1972–73 Chicago Black Hawks season

The 1972–73 Chicago Black Hawks season was the Hawks' 47th season in the NHL. The Hawks finished 1st in the West Division and lost in the 1973 Stanley Cup Finals to the Montreal Canadiens 4 games to 2.
==Off-season==
During the off-season, the Black Hawks lost Bobby Hull to the Winnipeg Jets in the newly created World Hockey Association, who signed him to the first $1 million contract in hockey history.Legends of Hockey - The Legends - Honoured Player - Hull, Bobby - Biography The NHL also expanded once again, as the New York Islanders would join the East Division, while the Atlanta Flames would be placed in the West.
==Regular Season==
Chicago, dealing with the lost of Hull, got off to a quick start of the season, winning their first four games, before sliding into a slump that saw their record fall to 7-7-2. The club would break out of their slump, and win 14 of their next 18 games, and take hold of the top spot in the West Division. The Hawks then cruised to their fourth straight first place finish, as they had a record of 42-27-9, earning 93 points, which was their lowest point total since missing the playoffs in the 1968-69 season.
1972-73 Chicago Black Hawks Games - Hockey-Reference.com
During the 6-3 win over the Boston Bruins on October 26, Hawks goalie Gary Smith took exception to Garnet Bailey being in his crease. Smith started a fight that ended when Bailey punched Smith in the mask and wrestled him to the ice.
Offensively, the Black Hawks were led by Jim Pappin, who had a career season, scoring 41 goals and 92 points. Pit Martin also stepped up, earning 61 assists and 90 points, while Dennis Hull scored 39 goals and 90 points. Stan Mikita had a very solid year, earning 83 points despite missing 21 games due to injuries. Bill White lead the defense, registering 47 points, while Pat Stapleton scored 10 goals and 31 points. Rookie Phil Russell had a team high 156 penalty minutes, and had a +31 rating, which tied him with Mikita for the team lead.
In goal, Tony Esposito led the club with 32 victories and a 2.51 GAA, along with four shutouts while appearing in 56 games.Chicago Blackhawks goaltending history : Tony Esposito Backup goaltender Gary Smith won 10 games while having a 3.54 GAA.Chicago Blackhawks goaltending history : Gary Smith
===Final Standings===
===Game Log===
# 	Date 	Visitor 	Score	Home 	Record 	Pts
1 	October 7 	Chicago Black Hawks 	3–1 	Toronto Maple Leafs 	1–0–0 	2
2 	October 8 	New York Rangers 	1–5 	Chicago Black Hawks 	2–0–0 	4
3 	October 11 	Atlanta Flames 	1-4 	Chicago Black Hawks 	3–0-0 	6
4 	October 14 	Chicago Black Hawks 	4–2 	St. Louis Blues 	4–0–0 	8
5 	October 15 	St. Louis Blues 	3–1 	Chicago Black Hawks 	4–1–0 	8
6 	October 17 	Chicago Black Hawks 	3–6 	Vancouver Canucks 	4–2–0 	8
7 	October 21 	Chicago Black Hawks 	1–3 	Los Angeles Kings 	4–3–0 	8
8 	October 22 	Chicago Black Hawks 	4–2 	California Golden Seals	5–3–0 	10
9 	October 26 	Chicago Black Hawks 	6–3 	Boston Bruins 	6–3–0 	12
10	October 28 	Chicago Black Hawks 	4–4 	New York Islanders 	6–3–1 	13
11	October 29 	Chicago Black Hawks 	1–7 	New York Rangers 	6–4–1 	13
12	November 1 	New York Rangers 	3–2 	Chicago Black Hawks 	6–5–1 	13
13	November 4 	Chicago Black Hawks 	3–5 	Minnesota North Stars 	6–6–1 	13
