1971–72 Chicago Black Hawks season

The 1971–72 Chicago Black Hawks season was the Hawks' 46th season in the NHL. The Hawks finished 1st in the West Division and lost in the Semi-finals to the New York Rangers 4 games to 0.
==Regular Season==
Chicago had an excellent start to the season, winning their opening five games, and the team never let up throughout the season, as they had an unbeaten streak of ten games in December to take control of the West Division. The Black Hawks would then finish the season off on a twelve game unbeaten streak to win their third straight divisional title, as they finished the year with a record of 46-17-15, tying the club record with 107 points that was set during the 1970-71 season. The Hawks finished 21 points ahead of the second place Minnesota North Stars.1971-72 Chicago Black Hawks Games - Hockey-Reference.com
Offensively, the Black Hawks were led by Bobby Hull, who scored a team high 50 goals and 93 points, which placed him seventh in NHL scoring. Hull also led the club with a +54 rating.Pit Martin led the club with 51 assists, and finished second in team scoring with 75 points. Dennis Hull had 30 goals and 69 points, while Stan Mikita was just behind him with 26 goals and 65 points. On defense, Pat Stapleton led the club with 41 points, while Bill White and Doug Jarrett had 29 points. Keith Magnuson once again led the team in penalty minutes, as he accumulated 201.
In goal, Tony Esposito led the club with 31 victories and a 1.77 GAA, along with nine shutouts while appearing in 48 games.Chicago Blackhawks goaltending history : Tony Esposito Backup goaltender Gary Smith was also very good, winning 14 games while having a 2.42 GAA, and five shutouts.Chicago Blackhawks goaltending history : Gary Smith They helped the team have an NHL low 166 goals against, and were awarded the Vezina Trophy for their efforts.
===Final Standings===
===Game Log===
# 	Date 	Visitor 	Score	Home 	Record 	Pts
1 	October 9 	Chicago Black Hawks 	4–2 	St. Louis Blues 	1–0–0 	2
2 	October 10 	Detroit Red Wings 	1–2 	Chicago Black Hawks 	2–0–0 	4
3 	October 13 	St. Louis Blues 	0-1 	Chicago Black Hawks 	3–0-0 	6
4 	October 16 	Chicago Black Hawks 	3–2 	Minnesota North Stars 	4–0–0 	8
5 	October 17 	Los Angeles Kings 	0–4 	Chicago Black Hawks 	5–0–0 	10
6 	October 20 	Chicago Black Hawks 	1–3 	New York Rangers 	5–1–0 	10
7 	October 21 	Chicago Black Hawks 	5–2 	Buffalo Sabres 	6–1–0 	12
8 	October 23 	Chicago Black Hawks 	5–2 	Pittsburgh Penguins 	7–1–0 	14
9 	October 24 	Chicago Black Hawks 	1–2 	Philadelphia Flyers 	7–2–0 	14
10	October 26 	Chicago Black Hawks 	5–2 	Detroit Red Wings 	8–2–0 	16
11	October 30 	Chicago Black Hawks 	5–1 	Los Angeles Kings 	9–2–0 	18
12	October 31 	Chicago Black Hawks 	2–6 	Vancouver Canucks 	9–3–0 	18
13	November 3 	Philadelphia Flyers 	0–3 	Chicago Black Hawks 	10–3–0 	20
14	November 6 	Chicago Black Hawks 	1–2 	Montreal Canadiens 	10–4–0 	20
15	November 7 	Pittsburgh Penguins 	1–4 	Chicago Black Hawks 	11-4–0 	22
16	November 10	Boston Bruins 	1–3 	Chicago Black Hawks 	12–4–0 	24
