1970–71 Chicago Black Hawks season

The 1970–71 Chicago Black Hawks season was the Hawks' 45th season in the NHL. The Hawks finished 1st in the West Division and lost in the 1971 Stanley Cup Finals to the Montreal Canadiens 4 games to 3.
==Off-season==
During the off-season, the NHL expanded by two teams, as the Buffalo Sabres and Vancouver Canucks joined the league, and both clubs were placed in the East Division. The league also increased the schedule by two games, going from 76 to 78. The Black Hawks were moved to the West Division as part of the divisional realignment, and the club decided to strip Pat Stapleton from his team captaincy, electing to not have a captain of the team.
==Regular Season==
Chicago started the season very well, as the team had a record of 18-4-5 in their first 27 games. The Hawks stayed hot throughout the season, and easily won the West Division with a club record 49 victories and 107 points, finishing 20 points ahead of the second place St. Louis Blues.http://hockey-reference.com/teams/CBH/1971_games.html
Offensively, the Hawks were led by Bobby Hull, who scored a team high 44 goals and 52 assists for 96 points, which placed him fifth in NHL scoring. His brother Dennis Hull also cracked the 40 goal barrier, as he scored 40 goals and added 26 assists for 66 points. Stan Mikita had another solid season, scoring 28 goals and 72 points. Pit Martin and Bryan Campbell each had very good seasons, finishing with 55 and 54 points respectively. On the blueline, Pat Stapleton led the team with 7 goals and 51 points, while Bill White chipped in with 4 goals and 25 points. White also led the club with a +51 rating. Keith Magnuson led the Hawks in toughness, setting a team record with 291 penalty minutes.
In goal, Tony Esposito led the club with 35 victories and a 2.27 GAA, along with six shutouts while appearing in 57 games.http://goaliesarchive.com/hawks/indexesposito.html Backup goaltender Gerry Desjardins was very solid, winning 12 games while having a 2.47 GAA.http://goaliesarchive.com/hawks/indexdesjardins.html
===Final Standings===
===Game Log===
# 	Date 	Visitor 	Score	Home 	Record 	Pts
1 	October 11 	California Golden Seals	1–5 	Chicago Black Hawks 	1–0–0 	2
2 	October 14 	Vancouver Canucks 	2–8 	Chicago Black Hawks 	2–0–0 	4
3 	October 15 	Chicago Black Hawks 	2-1 	Detroit Red Wings 	3–0-0 	6
4 	October 17 	Chicago Black Hawks 	2–6 	Montreal Canadiens 	3–1–0 	6
5 	October 18 	St. Louis Blues 	2–2 	Chicago Black Hawks 	3–1–1 	7
6 	October 22 	Chicago Black Hawks 	3–3 	Boston Bruins 	3–1–2 	8
7 	October 24 	Chicago Black Hawks 	1–0 	Toronto Maple Leafs 	4–1–2 	10
8 	October 25 	Chicago Black Hawks 	4–0 	Buffalo Sabres 	5–1–2 	12
9 	October 28 	Chicago Black Hawks 	1–2 	Minnesota North Stars 	5–2–2 	12
10	October 31 	Chicago Black Hawks 	5–2 	Pittsburgh Penguins 	6–2–2 	14
11	November 1 	Chicago Black Hawks 	2–5 	New York Rangers 	6–3–2 	14
12	November 4 	Detroit Red Wings 	2–4 	Chicago Black Hawks 	7–3–2 	16
13	November 7 	Chicago Black Hawks 	1–1 	Philadelphia Flyers 	7–3–3 	17
14	November 8 	Minnesota North Stars 	3–3 	Chicago Black Hawks 	7–3–4 	18
15	November 11	Philadelphia Flyers 	1–7 	Chicago Black Hawks 	8-3–4 	20
16	November 14	New York Rangers 	1–2 	Chicago Black Hawks 	9–3–4 	22
17	November 15	Vancouver Canucks 	2–4 	Chicago Black Hawks 	10-3–4 	24
18	November 21	Chicago Black Hawks 	3-3 	St. Louis Blues 	10–3–5 	25
19	November 22	California Golden Seals	0-9 	Chicago Black Hawks 	11–3–5 	27
20	November 25	Montreal Canadiens 	3–5 	Chicago Black Hawks 	12–3–5 	29
21	November 26	Chicago Black Hawks 	2–3 	Boston Bruins 	12–4–5 	29
22	November 28	Philadelphia Flyers 	1–3 	Chicago Black Hawks 	13–4–5 	31
23	November 29	Los Angeles Kings 	3-5 	Chicago Black Hawks 	14–4–5 	33
24	December 2 	Boston Bruins 	3–4 	Chicago Black Hawks 	15–4–5 	35
25	December 5 	Chicago Black Hawks 	4–1 	Minnesota North Stars 	16–4–5 	37
26	December 6 	Toronto Maple Leafs 	2-6 	Chicago Black Hawks 	17–4–5 	39
