Revision 4201429 of "1978–79 NHL season" on mswiki

{{Infobox sports season
| title            =1978–79 NHL season
| league           =[[National Hockey League]]
| sport            =[[Ice hockey]]
| duration         =October 11, 1978 – May 21, 1979
| season           =Regular season
| season_champs    =[[New York Islanders]]
| MVP              =[[Bryan Trottier]], <small>([[New York Islanders]])</small>
| MVP_link         =Hart Memorial Trophy
| top_scorer       =[[Bryan Trottier]], <small>([[New York Islanders]])</small>
| top_scorer_link  =Art Ross Trophy
| playoffs         =Playoffs
| playoffs_link    =1979 Stanley Cup playoffs
| finals           =Stanley Cup
| finals_link      =1979 Stanley Cup Final
| finals_champ     =[[Montreal Canadiens]]
| finals_runner-up =[[New York Rangers]]
| playoffs_MVP     = [[Bob Gainey]], <small>([[Montreal Canadiens]])</small>
| playoffs_MVP_link = Conn Smythe Trophy
 |nextseason_year = [[1979–80 NHL season|1979–80]]
 |prevseason_year = [[1977–78 NHL season|1977–78]]
 | seasonslistnames =[[List of NHL seasons|NHL]]
 |no_of_games=80
 |no_of_teams=17
}}The '''1978–79 NHL season''' was the [[List of NHL seasons|62nd]] [[Season (sports)|season]] of the [[National Hockey League]]. The [[Montreal Canadiens]] beat the [[New York Rangers]] in the [[Stanley Cup]] finals four games to one for their fourth Cup in a row. This was the last time that two of the "[[Original Six]]" teams met in the Finals until [[2013 Stanley Cup Finals|2013]]. With the [[Boston Bruins]] joining the Canadiens and Rangers in the semifinals, this was the last time that three of the final four teams were Original six teams until [[2014 Stanley Cup playoffs|2014]].
{{TOC left|limit=2}}

== League business ==
This season saw the first reduction in the total number of teams since the [[New York Americans|Brooklyn Americans]] folded following the [[1941–42 NHL season|1941–42 season]]. Fearing that two teams were on the verge of folding, the league approved the merger of the financially unstable [[Cleveland Barons (NHL)|Cleveland Barons]] and [[Minnesota North Stars]] franchises, reducing the number of teams to 17. The merged team continued as the Minnesota North Stars, but assumed the Barons' place in the Adams Division.

This reduction would only be temporary, however, as negotiations continued toward an agreement with the [[World Hockey Association]] that would see it fold following this season, with four of its teams joining the NHL as expansion franchises for [[1979–80 NHL season|1979–80]].

For the first time since the [[National Hockey League All-Star Game|NHL All-Star Game]] became an annual tradition, it was not played. In its stead was the [[1979 Challenge Cup]], which saw [[Soviet national ice hockey team|Soviet Union]] players come over to [[North America]] to play against NHL players. The Soviets won the series two games to one.

This was the last season until the [[2005-06 NHL season|2005-06 season]] that the St. Louis Blues missed the playoffs.

== Regular season ==
For the past three seasons, the Montreal Canadiens had dominated the regular season, but times were changing. The [[New York Islanders]] had been steadily improving over the past few seasons and this season saw them beat out the Canadiens by one point for the best record in the league.

=== 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 ====
{{1978–79 NHL Adams Division standings}}
{{1978–79 NHL Norris Division standings}}

==== Clarence Campbell Conference ====
{{1978–79 NHL Patrick Division standings}}
{{1978–79 NHL Smythe Division standings}}

== Playoffs ==
{{main|1979 Stanley Cup playoffs}}
=== 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.''

# [[1978–79 New York Islanders season|New York Islanders]], Patrick Division champions, Clarence Campbell Conference regular season champions – 116 points
# [[1978–79 Montreal Canadiens season|Montreal Canadiens]], Norris Division champions, Prince of Wales Conference regular season champions – 115 points
# [[1978–79 Boston Bruins season|Boston Bruins]], Adams Division champions – 100 points
# [[1978–79 Philadelphia Flyers season|Philadelphia Flyers]] – 95 points
# [[1978–79 New York Rangers season|New York Rangers]] – 91 points
# [[1978–79 Atlanta Flames season|Atlanta Flames]] – 90 points
# [[1978–79 Buffalo Sabres season|Buffalo Sabres]] – 88 points
# [[1978–79 Pittsburgh Penguins season|Pittsburgh Penguins]] – 85 points
# [[1978–79 Toronto Maple Leafs season|Toronto Maple Leafs]] – 81 points
# [[1978–79 Los Angeles Kings season|Los Angeles Kings]] – 80 points
# [[1978–79 Chicago Black Hawks season|Chicago Black Hawks]], Smythe Division champions – 73 points
# [[1978–79 Vancouver Canucks season|Vancouver Canucks]] – 63 points

