July, 2025 Athlete of the Month

 June

 

Scottie Scheffler.  Runners-up: Cal Raleigh, Iga Swiatek, Jannik Sinner

January-Patrick Mahomes

February-Jalen Hurts

March-Alysa Liu

April-Alex Ovechkin

May-Aaron Judge

June-Shai Gilgeous Alexander

July-Scottie Scheffler

All Time 64 Team NHL Tournament - Region 4

Region 3 

3/4 of the elite 8 is set, 3 Montreal teams, 2 Islanders teams all from the same era - and the '01 Avalanche.  2 spots remain.

1. 1976 Montreal Canadiens          Stanley Cup Champions (d. Flyers 4-0)

2. 1973 Montreal Canadiens          Stanley Cup Champions (d. Black Hawks 4-2)

3. 1975 Philadelphia Flyers            Stanley Cup Champions (d. Sabres 4-2)

4. 1940 New York Rangers            Stanley Cup Champions (d. Leafs 4-2)

5. 2013 Chicago BlackHawks       Stanley Cup Champions (d. Bruins 4-2)

6. 1988 Edmonton Oilers                Stanley Cup Champions (d. Bruins 4-0)

7. 1999 Dallas Stars                         Stanley Cup Champions (d. Sabres 4-2)

8. 1983 New York Islanders           Stanley Cup Champions (d. Oilers 4-0)

9. 1955 Detroit Red Wings              Stanley Cup Champions (d. Canadiens 4-3)

10. 1954 Detroit Red Wings            Stanley Cup Champions (d. Canadiens 4-3)

11. 1958 Montreal Canadiens         Stanley Cup Champions (d. Bruins 4-2)

12. 1960 Montreal Canadiens         Stanley Cup Champions (d. Leafs 4-0)

13. 2000 New Jersey Devils             Stanley Cup Champions (d. Stars 4-2)

14. 2015 Chicago Black Hawks      Stanley Cup Champions (d. Lightning 4-2)

15. 1971 Boston Bruins                   East Champs (L Qtr Finals Canadiens 4-3)

16. 1974 Boston Bruins                   East Champs (L Finals Flyers 4-2)

16. '74 BRUINS d. '76 CANADIENS 2-0

-Boston knocked off Montreal in a 16/1 upset in region 3 and it happens again here.  5-2 in game one. 2 goals each for John Bucyk and Ken Hodge.  3-1 Boston in game 2 to wrap it up.  41 saves for Gilles Gilbert. 

8. '83 ISLANDERS d. '55 RED WINGS 2-0

-The Islanders have 2 teams in the Elite 8 and here comes a third. 3-1 game one win; Denis Potvin has a goal and an assist. 28 saves for Rollie Melanson.  3-0 shutout win to close out the series, 24 saves for Melanson - Terry Sawchuk with 54 saves in the loss.

5. '13 BLACKHAWKS d. 12. '60 CANADIENS 2-1

-Chicago keeps fighting for a spot in the elite 8.  6-2 winners in game one.  Marian Hossa with 2 goals, Bryan Bickell with a goal and 3 assists. Montreal came back to win game 2, 4-3 in OT. Dickie Moore with the winner 10 minutes in. Rocket Richard had 2 goals, Henri Richard had a goal and 3 assists. Chicago wins game 3 in OT, 5-4.  Jonathan Toews with the tying goal with 5 minutes left in regulation and the series clinching goal 10 minutes into OT.  

4. '40 RANGERS d. 13. '00 DEVILS 2-1

-The oldest team in the field heads to round two. 3-1 win in game one. 19 saves for Dave Kerr. Martin Brodeur comes back with a game 2 1-0 shutout to keep the Devils alive.  26 saves, Kerr had 36 in the loss.  Every goal in game 3 was scored in the final period, 3-1 Rangers. Neil Colville with two of those goals and an assist on a third.  

6. '88 OILERS d. 11. '58 CANADIENS 2-0

-The Final chance for an Edmonton team to make the elite 8.  7-2 winners in game one. Craig Simpson had 4 goals, Wayne Gretzky four assists.  5-3 Oilers in game 2.  Grant Fuhr stopped 43 shots.  

14. '15 BLACKHAWKS d. '75 FLYERS 2-1

-3 very tight games and a second Chicago squad reaches round 2 in the final region. Chicago takes game one, 2-1 in OT, Marian Hossa scoring a minute into the extra period.  Corey Crawford stopped 31 shots.  Flyers 2-0 shutout in game 2. Bernie Parent with 22 saves.  Another Blackhawk OT win ends the series, 3-2. Jonathan Toews tied the game with barely a minute to play and 7 and a half minutes into the extra period, Duncan Keith sent the last Flyer squad remaining home.  

