Difference between revisions 3677201 and 4201425 on mswiki

{{Infobox sports season
| title            =1977–78 NHL season
| league           =[[National Hockey League]]
| sport            =[[Ice hockey]]
| duration         =October 12, 1977 – May 25, 1978
| season           =Regular season
| season_champs    =[[Montreal Canadiens]]
| MVP              =[[Guy Lafleur]], <small>([[Montreal Canadiens]])</small>
| MVP_link         =Hart Memorial Trophy
| top_scorer       =[[Guy Lafleur]], <small>([[Montreal Canadiens]])</small>
| top_scorer_link  =Art Ross Trophy
| playoffs         =Playoffs
| playoffs_link    =1978 Stanley Cup playoffs
| finals           =Stanley Cup
| finals_link      =1978 Stanley Cup Final
| finals_champ     =[[Montreal Canadiens]]
| finals_runner-up =[[Boston Bruins]]
| playoffs_MVP     = [[Larry Robinson]], <small>([[Montreal Canadiens]])</small>
| playoffs_MVP_link = Conn Smythe Trophy
 |nextseason_year = [[1978–79 NHL season|1978–79]]
 |prevseason_year = [[1976–77 NHL season|1976–77]]
 | seasonslistnames =[[List of NHL seasons|NHL]]
 |no_of_games=80
 |no_of_teams=18
}}
The '''1977–78 NHL season''' was the [[List of NHL seasons|61st]] [[Season (sports)|season]] of the [[National Hockey League]]. The [[Montreal Canadiens]] won their third [[Stanley Cup]] in a row, defeating the [[Boston Bruins]] four games to two in the [[1978 Stanley Cup Final|final]].
{{TOC left|limit=2}}

==  League business  ==
[[Clarence Campbell]] retired as NHL President, prior to this season. [[John Ziegler (sports administrator)|John Ziegler]] succeeded him.

A trophy for the top defensive forward, the [[Frank J. Selke Trophy]], made its debut this season and went to [[Bob Gainey]], who played left wing for Montreal.

On June 14, 1978, the league approved the merger of the financially struggling [[Cleveland Barons (NHL)|Cleveland Barons]] and [[Minnesota North Stars]] franchises, reducing the number of teams to seventeen, with the North Stars (now the [[Dallas Stars]]) assuming the Barons' place in the Adams Division.   It was the only instance of a league franchise to dissolve since the [[Brooklyn Americans]] ceased operations in 1942.   The next time the NHL had a team in Ohio would be the expansion [[Columbus Blue Jackets]] in the [[2000–01 NHL season|2000–01 season]].

The league changed the playoff qualification format for this season. Whereas before the first through third-place teams in every division qualified, the format was changed to only guarantee the first and second-place finisher in each division a playoff spot. The last four qualifiers were from the next-best four regular-season records from third and lower place finishers.

Teams were required to place the last names of players on the back of all jerseys starting with this season.

==  Regular season  ==
[[Bobby Orr]] sat out the season to rest his oft-injured knee in the hope that rest would allow him to return to play in 1978–79.

On December 11, 1977, the Philadelphia Flyers' [[Tom Bladon]] became the first defenseman in NHL history to score eight points in one game.<ref>Hockey’s Book of Firsts, p.27, James Duplacey, JG Press, ISBN 978-1-57215-037-9</ref> He scored four goals and four assists versus the Cleveland Barons. It was 25% of his point total for the entire season.

The [[Colorado Rockies (NHL)|Colorado Rockies]] qualified for the playoffs for the first and only time in franchise history. They would not make the playoffs again until after the team had moved to New Jersey, in 1988. The next time the playoffs came to Colorado would be the Colorado Avalanche's championship season of 1996.