=== Playoff bracket ===
{{4RoundBracket-Byes
| RD1=Preliminary Round
| RD2=Quarterfinals
| RD3=Semifinals
| RD4=Stanley Cup Finals
| RD1-seed05='''1'''
| RD1-team05='''Philadelphia'''
| RD1-score05='''2'''
| RD1-seed06=8
| RD1-team06=Vancouver
| RD1-score06=1
| RD1-seed07='''2'''
| RD1-team07='''NY Rangers'''
| RD1-score07='''2'''
| RD1-seed08=7
| RD1-team08=Los Angeles
| RD1-score08=0
| RD1-seed11=3
| RD1-team11=Atlanta
| RD1-score11=0
| RD1-seed12='''6'''
| RD1-team12='''Toronto'''
| RD1-score12='''2'''
| RD1-seed15=4
| RD1-team15=Buffalo
| RD1-score15=1
| RD1-seed16='''5'''
| RD1-team16='''Pittsburgh'''
| RD1-score16='''2'''
| RD2-seed01='''1'''
| RD2-team01='''NY Islanders'''
| RD2-score01='''4'''
| RD2-seed02=8
| RD2-team02=Chicago
| RD2-score02=0
| RD2-seed03=4
| RD2-team03=Philadelphia
| RD2-score03=1
| RD2-seed04='''5'''
| RD2-team04='''NY Rangers'''
| RD2-score04='''4'''
| RD2-seed05='''2'''
| RD2-team05='''Montreal'''
| RD2-score05='''4'''
| RD2-seed06=7
| RD2-team06=Toronto
| RD2-score06=0
| RD2-seed07='''3'''
| RD2-team07='''Boston'''
| RD2-score07='''4'''
| RD2-seed08=6
| RD2-team08=Pittsburgh
| RD2-score08=0
| RD3-seed01=1
| RD3-team01=NY Islanders
| RD3-score01=2
| RD3-seed02='''4'''
| RD3-team02='''NY Rangers'''
| RD3-score02='''4'''
| RD3-seed03='''2'''
| RD3-team03='''Montreal'''
| RD3-score03='''4'''
| RD3-seed04=3
| RD3-team04=Boston
| RD3-score04=3
| RD4-seed01='''2'''
| RD4-team01='''Montreal'''
| RD4-score01='''4'''
| RD4-seed02=4
| RD4-team02=NY Rangers
| RD4-score02=1
}}
* 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) Vancouver Canucks ====

{{NHLPlayoffs
|team1=Vancouver Canucks
|team2=Philadelphia Flyers
|stadium2=[[Pacific Coliseum]]
|stadium1=[[Philadelphia Spectrum]]

|date1       =April 10
|score1      =3–2
|ot1         =
|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 12
|score2      =6–4
|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   =

|date3       =April 14
|score3      =2–7
|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 = Philadelphia won series 2–1
}}

==== (2) New York Rangers vs. (7) Los Angeles Kings ====

{{NHLPlayoffs
|team1=Los Angeles Kings
|team2=New York Rangers
|stadium2=[[The Forum (Inglewood, California)|The Forum]]
|stadium1=[[Madison Square Garden]]

|date1       =April 10
|score1      =1–7
|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 12
|score2      =2–1
|ot2         =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 = New York Rangers won series 2–0
}}

==== (3) Atlanta Flames vs. (6) Toronto Maple Leafs ====

{{NHLPlayoffs
|team1=Toronto Maple Leafs
|team2=Atlanta Flames
|stadium2=[[Maple Leaf Gardens]]
|stadium1=[[Omni Coliseum]]

|date1       =April 10
|score1      =2–1
|ot1         =
|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 12
|score2      =4–7
|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 = Toronto won series 2–0
}}