14	November 5 	California Golden Seals	3-3 	Chicago Black Hawks 	6–6–2 	14
15	November 8 	New York Islanders 	1–6 	Chicago Black Hawks 	7-6–2 	16
16	November 9 	Chicago Black Hawks 	3–5 	Philadelphia Flyers 	7–7–2 	16
17	November 12	Detroit Red Wings 	1–5 	Chicago Black Hawks 	8-7–2 	18
18	November 18	Chicago Black Hawks 	5-3 	Montreal Canadiens 	9–7–2 	20
19	November 19	Minnesota North Stars 	5-1 	Chicago Black Hawks 	9–8–2 	20
20	November 22	Vancouver Canucks 	2–5 	Chicago Black Hawks 	10–8–2 	22
21	November 25	Chicago Black Hawks 	4–2 	St. Louis Blues 	11–8–2 	24
22	November 26	Montreal Canadiens 	2–3 	Chicago Black Hawks 	12–8–2 	26
23	November 29	Detroit Red Wings 	3-8 	Chicago Black Hawks 	13–8–2 	28
24	December 2 	Chicago Black Hawks 	2–3 	Pittsburgh Penguins 	13–9–2 	28
25	December 3 	Pittsburgh Penguins 	2–4 	Chicago Black Hawks 	14–9–2 	30
26	December 6 	Los Angeles Kings 	0-6 	Chicago Black Hawks 	15–9–2 	32
27	December 10	Minnesota North Stars 	1-5 	Chicago Black Hawks 	16–9–2 	34
28	December 12	Chicago Black Hawks 	5-1 	Vancouver Canucks 	17–9–2 	36
29	December 13	Chicago Black Hawks 	1–3 	Los Angeles Kings 	17–10–2	36
30	December 15	Chicago Black Hawks 	9–4 	California Golden Seals	18–10–2	38
31	December 17	Los Angeles Kings 	0–2 	Chicago Black Hawks 	19–10–2	40
32	December 20	Philadelphia Flyers 	1–4 	Chicago Black Hawks 	20–10–2	42
33	December 23	Chicago Black Hawks 	3–5 	Toronto Maple Leafs 	20–11–2	42
34	December 24	Toronto Maple Leafs 	1–5 	Chicago Black Hawks 	21–11–2	44
35	December 27	St. Louis Blues 	5–3 	Chicago Black Hawks 	21–12–2	44
36	December 28	Chicago Black Hawks 	2-8 	Buffalo Sabres 	21–13–2	44
37	December 31	Buffalo Sabres 	2–4 	Chicago Black Hawks 	22–13–2	46
38	January 3 	Pittsburgh Penguins 	5–3 	Chicago Black Hawks 	22–14–2	46
39	January 6 	Chicago Black Hawks 	2–0 	Minnesota North Stars 	23–14–2	48
40	January 7 	Boston Bruins 	4–5 	Chicago Black Hawks 	24–14–2	50
41	January 10 	Chicago Black Hawks 	2–5 	Atlanta Flames 	24–15–2	50
42	January 13 	Philadelphia Flyers 	3-2 	Chicago Black Hawks 	24-16–2	50
43	January 14 	California Golden Seals	6–6 	Chicago Black Hawks 	24–16–3	51
44	January 17 	Chicago Black Hawks 	6–4 	Detroit Red Wings 	25-16–3	53
45	January 18 	Chicago Black Hawks 	1–5 	Buffalo Sabres 	25–17–3	53
46	January 20 	Chicago Black Hawks 	3-3 	Minnesota North Stars 	25–17–4	54
47	January 21 	Pittsburgh Penguins 	3–9 	Chicago Black Hawks 	26–17–4	56
48	January 24 	Vancouver Canucks 	3–3 	Chicago Black Hawks 	26–17–5	57
49	January 27 	Chicago Black Hawks 	4–2 	Boston Bruins 	27–17–5	59
50	January 28 	Minnesota North Stars 	1–5 	Chicago Black Hawks 	28–17–5	61
51	February 1 	Chicago Black Hawks 	5–3 	New York Islanders 	29–17–5	63
52	February 3 	Chicago Black Hawks 	2–2 	Philadelphia Flyers 	29–17–6	64
53	February 4 	St. Louis Blues 	2–5 	Chicago Black Hawks 	30–17–6	66
54	February 7 	Buffalo Sabres 	1–2 	Chicago Black Hawks 	31–17–6	68
55	February 9 	Chicago Black Hawks 	4-3 	Atlanta Flames 	32–17–6	70
56	February 11	Philadelphia Flyers 	2–7 	Chicago Black Hawks 	33–17–6	72
57	February 14	New York Islanders 	2–4 	Chicago Black Hawks 	34–17–6	74
58	February 17	Chicago Black Hawks 	3–4 	St. Louis Blues 	34–18–6	74
59	February 18	Boston Bruins 	4–1 	Chicago Black Hawks 	34–19–6	74