7. '99 STARS d. 10. '15 RED WINGS 2-1

Dallas drops game one but recovers to take the series. 4-2 Wings in game one, 37 saves for Terry Sawchuk. Dallas comes back in game 2, 4-1. 29 saves for Ed Belfour.  Finally - game 3, a 1-0 shutout to send Dallas to round 2. 32 saves for Belfour, 38 for Sawchuk in the loss, Tony Hrkac with the game's lone goal.  

2. '73 CANADIENS d. 15. '71 BRUINS 2-1

-Montreal claims the final slot in round 2.  Habs take game 1, 4-3. 2 goals and an assist for Jacques Lemaire. Boston wins 6-4 to even the series, 2 goals for Phil Esposito. Last first round game of the first round goes to the Canadiens, 2-1. 35 Ken Dryden saves. 

ROUND TWO

8. '83 Islanders v. 16. '74 Bruins

4. '40 Rangers v. 5. '13 Blackhawks

6. '88 Oilers v. 14. '15 Blackhawks

2. '73 Canadiens v. 7. '99 Stars

8. '83 ISLANDERS d. 16. '74 BRUINS 2-1

-Home teams win all 3 games and the Islanders reach yet another sweet 16. 4-3 New York in game 1, Mike Bossy with a game winning goal with 5 minutes left in regulation. Boston blows the Islanders out 10-3 in game two. 4 goals for Phil Esposito, 3 goals and 2 assists for Ken Hodge. One game for the series - and again, the Islanders win by a goal, 5-4 in OT. Bossy scored with just 30 seconds left in regulation to force OT and Denis Potvin won the series 5 minutes into the extra session. 2 goal game for Bryan Trottier.

5. '13 BLACKHAWKS d. 4. '40 RANGERS 2-0

-Chicago sweeps into the sweet 16. 2-1 Chicago in game 1, 24 saves for Corey Crawford. Crawford then shuts out the Rangers in game 2, 2-0 to end the series. 25 saves.

14. '15 BLACKHAWKS d. 6. 88 OILERS 2-1

-Back to back series wins for Chicago and Wayne Gretzky does not reach the elite 8.  5-1 Chicago in game 1, Jonathan Toews and Brandon Saad with 2 goals each, Edmonton comes back with a 7-1 win in game 2. Craig Simpson with the Hat Trick, 4 assists for Gretzky.  Chicago wins game 3 4-1 to move on.  41 saves for Corey Crawford.

2. '73 CANADIENS d. '99 STARS 2-0

Montreal takes both games of the series and heads to another sweet 16. 4-2 Montreal. 2 assist game for Jacques Lemaire. 6-5 Montreal in OT wraps it up.  Pete Mahovlich with the game tying goal with 2 and a half left in regulation and 6 and half minutes into OT Yvan Cournoyer won it.  

SWEET 16

5. '13 Blackhawks v. 8. '83 Islanders

2. '73 Canadiens v. 14. '15 Blackhawks

8. '83 ISLANDERS d. 5. '13 BLACKHAWKS 2-1

The New York Islanders tie the Canadiens, their third team reaching the Elite 8.  Blackhawks win game one 5-2. Jonathan Toews with 2 goals, 2 assists. Islanders take game 2, 7-2. Clark Gilles and John Tonelli each with 2 goals. Islanders take game 3 and the series, 27 saves for Rollie Melanson. 

2. '73 CANADIENS d. 14. '15 BLACKHAWKS 2-1

-The Islanders and Canadiens have dominated this tournament - they'll meet in two elite 8 matchups.  5-1 Montreal in game one. Jacques Lemaire and Guy LaFleur with 2 goals each. Chicago then takes game 2, 2-1. 21 saves for Corey Crawford.  Ken Dryden shuts out the Blackhawks 2-0 in game 3 to win the series and end the regional round.  31 saves.

ELITE 8

1973 CANADIENS v. 1983 ISLANDERS.  

All Time 64 Team NHL Tournament-Region 3

Region 2

1. 1944 Montreal Canadiens            Stanley Cup Champions (d. Black Hawks 4-0)

2. 1989 Calgary Flames                    Stanley Cup Champions (d. Canadiens 4-2)

3. 1985 Edmonton Oilers                  Stanley Cup Champions (d. Flyers 4-1)

4. 1974 Philadelphia Flyers              Stanley Cup Champions (d. Bruins 4-2)

5. 2001 Colorado Avalanche             Stanley Cup Champions (d. Devils 4-3)

6. 1968 Montreal Canadiens            Stanley Cup Champions (d. Blues 4-0)