==== (4) Buffalo Sabres vs. (5) Pittsburgh Penguins ====

{{NHLPlayoffs
|team1=Pittsburgh Penguins
|team2=Buffalo Sabres
|stadium2=[[Civic Arena (Pittsburgh)]]
|stadium1=[[Buffalo Memorial Auditorium]]

|date1       =April 10
|score1      =4–3
|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 12
|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   =

|date3       =April 14
|score3      =4–3
|ot3         =1
|home3       =1
|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   =

|series = Pittsburgh won series 2–1
}}

=== Quarterfinals ===

==== (1) New York Islanders vs. (8) Chicago Black Hawks ====

{{NHLPlayoffs
|team1=Chicago Black Hawks
|team2=New York Islanders
|stadium2=[[Chicago Stadium]]
|stadium1=[[Nassau Coliseum]]

|date1       =April 16
|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 18
|score2      =0–1
|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 20
|score3      =4–0
|ot3         =
|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 22
|score4      =3–1
|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 = New York Islanders won series 4–0
}}

==== (2) Montreal Canadiens vs. (7) Toronto Maple Leafs ====

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

|date1       =April 16
|score1      =2–5
|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       =April 18
|score2      =1–5
|ot2         =
|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         =2
|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 22
|score4      =5–4
|ot4         =1
|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
}}

==== (3) Boston Bruins vs. (6) Pittsburgh Penguins ====

{{NHLPlayoffs
|team1=Pittsburgh Penguins 	
|team2=Boston Bruins
|stadium2=[[Civic Arena (Pittsburgh)]]
|stadium1=[[Boston Garden]]

|date1       =April 16
|score1      =2–6
|ot1         =
|won1        =2
|recap1      =
|1-1-1       =
|1-1-2       =
|1-2-1       =
|1-2-2       =
|1-3-1       =
|1-3-2       =
|1-4-1       =
|1-4-2       =
|goalie1-1   =
|goalie1-2   =

|date2       =April 18
|score2      =3–4
|ot2         =
|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 21
|score3      =2–1
|ot3         =
|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 22
|score4      =4–1
|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
}}

==== (4) Philadelphia Flyers vs. (5) New York Rangers ====

{{NHLPlayoffs
|team1=New York Rangers
|team2=Philadelphia Flyers
|stadium2=[[Madison Square Garden]]
|stadium1=[[Philadelphia Spectrum]]

|date1       =April 16
|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       =
|1-4-1       =
|1-4-2       =
|goalie1-1   =
|goalie1-2   =

|date2       =April 18
|score2      =7–1
|ot2         =
|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 20
|score3      =1–5
|ot3         =
|won3        =1
|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 22
|score4      =0–6
|won4        =1
|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 24
|score5      =8–3
|ot5         =
|won5        =1
|recap5      =
|5-1-1       =
|5-1-2       =
|5-2-1       =
|5-2-2       =
|5-3-1       =
|5-3-2       =
|goalie5-1   =
|goalie5-2   =

|series = New York Rangers won series 4-1
}}

=== Semifinals ===
==== (1) New York Islanders vs. (4) New York Rangers ====

{{NHLPlayoffs
|team1=New York Rangers
|team2=New York Islanders
|stadium2=[[Madison Square Garden]]
|stadium1=[[Nassau Coliseum]]

|date1       =April 26
|score1      =4–1
|ot1         =
|won1        =1
|recap1      =
|1-1-1       =
|1-1-2       =
|1-2-1       =
|1-2-2       =
|1-3-1       =
|1-3-2       =
|1-4-1       =
|1-4-2       =
|goalie1-1   =
|goalie1-2   =

|date2       =April 28
|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       =
|goalie2-1   =
|goalie2-2   =

|date3       =May 1
|score3      =1–3
|won3        =1
|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       =May 3
|score4      =3–2
|ot4         =1
|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       =May 5
|score5      =4–3
|won5        =1
|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 8
|score6      =1–2
|won6        =1
|recap6      =
|6-1-1       =
|6-1-2       =
|6-2-1       =
|6-2-2       =
|6-3-1       =
|6-3-2       =
|goalie6-1   =
|goalie6-2   =

|series = New York Rangers won series 4-2
}}

==== (2) Montreal Canadiens vs. (3) Boston Bruins ====

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

|date1       =April 26
|score1      =2–4
|ot1         =
|won1        =2
|recap1      =
|1-1-1       =
|1-1-2       =
|1-2-1       =
|1-2-2       =
|1-3-1       =
|1-3-2       =
|1-4-1       =
|1-4-2       =
|goalie1-1   =
|goalie1-2   =

|date2       =April 28
|score2      =2–5
|ot2         =
|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 1
|score3      =1–2
|ot3         =
|won3        =1
|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       =May 3
|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       =
|goalie4-1   =
|goalie4-2   =