60	February 21	Montreal Canadiens 	4–2 	Chicago Black Hawks 	34–20–6	74
61	February 24	Chicago Black Hawks 	0–2 	Pittsburgh Penguins 	34–21–6	74
62	February 25	Atlanta Flames 	2–4 	Chicago Black Hawks 	35–21–6	76
63	February 27	Chicago Black Hawks 	5–3 	New York Islanders 	36–21–6	78
64	February 28	Chicago Black Hawks 	3–3 	New York Rangers 	36–21–7	79
65	March 3 	Chicago Black Hawks 	3-3 	Toronto Maple Leafs 	36–21–8	80
66	March 4 	Chicago Black Hawks 	0–4 	Boston Bruins 	36–22–8	80
67	March 8 	Chicago Black Hawks 	1–4 	Los Angeles Kings 	36-23–8	80
68	March 10 	Chicago Black Hawks 	4–2 	Vancouver Canucks 	37–23–8	82
69	March 11 	Chicago Black Hawks 	5–1 	California Golden Seals	38–23–8	84
70	March 14 	New York Rangers 	2–4 	Chicago Black Hawks 	39–23–8	86
71	March 17 	Chicago Black Hawks 	2–3 	Atlanta Flames 	39–24–8	86
72	March 18 	Detroit Red Wings 	2–0 	Chicago Black Hawks 	39–25-8	86
73	March 21 	Buffalo Sabres 	2–6 	Chicago Black Hawks 	40–25–8	88
74	March 24 	Atlanta Flames 	0–7 	Chicago Black Hawks 	41–25–8	90
75	March 25 	Montreal Canadiens 	5–6 	Chicago Black Hawks 	42–25–8	92
76	March 28 	Chicago Black Hawks 	3–4 	Montreal Canadiens 	42–26–8	92
77	March 31 	Chicago Black Hawks 	2–4 	Detroit Red Wings 	42–27–8	92
78	April 1 	Toronto Maple Leafs 	4–4 	Chicago Black Hawks 	42-27–9	93
==Playoffs==
===Chicago Black Hawks 4, St. Louis Blues 1===
The Hawks opened the playoffs against the St. Louis Blues, who had a record of 32-34-12, earning 76 points, while placing fourth in the West Division. The series opened with two games at Chicago Stadium, and the Black Hawks easily defeated the Blues in the series opener, winning 7-1, before shutting out St. Louis 1-0 in the second game to take an early series lead. The series shifted to the St. Louis Arena for the next two games, however, Chicago took a 3-0 series lead, winning 5-2 in the third game, but the Blues avoided the sweep, winning 5-3 in the fourth game. Chicago returned home for the fifth game, and easily took care of St. Louis, thumping the Blues 6-1 to win the series.
#	Date 	Visitor 	Score	Home 	Record
1	April 4 	St. Louis Blues 	1–7 	Chicago Black Hawks	1-0
2	April 5 	St. Louis Blues 	0–1 	Chicago Black Hawks	2-0
3	April 7 	Chicago Black Hawks	5–2 	St. Louis Blues 	3-0
4	April 8 	Chicago Black Hawks	3–5 	St. Louis Blues 	3-1
5	April 10	St. Louis Blues 	1–6 	Chicago Black Hawks	4-1
===Chicago Black Hawks 4, New York Rangers 1===
Chicago's next opponent was the New York Rangers, who had finished the season with a 47-23-8 record, earning 102 points, and a third place finish in the East Division. The Rangers defeated the defending Stanley Cup champions, the Boston Bruins 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, but it was the Rangers who struck first, winning the series opener by a 4-1 score. The Black Hawks rebounded in the second game, holding off New York for a 5-4 victory to even the series. The series moved to Madison Square Garden for the next two games, and it would be the Hawks who took control of the series, defeating the Rangers 2-1 and 3-1 to take a 3-1 series lead back to Chicago for the fifth game. The Black Hawks stayed hot, and easily beat the Rangers 4-1 to win the series and advance to the Stanley Cup finals for the second time in three years.
