1977–78 Chicago Black Hawks season

The 1977–78 Chicago Black Hawks season was the Hawks' 52nd season in the NHL. The Hawks finished 1st in the Smythe Division and lost in the Quarter-finals to the Boston Bruins 4 games to 0.
==Off-season==
During the off-season, Hawks general manager Tommy Ivan announced his retirement, and the club decided to not bring interim head coach Bill White back, so the club hired former Los Angeles Kings head coach Bob Pulford to take over both the head coach and general manager position. Pulford had been the head coach of the Kings from 1972–1977, winning the 1975 Jack Adams Trophy. The team also named Keith Magnuson as the only team captain, as in the 1976-77 season, the Hawks used Magnuson, Stan Mikita and Pit Martin as co-captains.
==Regular Season==
The Black Hawks started off the season in a slump, as the team had a 6-10-8 record in their first 24 games. Chicago eventually snapped out of their funk, and found themselves a season high five games over .500 with a 24-18-16 record late in February. The Hawks, who were comfortably in first place in the Smythe Division, finished the season with a 32-29-19 record, earning 83 points, which was their highest total since 1973-74, and their sixth division title in the past nine seasons.1977-78 Chicago Black Hawks Games - Hockey-Reference.com
Offensively, the Black Hawks were led by Ivan Boldirev, who scored a team high 35 goals and 45 assists for 80 points. Thirty-seven year old Stan Mikita earned 59 points in 76 games to finish second in team scoring, while twenty-two year old Ted Bulley had a very solid rookie season, scoring 23 goals and 51 points in 79 games. Another rookie, Doug Wilson, led the defense, scoring 14 goals and 34 points, while Bob Murray also scored 14 goals, along with 17 assists from the blueline. Keith Magnuson had a team high 145 penalty minutes, while John Marks led Chicago with a +27 rating.
In goal, Tony Esposito once again had the majority of playing time, winning 28 games, along with 5 shutouts and a 2.63 GAA.Chicago Blackhawks goaltending history : Tony Esposito
===Final Standings===
===Game Log===
# 	Date 	Visitor 	Score	Home 	Record 	Pts
1 	October 13 	Chicago Black Hawks 	1–5 	Philadelphia Flyers 	0–1–0 	0
2 	October 15 	Colorado Rockies 	3–3 	Chicago Black Hawks 	0–1–1 	1
3 	October 16 	Chicago Black Hawks 	2-0 	Buffalo Sabres 	1–1-1 	3
4 	October 19 	Buffalo Sabres 	2–2 	Chicago Black Hawks 	1–1–2 	4
5 	October 22 	Chicago Black Hawks 	0–3 	Colorado Rockies 	1–2-2 	4
6 	October 23 	St. Louis Blues 	0–2 	Chicago Black Hawks 	2–2–2 	6
7 	October 26 	Philadelphia Flyers 	2–2 	Chicago Black Hawks 	2–2–3 	7
8 	October 28 	Chicago Black Hawks 	4–2 	Cleveland Barons 	3–2–3 	9
9 	October 30 	Cleveland Barons 	1–6 	Chicago Black Hawks 	4–2–3 	11
10	November 2 	Chicago Black Hawks 	2–2 	Washington Capitals 	4–2–4 	12
11	November 5 	Chicago Black Hawks 	5–2 	Minnesota North Stars	5–2–4 	14
12	November 6 	Atlanta Flames 	3–3 	Chicago Black Hawks 	5–2–5 	15
13	November 9 	Minnesota North Stars	2–2 	Chicago Black Hawks 	5–2–6 	16