===  Final standings  ===
''GP = Games Played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals For, GA = Goals Against, PIM = Penalties In Minutes''
<br>
''Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in '''bold'''''

====  Prince of Wales Conference  ====
{{1977–78 NHL Adams Division standings}}
{{1977–78 NHL Norris Division standings}}

====  Clarence Campbell Conference  ====
{{1977–78 NHL Patrick Division standings}}
{{1977–78 NHL Smythe Division standings}}

==  Playoffs  ==
The playoffs were held in four rounds, preliminary, quarterfinals, semifinals and final. In the preliminary round, the [[Detroit Red Wings]] were the only lower-placed team to win over the higher-placed team. The Red Wings were then defeated in five games by the first-place [[Montreal Canadiens]]. The [[Toronto Maple Leafs]] defeated the [[Los Angeles Kings]] to advance to the quarterfinals, where the Leafs upset the third-place [[New York Islanders]] in seven games, setting up an "Original Six" playoff against Montreal. The upsets ended there as the Canadiens swept the Leafs to advance to the final. In the other groupings, the higher-placed team won each round, and the second-place [[Boston Bruins]] advanced to the final to playoff against the first-place Canadiens. In the final, the Canadiens defeated the Bruins in six games to win their third consecutive Stanley Cup.

The [[Colorado Rockies (NHL)|Colorado Rockies]] made their one and only playoff appearance in the preliminary round against the [[Philadelphia Flyers]], and were swept in two games. It would take another ten years before they got to the playoffs again in [[New Jersey]]. The [[Chicago Blackhawks|Chicago Black Hawks]] were swept in the other "Original Six" matchup of the playoffs, losing to Boston in the quarterfinals.

===  Playoff seeds  ===

The twelve teams that qualified for the playoffs are ranked 1–12 based on regular season points.

''Note: Only teams that qualified for the playoffs are listed here.''

# [[1977–78 Montreal Canadiens season|Montreal Canadiens]], Norris Division champions, Prince of Wales Conference regular season champions – 129 points
# [[1977–78 Boston Bruins season|Boston Bruins]], Adams Division champions – 113 points
# [[1977–78 New York Islanders season|New York Islanders]], Patrick Division champions, Clarence Campbell Conference regular season champions – 111 points
# [[1977–78 Philadelphia Flyers season|Philadelphia Flyers]] – 105 points (45 wins)
# [[1977–78 Buffalo Sabres season|Buffalo Sabres]] – 105 points (44 wins)
# [[1977–78 Toronto Maple Leafs season|Toronto Maple Leafs]] – 92 points
# [[1977–78 Atlanta Flames season|Atlanta Flames]] – 87 points
# [[1977–78 Chicago Black Hawks season|Chicago Black Hawks]], Smythe Division champions – 83 points
# [[1977–78 Detroit Red Wings season|Detroit Red Wings]] – 78 points
# [[1977–78 Los Angeles Kings season|Los Angeles Kings]] – 77 points
# [[1977–78 New York Rangers season|New York Rangers]] – 73 points
# [[1977–78 Colorado Rockies season|Colorado Rockies]] – 59 points

===  Playoff bracket  ===
{{4RoundBracket-Byes
| RD1=Preliminary Round
| RD2=Quarterfinals
| RD3=Semifinals
| RD4=Stanley Cup Final
| RD1-seed03=4
| RD1-team03=Atlanta
(contracted; show full)| RD4-seed02=2
| RD4-team02=Boston
| RD4-score02=2
}}
* Division winners earned a bye to the Quarterfinals
* Teams were re-seeded based on regular season record after the Preliminary and Quarterfinal rounds

===
  Preliminary Round  ===

====  (1) Philadelphia Flyers vs. (8) Colorado Rockies  ====

{{NHLPlayoffs
|team1=Colorado Rockies
|team2=Philadelphia Flyers
|stadium2=[[McNichols Sports Arena]]
|stadium1=[[Philadelphia Spectrum]]

|date1       =April 11
|score1      =2–3
|ot1         =1
|won1        =2
|recap1      =
|1-1-1       =
|1-1-2       =
|1-2-1       =
|1-2-2       =
|1-3-1       =
|1-3-2       =
|goalie1-1   =
|goalie1-2   =

|date2       =April 13
|score2      =3–1
|home2       =2
|won2        =2
|recap2      =
|2-1-1       =
|2-1-2       =
|2-2-1       =
|2-2-2       =
|2-3-1       =
|2-3-2       =
|goalie2-1   =
|goalie2-2   =

