1977–78 Chicago Black Hawks season

The 1977–78 Chicago Black Hawks season was the Hawks' 52nd season in the NHL, and the club was coming off a 26–43–11 record, earning 63 points, which was their lowest total since the 1957–58 season. The Hawks managed to qualify for the playoffs, as they finished in third place in the Smythe Division. In the playoffs, the Black Hawks were quickly swept out in two games by the Boston Bruins in the NHL preliminary round.1976–77 NHL Season Summary – Hockey-Reference.com

Offseason During the off-season, Hawks general manager Tommy Ivan announced his retirement, and the club decided to not bring interim head coach Bill White back, so the club hired former Los Angeles Kings head coach Bob Pulford to take over both the head coach and general manager position. Pulford had been the head coach of the Kings from 1972 to 1977, winning the 1975 Jack Adams Trophy. The team also named Keith Magnuson as the only team captain, as in the 1976–77 season, the Hawks used Magnuson, Stan Mikita and Pit Martin as tri-captains.

Regular season The Black Hawks started off the season in a slump, as the team had a 6–10–8 record in their first 24 games. Chicago eventually snapped out of their funk, and found themselves a season high five games over .500 with a 24–18–16 record late in February. The Hawks, who were comfortably in first place in the Smythe Division, finished the season with a 32–29–19 record, earning 83 points, which was their highest total since 1973–74, and their sixth division title in the past nine seasons.

Offensively, the Black Hawks were led by Ivan Boldirev, who scored a team high 35 goals and 45 assists for 80 points. Thirty-seven-year-old Stan Mikita earned 59 points in 76 games to finish second in team scoring, while 22-year-old Ted Bulley had a very solid rookie season, scoring 23 goals and 51 points in 79 games. Another rookie, Doug Wilson, led the defense, scoring 14 goals and 34 points, while Bob Murray also scored 14 goals, along with 17 assists from the blueline. Keith Magnuson had a team high 145 penalty minutes, while John Marks led Chicago with a +27 rating.

In goal, Tony Esposito once again had the majority of playing time, winning 28 games, along with 5 shutouts and a 2.63 GAA.

Final standings

Record vs. opponents

Schedule and results

| 1 || October 13 || Chicago Black Hawks || 1–5 || Philadelphia Flyers || 0–1–0 || 0

| 2 || October 15 || Colorado Rockies || 3–3 || Chicago Black Hawks || 0–1–1 || 1

| 3 || October 16 || Chicago Black Hawks || 2–0 || Buffalo Sabres || 1–1–1 || 3

| 4 || October 19 || Buffalo Sabres || 2–2 || Chicago Black Hawks || 1–1–2 || 4

| 5 || October 22 || Chicago Black Hawks || 0–3 || Colorado Rockies || 1–2–2 || 4

| 6 || October 23 || St. Louis Blues || 0–2 || Chicago Black Hawks || 2–2–2 || 6

| 7 || October 26 || Philadelphia Flyers || 2–2 || Chicago Black Hawks || 2–2–3 || 7

| 8 || October 28 || Chicago Black Hawks || 4–2 || Cleveland Barons || 3–2–3 || 9

| 9 || October 30 || Cleveland Barons || 1–6 || Chicago Black Hawks || 4–2–3 || 11

|10 || November 2 || Chicago Black Hawks || 2–2 || Washington Capitals || 4–2–4 || 12

|11 || November 5 || Chicago Black Hawks || 5–2 || Minnesota North Stars || 5–2–4 || 14

|12 || November 6 || Atlanta Flames || 3–3 || Chicago Black Hawks || 5–2–5 || 15

|13 || November 9 || Minnesota North Stars || 2–2 || Chicago Black Hawks || 5–2–6 || 16

|14 || November 12 || Chicago Black Hawks || 4–7 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 5–3–6 || 16

|15 || November 13 || Montreal Canadiens || 3–2 || Chicago Black Hawks || 5–4–6 || 16

|16 || November 15 || Chicago Black Hawks || 1–1 || New York Islanders || 5–4–7 || 17

|17 || November 16 || Chicago Black Hawks || 2–5 || New York Rangers || 5–5–7 || 17

|18 || November 20 || Chicago Black Hawks || 0–1 || Boston Bruins || 5–6–7 || 17

|19 || November 23 || Chicago Black Hawks || 3–8 || Los Angeles Kings || 5–7–7 || 17

|20 || November 25 || Chicago Black Hawks || 5–1 || Colorado Rockies || 6–7–7 || 19

|21 || November 26 || Chicago Black Hawks || 2–2 || Vancouver Canucks || 6–7–8 || 20

|22 || November 30 || Buffalo Sabres || 3–2 || Chicago Black Hawks || 6–8–8 || 20

|23 || December 3 || Chicago Black Hawks || 2–3 || Montreal Canadiens || 6–9–8 || 20

|24 || December 4 || Vancouver Canucks || 6–2 || Chicago Black Hawks || 6–10–8 || 20

|25 || December 6 || Chicago Black Hawks || 2–1 || Detroit Red Wings || 7–10–8 || 22

