1969–70 Boston Bruins season

1969–70 Boston Bruins
Stanley Cup Champions
Division 2nd East
1969–70 record 40–17–19
Home record 27–3–8
Road record 13–14–11
Goals for 277 (1st)
Goals against 216 (6th)
Team information
General Manager Milt Schmidt
Coach Harry Sinden
Captain Vacant
Alternate captains John Bucyk
Phil Esposito
Ed Westfall
Arena Boston Garden
Team leaders
Goals Phil Esposito (43)
Assists Bobby Orr (87)
Points Bobby Orr (120)
Penalties in minutes Bobby Orr (125)
Wins Gerry Cheevers (24)
Goals against average Gerry Cheevers (2.72)
<1968–69 1970–71>

The 1969–70 Boston Bruins season was the Bruins' 46th season in the NHL.The Bruins were coming off of a successful season in 1968–69, as they finished with a franchise record 100 points, sitting in 2nd place in the Eastern Division, however, they would lose to the Montreal Canadiens in the Eastern Division finals. This year, the Bruins would go all the way to the Final and win the Stanley Cup.

Regular season

Boston got off to a quick start, going unbeaten in their first 7 games (6–0–1), which immediately was followed by a 5-game winless streak. The Bruins though would snap out of their mini-slump, and never have a 2-game losing streak for the remainder of the season, finishing the year with a 40–17–19 record, earning 99 points, which tied the Chicago Black Hawks for 1st place in the Eastern Division. Chicago was awarded 1st place though due to having more wins than Boston, as the Hawks recorded 45.

Bobby Orr would have his breakout season, leading the league with 120 points, as he became the first defenceman in league history to record over 100 points, while setting an NHL record with 87 assists. Orr also scored 33 goals, which also was a record by a defenceman. Orr also provided toughness, leading the Bruins with 125 PIM. Phil Esposito had another very strong season, scoring 43 goals and earning 99 points, while John McKenzie registered 70 points. Thirty-four-year-old John Bucyk scored a career high 31 goals and tied his career best with 69 points.

In goal, Gerry Cheevers would get the majority of playing time, winning a team high 24 games, and having a team best 2.72 GAA and 4 shutouts. Eddie Johnston would be his backup, as he won 16 games, had a 2.98 GAA, and 3 shutouts.

Season standings

East Division[1]
GP W L T GF GA DIFF Pts
1 Chicago Black Hawks 76 45 22 9 250 170 +80 99
2 Boston Bruins 76 40 17 19 277 216 +61 99
3 Detroit Red Wings 76 40 21 15 246 199 +47 95
4 New York Rangers 76 38 22 16 246 189 +57 92
5 Montreal Canadiens 76 38 22 16 244 201 +43 92
6 Toronto Maple Leafs 76 29 34 13 222 242 −20 71