|series = Philadelphia won series 2–0
}}

====  (2) Buffalo Sabres vs. (7) New York Rangers  ====

{{NHLPlayoffs
|team1=New York Rangers
|team2=Buffalo Sabres
|stadium2=[[Madison Square Garden]]
|stadium1=[[Buffalo Memorial Auditorium]]

|date1       =April 11
|score1      =1–4
|won1        =2
|recap1      =
|1-1-1       =
|1-1-2       =
|1-2-1       =
|1-2-2       =
|1-3-1       =
|1-3-2       =
|goalie1-1   =
|goalie1-2   =

|date2       =April 13
|score2      =3–4
|ot2         =1
|home2       =2
|won2        =1
|recap2      =
|2-1-1       =
|2-1-2       =
|2-2-1       =
|2-2-2       =
|2-3-1       =
|2-3-2       =
|goalie2-1   =
|goalie2-2   =

|date3       =April 15
|score3      =1–4
|home3       =1
|won3        =2
|recap3      =
|3-1-1       =
|3-1-2       =
|3-2-1       =
|3-2-2       =
|3-3-1       =
|3-3-2       =
|goalie3-1   =
|goalie3-2   =

|series = Buffalo won series 2–1
}}

====  (3) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. (6) Los Angeles Kings  ====

{{NHLPlayoffs
|team1=Los Angeles Kings
|team2=Toronto Maple Leafs
|stadium2=[[The Forum (Inglewood, California)|The Forum]]
|stadium1=[[Maple Leaf Gardens]]

|date1       =April 11
|score1      =3–7
|won1        =2
|recap1      =
|1-1-1       =
|1-1-2       =
|1-2-1       =
|1-2-2       =
|1-3-1       =
|1-3-2       =
|goalie1-1   =
|goalie1-2   =

|date2       =April 13
|score2      =4–0
|home2       =2
|won2        =2
|recap2      =
|2-1-1       =
|2-1-2       =
|2-2-1       =
|2-2-2       =
|2-3-1       =
|2-3-2       =
|goalie2-1   =
|goalie2-2   =

|series = Toronto won series 2–0
}}

====  (4) Atlanta Flames vs. (5) Detroit Red Wings  ====

{{NHLPlayoffs
|team1=Detroit Red Wings
|team2=Atlanta Flames
|stadium2=[[Detroit Olympia]]
|stadium1=[[Omni Coliseum]]

|date1       =April 11
|score1      =5–3
|won1        =1
|recap1      =
|1-1-1       =
|1-1-2       =
|1-2-1       =
|1-2-2       =
|1-3-1       =
|1-3-2       =
|goalie1-1   =
|goalie1-2   =

|date2       =April 13
|score2      =2–3
|home2       =2
|won2        =1
|recap2      =
|2-1-1       =
|2-1-2       =
|2-2-1       =
|2-2-2       =
|2-3-1       =
|2-3-2       =
|goalie2-1   =
|goalie2-2   =

|series = Detroit won series 2–0
}}

===  Quarterfinals  ===

====  (1) Montreal Canadiens vs. (8) Detroit Red Wings  ====

{{NHLPlayoffs
|team1=Detroit Red Wings
|team2=Montreal Canadiens
|stadium2=[[Detroit Olympia]]
|stadium1=[[Montreal Forum]]

|date1       =April 17
|score1      =2–6
|won1        =2
|recap1      =
|1-1-1       =
|1-1-2       =
|1-2-1       =
|1-2-2       =
|1-3-1       =
|1-3-2       =
|goalie1-1   =
|goalie1-2   =

|date2       =April 19
|score2      =4–2
|won2        =1
|recap2      =
|2-1-1       =
|2-1-2       =
|2-2-1       =
|2-2-2       =
|2-3-1       =
|2-3-2       =
|goalie2-1   =
|goalie2-2   =

|date3       =April 21
|score3      =4–2
|won3        =2
|recap3      =
|3-1-1       =
|3-1-2       =
|3-2-1       =
|3-2-2       =
|3-3-1       =
|3-3-2       =
|goalie3-1   =
|goalie3-2   =

