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1968 Stanley Cup playoffs

The 1968 Stanley Cup playoffs, to decide the 1968 championship of the National Hockey League (NHL) was the first after the expansion from six to twelve teams. The playoff system was thus expanded from a four-team to an eight-team tournament, and was designed so that four of the new expansion teams would qualify for the postseason.

1968 Stanley Cup playoffs
Tournament details
Teams8
Final positions
ChampionsMontreal Canadiens
Runner-upSt. Louis Blues
← 1967
1969 →

The defending champion Toronto Maple Leafs did not qualify and a new champion would be crowned. The Montreal Canadiens would defeat the St. Louis Blues in four straight to win the Stanley Cup.

Format edit

All of the 'Original Six' teams were placed in the new Eastern Division, and all of the new teams placed in the new Western Division. Each division contributed four playoff teams. Division teams then played off to produce a divisional champion, and the two divisional champions played off in the Final to win the Stanley Cup.

The imbalance between the new teams and old was readily apparent in the standings. All four of the East Division teams had a better record than the top team in the West.

Series edit

All series but Bruins-Canadiens had a game postponed after the Assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. on April 4.[1]

Quarterfinals edit

(E1) Montreal Canadiens vs. (E3) Boston Bruins edit

The Montreal Canadiens were the best regular season team, earning 94 points. The Boston Bruins earned 84 points to finish third in the East Division. This was the thirteenth playoff series between these two rivals, with Montreal winning ten of their twelve previous series. Their most recent series had come in the 1958 Stanley Cup Finals, which Montreal won in six games. These teams split their ten-game regular season series.

The Bruins, making their first appearance in the playoffs since 1959, were swept in four games.

April 4 Boston Bruins 1–2 Montreal Canadiens Montreal Forum Recap  
Ken Hodge (1) – 4:00 First period 14:08 – ppHenri Richard (1)
No scoring Second period No scoring
No scoring Third period 14:40 – Claude Provost (1)
Gerry Cheevers 33 saves / 35 shots Goalie stats Gump Worsley 21 saves / 22 shots
April 6 Boston Bruins 3–5 Montreal Canadiens Montreal Forum Recap  
Ken Hodge (2) – 13:58 First period 09:33 – Jacques Lemaire (1)
Ted Green (1) - pp - 13:06 Second period 04:15 – Jacques Laperriere (1)
09:24 – Jacques Lemaire (2)
John McKenzie (1) – 10:47 Third period 10:24 – Dick Duff (1)
17:34 – Jean Beliveau (1)
Gerry Cheevers 36 saves / 41 shots Goalie stats Gump Worsley 17 saves / 20 shots
April 9 Montreal Canadiens 5–2 Boston Bruins Boston Garden Recap  
Jean Beliveau (2) – pp - 15:35 First period 5:15 – Ed Westfall (1)
Claude Provost (2) – pp - 7:39
Ralph Backstrom (1) – 8:41
John Ferguson (1) – 18:23
Second period 19:55 - Tommy Williams (1)
Dick Duff (2) – 8:23 Third period No scoring
Gump Worsley 25 saves / 27 shots Goalie stats Gerry Cheevers 28 saves / 33 shots
April 11 Montreal Canadiens 3–2 Boston Bruins Boston Garden Recap  
No scoring First period No scoring
Claude Larose (1) – 12:58 Second period 00:49 – Ed Westfall (2)
Claude Larose (2) – 7:20
Ralph Backstrom (2) – 16:33
Third period 18:34 – Ken Hodge (3)
Gump Worsley 35 saves / 37 shots Goalie stats Gerry Cheevers 31 saves / 34 shots
Montreal won series 4–0


(E2) New York Rangers vs. (E4) Chicago Black Hawks edit

The New York Rangers earned 90 points to finish second in the East Division. The Chicago Blackhawks finished fourth in the East Division with 80 points. This was the second playoff series between these two teams. Their only previous series came in the 1931 semifinals, where Chicago won the two-game total goals series 3 goals to 0. New York earned eleven of twenty points in this year's regular season series.

The Black Hawks, led by Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita upset the Rangers in six to set up a Montreal-Chicago East Division showdown.

April 4 Chicago Black Hawks 1–3 New York Rangers Madison Square Garden Recap  
No scoring First period 11:22 – Orland Kurtenbach (1)
No scoring Second period 07:34 – ppHarry Howell (1)
Pierre Pilote (1) – pp – 12:27 Third period 01:36 – Rod Gilbert (1)
Denis DeJordy 41 saves / 44 shots Goalie stats Ed Giacomin 31 saves / 32 shots
April 9 Chicago Black Hawks 1–2 New York Rangers Madison Square Garden Recap  
No scoring First period 15:57 – Rod Gilbert (2)
Bobby Hull (1) – 10:12 Second period No scoring
No scoring Third period 12:40 – Donnie Marshall (1)
Denis DeJordy 28 saves / 30 shots Goalie stats Ed Giacomin 36 saves / 37 shots
April 11 New York Rangers 4–7 Chicago Black Hawks Chicago Stadium Recap  
Vic Hadfield (1) – pp – 16:47 First period 11:35 – Pit Martin (1)
Rod Gilbert (3) – 9:32
Rod Gilbert (4) – 9:38
Second period 08:48 – Stan Mikita (1)
Rod Seiling (1) – 13:22 Third period 02:36 – Pit Martin (2)
05:25 – pp – Stan Mikita (2)
08:59 – Dennis Hull (1)
18:19 – Doug Mohns (1)
19:42 – Gilles Marotte (1)
Ed Giacomin 24 saves / 31 shots Goalie stats Denis DeJordy 29 saves / 33 shots
April 13 New York Rangers 1–3 Chicago Black Hawks Chicago Stadium Recap  
Ron Stewart (1) – 17:20 First period 15:33 – Kenny Wharram (1)
No scoring Second period 3:33 – Gilles Marotte (2)
No scoring Third period 8:24 – Chico Maki (1)
Ed Giacomin 41 saves / 44 shots Goalie stats Denis DeJordy 37 saves / 38 shots
April 14 Chicago Black Hawks 2–1 New York Rangers Madison Square Garden Recap  
Donnie Marshall (2) – 5:20 First period 16:14 – ppBobby Hull (2)
No scoring Second period No scoring
Bobby Schmautz (1) – 16:46 Third period No scoring
Denis DeJordy 32 saves / 33 shots Goalie stats Ed Giacomin 27 saves / 29 shots
April 16 New York Rangers 1–4 Chicago Black Hawks Chicago Stadium Recap  
No scoring First period 05:50 – Doug Jarrett (1)
Rod Gilbert (5) – 03:15 Second period 19:25 – Chico Maki (2)
No scoring Third period 02:39 – Pit Martin (3)
16:35 – Stan Mikita (3)
Ed Giacomin 25 saves / 29 shots Goalie stats Denis DeJordy 26 saves / 27 shots
Chicago won series 4–2


