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CaptainCrunch · 04-04-2024, 07:23 PM

1958-59

In August 1951 the New York Giants say 13 1/2 games behind the league leading Brooklyn Dodgers. But the Giants put on a late season historic push that eventually had them over take the Dodgers to take the National League pennant.

The NHL had never had that kind of comeback, usually in the NHL the first place team finished far ahead of the second place team. But in 1958-59 the Leafs staged a late season comeback out of nowhere to overtake take a playoff berth and reach the Stanley Cup finals.

The Habs were shooting for their 4th straight Cup, and nobody was even close to them as they finished in first place 18 points up on the second place Bruins. NHL fans and reporters were so bored of the Canadians that they looked elsewhere for a interesting story and the Leafs filled that bill.

Nobody expected the Leafs to do much, since their dynasty days they had slid to the bottom of the league and had gone through numerous coaches until they settled on Punch Imlach. Maybe people thought, the Leafs would finish ahead of the Red Wings, but for them to make the playoffs a lot of miracles would have to happen.

No one expected it to be the Rangers, not last years second place team.

But the Rangers had hidden problems, they were coached by Phil Watson, a fiery temperamental coach and his style of coaching had lost the dressing room, the Rangers hated the man. But on March 11th they were 9 points ahead of the Leafs, but then they started to wobble.

On Saturday March 14th the Rangers were 7 points up on the Leafs and Phil Watson and his team had a chance to finish the Leafs off at Maple Leaf Gardens in the first of a back to back set.

A Rangers win would put the Rangers 9 points up with 4 games to go. The Leafs did the unthinkable and swept the Rangers and were 3 points back with 2 games to go. By the last game of the season the Leafs needed to win their final game and the Rangers would need to lose their last game against Montreal.

Toronto did their part beating the Wings when they rallied late from a 2 goal deficit. The Rangers blew an early lead against the Habs and lost 4-2. The Leafs were in, the Rangers out, the Hockey world had its plucky underdog.

The Leafs carried their momentum into the playoffs and beat the Bruins in 7 games. But the fun ended in the finals as the Habs stomped on the Leafs in 5 games ending a miracle run. The Habs had earned their 4th straight cup.

Trivia

The Hall of fame inducts 22 players including Frank Boucher, King Clancy, Sprague Cleghorn, Alec Connell, Red Dutton, Frank Foystone, Ching Johonson and Conn Smythe.
The Leafs signed 34 year old career minor league goalie Johnny Bower, they also acquired defenseman Allan Stanley from Boston and Bert Olmstead from Montreal.
Montreal makes the regular season a laugher as they finished with a 39-18-13 record and finish 18 points ahead of Boston.
Habs winger Dickie Moore sets a new NHL record with 96 points.
Jean Beliveau leads the league in goals with 45.
Andy Bathgate breaks the Rangers goal record with 45 and points with 88.
Montreal's Jacques Plante leads all goalies with 38 wins, 9 shutouts and a 2.16 gaa.
Johnny Bower of the Leafs finishes with the second best gaa at 2.74.
The Rangers boost 3 of the top 5 players in terms of PIM with Lou Fontinato sitting for 149 minutes, Jim Bartlett with 118 and rookie Eddie Shack with 109.
New York's Bill Gadsby leads all defensemen with 51 points.
The Hawks finish in third place making the playoffs for the first time in 6 years.
The Leafs win 5 of their last 6 games to pass the Rangers for the last playoff spot on the last night of the regular season.
The Red Wings fall to the bottom of the league only 2 years after finishing in first.
The playoffs feature Montreal taking on Chicago and Toronto taking on the Bruins.
Boston takes a 2-0 lead in their series against the Leafs but losing the next 3 games. The Bruins force a game 7 only to be stunned by the Leafs.
The Habs are given a scare by the upstart Hawks but take the series in 6 games.
The finals are never in doubt as the Habs win their 4th straight cup, beating the Leafs in 5 games.
Dickie Moore of Montreal leads all playoff scorers with 17 points.
Andy Bathgate wins the Hart Trophy.
Detroit's Alex Delvecchio earns the Lady Byng Trophy.
Tom Johnson of the Canadians wins the Norris, while team mate Ralph Backstrom takes home the Calder.
North Dakota beats Michigan State for the NCAA Championship.

