{"id":94011,"date":"2020-12-12T09:30:01","date_gmt":"2020-12-12T14:30:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=94011"},"modified":"2025-12-01T20:17:27","modified_gmt":"2025-12-02T01:17:27","slug":"today-in-hockey-history-canadiens-maurice-richard-becomes-point-leader","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2020\/12\/12\/today-in-hockey-history-canadiens-maurice-richard-becomes-point-leader\/","title":{"rendered":"Today in Hockey History: Montreal Canadiens Maurice Richard Becomes Point Leader"},"content":{"rendered":"

Normally we\u2019d be in the midst of starting up another hockey season now, but we\u2019re in a different world. Last Word on Hockey is still going to look back at each date\u2019s historical significance to the game. We\u2019ll 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 December 12th, featuring Maurice Richard<\/a>.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Today in Hockey History<\/h2>\n

Maurice Richard<\/a> Sets Point Mark<\/h3>\n

1953:<\/strong> The Montreal Canadiens<\/a> forward passes injured teammate Elmer Lach<\/a> on the all-time points list. Richard gets a goal and two assists in a 7-2 rout of the New York Rangers<\/a>. The Rocket’s 611 points at that point was one more than Lach.<\/p>\n

Richard finished with 544 career goals at the end of his 18-year career. The hometown product played his entire career with the Habs. He enters the Hockey Hall of Fame<\/a> is 1961 after the three-year waiting period is waived.<\/p>\n

Other Notable Events<\/h3>\n

1942:<\/strong> The Boston Bruins<\/a> defeat the rival Canadiens, 3-2, in the first ever afternoon game. All proceeds for that game go to the American Red Cross.<\/p>\n

1971:<\/strong> Chicago Black Hawks<\/a> forward Bobby Hull<\/a> gets his 1,000th career point with an assist in his 909th game. Hull and Chicago beat the Minnesota North Stars<\/a>, 5-3.<\/p>\n

Brad Park<\/a> becomes the first Rangers defenceman to score three goals in a 6-1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins<\/a>.<\/p>\n

1981:<\/strong> Los Angeles Kings<\/a> defenceman Ian Turnbull<\/a> scores four goals in a 7-5 victory over the Vancouver Canucks<\/a>. However, he had a five-goal night almost five years earlier with the Toronto Maple Leafs<\/a>.<\/p>\n

1986:<\/strong> Pittsburgh’s Mario Lemieux<\/a> ties the team’s single-game point total with six. Lemieux scores four goals and assists on two others in an 8-3 win over Toronto.<\/p>\n

Edmonton Oilers<\/a> centre Wayne Gretzky<\/a> gets his 900th career assist with three helpers in a 6-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets<\/a>.<\/p>\n

1999:<\/strong> Colorado Avalanche<\/a> goalie Patrick Roy<\/a> passes Tony Esposito<\/a> with his 424th career victory. Milan Hejduk<\/a> scores in overtime to give Colorado a 3-2 overtime win over Vancouver.<\/p>\n

2009:<\/strong> Ottawa Senators<\/a> forward Alex Kovalev<\/a> breaks a 16-game goal drought to score his 400th career goal. The Russian becomes the 82nd player to reach the mark in Ottawa’s 4-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes<\/a>.<\/p>\n

2010:<\/strong> Corey Perry<\/a> of the Anaheim Ducks gets his first career hat trick in a 6-2 victory over the Minnesota Wild. Perry scores 5-on-5, power play and shorthanded goals.<\/p>\n

2017:<\/strong> Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy<\/a> is the sixth goalie to win 20 games within 25 appearances to start a season. The Lightning win, 3-0, over the St. Louis Blues <\/a>thanks to his 32 saves.<\/p>\n

Happy Birthday to You<\/h3>\n

1913: Clint Smith<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

1925: Ted Kennedy<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

1937: John McKenzie<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

1950: Dan Bouchard<\/a>; Billy Smith<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

1966: Jim Sandlak<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

1977: Colin White<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

1985: Andrew Ladd<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

1992: Austin Czarnik<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

1995: Kevin Labanc<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>