{"id":73270,"date":"2020-04-15T09:30:38","date_gmt":"2020-04-15T13:30:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/?p=73270"},"modified":"2025-12-01T20:19:13","modified_gmt":"2025-12-02T01:19:13","slug":"today-in-hockey-history-clark-gillies-gets-another-gwg-for-new-york-islanders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2020\/04\/15\/today-in-hockey-history-clark-gillies-gets-another-gwg-for-new-york-islanders\/","title":{"rendered":"Today in Hockey History: Clark Gillies Gets Another GWG for New York Islanders"},"content":{"rendered":"

During the NHL\u2019s hiatus, we at the Last Word on Hockey are going to look back at each date\u2019s historical <\/span>significance<\/span> to the game. We\u2019ll <\/span>remember the moments that shaped the sport of hockey that happened on this day. Here\u2019s our look at this date in hockey history for April 15th, featuring<\/span> Clark Gillies<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Today in Hockey History<\/h3>\n

Clark Gillies Scores Fourth Straight Game-Winner<\/h3>\n

1977:<\/strong> The New York Islanders<\/a> forward scores his fourth straight game-winning goal in a 4-3 victory over the Buffalo Sabres<\/a>. Gillies would set a playoff record for most consecutive game-winners as the Isles win Game 3.<\/p>\n

New York would go on to sweep Buffalo in four straight before falling to the eventual Stanley Cup Champion Montreal Canadiens<\/a> in the semifinals. He would be a key part of the Islanders four straight Stanley Cups. Gillies would be elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2002.<\/p>\n

Other Notable Events<\/h3>\n

1937:<\/strong> The Detroit Red Wings<\/a> are the first American-based team to win back-to-back Stanley Cups. Detroit would beat the New York Rangers<\/a>, 3-0, in the deciding Game 5.<\/p>\n

1952:<\/strong> The Red Wings octopus tradition is born after beating the Canadiens, 3-0, in Game 4. Metro Prystai<\/a><\/strong> scores twice and Terry Sawchuk<\/a><\/strong> gets his fifth straight shutout. Pete and Jerry Cusimano make history when they toss an octopus onto the ice at Olympia Stadium. Each tentacle symbolizes one of the eight victories needed to win the Cup during the Original Six era.<\/p>\n

1975:<\/strong> The Vancouver Canucks<\/a> win their first playoff game in franchise history with a 2-1 win in Game 2 over Montreal.<\/p>\n

1977: Rick MacLeish<\/a><\/strong> helps the Philadelphia Flyers<\/a> rally from a three-goal deficit to beat the Toronto Maple Leafs<\/a>, 4-3, in overtime. He would score the game-tying and game-winning goals.<\/p>\n

1989: Wayne Gretzky<\/a><\/strong> helps the Los Angeles Kings<\/a> eliminate the Edmonton Oilers<\/a> with a 6-3 win in Game 7 of the Smythe Division semifinals. Bernie Nicholls<\/a><\/strong> gets four points and Gretzky scores twice.<\/p>\n

1993: Teemu Selanne<\/a><\/strong> scores his rookie-record 76th goal in a 3-0 win for the Winnipeg Jets<\/a> over Edmonton.<\/p>\n

2004: Brett Hull<\/a><\/strong> ties Gretzky’s record for most game-winning goals in the post-season with his 24th in a 4-1 Detroit win over the Nashville Predators<\/a>.<\/p>\n

2019:<\/strong> The Carolina Hurricanes<\/a> win their first post-season game in 10 years. Carolina blanks the Washington Capitals<\/a>, 5-0, in Games 3 of the opening round.<\/p>\n

Cale Makar<\/a><\/strong> of the Colorado Avalanche<\/a> scores in his NHL debut against the Calgary Flames<\/a>. Makar won the Hobey Baker Award just days earlier.<\/p>\n

Happy Birthday to You<\/h3>\n

1947: Don Marcotte<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

1958: Keith Acton<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

1959: Kevin Lowe<\/a>; Ray Neufield<\/strong><\/p>\n

1965: Kevin Stevens<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

1966:Todd Elik<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

1974: Tim Thomas<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

1977: Pavel Kubina<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

1983: Ilya Kovalchuk<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n