|date4       =April 23
|score4      =8–0
|won4        =2
|recap4      =
|4-1-1       =
|4-1-2       =
|4-2-1       =
|4-2-2       =
|4-3-1       =
|4-3-2       =
|goalie4-1   =
|goalie4-2   =

|date5       =April 25
|score5      =2–4
|won5        =2
|recap5      =
|5-1-1       =
|5-1-2       =
|5-2-1       =
|5-2-2       =
|5-3-1       =
|5-3-2       =
|goalie5-1   =
|goalie5-2   =

|series = Montreal won series 4–1
}}

====  (2) Boston Bruins vs. (7) Chicago Black Hawks  ====

{{NHLPlayoffs
|team1=Chicago Black Hawks
|team2=Boston Bruins
|stadium2=[[Chicago Stadium]]
|stadium1=[[Boston Garden]]

|date1       =April 17
|score1      =1–6
|won1        =2
|recap1      =
|1-1-1       =
|1-1-2       =
|1-2-1       =
|1-2-2       =
|1-3-1       =
|1-3-2       =
|goalie1-1   =
|goalie1-2   =

|date2       =April 19
|score2      =3–4
|ot2         =1
|won2        =2
|recap2      =
|2-1-1       =
|2-1-2       =
|2-2-1       =
|2-2-2       =
|2-3-1       =
|2-3-2       =
|2-4-1       =
|2-4-2       =
|goalie2-1   =
|goalie2-2   =

|date3       =April 21
|score3      =4–3
|ot3         =1
|won3        =2
|recap3      =
|3-1-1       =
|3-1-2       =
|3-2-1       =
|3-2-2       =
|3-3-1       =
|3-3-2       =
|3-4-1       =
|3-4-2       =
|goalie3-1   =
|goalie3-2   =

|date4       =April 23
|score4      =5–2
|won4        =2
|recap4      =
|4-1-1       =
|4-1-2       =
|4-2-1       =
|4-2-2       =
|4-3-1       =
|4-3-2       =
|goalie4-1   =
|goalie4-2   =

|series = Boston won series 4–0
}}

====  (3) New York Islanders vs. (6) Toronto Maple Leafs  ====

{{NHLPlayoffs
|team1=Toronto Maple Leafs
|team2=New York Islanders
|stadium2=[[Maple Leaf Gardens]]
|stadium1=[[Nassau Coliseum]]

(contracted; show full)|7-4-2       =
|goalie7-1   =
|goalie7-2   =

|series = Toronto won series 4–3
}}

====
  (4) Philadelphia Flyers vs. (5) Buffalo Sabres  ====

{{NHLPlayoffs
|team1=Buffalo Sabres
|team2=Philadelphia Flyers
|stadium2=[[Buffalo Memorial Auditorium]]
|stadium1=[[Spectrum (arena)|Spectrum]]

|date1       =April 17
|score1      =1–4
|won1        =2
|recap1      =
|1-1-1       =
|1-1-2       =
|1-2-1       =
|1-2-2       =
|1-3-1       =
|1-3-2       =
|goalie1-1   =
|goalie1-2   =

|date2       =April 19
|score2      =2–3
|won2        =2
|recap2      =
|2-1-1       =
|2-1-2       =
|2-2-1       =
|2-2-2       =
|2-3-1       =
|2-3-2       =
|goalie2-1   =
|goalie2-2   =

|date3       =April 22
|score3      =1–4
|won3        =1
|recap3      =
|3-1-1       =
|3-1-2       =
|3-2-1       =
|3-2-2       =
|3-3-1       =
|3-3-2       =
|goalie3-1   =
|goalie3-2   =

|date4       =April 23
|score4      =4–2
|won4        =2
|recap4      =
|4-1-1       =
|4-1-2       =
|4-2-1       =
|4-2-2       =
|4-3-1       =
|4-3-2       =
|goalie4-1   =
|goalie4-2   =

|date5       =April 25
|score5      =2–4
|won5        =2
|recap5      =
|5-1-1       =
|5-1-2       =
|5-2-1       =
|5-2-2       =
|5-3-1       =
|5-3-2       =
|goalie5-1   =
|goalie5-2   =