7. 1951 Toronto Maple Leafs           Stanley Cup Champions (d. Canadiens 4-1)

8. 1994 New York Rangers               Stanley Cup Champions (d. Canucks 4-3)

9. 2002 Detroit Red Wings                Stanley Cup Champions (d. Hurricanes 4-1)

10. 1956 Montreal Canadiens           Stanley Cup Champions (d. Red Wings 4-1)

11. 1970 Boston Bruins                      Stanley Cup Champions (d. Blues 4-0)

12. 1992 Pittsburgh Penguins           Stanley Cup Champions (d. Black Hawks 4-0)

13. 1966 Montreal Canadiens            Stanley Cup Champions (d. Red Wings 4-2)

14. 1997 Detroit Red Wings               Stanley Cup Champions (d. Flyers 4-0)

15. 1979 New York Islanders             Patrick Champs (L Semis Rangers 4-2)

16. 2023 Boston Bruins                      Atlantic Champs (L 1st Rnd Panthers 4-3)

16. 2023 BRUINS d. 1. 1944 CANADIENS 2-1

They lost just 5 games in '44, but drop 2 in round 1 to a team 80 years from their future.  Montreal won game 1 5-2. Ray Getliffe had 2 goals. Boston had to win the next two games in Montreal to advance and they do.  They take game 2 6-3. Hampus Lindholm busted the +/1 high for the tournament with 5, he had a goal and a tournament high 5 assists.  Game 3 was a 2-1 OT win for the Bruins. Boston led 1-0 most of the game, Toe Blake scored the tying goal with a little over a minute to play.  A minute into OT it was done, David Krejci with the game winner.  

8. '94 RANGERS d. 9. '02 RED WINGS 2-0

New York handles Detroit with 2 blow out wins.  6-2 in game one. Adam Graves with the game of the tournament - 5, count them, 5 goals.  Multiple Rangers with a +5 for the game. 5 goals!  I'm confident no one is scoring 6.  5 is the NHL postseason record for goals in a game, so this ties that mark.  Just an all timer.  And then New York wins game 2 7-1.  Mark Messier with 2 goals, 2 assists.  

5. '01 AVALANCHE d. '92 PENGUINS  2-0

Colorado sweeps into round 2.  5-3 game one win.  2 assists each for Ray Bourque and Joe Sakic. And then 6-3 in game 2. Peter Forsberg with 2 goals, 2 assists.  

4. '74 FLYERS d. 13 '66 CANADIENS 2-1

-Broad St Bullies head to round 2.  4-1 Flyers win in game 1 scoring the game's final 3 goals.  Gary Dornhoefer with a goal and 2 assists.  Canadiens take game 2 3-2 in OT.  Claude LaRose tied the game at 1 with 53 seconds left in regulation, and 10 minutes into OT Ralph Backstrom won it.  41 saves for Gump Worsley. Philly wins the series 4-3 in game 3. Flyers score 2 in the first, Canadiens come back with 3 in the second - and then the Flyers score 2 in the third to advance.  Bill Barber with the game winning goal and two assists. 

11. '70 BRUINS d. '68 CANADIENS 2-1

Boston beat Montreal in the first series of the region and they do it again here.  Habs take game 1 3-2. Yvan Cournoyer with 2 goals, Gerry Cheevers had 48 saves in the loss.  Boston wins game 2 5-3, breaking open a 3-3 tie with two late goals.  Bobby Orr with a goal and 3 assists.  Boston takes the decisive game 3-2, trailing 2-0 entering the final period but then scoring 3 goals in 10 minutes to advance.  John Bucyk has 2 goals - Gerry Cheevers sets a tournament high with 66 saves, that would be the 8th most saves in a game in NHL playoff history.

3. '85 OILERS d. 14. '97 RED WINGS 2-0

Edmonton heads to round 2.  6-5 win in game 1.  Wayne Gretzky with 2 goals and an assist, Paul Coffey with 4 assists.  7-3 Oilers win in game 2.  Gretzky with 4 goals and 2 assists. 3 assists for Jari Kurri.  

7. '51 MAPLE LEAFS d. 10. '56 CANADIENS 2-1

Battle of two Champs from the 50s. Toronto wins game 1, 4-2, Bill Juzda scoring two goals. Montreal forces a decisive game with a game 2 2-1 win. Bernie Geoffrion with 2 goals including the game winner. Toronto takes game 3 3-2. Jimmy Thomson with the game winning goal and an assist.  