17	November 14	California Golden Seals	1–4 	Chicago Black Hawks 	13-4–0 	26
18	November 17	Vancouver Canucks 	0-3 	Chicago Black Hawks 	14–4–0 	28
19	November 20	Chicago Black Hawks 	1-2 	Boston Bruins 	14–5–0 	28
20	November 21	Pittsburgh Penguins 	3–7 	Chicago Black Hawks 	15–5–0 	30
21	November 24	Montreal Canadiens 	3–3 	Chicago Black Hawks 	15–5–1 	31
22	November 27	Chicago Black Hawks 	3–3 	Toronto Maple Leafs 	15–5–2 	32
23	November 28	Toronto Maple Leafs 	1-4 	Chicago Black Hawks 	16–5–2 	34
24	November 30	Chicago Black Hawks 	2–4 	Vancouver Canucks 	16–6–2 	34
25	December 3 	Chicago Black Hawks 	1–2 	California Golden Seals	16–7–2 	34
26	December 5 	Los Angeles Kings 	0-7 	Chicago Black Hawks 	17–7–2 	36
27	December 8 	New York Rangers 	2–2 	Chicago Black Hawks 	17–7–3 	37
28	December 9 	Chicago Black Hawks 	3-1 	Buffalo Sabres 	18–7–3 	39
29	December 11	Chicago Black Hawks 	3–1 	Toronto Maple Leafs 	19–7–3 	41
30	December 12	Minnesota North Stars 	3–5 	Chicago Black Hawks 	20–7–3 	43
31	December 15	Buffalo Sabres 	1–2 	Chicago Black Hawks 	21–7–3 	45
32	December 18	Chicago Black Hawks 	4–1 	Minnesota North Stars 	22–7–3 	47
33	December 19	St. Louis Blues 	0–2 	Chicago Black Hawks 	23–7–3 	49
34	December 22	Chicago Black Hawks 	4–1 	California Golden Seals	24–7–3 	51
35	December 26	Los Angeles Kings 	3–6 	Chicago Black Hawks 	25–7–3 	53
36	December 29	Boston Bruins 	5-1 	Chicago Black Hawks 	25–8–3 	53
37	January 2 	Philadelphia Flyers 	2–6 	Chicago Black Hawks 	26–8–3 	55
38	January 5 	Pittsburgh Penguins 	3–3 	Chicago Black Hawks 	26–8–4 	56
39	January 8 	Chicago Black Hawks 	4–0 	Pittsburgh Penguins 	27–8–4 	58
40	January 9 	Montreal Canadiens 	2–5 	Chicago Black Hawks 	28–8–4 	60
41	January 12 	Chicago Black Hawks 	5–5 	New York Rangers 	28–8–5 	61
42	January 15 	Chicago Black Hawks 	2–4 	Boston Bruins 	28-9–5 	61
43	January 16 	Minnesota North Stars 	2–3 	Chicago Black Hawks 	29–9–5 	63
44	January 19 	California Golden Seals	0–2 	Chicago Black Hawks 	30-9–5 	65
45	January 20 	Chicago Black Hawks 	2–3 	Philadelphia Flyers 	30–10–5 	65
46	January 23 	Toronto Maple Leafs 	0–4 	Chicago Black Hawks 	31–10–5 	67
47	January 27 	Vancouver Canucks 	0–4 	Chicago Black Hawks 	32–10–5 	69
48	January 29 	Chicago Black Hawks 	4–2 	Pittsburgh Penguins 	33–10–5 	71
49	January 30 	Detroit Red Wings 	2–4 	Chicago Black Hawks 	34–10–5 	73
50	February 1 	Chicago Black Hawks 	4–7 	Los Angeles Kings 	34–11–5 	73
51	February 4 	Chicago Black Hawks 	6–2 	Vancouver Canucks 	35–11–5 	75
52	February 6 	Minnesota North Stars 	0–5 	Chicago Black Hawks 	36–11–5 	77
53	February 9 	Chicago Black Hawks 	1–4 	New York Rangers 	36–12–5 	77
54	February 10	Chicago Black Hawks 	1–7 	Montreal Canadiens 	36–13–5 	77
55	February 12	Chicago Black Hawks 	3-3 	Detroit Red Wings 	36–13–6 	78
56	February 13	Toronto Maple Leafs 	1–3 	Chicago Black Hawks 	37–13–6 	80
57	February 15	Chicago Black Hawks 	3–2 	St. Louis Blues 	38–13–6 	82
58	February 16	Philadelphia Flyers 	3–3 	Chicago Black Hawks 	38–13–7 	83
59	February 20	Boston Bruins 	3–1 	Chicago Black Hawks 	38–14–7 	83