|26 || December 7 || New York Islanders || 4–0 || Chicago Black Hawks || 7–11–8 || 22

|27 || December 10 || Chicago Black Hawks || 2–4 || Philadelphia Flyers || 7–12–8 || 22

|28 || December 11 || Minnesota North Stars || 3–8 || Chicago Black Hawks || 8–12–8 || 24

|29 || December 13 || Chicago Black Hawks || 2–2 || New York Islanders || 8–12–9 || 25

|30 || December 14 || New York Rangers || 2–2 || Chicago Black Hawks || 8–12–10 || 26

|31 || December 17 || Chicago Black Hawks || 1–7 || Toronto Maple Leafs || 8–13–10 || 26

|32 || December 18 || Atlanta Flames || 0–3 || Chicago Black Hawks || 9–13–10 || 28

|33 || December 21 || Chicago Black Hawks || 6–2 || St. Louis Blues || 10–13–10 || 30

|34 || December 22 || Los Angeles Kings || 4–0 || Chicago Black Hawks || 10–14–10 || 30

|35 || December 27 || Chicago Black Hawks || 4–2 || Atlanta Flames || 11–14–10 || 32

|36 || December 28 || Toronto Maple Leafs || 0–4 || Chicago Black Hawks || 12–14–10 || 34

|37 || January 1 || Vancouver Canucks || 3–2 || Chicago Black Hawks || 12–15–10 || 34

|38 || January 4 || Boston Bruins || 3–0 || Chicago Black Hawks || 12–16–10 || 34

|39 || January 7 || Chicago Black Hawks || 0–0 || St. Louis Blues || 12–16–11 || 35

|40 || January 8 || Washington Capitals || 1–3 || Chicago Black Hawks || 13–16–11 || 37

|41 || January 11 || Philadelphia Flyers || 4–5 || Chicago Black Hawks || 14–16–11 || 39

|42 || January 14 || Chicago Black Hawks || 3–3 || Toronto Maple Leafs || 14–16–12 || 40

|43 || January 18 || Washington Capitals || 2–5 || Chicago Black Hawks || 15–16–12 || 42

|44 || January 19 || Chicago Black Hawks || 2–4 || Detroit Red Wings || 15–17–12 || 42

|45 || January 21 || Chicago Black Hawks || 4–1 || Minnesota North Stars || 16–17–12 || 44

|46 || January 22 || St. Louis Blues || 1–3 || Chicago Black Hawks || 17–17–12 || 46

|47 || January 26 || Cleveland Barons || 0–5 || Chicago Black Hawks || 18–17–12 || 48

|48 || January 28 || Detroit Red Wings || 1–6 || Chicago Black Hawks || 19–17–12 || 50

|49 || February 1 || Philadelphia Flyers || 1–3 || Chicago Black Hawks || 20–17–12 || 52

|50 || February 4 || Chicago Black Hawks || 5–1 || Vancouver Canucks || 21–17–12 || 54

|51 || February 8 || New York Islanders || 4–5 || Chicago Black Hawks || 22–17–12 || 56

|52 || February 9 || Chicago Black Hawks || 3–3 || Montreal Canadiens || 22–17–13 || 57

|53 || February 12 || Atlanta Flames || 2–2 || Chicago Black Hawks || 22–17–14 || 58

|54 || February 14 || Chicago Black Hawks || 1–2 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 22–18–14 || 58

|55 || February 15 || Colorado Rockies || 2–2 || Chicago Black Hawks || 22–18–15 || 59

|56 || February 18 || Boston Bruins || 2–4 || Chicago Black Hawks || 23–18–15 || 61

|57 || February 19 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–2 || Chicago Black Hawks || 23–18–16 || 62

|58 || February 22 || New York Rangers || 2–3 || Chicago Black Hawks || 24–18–16 || 64

|59 || February 23 || Chicago Black Hawks || 2–6 || New York Rangers || 24–19–16 || 64

|60 || February 25 || Chicago Black Hawks || 1–7 || New York Islanders || 24–20–16 || 64

|61 || February 26 || Toronto Maple Leafs || 5–3 || Chicago Black Hawks || 24–21–16 || 64

|62 || March 1 || Chicago Black Hawks || 2–3 || Vancouver Canucks || 24–22–16 || 64

|63 || March 4 || Chicago Black Hawks || 6–3 || Los Angeles Kings || 25–22–16 || 66

|64 || March 5 || Chicago Black Hawks || 2–2 || Colorado Rockies || 25–22–17 || 67

|65 || March 8 || Chicago Black Hawks || 4–3 || Minnesota North Stars || 26–22–17 || 69

|66 || March 11 || Chicago Black Hawks || 1–4 || Atlanta Flames || 26–23–17 || 69

|67 || March 12 || Chicago Black Hawks || 2–5 || Buffalo Sabres || 26–24–17 || 69

|68 || March 15 || Montreal Canadiens || 6–2 || Chicago Black Hawks || 26–25–17 || 69