15. '79 ISLANDERS d. 2. '89 FLAMES 2-0

The top two seeds in the region both get swept out of the first round, the Islanders pound the Flames in game 1, 9-2. Clark Gilles and Bryan Trottier both go +5, 2 goals and 3 assists for Gilles, 4 assists and a goal for Trottier, a Hat Trick for Mike Bossy.  And then a 5-4 OT game 2 win to end round one. Joe Nieuwendyk Hat Trick for the Flames, including a game tying goal late in regulation - but Bryan Tottier matches him with a Hat Trick of his own, capped with the series winner in OT. Trottier added 2 assists.

ROUND TWO

8. 1994 Rangers v. 16. 2023 Bruins

4. 1974 Flyers v. 5. 2001 Avalanche

3. 1985 Oilers v. 11. 1970 Bruins

7. 1951 Maple Leafs v. 15. 1979 Islanders

16. '23 BRUINS d. '94 RANGERS 2-0

-The 2023 Bruins got bounced in the first round but they reach the Sweet 16 with a sweep of the '94 Champs. 3-1 in game one. Charlie McAvoy with a goal and an assist. The Bruins then finished the series at home, 6-2. Patrice Bergeron with a goal and an assist.  

5. '01 AVALANCHE d. 4. '74 FLYERS 2-0

Colorado reaches the sweet 16.  Game 1 shutout, 3-0, Patrick Roy stopping all 29 Flyers shots.  Avalanche take game 2 4-3 in OT, Alex Tanguay scored 2, the second was the game winner.  

3. '85 OILERS d. '70 BRUINS 2-0

-Edmonton sets the tournament record with 15 goals scored in two games.  Game one was 8-7 in OT, Edmonton scored 4 third period goals to tie it up and then a Glenn Anderson OT goal sends the home crowd home happy. Anderson, Wayne Gretzky, Charlie Huddy all with 2 goals. John Bucyk with the Hat Trick in the loss.  And then 7-2 in game two to end the series.  46 saves for Grant Fuhr. Hat Trick for Jari Kurri. 2 goals and 3 assists for Gretzky.

15. '79 ISLANDERS d. 7. '51 MAPLE LEAFS 2-0

-All four second round series end in 2-0 sweeps.  6-3 Islanders in game 1. Bob Bourne with the Hat Trick. 4 assists for Bryan Trottier.  Islanders finish it off 3-1 in game 2.  23 saves for Glenn Resch.  

SWEET 16

5. '01 Avalanche v. 16. '23 Bruins

3. '85 Oilers v. 15. '79 Islanders

5. '01 AVALANCHE d. 16. '23 BRUINS  2-0.  

-Colorado is into the Elite 8.  Game one featured the first 1-0 shutout of the tournament. Patrick Roy stopped all 29 Bruins shots on goal. 3-2 Avalanche in game 2.  OT win in this one, Milan Hejduk 90 seconds into OT with the game winner. 

15. '79 ISLANDERS d. 3. '85 OILERS 2-1

-Sweeps in every series - except for the last one of the region, the 15th seeded Islanders earning a spot in the Elite 8.  7-4 Islanders in game one, 4 third period goals for the Islanders, Hat Trick for Mike Bossy, 3 assists for Bryan Trottier. Edmonton came back with a 10-9 OT win in a wild game two, the teams combining for 7 third period goals before Wayne Gretzky ended it 11 minutes into OT, Gretzky's 5th goal of the night.  Mark Messier had 2 goals and 4 assists. Clark Gilles had 2 goals and 5 assists for the Islanders.  So, it came down to game 3, the Islanders winning 8-5.  Mike Bossy with another hat trick. 2 goals for Gretzky in the loss.  

ELITE 8

2001 AVALANCHE V. 1979 ISLANDERS

All Time 64 Team NHL Tournament-Region 2

Region 1

1. 1978 Montreal Canadiens        Stanley Cup Champions (d. Bruins 4-2)

2. 1982 New York Islanders         Stanley Cup Champions (d. Canucks 4-0)

3. 1959 Montreal Canadiens        Stanley Cup Champions (d. Leafs 4-1)

4. 1972 Boston Bruins                   Stanley Cup Champions (d. Rangers 4-2)

5. 1987 Edmonton Oilers             Stanley Cup Champions (d. Flyers 4-3)

6. 1952 Detroit Red Wings            Stanley Cup Champions (d. Canadiens 4-0)

7. 1996 Colorado Avalanche         Stanley Cup Champions (d. Panthers 4-0)

8. 2020 Tampa Bay Lightning     Stanley Cup Champions (d. Stars 4-2)

9. 2010 Chicago Black Hawks       Stanley Cup Champions (d. Flyers 4-2)

10. 1971 Montreal Canadiens        Stanley Cup Champions (d. Black Hawks 4-3)