(W1) Philadelphia Flyers vs. (W3) St. Louis Blues edit

The Philadelphia Flyers were West Division Champions, earning 73 points. The St. Louis Blues earned 70 points to finish third in the West Division. This was the first playoff series for both teams. Philadelphia earned sixteen of twenty points in this year's regular season series.

Philadelphia was upset by the Blues, led by goaltender Glenn Hall and coached by future Hall of Fame coach Scotty Bowman, in seven games.

April 4 St. Louis Blues 1–0 Philadelphia Flyers Spectrum Recap  
No scoring First period No scoring
No scoring Second period No scoring
Jimmy Roberts (1) – 14:13 Third period No scoring
Glenn Hall 14 saves / 14 shots Goalie stats Bernie Parent 32 saves / 33 shots
April 6 St. Louis Blues 3–4 Philadelphia Flyers Spectrum Recap  
Dickie Moore (1) – 07:11 First period 01:32 – Pat Hannigan (1)
18:37 – ppDon Blackburn (1)
19:10 – Claude Laforge (1)
Don McKenney (1) – 04:22
Larry Keenan (1) – 05:46
Second period No scoring
No scoring Third period 06:51 – Leon Rochefort (1)
Glenn Hall 37 saves / 41 shots Goalie stats Doug Favell 26 saves / 29 shots
April 10 Philadelphia Flyers 2–3 2OT St. Louis Blues St. Louis Arena Recap  
No scoring First period No scoring
Jean Gauthier (1) – pp – 17:35 Second period 02:54 – Terry Crisp (1)
Joe Watson (1) – 13:54 Third period 07:38 – Frank St. Marseille (1)
No scoring Second overtime period 04:10 – Larry Keenan (2)
Bernie Parent 54 saves / 57 shots Goalie stats Glenn Hall 33 saves / 35 shots
April 11 Philadelphia Flyers 2–5 St. Louis Blues St. Louis Arena Recap  
Andre Lacroix (1) – pp – 02:26 First period 06:52 – shBill McCreary Sr. (1)
13:29 – ppRed Berenson (1)
No scoring Second period 16:55 – Dickie Moore (2)
Don Blackburn (2) – 14:04 Third period 00:49 – Red Berenson (2)
16:05 – shBarclay Plager (1)
Doug Favell 28 saves / 33 shots Goalie stats Glenn Hall 22 saves / 24 shots
April 13 St. Louis Blues 1–6 Philadelphia Flyers Spectrum Recap  
No scoring First period 09:01 – Leon Rochefort (2)
13:18 – Rosaire Paiement (1)
15:52 – shForbes Kennedy (1)
No scoring Second period 17:00 – Brit Selby (1)
Gerry Melnyk (1) – sh – 11:05 Third period 10:27 – pp – Rosaire Paiement (2)
13:26 – pp – Rosaire Paiement (3)
Glenn Hall 9 saves / 12 shots
Seth Martin 17 saves / 20 shots
Goalie stats Bernie Parent 30 saves / 31 shots
April 16 Philadelphia Flyers 2–1 2OT St. Louis Blues St. Louis Arena Recap  
No scoring First period 18:06 – ppGerry Melnyk (2)
No scoring Second period No scoring
Andre Lacroix (2) – 19:45 Third period No scoring
Don Blackburn (3) – 11:18 Second overtime period No scoring
Bernie Parent 63 saves / 64 shots Goalie stats Glenn Hall 41 saves / 43 shots
April 18 St. Louis Blues 3–1 Philadelphia Flyers Spectrum Recap  
Frank St. Marseille (2) – pp – 07:38 First period 18:25 – ppBill Sutherland (1)
Larry Keenan (3) – pp – 10:45 Second period No scoring
Red Berenson (3) – 19:10 Third period No scoring
Glenn Hall 26 saves / 27 shots Goalie stats Bernie Parent 28 saves / 30 shots
St. Louis won series 4–3


(W2) Los Angeles Kings vs. (W4) Minnesota North Stars edit

The Los Angeles Kings finished second in the West Division with 72 points. The Minnesota North Stars earned 69 points to finish fourth in the West Division. This was the first playoff series for both teams. Minnesota earned fourteen of twenty points in this year's regular season series.

The North Stars defeated the Kings in seven games.