60	February 23	Buffalo Sabres 	2–1 	Chicago Black Hawks 	38–15–7 	83
61	February 24	Chicago Black Hawks 	3–5 	Buffalo Sabres 	38–16–7 	83
62	February 26	California Golden Seals	0–3 	Chicago Black Hawks 	39–16–7 	85
63	February 27	Vancouver Canucks 	3–3 	Chicago Black Hawks 	39–16–8 	86
64	March 1 	Chicago Black Hawks 	6–4 	Los Angeles Kings 	40–16–8 	88
65	March 3 	Chicago Black Hawks 	4-4 	California Golden Seals	40–16–9 	89
66	March 5 	Chicago Black Hawks 	1–2 	Minnesota North Stars 	40–17–9 	89
67	March 8 	Chicago Black Hawks 	3–3 	New York Rangers 	40–17–10	90
68	March 11 	Chicago Black Hawks 	1–1 	Montreal Canadiens 	40–17–11	91
69	March 12 	Chicago Black Hawks 	3–2 	Detroit Red Wings 	41–17–11	93
70	March 15 	New York Rangers 	1–3 	Chicago Black Hawks 	42–17–11	95
71	March 18 	Chicago Black Hawks 	2–2 	Toronto Maple Leafs 	42–17–12	96
72	March 19 	Buffalo Sabres 	3–3 	Chicago Black Hawks 	42–17-13	97
73	March 23 	Chicago Black Hawks 	4–2 	Philadelphia Flyers 	43–17–13	99
74	March 25 	Chicago Black Hawks 	5–5 	Boston Bruins 	43–17–14	100
75	March 26 	St. Louis Blues 	0–4 	Chicago Black Hawks 	44–17–14	102
76	March 29 	Montreal Canadiens 	5–5 	Chicago Black Hawks 	44–17–15	103
77	April 1 	Chicago Black Hawks 	2–0 	St. Louis Blues 	45–17–15	105
78	April 2 	Detroit Red Wings 	1–6 	Chicago Black Hawks 	46-17–15	107
==Playoffs==
===Chicago Black Hawks 4, Pittsburgh Penguins 0===
The Hawks opened the playoffs against the Pittsburgh Penguins, who had a record of 26-38-14, earning 66 points, while placing fourth in the West Division. The series opened with two games at Chicago Stadium, and the Black Hawks, who had a record of 28-3-8 at home, continued their dominance, as they defeated the Penguins 3-1 and 3-2 to take a 2-0 series lead. The series moved to the Pittsburgh Civic Arena for the next two games, however, it was the Black Hawks who continued to stay hot, as they shutout the Penguins 2-0 in the third game, and finished off the series sweep with a 6-5 overtime win in the fourth game.
#	Date 	Visitor 	Score	Home 	Record
1	April 5	Pittsburgh Penguins	1–3 	Chicago Black Hawks	1-0
2	April 6	Pittsburgh Penguins	2–3 	Chicago Black Hawks	2-0
3	April 8	Chicago Black Hawks	2–0 	Pittsburgh Penguins	3-0
4	April 9	Chicago Black Hawks	6–5 	Pittsburgh Penguins	4-0
===New York Rangers 4, Chicago Black Hawks 0===
Chicago's next opponent was the New York Rangers, who had finished the season with a 48-17-13 record, earning 109 points, and a second place finish in the East Division. The Rangers defeated the defending Stanley Cup champions, the Montreal Canadiens in their first playoff series. Since the Black Hawks won their division, they were given home ice advantage in the series. The series opened up with two games at Chicago Stadium, however, it was the Rangers who struck first, defeating the Hawks 3-2, then taking the second game in Chicago by a score of 5-3 to take an early 2-0 series lead. Chicago could not get themselves back in the series, as New York won the third game 3-2, and the Rangers completed the sweep of the Black Hawks with a 6-2 thumping in the fourth game.