11. 2007 Anaheim Ducks                Stanley Cup Champions (d. Senators 4-1)

12. 1943 Detroit Red Wings           Stanley Cup Champions (d. Bruins 4-0)

13. 1986 Montreal Canadiens        Stanley Cup Champions (d. Flames 4-1)

14. 1962 Toronto Maple Leafs        Stanley Cup Champions (d. Black Hawks 4-2)

15. 2016 Pittsburgh Penguins          Stanley Cup Champions (d. Sharks 4-2)

16. 1972 New York Rangers            2nd East (L Finals Bruins 4-2)

1. '78 CANADIENS d. 16. '72 RANGERS  2-0

-Region 2 begins with the top seed taking both games in their round one matchup.  4-2 Habs in game one. 2 goals, 2 assists for Jacques Lemaire. A goal and 2 assists for Guy LaFleur. Game 2 was 3-1. 3 assists for Serge Sevard. 

9. '10 BLACKHAWKS d. 8. '20 LIGHTNING 2-1

-Tampa takes game 1, but the Black Hawks come back, win 2 and 3 and head to round 2.  Game 1 was tied at 1 until Anthony Cirelli lit the lamp with 14 seconds to play to send the home crowd into a frenzy with a 2-1 win. Chicago wins game 2 3-2.  Tampa led 2-1 entering the final period, but goals by Brian Campbell and Patrick Sharp evened the series.  Game 3 as about Christopher Huet, he stopped 34 shots on goal and shut the Lightning out, 5-0.  2 goals apiece for Campbell and Sharp.

5. '87 OILERS d. 12. '43 RED WINGS 2-0

-Edmonton takes both games and moves to round 2. Two goals and an assist for both Wayne Gretzky and Esa Tikkanen in a 5-2 win.  Edmonton takes game 2 6-5, 2 goals and an assist for Kevin Lowe.  

13. '86 CANADIENS d. 4. '72 BRUINS 2-1

-Montreal wins game 1 3-1, all 3 goals scored in the first 13 minutes of the contest.  41 saves for Patrick Roy.  Games 2 and 3 were both 6-5 OT thrillers.  Boston takes game 2, Derek Sanderson winning the game 9 immediately off the opening OT faceoff.  Hat Trick for Phil Esposito.  And finally - not even 15 seconds into OT in game 3 Mats Naslund finished off a hat trick with a series clinching goal. A goal and 3 assists for Bobby Smith.

6. '52 RED WINGS d. 11. '07 DUCKS 2-0

-Wings take both games here; 5-2 Game One win, 2 goals and an assist for Gordie Howe. 3 assists for Ted Lindsay. 35 saves for Terry Sawchuk. 5-4 in game two. 2 goals and an assist for Ted Lindsay, 3 assists and a goal for Gordie Howe.  

14. '62 MAPLE LEAFS d. 3. '59 CANADIENS 2-1

-A rare Canadien round one exit.  Montreal takes game one, 5-2. 4 goals for Dickie Moore, a tournament high.  Jean Beliveau had a goal and 3 assists.  The Leafs bounce back for the 6-2 game 2 win. 2 goals for George Armstrong, 42 saves for Johnny Bower.  The Leafs then take the decisive third game on the road, 3-2 in OT.  Frank Mahovlich with the game winner 15 minutes into the extra period to send Toronto to round two. Dave Keon had 2 goals - Johnny Bower with probably the goaltending game of the tournament, 54 saves.  

7. '96 AVALANCHE d. 10. '71 CANADIENS 2-1

-Patrick Roy knocks off the Habs.  3-2 win for Colorado in game one, A goal and 2 assists for both Valeri Kamensky and Joe Sakic. Montreal takes game 2 5-4. Frank Mahovlich with a late game winner.  Finally, game 3, another 3-2 Colorado win, a late series winning goal for Sakic.  

2. '82 ISLANDERS d. 15. '16 PENGUINS 2-0

-Round one wraps up for region 2 with a sweep by the Islanders. Game 1 is 5-2, the Islanders with 3 unanswered in the third. 40 saves for Billy Smith.  And they win the series in game 2, 3-1. Pittsburgh's lone goal coming on a penalty shot, Smith continuing his excellent play for the Islanders.