April 4 Minnesota North Stars 1–2 Los Angeles Kings The Forum Recap  
No scoring First period No scoring
No scoring Second period 19:55 – ppEddie Joyal (1)
Dave Balon (1) – 03:54 Third period 03:13 – Bill White (1)
Cesare Maniago 38 saves / 40 shots Goalie stats Terry Sawchuck 30 saves / 31 shots
April 6 Minnesota North Stars 0–2 Los Angeles Kings The Forum Recap  
No scoring First period 08:45 – ppLowell MacDonald (1)
No scoring Second period 18:12 – Eddie Joyal (2)
No scoring Third period No scoring
Cesare Maniago 37 saves / 39 shots Goalie stats Terry Sawchuck 18 saves / 18 shots
April 9 Los Angeles Kings 5–7 Minnesota North Stars Met Center Recap  
Lowell MacDonald (2) – 12:44
Lowell MacDonald (3) – 13:56
Howie Hughes (1) – pp – 15:19
First period 05:51 – Bill Collins (1)
15:48 – Ray Cullen (1)
17:34 – ppMike McMahon Jr. (1)
No scoring Second period 01:25 – Parker MacDonald (1)
16:56 – psWayne Connelly (1)
Ted Irvine (1) – 03:23
Doug Robinson (1) – 04:15
Third period 00:09 – Bill Collins (2)
17:50 – Andre Boudrias (1)
Terry Sawchuck 18 saves / 23 shots
Wayne Rutledge 9 saves / 11 shots
Goalie stats Cesare Maniago 24 saves / 29 shots
April 11 Los Angeles Kings 2–3 Minnesota North Stars Met Center Recap  
Bill Flett (1) – 03:37
Bill White (2) – 04:45
First period 11:30 – ppRay Cullen (2)
No scoring Second period 06:31 – Mike McMahon Jr. (2)
09:27 – Dave Balon (2)
No scoring Third period No scoring
Terry Sawchuck 31 saves / 34 shots Goalie stats Cesare Maniago 30 saves / 32 shots
April 13 Minnesota North Stars 2–3 Los Angeles Kings The Forum Recap  
No scoring First period 02:14 – Gord Labossiere (1)
02:29 – Gord Labossiere (2)
No scoring Second period 12:23 – ppEddie Joyal (3)
Wayne Connelly (2) – 07:15
Wayne Connelly (3) – 14:55
Third period No scoring
Cesare Maniago 21 saves / 24 shots Goalie stats Wayne Rutledge 27 saves / 29 shots
April 16 Los Angeles Kings 3–4 OT Minnesota North Stars Met Center Recap  
Doug Robinson (2) – 11:12 First period 08:05 – shMike McMahon Jr. (3)
Real Lemieux (1) – 1:37
Howie Hughes (2) – 04:20
Second period No scoring
No scoring Third period 07:23 – Bill Goldsworthy (1)
16:39 – Bob McCord (1)
No scoring First overtime period 09:11 – Milan Marcetta (1)
Wayne Rutledge 29 saves / 33 shots Goalie stats Cesare Maniago 33 saves / 36 shots
April 18 Minnesota North Stars 9–4 Los Angeles Kings The Forum Recap  
Parker MacDonald (2) – 02:24
Wayne Connelly (4) – pp – 08:05
Bill Goldsworthy (2) – 16:25
First period 02:51 – Doug Robinson (3)
Milan Marcetta (2) – 08:45
Parker MacDonald (3) – 11:58
Milan Marcetta (3) – 12:49
Dave Balon (3) – 15:58
Andre Boudrias (2) – 16:12
Second period 05:12 – ppEddie Joyal (4)
16:45 – Poul Popiel (1)
Bill Goldsworthy (3) – pp – 09:07 Third period 19:36 – Doug Robinson (4)
Cesare Maniago 22 saves / 26 shots Goalie stats Terry Sawchuck 24 saves / 33 shots
Minnesota won series 4–3


Semifinals edit

(E1) Montreal Canadiens vs. (E4) Chicago Black Hawks edit

This was the 14th playoff series between these two teams. Their most recent series previous to this one was in the 1965 Stanley Cup Finals, which Montreal won four games to three. Montreal earned fourteen of a possible twenty points from the ten 1967-1968 regular season matchups between the two teams.

The Black Hawks could not provide another upset, and lost to the Canadiens in five games, giving Montreal their only defeat of the playoffs.

April 18 Chicago Black Hawks 2–9 Montreal Canadiens Montreal Forum Recap  
No scoring First period 06:37 – Ralph Backstrom (3)
07:31 – Yvan Cournoyer (1)
09:24 – John Ferguson (2)
No scoring Second period 15:26 – pp – Yvan Cournoyer (2)
Doug Jarrett (2) – 10:20
Gilles Marotte (3) – 11:26
Third period 00:10 – John Ferguson (3)
01:28 – Gilles Tremblay (1)
07:08 – Jacques Lemaire (3)
16:03 – Jean Beliveau (3)
17:50 – Claude Larose (3)
Denis DeJordy 24 saves / 33 shots Goalie stats Gump Worsley 32 saves / 34 shots
April 20 Chicago Black Hawks 1–4 Montreal Canadiens Montreal Forum Recap  
Stan Mikita (4) – pp – 05:03 First period 10:58 – Jean Beliveau (4)
No scoring Second period 10:04 – pp – Jean Beliveau (5)
15:41 – ppJacques Lemaire (4)
17:57 – pp – Jean Beliveau (6)
No scoring Third period No scoring
Denis DeJordy 35 saves / 39 shots Goalie stats Gump Worsley 23 saves / 24 shots
April 23 Montreal Canadiens 4–2 Chicago Black Hawks Chicago Stadium Recap  
Jean Beliveau (7) - 00:39 First period 15:25 – Doug Jarrett (3)
Yvan Cournoyer (3) – pp – 02:39
Yvan Cournoyer (4) – 06:11
J. C. Tremblay (1) – 12:05
Second period 10:35 – Doug Jarrett (4)
No scoring Third period No scoring
Gump Worsley 39 saves / 41 shots Goalie stats Denis DeJordy 29 saves / 33 shots
April 25 Montreal Canadiens 1–2 Chicago Black Hawks Chicago Stadium Recap  
No scoring First period 08:57 – Bobby Hull (3)
Henri Richard (2) – 03:37 Second period 06:50 – sh – Bobby Hull (4)
No scoring Third period No scoring
Gump Worsley 3 saves / 4 shots
Rogie Vachon 29 saves / 30 shots
Goalie stats Denis DeJordy 28 saves / 29 shots
April 28 Chicago Black Hawks 3–4 OT Montreal Canadiens Montreal Forum Recap  
No scoring First period 08:10 – Bobby Rousseau (1)
Bobby Schmautz (2) – 9:59 Second period 11:15 – shJ. C. Tremblay (2)
Stan Mikita (5) – pp – 01:23
Wayne Maki (1) – 08:14
Third period 06:38 – ppJacques Lemaire (5)
No scoring First overtime period 02:14 – Jacques Lemaire (6)
Denis DeJordy 40 saves / 44 shots Goalie stats Rogie Vachon 24 saves / 27 shots
Montreal won series 4–1


(W3) St. Louis Blues vs. (W4) Minnesota North Stars edit

St. Louis earned twelve of twenty points in this year's regular season series.

Ron Schock's goal in double OT, called the "Midnight Goal" by many hockey fans, gave the Blues the series and sent them to the Stanley Cup Finals.