|series = Philadelphia won series 4-1
}}

===  Semifinals  ===

====  (1) Montreal Canadiens vs. (4) Toronto Maple Leafs  ====

{{NHLPlayoffs
|team1=Toronto Maple Leafs
|team2=Montreal Canadiens
|stadium2=[[Maple Leaf Gardens]]
|stadium1=[[Montreal Forum]]

|date1       =May 2
|score1      =3–5
|won1        =2
|recap1      =
|1-1-1       =
|1-1-2       =
|1-2-1       =
|1-2-2       =
|1-3-1       =
|1-3-2       =
|goalie1-1   =
|goalie1-2   =

|date2       =May 4
|score2      =2–3
|won2        =2
|recap2      =
|2-1-1       =
|2-1-2       =
|2-2-1       =
|2-2-2       =
|2-3-1       =
|2-3-2       =
|goalie2-1   =
|goalie2-2   =

|date3       =May 6
|score3      =6–1
|won3        =2
|recap3      =
|3-1-1       =
|3-1-2       =
|3-2-1       =
|3-2-2       =
|3-3-1       =
|3-3-2       =
|goalie3-1   =
|goalie3-2   =

|date4       =May 9
|score4      =2–0
|won4        =2
|recap4      =
|4-1-1       =
|4-1-2       =
|4-2-1       =
|4-2-2       =
|4-3-1       =
|4-3-2       =
|goalie4-1   =
|goalie4-2   =

|series = Montreal won series 4–0
}}

====  (2) Boston Bruins vs. (3) Philadelphia Flyers  ====

Game five was Fred Shero's last game as head coach of the Flyers and Gerry Cheevers left the ice without shaking hands with any of the Flyers.<ref>[http://dropyourgloves.com/Games/GameEvents.aspx?Game=14746   DropYourGloves.com]</ref>

{{NHLPlayoffs
|team1=Philadelphia Flyers
|team2=Boston Bruins
|stadium2=[[Spectrum (arena)|Spectrum]]
|stadium1=[[Boston Garden]]

(contracted; show full)|5-3-2       =06:18 – [[Don Marcotte]] (4)<br>12:22 – [[Peter McNab]] (6)<br>18:56 – ''en'' – [[Jean Ratelle]] (3)
|goalie5-1   =[[Bernie Parent]] 27 saves / 32 shots
|goalie5-2   =[[Gerry Cheevers]] 21 saves / 24 shots

|series = Boston won series 4–1
}}

===
  Stanley Cup Finals  ===
{{main|1978 Stanley Cup Finals}}

{{NHLPlayoffs
|team1=Boston Bruins
|team2=Montreal Canadiens
|stadium2=[[Boston Garden]]
|stadium1=[[Montreal Forum]]

|date1       =May 13
|score1      =1–4
|won1        =2
|recap1      =
|1-1-1       =
|1-1-2       =
|1-2-1       =
|1-2-2       =
|1-3-1       =
|1-3-2       =
|goalie1-1   =
|goalie1-2   =

|date2       =May 16
|score2      =2–3
|ot2         =1
|won2        =2
|recap2      =
|2-1-1       =
|2-1-2       =
|2-2-1       =
|2-2-2       =
|2-3-1       =
|2-3-2       =
|2-4-1       =
|2-4-2       =
|goalie2-1   =
|goalie2-2   =

|date3       =May 18
|score3      =0–4
|won3        =1
|recap3      =
|3-1-1       =
|3-1-2       =
|3-2-1       =
|3-2-2       =
|3-3-1       =
|3-3-2       =
|goalie3-1   =
|goalie3-2   =

|date4       =May 21
|score4      =3–4
|ot4         =1
|won4        =1
|recap4      =
|4-1-1       =
|4-1-2       =
|4-2-1       =
|4-2-2       =
|4-3-1       =
|4-3-2       =
|4-4-1       =
|4-4-2       =
|goalie4-1   =
|goalie4-2   =

|date5       =May 23
|score5      =1–4
|won5        =2
|recap5      =
|5-1-1       =
|5-1-2       =
|5-2-1       =
|5-2-2       =
|5-3-1       =
|5-3-2       =
|goalie5-1   =
|goalie5-2   =

|date6       =May 25
|score6      =4–1
|won6        =2
|recap6      =
|6-1-1       =
|6-1-2       =
|6-2-1       =
|6-2-2       =
|6-3-1       =
|6-3-2       =
|goalie6-1   =
|goalie6-2   =

|series = Montreal won series 4–2
}}

==  Awards  ==
The league introduced the Frank J. Selke trophy this season. It rewards the forward judged to be the best at defensive abilities.

{| cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1" border="1" class="wikitable"
! bgcolor="#DDDDDD" colspan="2" | 1978 NHL awards
|-
|[[Prince of Wales Trophy]]:<br><small>(Wales Conference regular season champion)</small> || Montreal Canadiens
|-
(contracted; show full)
|-
|[[Vezina Trophy]]:<br><small>(Goaltender(s) of team(s) with best goaltending record)</small> || [[Ken Dryden]] & [[Michel Larocque (ice hockey, born 1952)|Michel Larocque]], Montreal Canadiens
|-
|[[Lester Patrick Trophy]]:<br><small>(Service to hockey in the U.S.)</small> || [[Phil Esposito]], Tom Fitzgerald, [[William Thayer Tutt]], [[Bill Wirtz|William W. Wirtz]]
|}

===
  All-Star teams  ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! First Team !! &nbsp; Position &nbsp; !! Second Team
|-
|[[Ken Dryden]], [[Montreal Canadiens]]
| align=center | [[Goaltender|G]]
|[[Don Edwards (ice hockey)|Don Edwards]], [[Buffalo Sabres]]
|-
|[[Denis Potvin]], [[New York Islanders]]
| align=center | [[Defenceman (ice hockey)|D]]
|[[Larry Robinson]], [[Montreal Canadiens]]
|-
|[[Brad Park]], [[Boston Bruins]]
| align=center | D
|[[Börje Salming|Borje Salming]], [[Toronto Maple Leafs]]
|-
|[[Bryan Trottier]], [[New York Islanders]]
| align=center | [[Centre (ice hockey)|C]]
|[[Darryl Sittler]], [[Toronto Maple Leafs]]
|-
|[[Guy Lafleur]], [[Montreal Canadiens]]
| align=center | [[Winger (ice hockey)|RW]]
|[[Mike Bossy]], [[New York Islanders]]
|-
|[[Clark Gillies]], [[New York Islanders]]
| align=center | [[Winger (ice hockey)|LW]]
|[[Steve Shutt]], [[Montreal Canadiens]]
|-
|}

==  Player statistics  ==

===  Scoring leaders  ===
''GP = Games Played, G = [[Goal (ice hockey)|Goals]], A = [[Assist (ice hockey)|Assists]], Pts = Points, PIM = [[Penalty (ice hockey)|Penalties In Minutes]]''
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! width="30%" | Player
! width="30%" | Team
! width="7.5%" | GP
! width="7.5%" | G
(contracted; show full)| align=left | Toronto Maple Leafs || 74 || 47 || 40 || 87 || 54
|- align=center
| align=left | [[Wilf Paiement]]
| align=left | Colorado Rockies    || 80 || 31 || 56 || 87 || 114
|}
'''Source:''' NHL.{{sfn |Dinger |2011 |p=150}}

===
  Leading goaltenders  ===

''Note: GP = Games played; Min - Minutes Played; GA = Goals Against; GAA = Goals Against Average; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; SO = Shutouts''
{| border="1" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" class="wikitable"
|-
! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="20%" | Player
! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="20%" | Team
! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="6%" | GP
(contracted; show full)|-
|[[Mike Palmateer]] || Toronto Maple Leafs || 63 || 3760 || 172 || 2.74 || 34 || 19 || 9 || 5
|-
|[[Dan Bouchard]] || Atlanta Flames || 58 || 3340 || 153 || 2.75 || 25 || 12 || 19 || 2
|-
|}

===
  Other statistics  ===
;[[NHL Plus-Minus Award|Plus-minus]]:
* Guy Lafleur, Montreal Canadiens

