{"id":73460,"date":"2020-04-18T08:30:39","date_gmt":"2020-04-18T12:30:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/?p=73460"},"modified":"2025-12-01T20:19:15","modified_gmt":"2025-12-02T01:19:15","slug":"today-in-hockey-history-wayne-gretzky-plays-final-game-for-new-york-rangers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2020\/04\/18\/today-in-hockey-history-wayne-gretzky-plays-final-game-for-new-york-rangers\/","title":{"rendered":"Today in Hockey History: Wayne Gretzky Plays Final Game for New York Rangers"},"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 18th, featuring Wayne Gretzky<\/a><\/strong>.
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Today in Hockey History<\/h2>\n

Wayne Gretzky Plays Final NHL Game<\/h3>\n

1999:<\/strong> The Great One, now playing for the New York Rangers,<\/a> gets an assist and his 2,857th point in his final NHL game. New York would lose 2-1 in overtime to the Pittsburgh Penguins<\/a>. Jaromir Jagr<\/a><\/strong> seal the win with a goal at 1:22 of OT.<\/p>\n

Gretzky would get a videotaped message from his idol Gordie Howe<\/a> <\/strong>before the game. Number 99 would skate around the ice at Madison Square Garden in a few victory laps. He’d finish with 894 goals and 1,963 NHL assists for his final numbers.<\/p>\n

Other Notable Events<\/h3>\n

1942:<\/strong> The Toronto Maple Leafs<\/a> cap an improbable rally by beating the Detroit Red Wings<\/a>, 3-1, in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final. Sweeney Schriner<\/a><\/strong> scored twice as the Leafs were the first team to overturn an 0-3 hole.<\/p>\n

1959:<\/strong> The Montreal Canadiens<\/a> are the first team to win the Stanley Cup four years in a row. Montreal would beat Toronto, 5-3, in Game 5 thanks to two Bernie Geoffrion<\/a><\/strong> goals.<\/p>\n

1963: Dave Keon<\/a><\/strong> is the first to score two shorthanded goals in a playoff game. The Leafs beat the Wings, 3-1, in Game 5 of the Final.<\/p>\n

1968:<\/strong> Both the St. Louis Blues<\/a> and Minnesota North Stars<\/a> win their first Game 7s in franchise history. St. Louis tops the Philadelphia Flyers<\/a>, 3-1, while Minnesota beats the Los Angeles Kings<\/a>, 9-4.<\/p>\n

1987: Pat LaFontaine<\/a><\/strong> ends the “Easter Epic”with a goal at 68:47 of overtime. The New York Islanders<\/a> outlast the Washington Capitals<\/a>, 3-2, in one of the longest games in NHL history.<\/p>\n

1994:<\/strong> The San Jose Sharks<\/a> shocked the Red Wings, 5-4, in Game 1 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals. San Jose is the first team since the Isles in 1975 to win their first playoff game.<\/p>\n

1996: Brian Bellows<\/a><\/strong> scores 9:05 into OT as the Tampa Bay Lightning<\/a> beat Philadelphia 2-1 in Game 2 of the Eastern quarterfinals. It’s the first post-season win for Tampa Bay.<\/p>\n

2001: Patrick Roy<\/a><\/strong> of the Colorado Avalanche<\/a> is the first goalie to play in 200 post-season games as the Avs beat the Vancouver Canucks,<\/a> 5-1. It’s also Roy’s 125th playoff win.<\/p>\n

2012:<\/strong> Pittsburgh routs Philadelphia, 10-3, to equal the most goals by a road team. The Pens set a record for most goals It’s the most goals ever by a facing elimination.<\/p>\n

Happy Birthday to You<\/h3>\n

1966: Valeri Kamensky<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

1969: Vladimir Tsyplakov<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

1971: Oleg Petrov<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

1982: Scott Hartnell<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

1993: Mika Zibanejad<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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