April 21 Minnesota North Stars 3–5 St. Louis Blues St. Louis Arena Recap  
Milan Marcetta (4) – pp – 7:49 First period 14:27 - Tim Ecclestone (1)
Wayne Connelly (5) – 00:49
Wayne Connelly (6) – pp – 15:41
Second period 09:31 – ppFrank St. Marseille (3)
10:05 – ppDickie Moore (3)
12:36 – shBill McCreary Sr. (2)
No scoring Third period 14:08 – Larry Keenan (4)
Cesare Maniago 28 saves / 33 shots Goalie stats Glenn Hall 25 saves / 28 shots
April 22 St. Louis Blues 2–3 OT Minnesota North Stars Met Center Recap  
Jimmy Roberts (2) – 12:28 First period No scoring
No scoring Second period No scoring
Frank St. Marseille (4) – pp – 04:58 Third period 02:12 – Milan Marcetta (5)
07:00 – Bill Goldsworthy (4)
No scoring First overtime period 03:41 – Parker MacDonald (4)
Glenn Hall 24 saves / 27 shots Goalie stats Cesare Maniago 23 saves / 25 shots
April 25 Minnesota North Stars 5–1 St. Louis Blues St. Louis Arena Recap  
Milan Marcetta (6) – 09:38
Bill Goldsworthy (5) – 13:00
J. P. Parise (1) – 19:01
First period No scoring
Bill Goldsworthy (6) – 16:33 Second period 04:53 – Dickie Moore (4)
Dave Balon (4) – pp – 00:09 Third period No scoring
Cesare Maniago 30 saves / 31 shots Goalie stats Glenn Hall 16 saves / 21 shots
April 27 Minnesota North Stars 3–4 OT St. Louis Blues St. Louis Arena Recap  
Walt McKechnie (1) – 04:42
J. P. Parise (2) – pp – 14:40
First period No scoring
Wayne Connelly (7) – 19:37 Second period No scoring
No scoring Third period 11:57 – Jimmy Roberts (3)
12:57 – Dickie Moore (5)
19:49 – Jimmy Roberts (4)
No scoring First overtime period 01:32 – Gary Sabourin (1)
Cesare Maniago 39 saves / 43 shots Goalie stats Glenn Hall 21 saves / 24 shots
April 29 Minnesota North Stars 2–3 OT St. Louis Blues St. Louis Arena Recap  
Walt McKechnie (2) – 05:39 First period 01:53 – Bob Plager (1)
10:44 – Gary Sabourin (2)
Bob McCord (2) – 6:31 Second period No scoring
No scoring Third period No scoring
No scoring First overtime period 17:27 – Bill McCreary Sr. (3)
Cesare Maniago 52 saves / 55 shots Goalie stats Glenn Hall 26 saves / 28 shots
May 1 St. Louis Blues 1–5 Minnesota North Stars Met Center Recap  
No scoring First period 05:28 – ppWayne Connelly (8)
10:54 – Andre Boudrias (3)
Gary Sabourin (3) – 13:53 Second period 06:34 – Bill Goldsworthy (7)
17:16 – Bill Goldsworthy (8)
No scoring Third period 09:52 – Milan Marcetta (7)
Glenn Hall 12 saves / 15 shots
Seth Martin 21 saves / 23 shots
Goalie stats Cesare Maniago 22 saves / 23 shots
May 3 Minnesota North Stars 1–2 2OT St. Louis Blues St. Louis Arena Recap  
No scoring First period No scoring
No scoring Second period No scoring
Walt McKechnie (3) – 16:49 Third period 17:20 – Dickie Moore (6)
No scoring Second overtime period 02:50 – Ron Schock (1)
Cesare Maniago 36 saves / 38 shots Goalie stats Glenn Hall 44 saves / 45 shots
St. Louis won series 4–3


Finals edit

The Montreal Canadiens advanced to their fourth consecutive Stanley Cup Finals, having won the championship in 1965 and 1966. The St. Louis Blues beat out the five other teams also playing in their inaugural season to reach the Final. Montreal earned seven of eight points in this year's regular season series.

Blues coach Scotty Bowman, a long-time member of the Canadiens organization was unable to spur the Blues to an upset. The Canadiens, led by Jean Beliveau and Henri Richard swept the series in four games.


May 5 Montreal Canadiens 3–2 OT St. Louis Blues St. Louis Arena Recap  
Henri Richard (3) – 09:42 First period 09:19 – Barclay Plager (2)
Yvan Cournoyer (5) - 18:14 Second period 08:16 – ppDickie Moore (7)
No scoring Third period No scoring
Jacques Lemaire (7) – 01:41 First overtime period No scoring
Gump Worsley 34 saves / 36 shots Goalie stats Glenn Hall 35 saves / 38 shots
May 7 Montreal Canadiens 1–0 St. Louis Blues St. Louis Arena Recap  
No scoring First period No scoring
No scoring Second period No scoring
Serge Savard (1) – sh – 02:17 Third period No scoring
Gump Worsley 19 saves / 19 shots Goalie stats Glenn Hall 35 saves / 36 shots
May 9 St. Louis Blues 3–4 OT Montreal Canadiens Montreal Forum Recap  
Frank St. Marseille (5) – pp – 10:22 First period 14:24 – pp - Yvan Cournoyer (6)
Red Berenson (4) - 03:37 Second period 01:23 – shSerge Savard (2)
Red Berenson (5) – sh – 17:25 Third period 11:43 – Ralph Backstrom (4)
No scoring First overtime period 01:13 – Bobby Rousseau (2)
Glenn Hall 42 saves / 46 shots Goalie stats Gump Worsley 12 saves / 15 shots
May 11 St. Louis Blues 2–3 Montreal Canadiens Montreal Forum Recap  
No scoring First period 16:47 – Dick Duff (3)
Craig Cameron (1) – 06:53
Gary Sabourin (4) – pp – 07:50
Second period No scoring
No scoring Third period 07:24 – Henri Richard (4)
11:40 – J. C. Tremblay (3)
Glenn Hall 28 saves / 31 shots Goalie stats Gump Worsley 19 saves / 21 shots
Montreal won series 4–0


Playoff bracket edit

Awards and records edit

Prince of Wales Trophy:
(East Division champion)
Montreal Canadiens
Clarence S. Campbell Bowl:
(West Division champion)
St. Louis Blues
Conn Smythe Trophy:
(Playoff MVP)
Glenn Hall, St. Louis Blues