Schedule and results

# Date Visitor Score Home Record Pts
1 October 12 New York Rangers 1–2 Boston Bruins 1–0–0 2
2 October 15 Oakland Seals 0–6 Boston Bruins 2–0–0 4
3 October 18 Boston Bruins 3–3 Pittsburgh Penguins 2–0–1 5
4 October 19 Pittsburgh Penguins 0–4 Boston Bruins 3–0–1 7
5 October 22 Boston Bruins 3–2 Minnesota North Stars 4–0–1 9
6 October 24 Boston Bruins 4–2 Oakland Seals 5–0–1 11
7 October 25 Boston Bruins 3–2 Los Angeles Kings 6–0–1 13
8 October 29 Boston Bruins 2–4 Toronto Maple Leafs 6–1–1 13
9 November 1 Boston Bruins 2–9 Montreal Canadiens 6–2–1 13
10 November 2 Toronto Maple Leafs 4–4 Boston Bruins 6–2–2 14
11 November 5 St. Louis Blues 4–4 Boston Bruins 6–2–3 15
12 November 8 Boston Bruins 2–3 Detroit Red Wings 6–3–3 15
13 November 10 Oakland Seals 3–8 Boston Bruins 7–3–3 17
14 November 13 Detroit Red Wings 1–3 Boston Bruins 8–3–3 19
15 November 15 New York Rangers 6–5 Boston Bruins 8–4–3 19
16 November 16 Los Angeles Kings 4–7 Boston Bruins 9–4–3 21
17 November 21 Boston Bruins 2–2 Chicago Black Hawks 9–4–4 22
18 November 23 Montreal Canadiens 2–2 Boston Bruins 9–4–5 23
19 November 26 Boston Bruins 0–3 New York Rangers 9–5–5 23
20 November 27 Philadelphia Flyers 4–6 Boston Bruins 10–5–5 25
21 November 29 Boston Bruins 2–2 Montreal Canadiens 10–5–6 26
22 November 30 Toronto Maple Leafs 1–4 Boston Bruins 11–5–6 28
23 December 4 Boston Bruins 4–4 Detroit Red Wings 11–5–7 29
24 December 6 Chicago Black Hawks 1–6 Boston Bruins 12–5–7 31
25 December 7 Minnesota North Stars 2–2 Boston Bruins 12–5–8 32
26 December 10 Boston Bruins 2–5 New York Rangers 12–6–8 32
27 December 11 New York Rangers 1–2 Boston Bruins 13–6–8 34
28 December 13 Boston Bruins 5–3 Philadelphia Flyers 14–6–8 36
29 December 14 Pittsburgh Penguins 1–2 Boston Bruins 15–6–8 38
30 December 18 Boston Bruins 3–3 St. Louis Blues 15–6–9 39
31 December 20 Boston Bruins 6–4 Pittsburgh Penguins 16–6–9 41
32 December 21 Montreal Canadiens 5–2 Boston Bruins 16–7–9 41
33 December 25 Los Angeles Kings 1–7 Boston Bruins 17–7–9 43
34 December 28 Boston Bruins 5–4 Philadelphia Flyers 18–7–9 45
35 December 31 Boston Bruins 1–5 Detroit Red Wings 18–8–9 45
36 January 3 Boston Bruins 6–2 Los Angeles Kings 19–8–9 47
37 January 7 Boston Bruins 6–1 Oakland Seals 20–8–9 49
38 January 10 Boston Bruins 3–4 Toronto Maple Leafs 20–9–9 49
39 January 11 Oakland Seals 3–6 Boston Bruins 21–9–9 51
40 January 15 Los Angeles Kings 3–6 Boston Bruins 22–9–9 53
41 January 17 Chicago Black Hawks 1–0 Boston Bruins 22–10–9 53
42 January 18 Montreal Canadiens 3–6 Boston Bruins 23–10–9 55
43 January 22 Philadelphia Flyers 3–3 Boston Bruins 23–10–10 56
44 January 24 Boston Bruins 1–8 New York Rangers 23–11–10 56
45 January 25 Pittsburgh Penguins 1–3 Boston Bruins 24–11–10 58
46 January 29 Minnesota North Stars 5–6 Boston Bruins 25–11–10 60
47 January 31 Boston Bruins 3–3 Montreal Canadiens 25–11–11 61
48 February 1 Toronto Maple Leafs 6–7 Boston Bruins 26–11–11 63
49 February 4 Boston Bruins 4–8 Chicago Black Hawks 26–12–11 63
50 February 5 Philadelphia Flyers 1–5 Boston Bruins 27–12–11 65
51 February 7 Detroit Red Wings 2–2 Boston Bruins 27–12–12 66
52 February 8 St. Louis Blues 1–7 Boston Bruins 28–12–12 68
53 February 11 Boston Bruins 3–2 St. Louis Blues 29–12–12 70
54 February 14 Boston Bruins 3–0 Pittsburgh Penguins 30–12–12 72
55 February 17 Boston Bruins 3–3 Oakland Seals 30–12–13 73
56 February 18 Boston Bruins 5–5 Los Angeles Kings 30–12–14 74
57 February 21 Boston Bruins 4–2 Minnesota North Stars 31–12–14 76
58 February 22 Boston Bruins 3–6 Chicago Black Hawks 31–13–14 76
59 February 26 New York Rangers 3–5 Boston Bruins 32–13–14 78
60 February 28 Chicago Black Hawks 0–3 Boston Bruins 33–13–14 80
61 March 1 St. Louis Blues 1–3 Boston Bruins 34–13–14 82
62 March 4 Boston Bruins 1–3 St. Louis Blues 34–14–14 82
63 March 7 Boston Bruins 5–5 Philadelphia Flyers 34–14–15 83
64 March 8 Montreal Canadiens 0–2 Boston Bruins 35–14–15 85
65 March 11 Boston Bruins 0–0 Chicago Black Hawks 35–14–16 86
66 March 14 Boston Bruins 1–2 Toronto Maple Leafs 35–15–16 86
67 March 15 Detroit Red Wings 5–5 Boston Bruins 35–15–17 87
68 March 19 Chicago Black Hawks 1–3 Boston Bruins 36–15–17 89
69 March 21 Boston Bruins 4–5 Minnesota North Stars 36–16–17 89
70 March 22 Minnesota North Stars 0–5 Boston Bruins 37–16–17 91
71 March 25 Boston Bruins 3–1 New York Rangers 38–16–17 93
72 March 28 Detroit Red Wings 5–5 Boston Bruins 38–16–18 94
73 March 29 Boston Bruins 2–2 Detroit Red Wings 38–16–19 95
74 April 1 Boston Bruins 3–6 Montreal Canadiens 38–17–19 95
75 April 4 Boston Bruins 4–2 Toronto Maple Leafs 39–17–19 97
76 April 5 Toronto Maple Leafs 1–3 Boston Bruins 40–17–19 99