27	December 9 	Buffalo Sabres 	1–6 	Chicago Black Hawks 	18–4–5 	41
28	December 12	Chicago Black Hawks 	1-2 	Toronto Maple Leafs 	18–5–5 	41
29	December 13	Minnesota North Stars 	2–5 	Chicago Black Hawks 	19–5–5 	43
30	December 16	St. Louis Blues 	3–8 	Chicago Black Hawks 	20–5–5 	45
31	December 20	Pittsburgh Penguins 	1–2 	Chicago Black Hawks 	21–5–5 	47
32	December 22	Chicago Black Hawks 	2–5 	California Golden Seals	21–6–5 	47
33	December 23	Chicago Black Hawks 	6–4 	Los Angeles Kings 	22–6–5 	49
34	December 26	Chicago Black Hawks 	4–2 	Vancouver Canucks 	23–6–5 	51
35	December 31	Chicago Black Hawks 	8–3 	Detroit Red Wings 	24–6–5 	53
36	January 2 	Chicago Black Hawks 	3-1 	Philadelphia Flyers 	25–6–5 	55
37	January 3 	Chicago Black Hawks 	5–3 	Buffalo Sabres 	26–6–5 	57
38	January 6 	Los Angeles Kings 	4–2 	Chicago Black Hawks 	26–7–5 	57
39	January 9 	Boston Bruins 	3–4 	Chicago Black Hawks 	27–7–5 	59
40	January 10 	Minnesota North Stars 	3–2 	Chicago Black Hawks 	27–8–5 	59
41	January 13 	Buffalo Sabres 	2–4 	Chicago Black Hawks 	28–8–5 	61
42	January 16 	Chicago Black Hawks 	2–3 	St. Louis Blues 	28-9–5 	61
43	January 17 	New York Rangers 	3–4 	Chicago Black Hawks 	29–9–5 	63
44	January 21 	Detroit Red Wings 	0–2 	Chicago Black Hawks 	30-9–5 	65
45	January 23 	Chicago Black Hawks 	2–6 	Boston Bruins 	30–10–5	65
46	January 24 	California Golden Seals	3–5 	Chicago Black Hawks 	31–10–5	67
47	January 26 	Chicago Black Hawks 	3–3 	Vancouver Canucks 	31–10–6	68
48	January 28 	Pittsburgh Penguins 	1–4 	Chicago Black Hawks 	32–10–6	70
49	January 30 	Chicago Black Hawks 	1–3 	Pittsburgh Penguins 	32–11–6	70
50	January 31 	Montreal Canadiens 	1–4 	Chicago Black Hawks 	33–11–6	72
51	February 3 	Chicago Black Hawks 	4–2 	New York Rangers 	34–11–6	74
52	February 4 	Chicago Black Hawks 	2–6 	Philadelphia Flyers 	34–12–6	74
53	February 6 	Chicago Black Hawks 	6–2 	Minnesota North Stars 	35–12–6	76
54	February 7 	Pittsburgh Penguins 	0–1 	Chicago Black Hawks 	36–12–6	78
55	February 10	Toronto Maple Leafs 	3-2 	Chicago Black Hawks 	36–13–6	78
56	February 13	Chicago Black Hawks 	4–5 	Pittsburgh Penguins 	36–14–6	78
57	February 14	Vancouver Canucks 	1–3 	Chicago Black Hawks 	37–14–6	80
58	February 17	Buffalo Sabres 	1–5 	Chicago Black Hawks 	38–14–6	82
59	February 20	Chicago Black Hawks 	1–7 	Montreal Canadiens 	38–15–6	82
60	February 21	Los Angeles Kings 	5–7 	Chicago Black Hawks 	39–15–6	84
61	February 26	Chicago Black Hawks 	3–1 	California Golden Seals	40–15–6	86
62	February 27	Chicago Black Hawks 	4–1 	Los Angeles Kings 	41–15–6	88
63	March 3 	Chicago Black Hawks 	5–1 	St. Louis Blues 	42–15–6	90
64	March 5 	Chicago Black Hawks 	2–2 	Buffalo Sabres 	42–15–7	91
65	March 6 	Chicago Black Hawks 	2-2 	Toronto Maple Leafs 	42–15–8	92
66	March 10 	New York Rangers 	4–2 	Chicago Black Hawks 	42–16–8	92
67	March 13 	Chicago Black Hawks 	4–1 	Montreal Canadiens 	43–16–8	94
68	March 14 	St. Louis Blues 	4–4 	Chicago Black Hawks 	43–16–9	95
69	March 16 	Chicago Black Hawks 	7–4 	Vancouver Canucks 	44–16–9	97
70	March 18 	Chicago Black Hawks 	2–3 	Los Angeles Kings 	44–17–9	97
71	March 19 	Chicago Black Hawks 	4–2 	California Golden Seals	45–17–9	99
72	March 21 	Detroit Red Wings 	0–2 	Chicago Black Hawks 	46–17-9	101
73	March 24 	Boston Bruins 	1–2 	Chicago Black Hawks 	47–17–9	103
74	March 27 	Philadelphia Flyers 	1–3 	Chicago Black Hawks 	48–17–9	105
75	March 28 	Montreal Canadiens 	2–1 	Chicago Black Hawks 	48–18–9	105
76	March 31 	Chicago Black Hawks 	2–4 	New York Rangers 	48–19–9	105
77	April 3 	Chicago Black Hawks 	4–1 	Detroit Red Wings 	49–19–9	107
76	April 4 	Toronto Maple Leafs 	3–2 	Chicago Black Hawks 	49–20–9	107
==Playoffs==
===Chicago Black Hawks 4, Philadelphia Flyers 0===