ROUND TWO

1. 1978 CANADIENS v. 9. 2010 BLACKHAWKS

5. 1987 OILERS v. 13. 1986 CANADIENS

6. 1952 RED WINGS v. 14. 1962 MAPLE LEAFS

2. 1982 ISLANDERS v. 7. 1996 AVALANCHE

1. '78 CANADIENS d. 9. '10 BLACKHAWKS 2-1

Road teams win games 1 and 2.  5-2 Chicago win in game 1, 2 goals for Patrick Sharp, a goal and 3 assists for Patrick Kane. The top seeds had to go on the road and win game two to survive - they did, 3-1, third period goals by Jacques Lemaire and Guy LaFleur breaking open a tie game. Ken Dryden was pulled with 13 minutes left in game 1, but he shuts out the Hawks 5-0 in game 3 to advance to the sweet 16. A goal and 2 assists for Steve Schutt.  

5. '87 OILERS d. 13. '86 CANADIENS 2-0

-Edmonton sweeps into the Sweet 16. 8-2 game 1 win. Wayne Gretzky had 2 goals, 2 assists. Glenn Anderson had 2 goals and an assist. 4 assists for Mark Messier. Esa Tikkanen was +4, a tournament best mark.  6-5 win for the Oilers in game 2. Gretzky again with 2 goals, including the game winner, 2 goals for Messier. 

6. '52 RED WINGS d. 14. '62 MAPLE LEAFS 2-1

-Just like the first series of the round, road teams take games 1 and 2 before the favored home team survives in the decisive game 3. 5-2 Leafs in Game 1, Toronto busting open a 2-2 mid 3rd period deadlock with 3 bang/bang/bang goals.  Bob Nevin had 2 goals and an assist. 37 saves for Johnny Bower.  The Red Wings take game 2 on the road to send the series back to the Motor City, 2 goals for Metro Prystai.  Game 3 in Detroit.    Red Wings led 4-1 and withstood a late 2 goal rally by the Leafs to advance. 2 goals, 2 assists for Gordie Howe.  

2. '82 ISLANDERS d. 7. '96 AVALANCHE 2-1

-3 one goal games in the final series of round 2.  Islanders 5-4 win in game one, John Tonelli with a hat trick. Colorado staves off elimination with a 6-5 OT win in game two, Joe Sakic scored the knot the game with less than 90 seconds remaining in regulation, and a dozen minutes into OT Andrei Kovalenko won it.  4 goal game for Sakic, tying the tourney high.  Then came game 3 and an OT win for the Islanders, 7-6. 2 more goals for Tonelli, including the series winner in OT. Mike Bossy had a hat trick with 2 assists. Sakic followed his 4 goal game with 2 goals and 2 assists in the loss.  

SWEET 16

1. '78 Canadiens v. 5. '87 Oilers

2. '82 Islanders v. 6. '52 Red Wings

1. '78 CANADIENS d. 5. '87 OILERS 2-0

Montreal places its 3rd team into the Elite 8, sweeping their way through the Oilers.  5-3 game one win, Steve Shutt with 2 goals. Game 2 goes the same way, 5-3 Montreal. Guy LaFleur with 2 goals. Kevin McClelland, Marty McSorley both ejected in the first period for Edmonton, the first ejections of the tournament.  

2. '82 ISLANDERS d. '52 RED WINGS 2-0

The top two seeds survive region 2 and head to the Elite 8.  Islanders 4-1 in Game 1.  Mike Bossy had 2 goals and an assist. New York with the big 6-0 road win to clinch the series in game 2. 27 saves for Billy Smith. 2 goals for Clark Gilles

ELITE 8

1978 CANADIENS v. 1982 ISLANDERS

All Time 64 Team NHL Tournament-Region 1

 Same simulation engine I always use, the teams span from '41-'24.  Best of 3 series all the way to the elite 8 before shifting to a best of 7.

Region One

1. 1977 Montreal Canadiens            Stanley Cup Champions  (d. Bruins 4-0)

2. 1984 Edmonton Oilers                  Stanley Cup Champions  (d. Islanders 4-1)

3. 1979 Montreal Canadiens            Stanley Cup Champions (d. Rangers 4-1)

4. 1941 Boston Bruins                       Stanley Cup Champions  (d. Red Wings 4-0)

5. 1981 New York Islanders              Stanley Cup Champions (d. North Stars 4-1)

6. 2022 Colorado Avalanche             Stanley Cup Champions (d. Lightning 4-2)

7. 2008 Detroit Red Wings               Stanley Cup Champions (d. Penguins 4-2)

8. 2017 Pittsburgh Penguins          Stanley Cup Champions (d. Predators 4-2)

9. 2024 Florida Panthers                  Stanley Cup Champions (d. Oilers 4-3)

10. 2004 Tampa Bay Lightning       Stanley Cup Champions (d. Flames 4-3)

11. 1950 Detroit Red Wings             Stanley Cup Champions (d. Rangers 4-3)