14	November 12	Chicago Black Hawks 	4-7 	Pittsburgh Penguins 	5–3–6 	16
15	November 13	Montreal Canadiens 	3–2 	Chicago Black Hawks 	5-4–6 	16
16	November 15	Chicago Black Hawks 	1–1 	New York Islanders 	5–4–7 	17
17	November 16	Chicago Black Hawks 	2–5 	New York Rangers 	5-5–7 	17
18	November 20	Chicago Black Hawks 	0-1 	Boston Bruins 	5–6–7 	17
19	November 23	Chicago Black Hawks 	3-8 	Los Angeles Kings 	5–7–7 	17
20	November 25	Chicago Black Hawks 	5–1 	Colorado Rockies 	6–7–7 	19
21	November 26	Chicago Black Hawks 	2–2 	Vancouver Canucks 	6–7–8 	20
22	November 30	Buffalo Sabres 	3–2 	Chicago Black Hawks 	6–8–8 	20
23	December 3 	Chicago Black Hawks 	2-3 	Montreal Canadiens 	6–9–8 	20
24	December 4 	Vancouver Canucks 	6–2 	Chicago Black Hawks 	6–10–8 	20
25	December 6 	Chicago Black Hawks 	2–1 	Detroit Red Wings 	7–10–8 	22
26	December 7 	New York Islanders 	4-0 	Chicago Black Hawks 	7–11–8 	22
27	December 10	Chicago Black Hawks 	2-4 	Philadelphia Flyers 	7–12–8 	22
28	December 11	Minnesota North Stars	3-8 	Chicago Black Hawks 	8–12–8 	24
29	December 13	Chicago Black Hawks 	2–2 	New York Islanders 	8–12–9 	25
30	December 14	New York Rangers 	2–2 	Chicago Black Hawks 	8–12–10 	26
31	December 17	Chicago Black Hawks 	1–7 	Toronto Maple Leafs 	8–13–10 	26
32	December 18	Atlanta Flames 	0–3 	Chicago Black Hawks 	9–13–10 	28
33	December 21	Chicago Black Hawks 	6–2 	St. Louis Blues 	10–13–10	30
34	December 22	Los Angeles Kings 	4–0 	Chicago Black Hawks 	10–14–10	30
35	December 27	Chicago Black Hawks 	4-2 	Atlanta Flames 	11–14–10	32
36	December 28	Toronto Maple Leafs 	0-4 	Chicago Black Hawks 	12–14–10	34
37	January 1 	Vancouver Canucks 	3–2 	Chicago Black Hawks 	12–15–10	34
38	January 4 	Boston Bruins 	3–0 	Chicago Black Hawks 	12–16–10	34
39	January 7 	Chicago Black Hawks 	0–0 	St. Louis Blues 	12–16–11	35
40	January 8 	Washington Capitals 	1–3 	Chicago Black Hawks 	13–16–11	37
41	January 11 	Philadelphia Flyers 	4–5 	Chicago Black Hawks 	14–16–11	39
42	January 14 	Chicago Black Hawks 	3-3 	Toronto Maple Leafs 	14-16–12	40
43	January 18 	Washington Capitals 	2–5 	Chicago Black Hawks 	15–16–12	42
44	January 19 	Chicago Black Hawks 	2–4 	Detroit Red Wings 	15-17–12	42
45	January 21 	Chicago Black Hawks 	4–1 	Minnesota North Stars	16–17–12	44
46	January 22 	St. Louis Blues 	1-3 	Chicago Black Hawks 	17–17–12	46
47	January 26 	Cleveland Barons 	0–5 	Chicago Black Hawks 	18–17–12	48
48	January 28 	Detroit Red Wings 	1–6 	Chicago Black Hawks 	19–17–12	50
49	February 1 	Philadelphia Flyers 	1–3 	Chicago Black Hawks 	20–17–12	52
50	February 4 	Chicago Black Hawks 	5–1 	Vancouver Canucks 	21–17–12	54
51	February 8 	New York Islanders 	4–5 	Chicago Black Hawks 	22–17–12	56
52	February 9 	Chicago Black Hawks 	3–3 	Montreal Canadiens 	22–17–13	57
53	February 12	Atlanta Flames 	2–2 	Chicago Black Hawks 	22–17–14	58
54	February 14	Chicago Black Hawks 	1–2 	Pittsburgh Penguins 	22–18–14	58
55	February 15	Colorado Rockies 	2-2 	Chicago Black Hawks 	22–18–15	59
56	February 18	Boston Bruins 	2–4 	Chicago Black Hawks 	23–18–15	61