Playoffs

In the playoffs, Boston opened up against the New York Rangers, who finished in 4th place in the Eastern Division, with 92 points, 7 less than the Bruins. The series opened up at the Boston Garden, and the Bruins continued their winning ways at home, taking the first 2 games to take an early series lead. The series then moved to Madison Square Garden in New York for the next 2 games, and the Rangers responded with 2 close wins, and tied the series up at 2 games each. Boston returned home for game 5, and took a 3–2 series lead with a hard fought 3–2 win in the game, and the Bruins would finish off the Rangers in game 6 on the road, beating New York 4–1, and advance to the Eastern Division finals.

The Bruins opponent for the division finals was the Chicago Black Hawks, who finished with 99 points, the same as Boston, but had more wins, so they were awarded home ice for the series. Boston would surprise the Chicago fans by taking the first 2 games held at Chicago Stadium with relative ease to take a 2–0 series lead. Boston then took game 3 by a 5–2 score at the Boston Garden, and took a commanding 3–0 lead in the series. The Black Hawks would keep game 4 close, but would lose, as Boston won the game 5–4, and swept Chicago, to advance to the Stanley Cup finals for the first time since 1958.

Boston Bruins vs. St. Louis Blues

Boston would face the winner of the Western Division, the St. Louis Blues, who were making their 3rd straight Stanley Cup final appearance. The Blues had previously been swept by the Montreal Canadiens in their first 2 times in the finals. St. Louis had defeated the Minnesota North Stars and Pittsburgh Penguins to earn a spot. The series would open at the St. Louis Arena, and the Bruins had no problems at all in their first 2 games, defeating the Blues by scores of 6–1 and 6–2, and took a 2–0 series lead. The series shifted to Boston for the next 2 games, and the Bruins again dominated game 3, winning 4–1. St. Louis would force the 4th game into overtime; however the Bruins, on a goal by Bobby Orr, would win the game 4–3, winning an NHL record 10th straight playoff game, and win their first cup since 1941, and the 4th in franchise history. The still photo of Orr flying through the air after scoring "The Goal" became one of the most iconic images of the Bruins franchise in its history, and was the direct basis of a bronze sculpture[2] of the event outside the TD Garden's main entrance in 2010, the date of the event's 40th anniversary.

Boston Bruins 4, New York Rangers 2

# Date Visitor Score Home Record
1 April 8 New York Rangers 2–8 Boston Bruins 1–0
2 April 9 New York Rangers 3–5 Boston Bruins 2–0
3 April 11 Boston Bruins 3–4 New York Rangers 2–1
4 April 12 Boston Bruins 2–4 New York Rangers 2–2
5 April 14 New York Rangers 2–3 Boston Bruins 3–2
6 April 16 Boston Bruins 4–1 New York Rangers 4–2

Boston Bruins 4, Chicago Black Hawks 0

# Date Visitor Score Home Record
1 April 19 Boston Bruins 6–3 Chicago Black Hawks 1–0
2 April 21 Boston Bruins 4–1 Chicago Black Hawks 2–0
3 April 23 Chicago Black Hawks 2–5 Boston Bruins 3–0
4 April 26 Chicago Black Hawks 4–5 Boston Bruins 4–0

Boston Bruins 4, St. Louis Blues 0

# Date Visitor Score Home Record
1 May 3 Boston Bruins 6–1 St. Louis Blues 1–0
2 May 5 Boston Bruins 6–2 St. Louis Blues 2–0
3 May 7 St. Louis Blues 1–4 Boston Bruins 3–0
4 May 10 St. Louis Blues 3–4 Boston Bruins 4–0