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Stanley Cup Notebook
  • Falla, Jack (2001). Quest for the Cup : a history of the Stanley Cup Finals, 1893–2000. Key Porter Books. ISBN 1-55263-343-8.
Preceded by Stanley Cup playoffs
1968
Succeeded by

1968, stanley, playoffs, decide, 1968, championship, national, hockey, league, first, after, expansion, from, twelve, teams, playoff, system, thus, expanded, from, four, team, eight, team, tournament, designed, that, four, expansion, teams, would, qualify, pos. The 1968 Stanley Cup playoffs to decide the 1968 championship of the National Hockey League NHL was the first after the expansion from six to twelve teams The playoff system was thus expanded from a four team to an eight team tournament and was designed so that four of the new expansion teams would qualify for the postseason 1968 Stanley Cup playoffsTournament detailsTeams8Final positionsChampionsMontreal CanadiensRunner upSt Louis Blues 19671969 The defending champion Toronto Maple Leafs did not qualify and a new champion would be crowned The Montreal Canadiens would defeat the St Louis Blues in four straight to win the Stanley Cup Contents 1 Format 2 Series 2 1 Quarterfinals 2 1 1 E1 Montreal Canadiens vs E3 Boston Bruins 2 1 2 E2 New York Rangers vs E4 Chicago Black Hawks 2 1 3 W1 Philadelphia Flyers vs W3 St Louis Blues 2 1 4 W2 Los Angeles Kings vs W4 Minnesota North Stars 2 2 Semifinals 2 2 1 E1 Montreal Canadiens vs E4 Chicago Black Hawks 2 2 2 W3 St Louis Blues vs W4 Minnesota North Stars 2 3 Finals 2 4 Playoff bracket 3 Awards and records 4 See also 5 ReferencesFormat editAll of the Original Six teams were placed in the new Eastern Division and all of the new teams placed in the new Western Division Each division contributed four playoff teams Division teams then played off to produce a divisional champion and the two divisional champions played off in the Final to win the Stanley Cup The imbalance between the new teams and old was readily apparent in the standings All four of the East Division teams had a better record than the top team in the West Series editAll series but Bruins Canadiens had a game postponed after the Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr on April 4 1 Quarterfinals edit E1 Montreal Canadiens vs E3 Boston Bruins edit The Montreal Canadiens were the best regular season team earning 94 points The Boston Bruins earned 84 points to finish third in the East Division This was the thirteenth playoff series between these two rivals with Montreal winning ten of their twelve previous series Their most recent series had come in the 1958 Stanley Cup Finals which Montreal won in six games These teams split their ten game regular season series The Bruins making their first appearance in the playoffs since 1959 were swept in four games April 4 Boston Bruins 1 2 Montreal Canadiens Montreal Forum Recap Ken Hodge 1 4 00 First period 14 08 pp Henri Richard 1 No scoring Second period No scoringNo scoring Third period 14 40 Claude Provost 1 Gerry Cheevers 33 saves 35 shots Goalie stats Gump Worsley 21 saves 22 shotsApril 6 Boston Bruins 3 5 Montreal Canadiens Montreal Forum Recap Ken Hodge 2 13 58 First period 09 33 Jacques Lemaire 1 Ted Green 1 pp 13 06 Second period 04 15 Jacques Laperriere 1 09 24 Jacques Lemaire 2 John McKenzie 1 10 47 Third period 10 24 Dick Duff 1 17 34 Jean Beliveau 1 Gerry Cheevers 36 saves 41 shots Goalie stats Gump Worsley 17 saves 20 shotsApril 9 Montreal Canadiens 5 2 Boston Bruins Boston Garden Recap Jean Beliveau 2 pp 15 35 First period 5 15 Ed Westfall 1 Claude Provost 2 pp 7 39Ralph Backstrom 1 8 41John Ferguson 1 18 23 Second period 19 55 Tommy Williams 1 Dick Duff 2 8 23 Third period No scoringGump Worsley 25 saves 27 shots Goalie stats Gerry Cheevers 28 saves 33 shotsApril 11 Montreal Canadiens 3 2 Boston Bruins Boston Garden Recap No scoring First period No scoringClaude Larose 1 12 58 Second period 00 49 Ed Westfall 2 Claude Larose 2 7 20Ralph Backstrom 2 16 33 Third period 18 34 Ken Hodge 3 Gump Worsley 35 saves 37 shots Goalie stats Gerry Cheevers 31 saves 34 shotsMontreal won series 4 0 E2 New York Rangers vs E4 Chicago Black Hawks edit The New York Rangers earned 90 points to finish second in the East Division The Chicago Blackhawks finished fourth in the East Division with 80 points This was the second playoff series between these two teams Their only previous series came in the 1931 semifinals where Chicago won the two game total goals series 3 goals to 0 New York earned eleven of twenty points in this year s regular season series The Black Hawks led by Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita upset the Rangers in six to set up a Montreal Chicago East Division showdown April 4 Chicago Black Hawks 1 3 New York Rangers Madison Square Garden Recap No scoring First period 11 22 Orland Kurtenbach 1 No scoring Second period 07 34 pp Harry Howell 1 Pierre Pilote 1 pp 12 27 Third period 01 36 Rod Gilbert 1 Denis DeJordy 41 saves 44 shots Goalie stats Ed Giacomin 31 saves 32 shotsApril 9 Chicago Black Hawks 1 2 New York Rangers Madison Square Garden Recap No scoring First period 15 57 Rod