12. 1969 Montreal Canadiens            Stanley Cup Champions (d. Blues 4-0)

13. 2003 New Jersey Devils              Stanley Cup Champions (d. Mighty Ducks 4-3)

14. 2011 Boston Bruins                     Stanley Cup Champions (d. Canucks 4-3)

15. 1982 Montreal Canadiens          Adams Champs (L Div Semis Nordiques 3-2)

16. 1976 Philadelphia Flyers           Patrick Champs (L Finals Canadiens 4-0)

ROUND ONE

1. '77 CANADIENS d. 16. '76 FLYERS 2-0

-Montreal takes the first series of the tournament, 2 games 0.  Steve Schutt has 2 goals and an assist in a 5-1 Game 1 for the Habs; Dave Schultz ejected for the Flyers. Montreal scored two goals in the first minute of Game 2 on their way to the 5-2 series clincher.  2 goals for Guy LaFleur, another goal and 3 assists for Schutt.   Top seeded Habs move on.

9. '24 PANTHERS d. 8. '17 PENGUINS 2-0

-Panthers go to Pittsburgh and take both games from the Pens to advance. 3-2 OT win in game 1, Sam Reinhart scoring 64 seconds into OT.  The teams' goaltenders combining for 64 saves. Florida scored 3 in the first period of game 2 on their way to a 5-1 win. Hat Trick for Reinhart in this one, 4 assists for Matthew Tkachuk.

5. '81 ISLANDERS d. '69 CANADIENS 2-1

-Our first 3 game series, Montreal took game 1 in OT, 4-3, John Ferguson with the game winner 14 minutes into OT. Ferguson had 2 goals, as did JC Tremblay. 3 assists for Jean Beliveau, including on the game winner. Billy Smith had 46 saves for the Islanders. 5-3 Islanders win in game 2 to force a decisive game. 2 goals for Bob Bourne, a goal and 2 assists for Bryan Trottier. And then the Islanders take the series with a 7-5 game 3 win. 2 goals for John Tonelli, a goal and 2 assists for Bourne.  

13. '03 DEVILS d. 4. '41 BRUINS 2-1

-Devils take game 3 in Boston and we have our biggest upset.  Boston opened the series with a 2-0 shutout, both goals scored in the third period. 30 saves for Frank Brimsek.  The Devils stayed alive with a 2-1 OT game 2 win, Turner Stevenson with the winning goal 4:30 into OT.  41 more saves for Brimsek in the loss.  The Devils win the series with a shutout of their own, 3-0, goal and 2 assists for Jay Pandolfo. 32 saves for Martin Brodeur.

6. '22 AVALANCE d. '50 RED WINGS 2-0

-In Game 1, Detroit had a 2-1 lead with 5 minutes remaining when they went shorthanded after a Clare Martin roughing penalty, the Avalanche tied it during that power play and then, with just 90 seconds left in regulation, a Cale Makar goal gave Colorado the win.  Harry Lumley had 43 saves in the loss  Colorado scored 2 in the first period of game 2 and won 3-1 to advance.  Another goal and an assist for Makar.  

3. '79 CANADIENS d. 14. '11 BRUINS 2-0

-Easy wins for Montreal, 5-1 in game 1, they had a 4-0 lead midway through the second period.  A goal and 2 assists for Doug Jarvis. Game 2 was a 4-1 final, 3 assists for Steve Schutt, 32 Ken Dryden saves.  

7. '08 RED WINGS d. 10. '24 LIGHTNING  2-1

-Underdog Tampa took game 1, 5-1.  2 goals each for Pavel Kubina and Fredrik Modin.  Detroit tallied for 2nd period goals in game 2 to take it 6-3. 2 goals/3 assists each for Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg.  Chris Osgood shut out the Lightning 3-0 in game 3 to advance. 2 goals for Henrik Zetterberg.

15. '82 CANADIENS d. 2. '84 OILERS 2-0

Montreal sends its 3rd team into round 2 in the region. 7-6 in Game 1, Edmonton scored twice in the first 3 minutes and had a 4-2 lead through one period.  Early in the 4th, Montreal trailed 6-4 and with a minute left in the game, it was still 6-5, but with 44 seconds left, Keith Acton tied it - and with 13 seconds left, Mark Napier scored his third goal of the game and the Habs took it.  2 goals for Wayne Gretzky in the defeat.  Montreal wins game 2, 4-3, 2 assists for Larry Robinson and they hold Gretzky scoreless with a negative +/-.