Player statistics

Regular season

Scoring
Player Pos GP G A Pts PIM PPG SHG GWG
Orr, BobbyBobby Orr D 76 33 87 120 1251143
Esposito, PhilPhil Esposito C 76 43 56 99 501815
McKenzie, JohnJohn McKenzie RW 72 29 41 70 114916
Bucyk, JohnJohn Bucyk LW 76 31 38 69 131406
Stanfield, FredFred Stanfield LW 73 23 35 58 141303
Hodge, KenKen Hodge RW 72 25 29 54 87605
Sanderson, DerekDerek Sanderson C 50 18 23 41 118552
Westfall, EdEd Westfall D/RW 72 14 22 36 28000
Cashman, WayneWayne Cashman LW 70 9 26 35 79001
Carleton, WayneWayne Carleton LW 42 6 19 25 23001
Smith, DallasDallas Smith D 75 7 17 24 119111
Lorentz, JimJim Lorentz C/RW 68 7 16 23 30200
Bailey, GarnetGarnet Bailey LW 58 11 11 22 82202
Awrey, DonDon Awrey D 73 3 10 13 120000
Marcotte, DonDon Marcotte LW 35 9 3 12 14001
Smith, RickRick Smith D 69 2 8 10 65001
Doak, GaryGary Doak D 44 1 7 8 63001
Murphy, RonRon Murphy LW 20 2 5 7 8002
Harrison, JimJim Harrison C 23 3 1 4 16010
Speer, BillBill Speer D 27 1 3 4 4000
Johnston, EddieEddie Johnston G 37 0 2 2 2000
Webster, TomTom Webster RW 2 0 1 1 2000
Beverley, NickNick Beverley D 2 0 0 0 2000
Cheevers, GerryGerry Cheevers G 41 0 0 0 4000
Lesuk, BillBill Lesuk LW 3 0 0 0 0000
Spring, FrankFrank Spring RW 1 0 0 0 0000
Wilkins, BarryBarry Wilkins D 6 0 0 0 2000
Goaltending
Player MIN GP W L T GA GAA SO
Cheevers, GerryGerry Cheevers 2384 41 24 8 8 108 2.72 4
Johnston, EddieEddie Johnston 2176 37 16 9 11 108 2.98 3
Team: 4560 76 40 17 19 216 2.84 7

Playoffs

Scoring
Player Pos GP G A Pts PIM PPG SHG GWG
Esposito, PhilPhil Esposito C 14 13 14 27 16402
Orr, BobbyBobby Orr D 14 9 11 20 14312
Bucyk, JohnJohn Bucyk LW 14 11 8 19 2401
McKenzie, JohnJohn McKenzie RW 14 5 12 17 35003
Stanfield, FredFred Stanfield LW 14 4 12 16 6200
Hodge, KenKen Hodge RW 14 3 10 13 7001
Cashman, WayneWayne Cashman LW 14 5 4 9 50002
Sanderson, DerekDerek Sanderson C 14 5 4 9 72120
Westfall, EdEd Westfall D/RW 14 3 5 8 4011
Carleton, WayneWayne Carleton LW 14 2 4 6 14000
Awrey, DonDon Awrey D 14 0 5 5 32000
Smith, RickRick Smith D 14 1 3 4 17000
Smith, DallasDallas Smith D 14 0 3 3 19000
Marcotte, DonDon Marcotte LW 14 2 0 2 11010
Lorentz, JimJim Lorentz C/RW 11 1 0 1 4000
Speer, BillBill Speer D 8 1 0 1 4000
Cheevers, GerryGerry Cheevers G 13 0 1 1 2000
Doak, GaryGary Doak D 8 0 0 0 9000
Johnston, EddieEddie Johnston G 1 0 0 0 2000
Lesuk, BillBill Lesuk LW 2 0 0 0 0000
Schock, DannyDanny Schock LW 1 0 0 0 0000
Goaltending
Player MIN GP W L GA GAA SO
Cheevers, GerryGerry Cheevers 781 13 12 1 29 2.23 0
Johnston, EddieEddie Johnston 60 1 0 1 4 4.00 0
Team: 841 14 12 2 33 2.35 0

[3]

Note:

Pos = Position; GPI = Games played in; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes; +/- = Plus/minus; PPG = Power-play goals; SHG = Short-handed goals; GWG = Game-winning goals
Min, TOI = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T,T/OT = Ties; OTL = Overtime losses; GA = Goals-against; GAA = Goals-against average; SO = Shutouts; SA = Shots against; SV = Shots saved; SV% = Save percentage;

Awards and records

Boston Bruins 1970 Stanley Cup champions

Roster

  Centres
  Wingers
  Defencemen
  Goaltenders


  Coaching and administrative staff

Stanley Cup engraving

Draft picks

Boston's draft picks at the 1969 NHL Amateur Draft

Round # Player Nationality College/Junior/Club Team (League)
13 Don Tannahill  Canada Niagara Falls Flyers (OHA)
14 Frank Spring  Canada Edmonton Oil Kings (WCHL)
111 Ivan Boldirev  Yugoslavia Oshawa Generals (OHA)
222 Art Quoquochi  Canada Montreal Junior Canadiens (OHA)
334 Nels Jacobson  Canada Winnipeg Jets (WCHA)
446 Ron Fairbrother  Canada Saskatoon Blades (WCHL)
558 Jeremy Wright  Canada Calgary Centennials (WCHL)
669 Jim Jones  Canada Peterborough Petes (OHA)
This sports-related list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "1969–1970 Division Standings Standings - NHL.com - Standings". National Hockey League.
  2. ↑ "Orr statue unveiled: In flight forever". NHL.com. May 10, 2010.
  3. ↑ "1969-70 Boston Bruins Statistics - Hockey-Reference.com". hockey-reference.com. Retrieved 2009-06-09.
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