Gilbert 2 Bobby Hull 1 10 12 Second period No scoringNo scoring Third period 12 40 Donnie Marshall 1 Denis DeJordy 28 saves 30 shots Goalie stats Ed Giacomin 36 saves 37 shotsApril 11 New York Rangers 4 7 Chicago Black Hawks Chicago Stadium Recap Vic Hadfield 1 pp 16 47 First period 11 35 Pit Martin 1 Rod Gilbert 3 9 32Rod Gilbert 4 9 38 Second period 08 48 Stan Mikita 1 Rod Seiling 1 13 22 Third period 02 36 Pit Martin 2 05 25 pp Stan Mikita 2 08 59 Dennis Hull 1 18 19 Doug Mohns 1 19 42 Gilles Marotte 1 Ed Giacomin 24 saves 31 shots Goalie stats Denis DeJordy 29 saves 33 shotsApril 13 New York Rangers 1 3 Chicago Black Hawks Chicago Stadium Recap Ron Stewart 1 17 20 First period 15 33 Kenny Wharram 1 No scoring Second period 3 33 Gilles Marotte 2 No scoring Third period 8 24 Chico Maki 1 Ed Giacomin 41 saves 44 shots Goalie stats Denis DeJordy 37 saves 38 shotsApril 14 Chicago Black Hawks 2 1 New York Rangers Madison Square Garden Recap Donnie Marshall 2 5 20 First period 16 14 pp Bobby Hull 2 No scoring Second period No scoringBobby Schmautz 1 16 46 Third period No scoringDenis DeJordy 32 saves 33 shots Goalie stats Ed Giacomin 27 saves 29 shotsApril 16 New York Rangers 1 4 Chicago Black Hawks Chicago Stadium Recap No scoring First period 05 50 Doug Jarrett 1 Rod Gilbert 5 03 15 Second period 19 25 Chico Maki 2 No scoring Third period 02 39 Pit Martin 3 16 35 Stan Mikita 3 Ed Giacomin 25 saves 29 shots Goalie stats Denis DeJordy 26 saves 27 shotsChicago won series 4 2 W1 Philadelphia Flyers vs W3 St Louis Blues edit The Philadelphia Flyers were West Division Champions earning 73 points The St Louis Blues earned 70 points to finish third in the West Division This was the first playoff series for both teams Philadelphia earned sixteen of twenty points in this year s regular season series Philadelphia was upset by the Blues led by goaltender Glenn Hall and coached by future Hall of Fame coach Scotty Bowman in seven games April 4 St Louis Blues 1 0 Philadelphia Flyers Spectrum Recap No scoring First period No scoringNo scoring Second period No scoringJimmy Roberts 1 14 13 Third period No scoringGlenn Hall 14 saves 14 shots Goalie stats Bernie Parent 32 saves 33 shotsApril 6 St Louis Blues 3 4 Philadelphia Flyers Spectrum Recap Dickie Moore 1 07 11 First period 01 32 Pat Hannigan 1 18 37 pp Don Blackburn 1 19 10 Claude Laforge 1 Don McKenney 1 04 22Larry Keenan 1 05 46 Second period No scoringNo scoring Third period 06 51 Leon Rochefort 1 Glenn Hall 37 saves 41 shots Goalie stats Doug Favell 26 saves 29 shotsApril 10 Philadelphia Flyers 2 3 2OT St Louis Blues St Louis Arena Recap No scoring First period No scoringJean Gauthier 1 pp 17 35 Second period 02 54 Terry Crisp 1 Joe Watson 1 13 54 Third period 07 38 Frank St Marseille 1 No scoring Second overtime period 04 10 Larry Keenan 2 Bernie Parent 54 saves 57 shots Goalie stats Glenn Hall 33 saves 35 shotsApril 11 Philadelphia Flyers 2 5 St Louis Blues St Louis Arena Recap Andre Lacroix 1 pp 02 26 First period 06 52 sh Bill McCreary Sr 1 13 29 pp Red Berenson 1 No scoring Second period 16 55 Dickie Moore 2 Don Blackburn 2 14 04 Third period 00 49 Red Berenson 2 16 05 sh Barclay Plager 1 Doug Favell 28 saves 33 shots Goalie stats Glenn Hall 22 saves 24 shotsApril 13 St Louis Blues 1 6 Philadelphia Flyers Spectrum Recap No scoring First period 09 01 Leon Rochefort 2 13 18 Rosaire Paiement 1 15 52 sh Forbes Kennedy 1 No scoring Second period 17 00 Brit Selby 1 Gerry Melnyk 1 sh 11 05 Third period 10 27 pp Rosaire Paiement 2 13 26 pp Rosaire Paiement 3 Glenn Hall 9 saves 12 shotsSeth Martin 17 saves 20 shots Goalie stats Bernie Parent 30 saves 31 shotsApril 16 Philadelphia Flyers 2 1 2OT St Louis Blues St Louis Arena Recap No scoring First period 18 06 pp Gerry Melnyk 2 No scoring Second period No scoringAndre Lacroix 2 19 45 Third period No scoringDon Blackburn 3 11 18 Second overtime period No scoringBernie Parent 63 saves 64 shots Goalie stats Glenn Hall 41 saves 43 shotsApril 18 St Louis Blues 3 1 Philadelphia Flyers Spectrum Recap Frank St Marseille 2 pp 07 38 First period 18 25 pp Bill Sutherland 1 Larry Keenan 3 pp 10 45 Second period No scoringRed Berenson 3 19 10 Third period No scoringGlenn Hall 26 saves 27 shots Goalie stats Bernie Parent 28 saves 30 shotsSt Louis won series 4 3 W2 Los Angeles Kings vs W4 Minnesota North Stars edit The Los Angeles Kings finished second in the West Division with 72 points The Minnesota North Stars earned 69 points to finish fourth in the West Division This was the first playoff series for both teams Minnesota earned fourteen of twenty points in this year s regular season series The North Stars defeated the Kings in seven games April 4 Minnesota North Stars 1 2 Los Angeles Kings The Forum Recap No scoring First period No scoringNo scoring Second period 19 55 pp Eddie Joyal 1 Dave Balon 1 03 54 Third period 03 13 Bill White 1 Cesare Maniago 38 saves 40 shots Goalie stats Terry Sawchuck 30 saves 31 shotsApril 6 Minnesota North Stars 0 2 Los Angeles Kings The Forum Recap No scoring First period 08 45 pp Lowell MacDonald 1 No scoring Second period 18 12 Eddie Joyal 2 No scoring Third period No