SECOND ROUND

1. 1977 Canadiens v. 9. 2024 Panthers

5. 1981 Islanders v. 13. 2003 Devils

3. 1979 Canadiens v. 6. 2022 Avalanche

7. 2008 Red Wings v. 15. 1982 Canadiens

1. '77 CANADIENS d. 9. '24 PANTHERS  2-1

Round one was entirely played on the home ice of the better seed, in round two, game two moved to the other ice and that happened here, home teams won each of the 3 games and the top seeds survive.  6-3 Canadiens in Game One, the Panthers led 2-0 through the first period, but Montreal scored 3 consecutive goals and would do it again in the late second/early third periods.  2 goals for Jacques Lemaire. The Panthers shut the Habs out 5-0 when the series shifted to Miami. Sam Reinhart had a hat trick in game 2 of the Panthers first round win and did it again here. A goal and 3 assists for Matthew Tkachuk.  One game for a birth in the Sweet 16 - Montreal scored two in the first period, Reinhart led the Panthers back with two goals - but with 10 minutes to play, Steve Shutt scored his second goal of the day to win the series.  

5. '81 ISLANDERS d. 13. '03 DEVILS 2-1

The road teams won each of the first two games before the Islanders won the decisive game 3 at home. Devils take game 1, 5-4 in OT.  The Islanders led 4-2 late, the Devils cutting it to 4-3 with 2 and a half left, and John Madden tied the score with 80 seconds to play in regulation.  38 seconds into OT it was over - Patrik Elias winning the game for the Devils.  4 assists for Scott Niedermayer.  Clark Gilles had two goals for the losers.  The Islanders win an easy game 2, 5-1, 2 more goals for Gilles, 2 for Anders Kallur.  Billy Smith with 38 saves.  Back to the Nassau Coliseum for Game 3, the Islanders taking it 5-2. Two goals for Bryan Trottier, 3 assists for Denis Potvin.  We will see the '77 Canadiens and the '81 Islanders meet in the Sweet 16. 

3. '79 CANADIENS d. 6. '22 AVALANCHE 2-1

-Home teams win all 3 games and the Habs place a second team in the Sweet 16.  4-2 Canadien win in game 1, Colorado led 2-1 headed to the third period, the Canadiens scored 3 unanswered to tame game 1.  Hat Trick for Guy LaFleur. 3 assists for Larry Robinson, 39 saves for Ken Dryden.  4-3 Avalanche in game 2.  Chippy, 5 two minute penalties, Colorado played shorthanded for 4 minutes as they tried to hold that 4-3 lead in the third.  Goal/assist and a +2 in 12 minutes of ice time for Nazem Kadri, Yvon Lambert had 2 goals in the loss.  Finally, Game 3 - Montreal winning 4-2. Bob Gainey with a goal and an assist.  

15. '82 CANADIENS d. 7. '08 RED WINGS

-We will have an all Canadiens matchup in the Sweet 16 as the 15th seeded '82 team takes both games from the Red Wings.  3-2 OT Game One win for the road team. Detroit led 2-0 when, with 5 minutes left in the second period Mark Napier scored a shorthanded goal for the Habs. Montreal would tie it in the third - and 18 and a half minutes into OT Guy LaFleur won the game. 10 combined two minute infractions in this one.  44 Rick Wamsley saves.  Game 2 then shifts to the Montreal Forum and the Canadiens blew them out, 6-1.  A goal and two assists for Brian Engblom.

SWEET SIXTEEN

1. 1977 Canadiens v. 5. 1981 Islanders

3. 1979 Canadiens v. 15. 1982 Canadiens

1. '77 CANADIENS d. 5. '81 ISLANDERS 2-0

-The top seed in the Region will advance to the Elite 8.  5-2 game one win, Larry Robinson and Guy LaFleur both had a goal and an assist.  And then the Habs wrapped it up on the road, winning game 2 7-6.  Wild first period, 7 goals scored including the Islanders scoring 3 within a 3 minute span.  A 2 goal, 3 assist game for Larry Robinson, 2 goals and an assist for Steve Shutt.  

15. '82 CANADIENS d. 3. '79 CANADIENS 2-1

-We will get that all Canadiens matchup in the Elite 8, but it is with a 5 year span between the two teams.  The '79 squad took Game 1, 4-2. Doug Jarvis with a goal and an assist for the '79 team. The '82 team evened up the series with a 6-3 game 2 win.  Guy LaFleur scored for both teams, Larry Robinson had 3 assists for the '79 team and one for the '82 squad.  The 15th seeded '82 Canadiens blasted their 3 year younger counterparts in game 3, 7-2 to take the series. Mark Hunter had 2 goals for the winners  Guy LaFleur had a goal for the losing side and 3 assists for the winners.

ELITE 8:

1977 CANADIENS v. 1982 CANADIENS.