Today in hockey history, the Rangers and Flyers set a record (oh boy), a crazy amount of goals scored in a particular fashion, the first time certain play happened (in a long game), a ridiculous playoff record streak, a game that just didn’t want to end, and it’s a good day to be Gretzky.
April 24, 1979 – The Rangers and Flyers set an NHL playoff record for…most goals in one period. You were expecting something related to penalties, weren’t you? The two combined for nine goals in the third, with the Rangers winning the period 6-3 and the game 8-3 in Game 5 of the quarterfinals, clinching the series.
April 24, 1991 – The Minnesota North Stars and the Blues each scored four power play goals to set an NHL record for the most power play goals in a game (eight). The Stars ended up winning that Game 4 Norris Division Finals match 8-4. I guess the Blues should have taken fewer penalties…or scored more even strength goals.
April 24, 1996 – Pittsburgh’s Ken Wregget stopped Capitals’ Joe Juneau on the first-ever overtime penalty shot in playoff history, coming at 15:44 of the second overtime. It would be another two periods before the game finally ended (4 OT), as Pittsburgh’s Petr Nedved cashed in on the power play at 79:15 of overtime (nearly four extra periods).
April 24, 1997 – Montreal extended their NHL record of consecutive overtime playoff wins to 13 when Patrice Brisebois scored at 7:37 of the third overtime period in their 4-3 win in Game 4 of the quarterfinals against the Devils. I’m assuming that means game that went to overtime, not 13-straight games that all went into overtime, which is still an amazing feat in which they left a bloody trail opposing fans’ hearts. Also, Montreal’s Jose Theodore set a record for the most saves in a first playoff start with 56.
April 24, 2003 – Anaheim’s Petr Sykora scored the winning goal 48 seconds into the overtime period…the fifth overtime period of that game. The Mighty Ducks beat the Stars 3-2 in Game 1 of the semifinals, the game which ended up being the fourth-longest game in NHL history.
The Great One did some serious work on different occasions of this day…
- 1983 – He tied an NHL record by recording three assists in one period (the third), and also scored the game winning goal in an 8-4 Oilers win over Chicago in Game 1 of the Campbell Conference Finals.
- 1984 – Gretzky scored a goal and added three assists in a 7-1 win over the visiting North Stars in Game 1 of the Campbell Conference Finals (which, if you recall, is the same game setting as the previous fact).
- 1986 – Wayne scored a hat trick and added two assists as the Oilers won Game 4 of the Smythe Division Finals 7-4 at Calgary.
- 1989 – Now with the Kings, Gretzky scored his 86th career playoff goal, making him the NHL’s all-time leader in goals (passing Mike Bossy). Although, he probably still wished he was on that Oilers team, as the Kings lost 5-3 to the Flames in Game 4 of the Smythe Division Finals.
Source: Hockey Hall of Fame
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