Players did not like Claude Ruel's dictatorial rule as coach, and Ralph Backstrom and John Ferguson retired. The Montreal Canadiens, who missed the playoffs in 1969–70, appeared to be sinking once more. Louis' stranglehold over the division, winning handily over the Blues and advancing to the Stanley Cup finals.
In the West Division, the powerful Chicago Black Hawks had been moved there partially to accommodate the expansion Buffalo Sabres and Vancouver Canucks (both of which were placed in the East Division) but more in an effort to provide greater balance between the divisions. Furthermore, the Bruins set marks for the highest scoring single season marks at every position: center (Esposito), left wing ( Johnny Bucyk with 116), right wing ( Ken Hodge with 105) and defence (Orr), as well as for a forward line (Esposito centering Wayne Cashman and Hodge).īoston won the East Division championship in a runaway. They had 6 of the top 8 scorers in the league. The Bruins also had the four league leading scorers, the first time in history this was achieved (the only other time being by the Bruins in 1974), and seven of the top eleven leading scorers, the only time in NHL history this has ever been achieved. Defenceman Bobby Orr won his second consecutive Hart Memorial Trophy and set a new record for assists with 102. Phil Esposito set records for most goals in a season with 76 and for most points with 152. They also set records for most victories (57) and points (121). This season saw a marked increase in goal scoring, especially by the Boston Bruins, who shattered scoring records as they set the mark for most goals by a team (399) by nearly a hundred over the previous record holder. Nevertheless, playoff qualification was determined entirely by divisional standings, with the top four teams in each division qualifying. The NHL added two expansion teams in Buffalo and Vancouver.Īt the beginning of the season, the Oakland Seals were renamed California Golden Seals.įrom this season through the 2002–03 season, teams wore their white (or yellow) jerseys at home and their colored jerseys on the road.įor 1970–71 the NHL went to a balanced schedule, with each team playing each other team six times, three at home and three on the road, without regard to divisional alignment.