|date5       =May 5
|score5      =1–5
|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 8
|score6      =2–5
|won6        =1
|recap6      =
|6-1-1       =
|6-1-2       =
|6-2-1       =
|6-2-2       =
|6-3-1       =
|6-3-2       =
|goalie6-1   =
|goalie6-2   =

|date7       =May 10
|score7      =4–5
|ot7         =1
|won7        =2
|recap7      =
|7-1-1       =
|7-1-2       =
|7-2-1       =
|7-2-2       =
|7-3-1       =
|7-3-2       =
|7-4-1       =
|7-4-2       =
|goalie7-1   =
|goalie7-2   =

|series = Montreal won series 4–3
}}

=== Stanley Cup Finals ===
{{main|1979 Stanley Cup Finals}}

Prior to 2013, this was the last time two [[Original Six]] clubs met in the finals. Both teams would next appear in the Stanley Cup Finals: Canadiens winning in {{scfy|1986}}, Rangers winning in {{scfy|1994}}.

{{NHLPlayoffs
|team1=Montreal Canadiens
|team2=New York Rangers
|stadium2=[[Montreal Forum]]
|stadium1=[[Madison Square Garden]]

  |date1       = May 13
  |score1      = 4-1
  |tv1         = 
  |home1       = 2
  |recap1      =news.google.com/newspapers?nid=71XFh8zZwT8C&dat=19790514&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
  |ot1         = 
  |won1        = 2

  | scoring1-1 = 
  | scoring1-2 = 
  | 1-1-1      = ''No Scoring''
  | 1-2-1      = 7:07 - Lafleur 9 (Lemaire, Lambert)
  | 1-3-1      = ''No Scoring''
  | 1-4-1      = 
  | 1-1-2      = Vickers 5 (Hedberg) - 6:28<br>Greschner 7 - 14:27
  | 1-2-2      = Eposito 7 (McEwen) - 9:30<br>Dave Maloney 3 (Hedberg, Tkaczuk) - 13:32
  | 1-3-2      = ''No Scoring''
  | 1-4-2      = 
  | goalie1-1  = Ken Dryden/Bunny Larocque ( 18 saves / 22 shots )
  | goalie1-2  = John Davidson ( 31 saves / 32 shots )

  |date2       = May 15
  |score2      = 2-6
  |tv2         = 
  |home2       = 2
  |recap2      = 
  |ot2         = 
  |won2        = 1

  | scoring2-1 = 
  | scoring2-2 = 
  | 2-1-1      = 
  | 2-2-1      = 
  | 2-3-1      = 
  | 2-4-1      = 
  | 2-1-2      = 
  | 2-2-2      = 
  | 2-3-2      = 
  | 2-4-2      = 
  | goalie2-1  = 
  | goalie2-2  =

  |date3       = May 17
  |score3      = 4-1
  |tv3         = 
  |home3       = 1
  |recap3      = 
  |ot3         = 
  |won3        = 1

  | scoring3-1 = 
  | scoring3-2 = 
  | 3-1-1      = 
  | 3-2-1      = 
  | 3-3-1      = 
  | 3-4-1      = 
  | 3-1-2      = 
  | 3-2-2      = 
  | 3-3-2      = 
  | 3-4-2      = 
  | goalie3-1  = 
  | goalie3-2  =

  |date4       = May 19
  |score4      = 4-3
  |tv4         = 
  |home4       = 1
  |recap4      = 
  |ot4         = OT
  |won4        = 1

  | scoring4-1 = 
  | scoring4-2 = 
  | 4-1-1      = 
  | 4-2-1      = 
  | 4-3-1      = 
  | 4-4-1      = 
  | 4-1-2      = 
  | 4-2-2      = 
  | 4-3-2      = 
  | 4-4-2      = 
  | goalie4-1  = 
  | goalie4-2  =

  |date5       = May 21
  |score5      = 1-4
  |tv5         = 
  |home5       = 2
  |recap5      = 
  |ot5         = 
  |won5        = 1

  | scoring5-1 = 
  | scoring5-2 = 
  | 5-1-1      = 
  | 5-2-1      = 
  | 5-3-1      = 
  | 5-4-1      = 
  | 5-1-2      = 
  | 5-2-2      = 
  | 5-3-2      = 
  | 5-4-2      = 
  | goalie5-1  =
  | goalie5-2  =
|series = Montreal won series 4-1
}}