#	Date 	Visitor 	Score	Home 	Record
1	April 12	New York Rangers 	4–1 	Chicago Black Hawks	0-1
2	April 15	New York Rangers 	4–5 	Chicago Black Hawks	1-1
3	April 17	Chicago Black Hawks	2–1 	New York Rangers 	2-1
4	April 19	Chicago Black Hawks	3–1 	New York Rangers 	3-1
5	April 24	New York Rangers 	1–4 	Chicago Black Hawks	4-1
===Montreal Canadiens 4, Chicago Black Hawks 2===
The Hawks opponent in the 1973 Stanley Cup Finals was the Montreal Canadiens, who were the best team in the league during the regular season, as they had a 52-10-16 record, earning 120 points. The Canadiens had defeated the Buffalo Sabres and Philadelphia Flyers to earn a spot in the finals. The series opened at the Montreal Forum, and the powerful Canadiens easily won the first game by an 8-3 score, followed by a 4-1 win in the second game to take a 2-0 series lead. The finals shifted to Chicago Stadium for the next two games, and the Hawks cut into the Canadiens series lead with a 7-4 victory in the third game. Montreal rebounded in the fourth game though, shutting out Chicago 4-0 to take a 3-1 series lead. The fifth game returned to Montreal, however, the Black Hawks stayed alive with a wild 8-7 victory, cutting the Canadiens lead to 3-2 in the series. In the sixth game back in Chicago, Montreal would rebound, defeating the Hawks 6-4 to win the Stanley Cup.
#	Date 	Visitor 	Score	Home 	Record
1	April 29	Chicago Black Hawks	3–8 	Montreal Canadiens 	0-1
2	May 1 	Chicago Black Hawks	1–4 	Montreal Canadiens 	0-2
3	May 3 	Montreal Canadiens 	4–7 	Chicago Black Hawks	1-2
4	May 6 	Montreal Canadiens 	4–0 	Chicago Black Hawks	1-3
5	May 8 	Chicago Black Hawks	8–7 	Montreal Canadiens 	2-3
6	May 10 	Montreal Canadiens 	6–4 	Chicago Black Hawks	2-4
==Player Stats==
===Scoring Leaders===
Player 	GP	G 	A 	Pts	PIM
Jim Pappin 	76	41	51	92 	82
Dennis Hull 	78	39	51	90 	27
Pit Martin 	78	29	61	90 	30
Stan Mikita 	57	27	56	83 	32
Cliff Koroll	77	33	24	57 	38
===Goaltending===
Player 	GP	TOI 	W 	L 	T	GA 	SO	GAA
Tony Esposito	56	3340	32	17	7	140	5 	2.51
Gary Smith 	28	1340	10	10	2	79 	0 	3.54
==Playoff Stats==
===Scoring Leaders===
Player 	GP	G 	A 	Pts	PIM
Dennis Hull 	16	9 	15	24 	4
Stan Mikita 	15	7 	13	20 	8
Pat Stapleton	16	2 	15	17 	10
Pit Martin 	15	10	6 	16 	6
Jim Pappin 	16	8 	7 	15 	24
===Goaltending===
Player 	GP	TOI	W 	L	GA	SO	GAA
Tony Esposito	15	895	10	5	46	1 	3.08
Gary Smith 	2 	65 	0 	1	5 	0 	4.62
==Awards and Records==
*Clarence S. Campbell Bowl: Chicago Black Hawks
*Dennis Hull, Left Wing, NHL Second Team All-Star
*Bill White, Defense, NHL Second Team All-Star
*Tony Esposito, Goalie, NHL Second Team All-Star
==Draft Picks==
Chicago's draft picks at the 1972 NHL Amateur Draft held at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal, Quebec.
Round	# 	Player 	Nationality	College/Junior/Club Team (League)
1 	13 	Phil Russell 	 	Edmonton Oil Kings (WCHL)
2 	29 	Brian Ogilvie 	 	Edmonton Oil Kings (WCHL)
3 	45 	Mike Veisor 	 	Peterborough Petes (OHA)
4 	61 	Tom Peluso 	 	University of Denver (NCAA)
5 	77 	Rejean Giroux 	 	Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)
6 	93 	Rob Palmer 	 	University of Denver (NCAA)
7 	109	Terry Smith 	 	Edmonton Oil Kings (WCHL)
8 	125	Billy Reay 	 	University of Wisconsin (NCAA)
9 	141	Gary Donaldson	 	Victoria Cougars (WCHL)
==Gallery==
Phil_scores_on_Tony-27Jan1973.gif|Phil Esposito scores on frustrated brother Tony, January 27, 1973.
1973-Jan30-T Espo-Orr All-Star.jpg|Tony Esposito and Bobby Orr, 26th All-Star Game, January 30, 1973.
==See Also==
*1972–73 NHL season
==References==
==Sources==
*Hockey-Reference
*Rauzulu's Street
*Goalies Archive
*HockeyDB
*National Hockey League Guide & Record Book 2007
Category:Chicago Blackhawks seasons
Category:1972 in hockey
Category:1973 in hockey