57	February 19	Pittsburgh Penguins 	2–2 	Chicago Black Hawks 	23–18–16	62
58	February 22	New York Rangers 	2–3 	Chicago Black Hawks 	24–18–16	64
59	February 23	Chicago Black Hawks 	2–6 	New York Rangers 	24–19–16	64
60	February 25	Chicago Black Hawks 	1–7 	New York Islanders 	24–20–16	64
61	February 26	Toronto Maple Leafs 	5–3 	Chicago Black Hawks 	24–21–16	64
62	March 1 	Chicago Black Hawks 	2–3 	Vancouver Canucks 	24–22–16	64
63	March 4 	Chicago Black Hawks 	6–3 	Los Angeles Kings 	25–22–16	66
64	March 5 	Chicago Black Hawks 	2–2 	Colorado Rockies 	25–22–17	67
65	March 8 	Chicago Black Hawks 	4-3 	Minnesota North Stars	26–22–17	69
66	March 11 	Chicago Black Hawks 	1–4 	Atlanta Flames 	26–23–17	69
67	March 12 	Chicago Black Hawks 	2–5 	Buffalo Sabres 	26-24–17	69
68	March 15 	Montreal Canadiens 	6–2 	Chicago Black Hawks 	26–25–17	69
69	March 18 	Chicago Black Hawks 	4–5 	St. Louis Blues 	26–26–17	69
70	March 19 	Pittsburgh Penguins 	1–9 	Chicago Black Hawks 	27–26–17	71
71	March 22 	Chicago Black Hawks 	6–2 	Washington Capitals 	28–26–17	73
72	March 23 	Chicago Black Hawks 	0–7 	Boston Bruins 	28–27-17	73
73	March 25 	St. Louis Blues 	2–2 	Chicago Black Hawks 	28–27–18	74
74	March 26 	Vancouver Canucks 	3–4 	Chicago Black Hawks 	29–27–18	76
75	March 29 	Los Angeles Kings 	1–5 	Chicago Black Hawks 	30–27–18	78
76	April 1 	Detroit Red Wings 	0–2 	Chicago Black Hawks 	31–27–18	80
77	April 2 	Chicago Black Hawks 	2–4 	Cleveland Barons 	31–28–18	80
78	April 5 	Colorado Rockies 	4–4 	Chicago Black Hawks 	31-28–19	81
79	April 8 	Minnesota North Stars	2–4 	Chicago Black Hawks 	32–28–19	83
80	April 9 	Chicago Black Hawks 	2–3 	New York Rangers 	32-29–19	83
==Playoffs==
Since the Hawks won their division, they were given a bye in the NHL Preliminary Round, and advanced straight to the NHL quarter-finals. Their first round opponent was the Boston Bruins, who finished in first place in the Adams Division with 113 points. The series opened at the Boston Garden, and the Bruins struck first, easily winning the first game by a 6-1 score. Chicago forced the second game into overtime, however, the Bruins would be victorious once again, this time winning 4-3 to take a 2-0 series lead. The series moved to Chicago Stadium for the next two games, but it was Boston who stayed hot, as they defeated the Hawks 4-3 in overtime once again in the third game. The Bruins dominated the fourth game, winning 5-2, to sweep the series. This was the third straight season that the Black Hawks were swept out of their first playoff round, as the team saw their playoff losing streak reach twelve games.
===Boston Bruins 4, Chicago Black Hawks 0===
#	Date 	Visitor 	Score	Home 	Record
1	April 17	Chicago Black Hawks	1–6 	Boston Bruins 	0-1
2	April 19	Chicago Black Hawks	3–4 	Boston Bruins 	0-2
3	April 21	Boston Bruins 	4–3 	Chicago Black Hawks	0-3
4	April 23	Boston Bruins 	5–2 	Chicago Black Hawks	0-4
==Player Stats==
===Regular Season===
;Scoring
Player	Pos 	GP	G 	A 	Pts	PIM	+/-	PPG	SHG	GWG
 	C 	80	35	45	80 	34 	-3 	10 	0 	2
 	C/RW	76	18	41	59 	35 	18 	6 	0 	2