== Awards ==
{| cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1" border="1" class="wikitable"
! bgcolor="#DDDDDD" colspan="2" | 1979 NHL awards
|-
|[[Prince of Wales Trophy]]:<br><small>(Wales Conference regular season champion)</small> || Montreal Canadiens
|-
|[[Clarence S. Campbell Bowl]]:<br><small>(Campbell Conference regular season champion)</small> || New York Islanders
|-
|[[Art Ross Trophy]]:<br><small>(Top scorer, regular season)</small> || [[Bryan Trottier]], New York Islanders
|-
|[[Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy]]:<br><small>(Perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication)</small> || [[Serge Savard]], Montreal Canadiens
|-
|[[Calder Memorial Trophy]]:<br><small>(Top first-year player)</small> || [[Bobby Smith (ice hockey)|Bobby Smith]], Minnesota North Stars
|-
|[[Conn Smythe Trophy]]:<br><small>(Most valuable player, playoffs)</small> || [[Bob Gainey]], Montreal Canadiens
|-
|[[Frank J. Selke Trophy]]:<br><small>(Best defensive forward)</small> || Bob Gainey, Montreal Canadiens
|-
|[[Hart Memorial Trophy]]:<br><small>(Most valuable player, regular season)</small> || Bryan Trottier, New York Islanders
|-
|[[Jack Adams Award]]:<br><small>(Best coach)</small> || [[Al Arbour]], New York Islanders
|-
|[[James Norris Memorial Trophy]]:<br><small>(Best defenceman)</small> || [[Denis Potvin]], New York Islanders
|-
|[[Lady Byng Memorial Trophy]]:<br><small>(Excellence and sportsmanship)</small> ||[[Bob MacMillan]], Atlanta Flames
|-
|[[Lester B. Pearson Award]]:<br><small>(Outstanding player, regular season) || [[Marcel Dionne]], Los Angeles Kings
|-
|[[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> || [[Bobby Orr]]
|}

=== All-Star teams ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! First team !! &nbsp; Position &nbsp; !! Second team
|-
|[[Ken Dryden]], [[Montreal Canadiens]]
| align=center | [[Goaltender|G]]
|[[Glenn Resch]], [[New York Islanders]]
|-
|[[Denis Potvin]], [[New York Islanders]]
| align=center | [[Defenceman (ice hockey)|D]]
|[[Börje Salming|Borje Salming]], [[Toronto Maple Leafs]]
|-
|[[Larry Robinson]], [[Montreal Canadiens]]
| align=center | D
|[[Serge Savard]], [[Montreal Canadiens]]
|-
|[[Bryan Trottier]], [[New York Islanders]]
| align=center | [[Centre (ice hockey)|C]]
|[[Marcel Dionne]], [[Los Angeles Kings]]
|-
|[[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]]
|[[Bill Barber]], [[Philadelphia Flyers]]
|-
|}

== 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
! width="7.5%" | A
! width="7.5%" | Pts
! width="7.5%" | PIM
|- align=right
| align=left | [[Bryan Trottier]]
| align=left | New York Islanders || 76 || 47 || 87 || 134 || 50
|- align=right
| align=left | [[Marcel Dionne]]
| align=left | Los Angeles Kings || 80 || 59 || 71 || 130 || 30
|- align=right
| align=left | [[Guy Lafleur]]
| align=left | Montreal Canadiens || 80 || 52 || 77 || 129 || 28
|- align=right
| align=left | [[Mike Bossy]]
| align=left | New York Islanders || 80 || 69 || 57 || 126 || 25
|- align=right
| align=left | [[Bob MacMillan]]
| align=left | Atlanta Flames || 79 || 37 || 71 || 108 || 14
|- align=right
| align=left | [[Guy Chouinard]]
| align=left | Atlanta Flames || 80 || 50 || 57 || 107 || 14
|- align=right
| align=left | [[Denis Potvin]]
| align=left | New York Islanders || 73 || 31 || 70 || 101 || 58
|- align=right
| align=left | [[Bernie Federko]]
| align=left | St. Louis Blues || 74 || 31 || 64 || 95 || 14
|- align=right
| align=left | [[Dave Taylor (ice hockey)|Dave Taylor]]
| align=left | Los Angeles Kings || 78 || 43 || 48 || 91 || 124
|- align=right
| align=left | [[Clark Gillies]]
| align=left | New York Islanders || 75 || 35 || 56 || 91 || 68
|}
'''Source:''' NHL.{{sfn |Dinger |2011 |p=151}}