The Hawks opened the playoffs against the Philadelphia Flyers, who had a record of 28-33-17, earning 73 points, while placing third in the West Division. The series opened with two games at Chicago Stadium, and the Black Hawks, who won a club record 30 games at home, continued their dominance, easily defeating the Flyers 5-2 and 6-2 to take a 2-0 series lead. The series moved to the Philadelphia Spectrum for the next two games, however, the Hawks were too much to handle for the Flyers, as Chicago won a close third game by a 3-2 score, before sweeping Philadelphia out of the playoffs with a 6-2 win in the fourth game.
#	Date 	Visitor 	Score	Home 	Record
1	April 7 	Philadelphia Flyers	2–5 	Chicago Black Hawks	1-0
2	April 8 	Philadelphia Flyers	2–6 	Chicago Black Hawks	2-0
3	April 10	Chicago Black Hawks	3–2 	Philadelphia Flyers	3-0
4	April 11	Chicago Black Hawks	6–2 	Philadelphia Flyers	4-0
===Chicago Black Hawks 4, New York Rangers 3===
Chicago's next opponent was the New York Rangers, who had finished the season with a 49-18-11 record, earning 109 points, and a second place finish in the East Division. The Rangers defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 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, the Rangers took a 1-0 series lead, defeating the Hawks in overtime by a 2-1 score. Chicago evened the series in the next game, shutting out New York 3-0. The series shifted to Madison Square Garden for the next two games, and the Rangers won the third game of the series by a 4-1 score, however, Chicago fought back in the fourth game, demolishing New York 7-1 to once again even the series. The fifth game was back in Chicago, and the Hawks took the series lead for the first time with a 3-2 overtime victory. Back in New York for the sixth game, the Rangers would push the series to the limit, with their second overtime victory of the series, setting up a seventh and deciding game in Chicago. The Black Hawks used their home ice advantage, and held on for a 4-2 victory, to win the series, and earn their first trip to the Stanley Cup finals for the first time since 1965.
#	Date 	Visitor 	Score 	Home 	Record
1	April 18	New York Rangers 	2–1 (OT) 	Chicago Black Hawks	0-1
2	April 20	New York Rangers 	0–3 	Chicago Black Hawks	1-1
3	April 22	Chicago Black Hawks	1–4 	New York Rangers 	1-2
4	April 25	Chicago Black Hawks	7–1 	New York Rangers 	2-2
5	April 27	New York Rangers 	2–3 (OT) 	Chicago Black Hawks	3-2
6	April 29	Chicago Black Hawks	2–3 (3OT)	New York Rangers 	3-3
7	May 2 	New York Rangers 	2–4 	Chicago Black Hawks	4-3
===Montreal Canadiens 4, Chicago Black Hawks 3===
The Black Hawks opponent was the Montreal Canadiens, who finished the season with a 42-23-13 record, earning 97 points, which was good for third place in the East. Montreal then upset the heavily favored Boston Bruins in the first round, followed by defeating the Minnesota North Stars in the second round. The series opened with two games at Chicago Stadium, and the Hawks took a commanding 2-0 series lead, defeating the Canadiens 2-1 and 5-3. The series shifted to the Montreal Forum for the next two games, and the Canadiens evened the series with two home wins of their own, by scores of 4-2 and 5-2. The fifth game returned to Chicago, and the Black Hawks stayed hot at home, shutting out Montreal 2-0 to take a 3-2 series lead. The Hawks, looking to wrap up the series in the sixth game in Montreal, however, the Canadiens forced a seventh and deciding game, winning by a score of 4-3. In the seventh game at Chicago Stadium, where the Hawks were 7-1 during the playoffs, the Black Hawks would have a 2-0 lead halfway through the game, but the Canadiens cut into the lead when Jacques Lemaire scored on a shot from center ice that got past Hawks goaltender Tony Esposito. The Canadiens tied the game at two before the end of the second when Henri Richard scored, setting up an intense third period. Richard once again scored 2:34 into the period, giving Montreal a 3-2 lead, and Canadiens goaltender Ken Dryden kept the Black Hawks off the scoreboard for the rest of the game, as Montreal would win the Stanley Cup in dramatic fashion for their third championship in four years.