 	LW 	79	23	28	51 	141	4 	6 	0 	5
 	RW 	76	15	25	40 	32 	9 	0 	2 	3
 	RW 	78	14	24	38 	135	-1 	3 	0 	0
 	LW 	78	17	20	37 	67 	5 	3 	0 	1
 	LW 	80	15	22	37 	26 	27 	0 	0 	1
 	D 	77	14	20	34 	72 	11 	5 	0 	2
 	RW 	73	16	15	31 	19 	8 	1 	0 	4
 	D 	70	14	17	31 	41 	11 	2 	0 	3
 	RW 	77	10	18	28 	59 	-2 	0 	0 	2
 	D 	57	6 	20	26 	139	19 	0 	1 	1
 	D 	75	4 	20	24 	66 	3 	2 	1 	2
 	LW 	75	7 	11	18 	95 	-26	0 	0 	2
 	C 	31	7 	11	18 	20 	6 	2 	0 	2
 	RW 	53	6 	6 	12 	13 	-12	1 	0 	0
 	C 	26	2 	8 	10 	31 	-3 	1 	0 	0
 	D 	13	1 	7 	8 	2 	5 	0 	0 	0
 	D 	67	2 	4 	6 	145	0 	0 	0 	0
 	D 	54	1 	5 	6 	77 	-14	1 	0 	0
 	LW 	33	1 	4 	5 	13 	0 	0 	0 	0
 	G 	64	0 	4 	4 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0
 	C 	7 	1 	1 	2 	0 	-1 	0 	0 	0
 	D 	6 	1 	1 	2 	2 	0 	0 	0 	0
 	LW 	2 	0 	2 	2 	0 	2 	0 	0 	0
 	D 	5 	0 	1 	1 	12 	-2 	0 	0 	0
 	D 	6 	0 	0 	0 	20 	-4 	0 	0 	0
 	G 	4 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0
 	G 	12	0 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0
;Goaltending
Player	MIN 	GP	W 	L 	T 	GA 	GAA 	SO
 	3840	64	28	22	14	168	2.63	5
 	720 	12	3 	4 	5 	31 	2.58	2
 	240 	4 	1 	3 	0 	17 	4.25	0
Team: 	4800	80	32	29	19	216	2.70	7
===Playoffs===
;Scoring
Player	Pos 	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG
 	D 	4 	1	4	5 	2 	0 	0 	0
 	RW 	4 	2	2	4 	0 	1 	0 	0
 	C/RW	4 	3	0	3 	0 	2 	0 	0
 	LW 	4 	1	1	2 	2 	0 	0 	0
 	C 	4 	0	2	2 	2 	0 	0 	0
 	D 	4 	0	2	2 	0 	0 	0 	0
 	D 	4 	1	0	1 	2 	1 	0 	0
 	RW 	4 	1	0	1 	0 	0 	0 	0
 	RW 	4 	0	1	1 	0 	0 	0 	0
 	RW 	4 	0	1	1 	0 	0 	0 	0
 	LW 	4 	0	1	1 	0 	0 	0 	0
 	RW 	1 	0	0	0 	0 	0 	0 	0
 	LW 	3 	0	0	0 	0 	0 	0 	0
 	LW 	4 	0	0	0 	8 	0 	0 	0
 	D 	4 	0	0	0 	8 	0 	0 	0
 	D 	4 	0	0	0 	7 	0 	0 	0
 	LW 	4 	0	0	0 	2 	0 	0 	0
 	D 	4 	0	0	0 	0 	0 	0 	0
 	G 	4 	0	0	0 	0 	0 	0 	0
;Goaltending
Player	MIN	GP	W	L	GA	GAA 	SO
 	252	4 	0	4	19	4.52	0
Team: 	252	4 	0	4	19	4.52	0
Note: Pos = Position; GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/- = plus/minus; PIM = Penalty minutes; PPG = Power-play goals; SHG = Short-handed goals; GWG = Game-winning goals 
MIN = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GA = Goals-against; GAA = Goals-against average; SO = Shutouts 
==Awards and Records==
*The Black Hawks did not win any awards this season.
==Draft Picks==
Chicago's draft picks at the 1977 NHL Amateur Draft at the Mount Royal Hotel in Montreal, Quebec.
Round	# 	Player 	Nationality	College/Junior/Club Team (League)
1 	6 	Doug Wilson 	 	Ottawa 67's (OMJHL)
2 	19 	Jean Savard 	 	Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)
4 	60 	Randy Ireland 	 	Portland Winter Hawks (WCHL)
5 	78 	Gary Platt 	 	Sorel Black Hawks (QMJHL)
6 	96 	Jack O'Callahan	 	Boston University (NCAA)
7 	114	Floyd Lahache 	 	Sherbrooke Castors (QMJHL)
8 	129	Jeff Geiger 	 	Ottawa 67's (OMJHL)
9 	144	Steve Ough 	 	Laval National (QMJHL)
==References==
==Sources==
*Hockey-Reference
*Rauzulu's Street
*Goalies Archive
*HockeyDB
*National Hockey League Guide & Record Book 2007
Category:Chicago Blackhawks
Category:Chicago Blackhawks seasons
Category:1977 in hockey
Category:1978 in hockey