=== 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
! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="6%" | MIN
! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="6%" | GA
! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="6%" | GAA
! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="6%" | W
! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="6%" | L
! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="6%" | T
! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="6%" | SO
|-
|[[Ken Dryden]] || Montreal Canadiens || 47 || 2814 || 108 || 2.30 || 30 || 10 || 7 || 5
|-
|[[Chico Resch]] || N.Y. Islanders || 43 || 2539 || 106 || 2.50 || 26 || 7 || 10 || 2
|-
|[[Bernie Parent]] || Philadelphia Flyers || 36 || 1979 || 89 || 2.70 || 16 || 12 || 7 || 4
|-
|[[Michel Larocque (ice hockey, born 1952)|Michel Larocque]] || Montreal Canadiens || 34 || 1986 || 94 || 2.84 || 22 || 7 || 4 || 3
|-
|[[Billy Smith (ice hockey)|Billy Smith]] || N.Y. Islanders || 40 || 2261 || 108 || 2.87 || 25 || 8 || 4 || 1
|-
|[[Mike Palmateer]] || Toronto Maple Leafs || 58 || 3396 || 167 || 2.95 || 26 || 21 || 10 || 4
|-
|[[Don Edwards (ice hockey)|Don Edwards]] || Buffalo Sabres || 54 || 3160 || 159 || 3.02 || 26 || 18 || 9 || 2
|-
|[[Mario Lessard]] || L.A. Kings || 49 || 2860 || 148 || 3.10 || 23 || 15 || 10 || 4
|-
|[[Glen Hanlon]] || Vancouver Canucks || 31 || 1821 || 94 || 3.10 || 12 || 13 || 5 || 3
|-
|[[Gerry Cheevers]] || Boston Bruins || 43 || 2509 || 132 || 3.16 || 23 || 9 || 10 || 1
|-
|}

=== Other statistics ===
;[[NHL Plus-Minus Award|Plus-minus]]
* Bryan Trottier, New York Islanders

== Milestones ==

=== Debuts ===
The following is a list of players of note who played their first NHL game in 1978–79 (listed with their first team, asterisk (*) marks debut in playoffs):
* [[Brad Marsh]], Atlanta Flames
* [[Réjean Lemelin|Reggie Lemelin]], Atlanta Flames
* [[Al Secord]], Boston Bruins
* [[Bobby Smith (ice hockey)|Bobby Smith]], Minnesota North Stars
* [[Steve Payne (ice hockey)|Steve Payne]], Minnesota North Stars
* [[Rod Langway]] §, Montreal Canadiens
* [[John Tonelli]] §, New York Islanders
* [[Anders Hedberg]] §, New York Rangers
* [[Ulf Nilsson (ice hockey)|Ulf Nilsson]] §, New York Rangers
* [[Ken Linseman]] §, Philadelphia Flyers
* [[Pete Peeters]], Philadelphia Flyers
* [[Greg Millen]], Pittsburgh Penguins
* [[Wayne Babych]], St. Louis Blues
* [[Curt Fraser]], Vancouver Canucks
* [[Thomas Gradin]], Vancouver Canucks
* [[Stan Smyl]], Vancouver Canucks
* [[Ryan Walter]], Washington Capitals

''Players marked with § began their 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 1978–79 (listed with their last team):
* [[Bobby Orr]], Chicago Black Hawks
* [[Joe Watson (ice hockey)|Joe Watson]], Colorado Rockies
* [[Danny Grant]], Los Angeles Kings
* [[J. P. Parisé|J. P. Parise]], Minnesota North Stars
* [[Jacques Lemaire]], Montreal Canadiens
* [[Ken Dryden]], Montreal Canadiens
* [[Yvan Cournoyer]], Montreal Canadiens
* [[Ed Westfall]], New York Islanders
* [[Bernie Parent]], Philadelphia Flyers
* [[Garry Monahan]], Toronto Maple Leafs
* [[Pit Martin]], Vancouver Canucks

== See also ==
* [[List of Stanley Cup champions]]
* [[1978 NHL Amateur Draft]]
* [[1979 Challenge Cup]]
* [[1978–79 WHA season]]
* [[1978 in sports]]
* [[1979 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]
{{1978–79 NHL season by team}}
{{NHL seasons|1978}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:1978-79 NHL season}}
[[Kategori:1978–79 NHL season| ]]
[[Kategori:1978–79 in Canadian ice hockey by league|1]]
[[Kategori:1978–79 in American ice hockey by league|1]]
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