scoringCesare Maniago 37 saves 39 shots Goalie stats Terry Sawchuck 18 saves 18 shotsApril 9 Los Angeles Kings 5 7 Minnesota North Stars Met Center Recap Lowell MacDonald 2 12 44Lowell MacDonald 3 13 56Howie Hughes 1 pp 15 19 First period 05 51 Bill Collins 1 15 48 Ray Cullen 1 17 34 pp Mike McMahon Jr 1 No scoring Second period 01 25 Parker MacDonald 1 16 56 ps Wayne Connelly 1 Ted Irvine 1 03 23Doug Robinson 1 04 15 Third period 00 09 Bill Collins 2 17 50 Andre Boudrias 1 Terry Sawchuck 18 saves 23 shots Wayne Rutledge 9 saves 11 shots Goalie stats Cesare Maniago 24 saves 29 shotsApril 11 Los Angeles Kings 2 3 Minnesota North Stars Met Center Recap Bill Flett 1 03 37Bill White 2 04 45 First period 11 30 pp Ray Cullen 2 No scoring Second period 06 31 Mike McMahon Jr 2 09 27 Dave Balon 2 No scoring Third period No scoringTerry Sawchuck 31 saves 34 shots Goalie stats Cesare Maniago 30 saves 32 shotsApril 13 Minnesota North Stars 2 3 Los Angeles Kings The Forum Recap No scoring First period 02 14 Gord Labossiere 1 02 29 Gord Labossiere 2 No scoring Second period 12 23 pp Eddie Joyal 3 Wayne Connelly 2 07 15Wayne Connelly 3 14 55 Third period No scoringCesare Maniago 21 saves 24 shots Goalie stats Wayne Rutledge 27 saves 29 shotsApril 16 Los Angeles Kings 3 4 OT Minnesota North Stars Met Center Recap Doug Robinson 2 11 12 First period 08 05 sh Mike McMahon Jr 3 Real Lemieux 1 1 37Howie Hughes 2 04 20 Second period No scoringNo scoring Third period 07 23 Bill Goldsworthy 1 16 39 Bob McCord 1 No scoring First overtime period 09 11 Milan Marcetta 1 Wayne Rutledge 29 saves 33 shots Goalie stats Cesare Maniago 33 saves 36 shotsApril 18 Minnesota North Stars 9 4 Los Angeles Kings The Forum Recap Parker MacDonald 2 02 24Wayne Connelly 4 pp 08 05Bill Goldsworthy 2 16 25 First period 02 51 Doug Robinson 3 Milan Marcetta 2 08 45Parker MacDonald 3 11 58Milan Marcetta 3 12 49Dave Balon 3 15 58Andre Boudrias 2 16 12 Second period 05 12 pp Eddie Joyal 4 16 45 Poul Popiel 1 Bill Goldsworthy 3 pp 09 07 Third period 19 36 Doug Robinson 4 Cesare Maniago 22 saves 26 shots Goalie stats Terry Sawchuck 24 saves 33 shotsMinnesota won series 4 3 Semifinals edit E1 Montreal Canadiens vs E4 Chicago Black Hawks edit This was the 14th playoff series between these two teams Their most recent series previous to this one was in the 1965 Stanley Cup Finals which Montreal won four games to three Montreal earned fourteen of a possible twenty points from the ten 1967 1968 regular season matchups between the two teams The Black Hawks could not provide another upset and lost to the Canadiens in five games giving Montreal their only defeat of the playoffs April 18 Chicago Black Hawks 2 9 Montreal Canadiens Montreal Forum Recap No scoring First period 06 37 Ralph Backstrom 3 07 31 Yvan Cournoyer 1 09 24 John Ferguson 2 No scoring Second period 15 26 pp Yvan Cournoyer 2 Doug Jarrett 2 10 20Gilles Marotte 3 11 26 Third period 00 10 John Ferguson 3 01 28 Gilles Tremblay 1 07 08 Jacques Lemaire 3 16 03 Jean Beliveau 3 17 50 Claude Larose 3 Denis DeJordy 24 saves 33 shots Goalie stats Gump Worsley 32 saves 34 shotsApril 20 Chicago Black Hawks 1 4 Montreal Canadiens Montreal Forum Recap Stan Mikita 4 pp 05 03 First period 10 58 Jean Beliveau 4 No scoring Second period 10 04 pp Jean Beliveau 5 15 41 pp Jacques Lemaire 4 17 57 pp Jean Beliveau 6 No scoring Third period No scoringDenis DeJordy 35 saves 39 shots Goalie stats Gump Worsley 23 saves 24 shotsApril 23 Montreal Canadiens 4 2 Chicago Black Hawks Chicago Stadium Recap Jean Beliveau 7 00 39 First period 15 25 Doug Jarrett 3 Yvan Cournoyer 3 pp 02 39Yvan Cournoyer 4 06 11J C Tremblay 1 12 05 Second period 10 35 Doug Jarrett 4 No scoring Third period No scoringGump Worsley 39 saves 41 shots Goalie stats Denis DeJordy 29 saves 33 shotsApril 25 Montreal Canadiens 1 2 Chicago Black Hawks Chicago Stadium Recap No scoring First period 08 57 Bobby Hull 3 Henri Richard 2 03 37 Second period 06 50 sh Bobby Hull 4 No scoring Third period No scoringGump Worsley 3 saves 4 shots Rogie Vachon 29 saves 30 shots Goalie stats Denis DeJordy 28 saves 29 shotsApril 28 Chicago Black Hawks 3 4 OT Montreal Canadiens Montreal Forum Recap No scoring First period 08 10 Bobby Rousseau 1 Bobby Schmautz 2 9 59 Second period 11 15 sh J C Tremblay 2 Stan Mikita 5 pp 01 23Wayne Maki 1 08 14 Third period 06 38 pp Jacques Lemaire 5 No scoring First overtime period 02 14 Jacques Lemaire 6 Denis DeJordy 40 saves 44 shots Goalie stats Rogie Vachon 24 saves 27 shotsMontreal won series 4 1 W3 St Louis Blues vs W4 Minnesota North Stars edit St Louis earned twelve of twenty points in this year s regular season series Ron Schock s goal in double OT called the Midnight Goal by many hockey fans gave the Blues the series and sent them to the Stanley Cup Finals April 21 Minnesota North Stars 3 5 St Louis Blues St Louis Arena Recap Milan Marcetta 4 pp 7 49 First period 14 27 Tim Ecclestone 1 Wayne Connelly 5 00 49Wayne Connelly 6 pp 15 41 Second period 09 31 pp Frank St Marseille 3 10 05 pp Dickie Moore 3 12 36 sh Bill McCreary Sr 2 No scoring Third period 14 08 Larry Keenan 4 Cesare Maniago 28 saves 33 shots