==  Debuts  ==
The following is a list of players of note who played their first NHL game in 1977–78 (listed with their first team, asterisk(*) marks debut in playoffs):
*  [[Doug Wilson (ice hockey)|Doug Wilson]], Chicago Black Hawks
*  [[Barry Beck]], Colorado Rockies
*  [[Dale McCourt]], Detroit Red Wings
*  [[Vaclav Nedomansky]], Detroit Red Wings
*  [[Dave Taylor (ice hockey)|Dave Taylor]], Los Angeles Kings
*  [[Mike Bossy]], New York Islanders
*  [[Ron Duguay]], New York Rangers
*  [[Glen Hanlon]], Vancouver Canucks
*  [[Murray Bannerman]], Vancouver Canucks
*  [[Robert Picard]], Washington Capitals

''Nedomansky began his major professional career in the [[World Hockey Association]].''

==  Last games  ==
The following is a list of players of note that played their last game in the NHL in 1977–78 (listed with their last team):
*  [[Johnny Bucyk]], Boston Bruins
*  [[Eddie Johnston]], Chicago Black Hawks
*  [[Jim Neilson]], Cleveland Barons
*  [[Dennis Hull]], Detroit Red Wings
*  [[Ed Giacomin]], Detroit Red Wings
*  [[Bill Goldsworthy]], New York Rangers
*  [[Dallas Smith]], New York Rangers
*  [[Ken Hodge]], New York Rangers
*  [[Rod Gilbert]], New York Rangers
*  [[Gary Dornhoefer]], Philadelphia Flyers
*  [[Derek Sanderson]], Pittsburgh Penguins
*  [[Claude Larose (ice hockey, born 1942)|Claude Larose]], St. Louis Blues
*  [[Bob Plager]], St. Louis Blues
*  [[Jim Roberts (ice hockey, born 1940)|Jim Roberts]], St. Louis Blues
*  [[Red Berenson]], St. Louis Blues
*  [[Cesare Maniago]], Vancouver Canucks

''NOTE: Goldsworthy and Neilson would finish their major professional careers in the [[World Hockey Association]].''

== See also ==
* [[List of Stanley Cup champions]]
* [[1977 NHL Amateur Draft]]
* [[31st National Hockey League All-Star Game]]
* [[National Hockey League All-Star Game]]
* [[1977–78 WHA season]]
* [[1977 in sports]]
* [[1978 in sports]]

==  References  ==
* {{cite book|title=Total Hockey |editor=Diamond, Dan |publisher=Total Sports |year=2000 |location=Kingston, NY |isbn=1-892129-85-X |ref=harv}}
* {{cite book |editor-last=Dinger |editor-first=Ralph |year=2011 |title=The National Hockey League Official Guide & Record Book 2012 |publisher=Dan Diamond & Associates |isbn=978-1-894801-22-5 |location=Toronto, ON |ref={{harvid|Dinger|2011}}}}
* {{cite book |editor-last=Dryden |editor-first=Steve |title=Century of hockey |publisher=McClelland & Stewart Ltd. |location=Toronto, ON |year=2000 |isbn=0-7710-4179-9 |ref={{harvid|Dryden|2000}}}}
* {{cite book |last1=Fischler |first1=Stan |last2=Fischler |first2=Shirley
 |last3=Hughes |first3=Morgan |last4=Romain |first4=Joseph |last5=Duplacey |first5=James
 |year=2003 |title=The Hockey Chronicle: Year-by-Year History of the National Hockey League |publisher=Publications International Inc. |isbn=0-7853-9624-1 |location=Lincolnwood, IL |ref={{harvid|Fischler|2003}}}}

;Notes
{{reflist}}

==  External links  ==
*  [http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/nhl1927.html Hockey Database]
*  [http://nhl.com/ NHL.com]

{{1977–78 NHL season by team}}
{{NHL seasons|1977}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:1977-78 NHL season}}
[[CKategoryi:1977–78 NHL season| ]]
[[CKategoryi:1977–78 in Canadian ice hockey by league|1]]
[[CKategoryi:1977–78 in American ice hockey by league|1]]