First Games

Stan Mikita, Chicago Black Hawks
John McKenzie, Chicago Black Hawks
Bill Hicke*, Montreal Canadiens
Eddie Shack, New York Rangers

Last games

Earl Reibel, Boston Bruins

Real Chevrefils, Boston Bruins
Danny Lewicki, Chicago Black Hawks
Gus Mortson, Detroit Red Wings
Kenny Mosdell, Montreal Canadiens (Last active from the New York Americans/ Brooklyn Americans and last player from the pre-Original Six era.)
Wally Hergesheimer, New York Rangers

04-04-2024, 07:23 PM	#141
CaptainCrunch Norm! Join Date: Jun 2002 Exp:	1958-59 In August 1951 the New York Giants say 13 1/2 games behind the league leading Brooklyn Dodgers. But the Giants put on a late season historic push that eventually had them over take the Dodgers to take the National League pennant. The NHL had never had that kind of comeback, usually in the NHL the first place team finished far ahead of the second place team. But in 1958-59 the Leafs staged a late season comeback out of nowhere to overtake take a playoff berth and reach the Stanley Cup finals. The Habs were shooting for their 4th straight Cup, and nobody was even close to them as they finished in first place 18 points up on the second place Bruins. NHL fans and reporters were so bored of the Canadians that they looked elsewhere for a interesting story and the Leafs filled that bill. Nobody expected the Leafs to do much, since their dynasty days they had slid to the bottom of the league and had gone through numerous coaches until they settled on Punch Imlach. Maybe people thought, the Leafs would finish ahead of the Red Wings, but for them to make the playoffs a lot of miracles would have to happen. No one expected it to be the Rangers, not last years second place team. But the Rangers had hidden problems, they were coached by Phil Watson, a fiery temperamental coach and his style of coaching had lost the dressing room, the Rangers hated the man. But on March 11th they were 9 points ahead of the Leafs, but then they started to wobble. On Saturday March 14th the Rangers were 7 points up on the Leafs and Phil Watson and his team had a chance to finish the Leafs off at Maple Leaf Gardens in the first of a back to back set. A Rangers win would put the Rangers 9 points up with 4 games to go. The Leafs did the unthinkable and swept the Rangers and were 3 points back with 2 games to go. By the last game of the season the Leafs needed to win their final game and the Rangers would need to lose their last game against Montreal. Toronto did their part beating the Wings when they rallied late from a 2 goal deficit. The Rangers blew an early lead against the Habs and lost 4-2. The Leafs were in, the Rangers out, the Hockey world had its plucky underdog. The Leafs carried their momentum into the playoffs and beat the Bruins in 7 games. But the fun ended in the finals as the Habs stomped on the Leafs in 5 games ending a miracle run. The Habs had earned their 4th straight cup. Trivia The Hall of fame inducts 22 players including Frank Boucher, King Clancy, Sprague Cleghorn, Alec Connell, Red Dutton, Frank Foystone, Ching Johonson and Conn Smythe. The Leafs signed 34 year old career minor league goalie Johnny Bower, they also acquired defenseman Allan Stanley from Boston and Bert Olmstead from Montreal. Montreal makes the regular season a laugher as they finished with a 39-18-13 record and finish 18 points ahead of Boston. Habs winger Dickie Moore sets a new NHL record with 96 points. Jean Beliveau leads the league in goals with 45. Andy Bathgate breaks the Rangers goal record with 45 and points with 88. Montreal's Jacques Plante leads all goalies with 38 wins, 9 shutouts and a 2.16 gaa. Johnny Bower of the Leafs finishes with the second best gaa at 2.74. The Rangers boost 3 of the top 5 players in terms of PIM with Lou Fontinato sitting for 149 minutes, Jim Bartlett with 118 and rookie Eddie Shack with 109. New York's Bill Gadsby leads all defensemen with 51 points. The Hawks finish in third place making the playoffs for the first time in 6 years. The Leafs win 5 of their last 6 games to pass the Rangers for the last playoff spot on the last night of the regular season. The Red Wings fall to the bottom of the league only 2 years after finishing in first. The playoffs feature Montreal taking on Chicago and Toronto taking on the Bruins. Boston takes a 2-0 lead in their series against the Leafs but losing the next 3 games. The Bruins force a game 7 only to be stunned by the Leafs. The Habs are given a scare by the upstart Hawks but take the series in 6 games. The finals are never in doubt as the Habs win their 4th straight cup, beating the Leafs in 5 games. Dickie Moore of Montreal leads all playoff scorers with 17 points. Andy Bathgate wins the Hart Trophy. Detroit's Alex Delvecchio earns the Lady Byng Trophy. Tom Johnson of the Canadians wins the Norris, while team mate Ralph Backstrom takes home the Calder. North Dakota beats Michigan State for the NCAA Championship. First Games Stan Mikita, Chicago Black Hawks John McKenzie, Chicago Black Hawks Bill Hicke, Montreal Canadiens Eddie Shack, New York Rangers Last games* Earl Reibel, Boston Bruins Real Chevrefils, Boston Bruins Danny Lewicki, Chicago Black Hawks Gus Mortson, Detroit Red Wings Kenny Mosdell, Montreal Canadiens (Last active from the New York Americans/ Brooklyn Americans and last player from the pre-Original Six era.) Wally Hergesheimer, New York Rangers __________________ My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings; Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!