Simmons just happened to be in net when the beat the Hawks in the Finals, but Bower was the man for them in the playoffs.
But they weren't the most skilled team. The Habs were!
They finished first, yes, five points ahead of the fourth-place Wings. Not exactly blowing the league away, and that was their only first-place finish the entire decade. And the reason they swept through the playoffs is because Bower had an absolutely stellar postseason, one for the ages. His domination of the Habs that year will always be etched in my mind.
That was the general impression from the stands, as well. Never could stand Imlach.
Yes, but many of those HOFers were in for their accomplishments with other teams, and I'm not sure it's representative of their talent level anyway. The "Over the Hill Gang" (tell us what the players thought of that moniker, CH) with it's ten Hall of Famers was outscored during the regular season and finished in third place. Personally, I think some of the HOF inductions from those teams are rather dubious as it is.
Sorry, don't mean to crap all over the thread. I was a Habs worshipper at the time, and I probably still hold some hostility towards those Toronto teams. Provost's OT goal to end the Leafs Cup run is one of my most vivid and lasting hockey memories.