|69 || March 18 || Chicago Black Hawks || 4–5 || St. Louis Blues || 26–26–17 || 69

|70 || March 19 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 1–9 || Chicago Black Hawks || 27–26–17 || 71

|71 || March 22 || Chicago Black Hawks || 6–2 || Washington Capitals || 28–26–17 || 73

|72 || March 23 || Chicago Black Hawks || 0–7 || Boston Bruins || 28–27–17 || 73

|73 || March 25 || St. Louis Blues || 2–2 || Chicago Black Hawks || 28–27–18 || 74

|74 || March 26 || Vancouver Canucks || 3–4 || Chicago Black Hawks || 29–27–18 || 76

|75 || March 29 || Los Angeles Kings || 1–5 || Chicago Black Hawks || 30–27–18 || 78

|76 || April 1 || Detroit Red Wings || 0–2 || Chicago Black Hawks || 31–27–18 || 80

|77 || April 2 || Chicago Black Hawks || 2–4 || Cleveland Barons || 31–28–18 || 80

|78 || April 5 || Colorado Rockies || 4–4 || Chicago Black Hawks || 31–28–19 || 81

|79 || April 8 || Minnesota North Stars || 2–4 || Chicago Black Hawks || 32–28–19 || 83

|80 || April 9 || Chicago Black Hawks || 2–3 || New York Rangers || 32–29–19 || 83

Legend:

Playoffs Since the Hawks won their division, they were given a bye in the NHL preliminary round, and advanced straight to the NHL quarter-finals. Their first round opponent was the Boston Bruins, who finished in first place in the Adams Division with 113 points. The series opened at the Boston Garden, and the Bruins struck first, easily winning the first game by a 6–1 score. Chicago forced the second game into overtime, however, the Bruins would be victorious once again, this time winning 4–3 to take a 2–0 series lead. The series moved to Chicago Stadium for the next two games, but it was Boston who stayed hot, as they defeated the Hawks 4–3 in overtime once again in the third game. The Bruins dominated the fourth game, winning 5–2, to sweep the series. This was the third straight season that the Black Hawks were swept out of their first playoff round, as the team saw their playoff losing streak reach twelve games.

| 1 || April 17 || Chicago Black Hawks || 1–6 || Boston Bruins || 0–1

| 2 || April 19 || Chicago Black Hawks || 3–4 || Boston Bruins || 0–2

| 3 || April 21 || Boston Bruins || 4–3 || Chicago Black Hawks || 0–3

| 4 || April 23 || Boston Bruins || 5–2 || Chicago Black Hawks || 0–4

Legend:

Player stats

Regular season Scoring Player Pos GP G A Pts PIM +/- PPG SHG GWG C 80 35 45 80 34−31002 C/RW 76 18 41 59 3518602 LW 79 23 28 51 1414605 RW 76 15 25 40 329023 RW 78 14 24 38 135−1300 LW 78 17 20 37 675301 LW 80 15 22 37 2627001 D 77 14 20 34 7211502 RW 73 16 15 31 198104 D 70 14 17 31 4111203 RW 77 10 18 28 59−2002 D 57 6 20 26 13919011 D 75 4 20 24 663212 LW 75 7 11 18 95−26002 C 31 7 11 18 206202 RW 53 6 6 12 13−12100 C 26 2 8 10 31−3100 D 13 1 7 8 25000 D 67 2 4 6 1450000 D 54 1 5 6 77−14100 LW 33 1 4 5 130000 G 64 0 4 4 00000 C 7 1 1 2 0−1000 D 6 1 1 2 20000 LW 2 0 2 2 02000 D 5 0 1 1 12−2000 D 6 0 0 0 20−4000 G 4 0 0 0 00000 G 12 0 0 0 00000 Goaltending Player MIN GPW LTGAGAA SO 3840 64 28 22 14 168 2.63 5 720 12 3 4 5 31 2.58 2 240 4 1 3 0 17 4.25 0 Team: 4800 80 32 29 19 216 2.70 7

Playoffs Scoring Player Pos GP G A Pts PIM PPG SHG GWG D 4 1 4 5 2000 RW 4 2 2 4 0100 C/RW 4 3 0 3 0200 LW 4 1 1 2 2000 C 4 0 2 2 2000 D 4 0 2 2 0000 D 4 1 0 1 2100 RW 4 1 0 1 0000 RW 4 0 1 1 0000 RW 4 0 1 1 0000 LW 4 0 1 1 0000 LW 3 0 0 0 0000 G 4 0 0 0 0000 LW 4 0 0 0 8000 D 4 0 0 0 8000 D 4 0 0 0 7000 RW 1 0 0 0 0000 LW 4 0 0 0 2000 D 4 0 0 0 0000 Goaltending Player MIN GPW LGAGAA SO 252 4 0 4 19 4.52 0 Team: 252 4 0 4 19 4.52 0

Note: Pos = Position; GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/- = plus/minus; PIM = Penalty minutes; PPG = Power-play goals; SHG = Short-handed goals; GWG = Game-winning goals