in a 3-2 victory over the Rangers.
Happy Birthday to You
1974: Nick Stajduhar
1986: Matt Niskanen