#	Date 	Visitor 	Score	Home 	Record
1	April 16	New York Rangers 	3–2 	Chicago Black Hawks	0-1
2	April 18	New York Rangers 	5–3 	Chicago Black Hawks	0-2
3	April 20	Chicago Black Hawks	2–3 	New York Rangers 	0-3
4	April 23	Chicago Black Hawks	2–6 	New York Rangers 	0-4
==Player Stats==
===Regular Season===
;Scoring Leaders
Player 	GP	G 	A 	Pts	PIM
Bobby Hull 	78	50	43	93 	24
Pit Martin 	78	24	51	75 	56
Dennis Hull	78	30	39	69 	10
Stan Mikita	74	26	39	65 	46
Jim Pappin 	64	27	21	48 	38
;Goaltending
Player 	GP	TOI 	W 	L 	T	GA	SO	GAA
Tony Esposito 	48	2780	31	10	6	82	9 	1.77
Gary Smith 	28	1540	14	5 	6	62	5 	2.42
Gerry Desjardins	6 	360 	1 	2 	3	21	0 	3.50
===Playoffs===
;Scoring Leaders
Player 	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
Christian Bordeleau	8 	3	6	9 	0
Bobby Hull 	8 	4	4	8 	6
Jim Pappin 	8 	2	5	7 	4
Pit Martin 	8 	4	2	6 	4
Dennis Hull 	8 	4	2	6 	4
;Goaltending
Player 	GP	TOI	W	L	GA	SO	GAA
Gary Smith 	2 	120	1	1	3 	1 	1.50
Tony Esposito 	5 	300	2	3	16	0 	3.20
Gerry Desjardins	1 	60 	1	0	5 	0 	5.00
==Awards and Records==
*Clarence S. Campbell Bowl: Chicago Black Hawks
*Vezina Trophy: Tony Esposito & Gary Smith
*Bobby Hull, Left Wing, NHL First Team All-Star
*Tony Esposito, Goalie, NHL First Team All-Star
*Pat Stapleton, Defense, NHL Second Team All-Star
*Bill White, Defense, NHL Second Team All-Star
==Transactions==
September 9, 1971	To California Golden SealsKerry BondGerry DesjardinsGerry Pinder	To Chicago Black HawksGary Smith
October 18, 1971 	To California Golden SealsGilles MelochePaul Shmyr 	To Chicago Black HawksGerry Desjardins
==Draft Picks==
Chicago's draft picks at the 1971 NHL Amateur Draft held at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal, Quebec.
Round	# 	Player 	Nationality	College/Junior/Club Team (League)
1 	12	Dan Spring 	 	Edmonton Oil Kings (WCHL)
2 	26	Dave Kryskow	 	Edmonton Oil Kings (WCHL)
3 	40	Bob Peppler 	 	St. Catharines Black Hawks (OHA)
4 	54	Clyde Simon 	 	St. Catharines Black Hawks (OHA)
5 	68	Dean Blais 	 	University of Minnesota (NCAA)
6 	80	Jim Johnston	 	University of Wisconsin (NCAA)
==Gallery==
Bucyk_goal-Orr-20Nov1971.gif|John Bucyk scores the game winner from Bobby Orr, November 20, 1971.
==Video==
Nearly 19 minutes of highlights of Game 3 of the Rangers-Black Hawks Semi-finals, April 20, 1972.
1972 playoffs game 3 Blackhawks at Rangers (highlights)
Brief highlights of the 1972 Rangers-Canadiens Quarter-finals, Rangers-Black Hawks Semi-finals, Bruins-Leafs Quarter-finals and Bruins-Blues Semi-finals before highlights of all six games of the 1972 Stanley Cup Finals.
Stanley Cup 1972
==See Also==
*1971–72 NHL season
==References==
==Sources==
*Hockey-Reference
*Rauzulu's Street
*Goalies Archive
*HockeyDB
*National Hockey League Guide & Record Book 2007
Category:Chicago Blackhawks seasons
Category:1971 in hockey
Category:1972 in hockey