#	Date 	Visitor 	Score	Home 	Record
1	May 4 	Montreal Canadiens 	1–2 	Chicago Black Hawks	1-0
2	May 6 	Montreal Canadiens 	3–5 	Chicago Black Hawks	2-0
3	May 9 	Chicago Black Hawks	2–4 	Montreal Canadiens 	2-1
4	May 11	Chicago Black Hawks	2–5 	Montreal Canadiens 	2-2
5	May 13	Montreal Canadiens 	0–2 	Chicago Black Hawks	3-2
6	May 16	Chicago Black Hawks	3–4 	Montreal Canadiens 	3-3
7	May 18	Montreal Canadiens 	3–2 	Chicago Black Hawks	3-4
==Player Stats==
===Scoring Leaders===
Player 	GP	G 	A 	Pts	PIM
Bobby Hull 	78	44	52	96 	32
Stan Mikita 	74	24	48	72 	85
Dennis Hull 	78	40	26	66 	16
Pit Martin 	62	22	33	55 	40
Bryan Campbell	78	17	37	54 	26
===Goaltending===
Player 	GP	TOI 	W 	L 	T	GA 	SO	GAA
Tony Esposito 	57	3325	35	14	6	126	6 	2.27
Gerry Desjardins	22	1217	12	6 	3	49 	0 	2.42
Gilles Meloche 	2 	120 	2 	0 	0	6 	0 	3.00
Ken Brown 	1 	18 	0 	0 	0	1 	0 	3.33
==Playoff Stats==
===Scoring Leaders===
Player 	GP	G 	A 	Pts	PIM
Bobby Hull 	18	11	14	25 	16
Stan Mikita 	18	5 	13	18 	16
Pat Stapleton	18	3 	14	17 	4
Cliff Koroll 	18	7 	9 	16 	18
Jim Pappin 	18	10	4 	14 	24
===Goaltending===
Player 	GP	TOI 	W 	L	GA	SO	GAA
Tony Esposito	18	1151	11	7	42	2 	2.19
==Awards and Records==
*Clarence S. Campbell Bowl: Chicago Black Hawks
*Bobby Hull, Left Wing, NHL Second Team All-Star
*Pat Stapleton, Defense, NHL Second Team All-Star
==Draft Picks==
Chicago's draft picks at the 1970 NHL Amateur Draft held at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal, Quebec.
Round	# 	Player 	Nationality	College/Junior/Club Team (League)
1 	14	Dan Maloney 	 	London Knights (OHA)
2 	28	Michel Archambault	 	Drummondville Rangers (QMJHL)
3 	42	Len Frig 	 	Calgary Centennials (WCHL)
4 	56	Walt Ledingham 	 	University of Minnesota-Duluth (NCAA)
5 	70	Gilles Meloche 	 	Verdun Maple Leafs (QMJHL)
==Gallery==
Orr_goal-23Jan1971.gif|Bobby Orr from Derek Sanderson, January 23, 1971.
==Video==
Film of the Sabres inaugural season including the 1970 NHL Expansion Draft and 1970 NHL Amateur Draft and many interviews. Footage of the Sabres first exhibition game (against the Rangers), a game versus Montreal, Toronto on November 18, 1970 (featuring Leafs goalie Murray McLachlan in one of his two NHL games), Detroit on February 20, 1971, Boston on February 23, Chicago on March 5, St. Louis on March 18 (Gilbert Perreault breaks the record for most goals by a rookie), Vancouver on March 26, 1971.
Two 1970 NHL Buffalo Sabres Films Sabres Ready, & Touché (Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs)
Highlights from the Bruins-Canadiens Game 7, Canadiens-North Stars Game 6 and Canadiens-Black Hawks Game 7 from the 1971 Stanley Cup playoffs.
Montreal Canadiens win 1971 Stanley cup
==See Also==
* 1970–71 NHL season
==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:1970 in hockey
Category:1971 in hockey