Goalie stats Glenn Hall 25 saves 28 shotsApril 22 St Louis Blues 2 3 OT Minnesota North Stars Met Center Recap Jimmy Roberts 2 12 28 First period No scoringNo scoring Second period No scoringFrank St Marseille 4 pp 04 58 Third period 02 12 Milan Marcetta 5 07 00 Bill Goldsworthy 4 No scoring First overtime period 03 41 Parker MacDonald 4 Glenn Hall 24 saves 27 shots Goalie stats Cesare Maniago 23 saves 25 shotsApril 25 Minnesota North Stars 5 1 St Louis Blues St Louis Arena Recap Milan Marcetta 6 09 38Bill Goldsworthy 5 13 00J P Parise 1 19 01 First period No scoringBill Goldsworthy 6 16 33 Second period 04 53 Dickie Moore 4 Dave Balon 4 pp 00 09 Third period No scoringCesare Maniago 30 saves 31 shots Goalie stats Glenn Hall 16 saves 21 shotsApril 27 Minnesota North Stars 3 4 OT St Louis Blues St Louis Arena Recap Walt McKechnie 1 04 42J P Parise 2 pp 14 40 First period No scoringWayne Connelly 7 19 37 Second period No scoringNo scoring Third period 11 57 Jimmy Roberts 3 12 57 Dickie Moore 5 19 49 Jimmy Roberts 4 No scoring First overtime period 01 32 Gary Sabourin 1 Cesare Maniago 39 saves 43 shots Goalie stats Glenn Hall 21 saves 24 shotsApril 29 Minnesota North Stars 2 3 OT St Louis Blues St Louis Arena Recap Walt McKechnie 2 05 39 First period 01 53 Bob Plager 1 10 44 Gary Sabourin 2 Bob McCord 2 6 31 Second period No scoringNo scoring Third period No scoringNo scoring First overtime period 17 27 Bill McCreary Sr 3 Cesare Maniago 52 saves 55 shots Goalie stats Glenn Hall 26 saves 28 shotsMay 1 St Louis Blues 1 5 Minnesota North Stars Met Center Recap No scoring First period 05 28 pp Wayne Connelly 8 10 54 Andre Boudrias 3 Gary Sabourin 3 13 53 Second period 06 34 Bill Goldsworthy 7 17 16 Bill Goldsworthy 8 No scoring Third period 09 52 Milan Marcetta 7 Glenn Hall 12 saves 15 shotsSeth Martin 21 saves 23 shots Goalie stats Cesare Maniago 22 saves 23 shotsMay 3 Minnesota North Stars 1 2 2OT St Louis Blues St Louis Arena Recap No scoring First period No scoringNo scoring Second period No scoringWalt McKechnie 3 16 49 Third period 17 20 Dickie Moore 6 No scoring Second overtime period 02 50 Ron Schock 1 Cesare Maniago 36 saves 38 shots Goalie stats Glenn Hall 44 saves 45 shotsSt Louis won series 4 3 Finals edit Main article 1968 Stanley Cup Finals The Montreal Canadiens advanced to their fourth consecutive Stanley Cup Finals having won the championship in 1965 and 1966 The St Louis Blues beat out the five other teams also playing in their inaugural season to reach the Final Montreal earned seven of eight points in this year s regular season series Blues coach Scotty Bowman a long time member of the Canadiens organization was unable to spur the Blues to an upset The Canadiens led by Jean Beliveau and Henri Richard swept the series in four games May 5 Montreal Canadiens 3 2 OT St Louis Blues St Louis Arena Recap Henri Richard 3 09 42 First period 09 19 Barclay Plager 2 Yvan Cournoyer 5 18 14 Second period 08 16 pp Dickie Moore 7 No scoring Third period No scoringJacques Lemaire 7 01 41 First overtime period No scoringGump Worsley 34 saves 36 shots Goalie stats Glenn Hall 35 saves 38 shotsMay 7 Montreal Canadiens 1 0 St Louis Blues St Louis Arena Recap No scoring First period No scoringNo scoring Second period No scoringSerge Savard 1 sh 02 17 Third period No scoringGump Worsley 19 saves 19 shots Goalie stats Glenn Hall 35 saves 36 shotsMay 9 St Louis Blues 3 4 OT Montreal Canadiens Montreal Forum Recap Frank St Marseille 5 pp 10 22 First period 14 24 pp Yvan Cournoyer 6 Red Berenson 4 03 37 Second period 01 23 sh Serge Savard 2 Red Berenson 5 sh 17 25 Third period 11 43 Ralph Backstrom 4 No scoring First overtime period 01 13 Bobby Rousseau 2 Glenn Hall 42 saves 46 shots Goalie stats Gump Worsley 12 saves 15 shotsMay 11 St Louis Blues 2 3 Montreal Canadiens Montreal Forum Recap No scoring First period 16 47 Dick Duff 3 Craig Cameron 1 06 53Gary Sabourin 4 pp 07 50 Second period No scoringNo scoring Third period 07 24 Henri Richard 4 11 40 J C Tremblay 3 Glenn Hall 28 saves 31 shots Goalie stats Gump Worsley 19 saves 21 shotsMontreal won series 4 0 Playoff bracket edit Quarter finalsSemi finalsFinal 1Montreal Canadiens43Boston Bruins01Montreal Canadiens4East Division4Chicago Black Hawks12New York Rangers24Chicago Black Hawks4E1Montreal Canadiens4W3St Louis Blues01Philadelphia Flyers33St Louis Blues43St Louis Blues4West Division4Minnesota North Stars32Los Angeles Kings34Minnesota North Stars4Awards and records editPrince of Wales Trophy East Division champion Montreal CanadiensClarence S Campbell Bowl West Division champion St Louis BluesConn Smythe Trophy Playoff MVP Glenn Hall St Louis BluesSee also edit1967 68 NHL seasonReferences edit Stanley Cup Notebook Falla Jack 2001 Quest for the Cup a history of the Stanley Cup Finals 1893 2000 Key Porter Books ISBN 1 55263 343 8 Preceded by1967 Stanley Cup playoffs Stanley Cup playoffs1968 Succeeded by1969 Stanley Cup playoffs Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title 1968 Stanley Cup playoffs amp oldid 1189270116, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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