c9777666
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- Aug 31, 2016
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This is a Cup Final we seemingly don't hear a lot. Esp. compared to the summit series that came before 1972-73.
The Chicago/Montreal series of 1971 had more well-known moments (Dryden's rookie magic culmination, Henri Richard vs Al MacNeil, Lemaire from the blueline, Pocket Rocket's clutch series winner, the end of an era for Beliveau).
It's interesting looking back on their 73 rematch that didn't have as many standout moments but is still an interesting series in its own way.
For one thing, it was the first of 10 Stanley Cups for Scotty Bowman as head coach.
Plus, the 73 Habs had 11 future hall of famers- the only other team to have as many HHOF'ers on a team at once were the legendary 2002 Red Wings. Even the 50s and late 70s Habs didn't have THAT many hall of famers at once.
Both teams had differences compared to prior and future years.
Montreal didn't have some of the veterans near the end in 71 (Beliveau, Ferguson) and the famous names of the 4 straight Cup teams weren't quite there yet (Guy LaFleur wasn't yet GUY LAFLEUR, Larry Robinson was a few years away from becoming dominant, Steve Shutt was a rookie.)
But even without some of the names of past lore or future dynasty, they still had an absurd 52-10-16 record for 120 points, 13 points ahead of BOS even with Orr/Espo going over 100 (MTL's only first place finish from 1970-1974)
Their 120 points were only 1 less point than 71 BOS despite the lack of individual superstar standout performance save for Dryden's first Vezina (which he still would have won under today's criteria.)
Chicago meanwhile was essentially the same team from the 1971 team that almost won the Cup minus Bobby Hull (this was after his famous departure for WPG) and had surprisingly swept a Ranger team that made the 72 Cup Final and almost made it back the following year.
If their 71 series was mostly close games (2-0, 3-2, 4-3, 2-1), this was the opposite.
The 73 series had scores of 8-3, 7-4, 6-4, and an outrageous 8-7 game at the Forum.
If the 1971 SCF standout offensive players were the Mahovlich brothers (big and little M), 73 was the Yvan Cournoyer show (6 games, 6 goals, 12 points).
Esposito/Dryden gave us some good goalie duels in 71, but here.......... anything but.
Outside of a 4-0 game 4 shutout, Dryden didn't exactly play like he had in the 71 Finals.
This Day in Hockey History – May 8, 1973 – Defense Drops Under Offense Onslaught
Your thoughts on the other CHI/MTL SCF of the 70s?
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