It’s pretty amazing when you think about it. The Chicago Blackhawks and Boston Bruins have been in the National Hockey League for the better part of 90 years. Yet, the teams have met in the post season just six times before this season and will meet in the Stanley Cup final for the first time ever in 2012-13. To date, Boston has had the definite advantage, winning five of the six matchups.
The Bruins entered the NHL for the 1924-25 season. In their history, they have won the Stanley Cup championship six times. Their first Cup victory came in just their fifth year in the league, 1928-29. Boston last won just two years ago in 2010-11.
The Blackhawks entered the NHL just a few years later, in 1926-27. The Hawks have won four Stanley Cup championships, to date. Their first came in 1933-34 and their last was three years ago, 20
09-10.
1926-27
The two teams met up in the quarter-finals in Chicago’s first year in the NHL. In a two game, total goals, series, Boston won ten goals to five.
During the regular season, Boston finished second in the five team American Division with 45 points in 44 games. Chicago finished second in the American with 41 points. The Bruins were coached by Art Ross and featured early NHL stars Eddie Shore, Sprague Cleghorn and Harry Oliver. The Blackhawks were coached by Pete Muldoon and were led by Dick Irvin and Babe Dye.
Boston advanced to the semi-finals where they took out the New York Rangers in a tight three goals to one two game series. In the Stanley Cup finals, the Bruins fell to the Ottawa Senators, two games to none.
1941-42
The teams waited 15 years before meeting again in the post season. Boston won the best of three quarter-final series, two games to one. The Bruins won the first game, 2-1 in overtime. The Hawks came back to shutout Boston 4-0 in the second game. The Bruins clinched the series with a 3-2 win in the third game. Boston then lost to the Detroit Red Wings in the semi-finals.
During the regular season, Boston finished third in the seven team NHL with 56 points in 48 games. Chicago placed fourth with 47 points. The Bruins were still coached by Art Ross and had a veteran lineup that included Roy Conacher, Milt Schmidt, Dit Clapper and Busher Jackson. Frank Brimsek guarded between the pipes.
The Blackhawks were coached by Paul Thompson. The team was led by Mush Marsh, Max Bentley, Doug Bentley and Bill Mosienko. In net was Sam LoPresti.
1969-70
During the Original 6 era, the Bruins and Blackhawks were often the two teams in the six team league left out of the post season. However, by the end of the 1960’s and into the 1970’s, the teams became powerhouses.
In 1969-70, The Bruins finished second to Chicago in the six team East Division. Both teams accumulated 99 points over the 76 game regular season schedule. Chicago was awarded first place, winning 45 games with Boston winning just 40.
The Bruins and Blackhawks met in the semi-finals with Boston sweeping in four games. Boston took out the New York Rangers 4-2 in the quarter-finals while Chicago swept the Detroit Red Wings in the opening round to set up the matchup. Boston advanced to the Stanley Cup finals where they swept the St. Louis Blues to capture the championship.
Boston was coached by Harry Sinden and starred Bobby Orr, Phil Esposito, Johnny Bucyk and goaltender Gerry Cheevers. Chicago was coached by Billy Reay and starred Stan Mikita, Bobby Hull and Tony Esposito.
1973-74
Another semi-final matchup and another Bruins victory. Boston took the series over Chicago in six games. To set up the showdown, Boston swept the Toronto Maple Leafs in the quarter-finals and the Blackhawks lost just one game in a series with the Los Angles Kings. Boston fell to the Philadelphia Flyers in the Stanley Cup finals.
During the regular season, Boston finished first in the eight team East Division, and first overall, with 113 points in 78 games. The Blackhawks placed second in the West Division, behind the Philadelphia Flyers, with 105 points.
Boston was coached by Bep Guidolin. The usual suspects, Orr, Esposito, Hodge and Bucyk, led the Bruins with Gilles Gilbert covering the goaltending duties. Chicago was coached by Billy Reay. Hull was gone to the WHA and Chicago was led by Stan Mikita, Pit Martin and Jim Pappin. Tony Esposito has his usual spot in the Chicago net.
1974-75
Chicago’s only series victory over the Bruins came in the preliminary round of the 1974-75 Stanley Cup playoffs, winning two games to one. The Blackhawks then fell to the Buffalo Sabres in the quarter-finals in five games. Buffalo reached the Stanley Cup finals that year before being taken out by the Flyers.
During the regular season, Boston finished second in the Adams Division, behind the Buffalo Sabres, with 94 points in 80 games. Chicago placed third in the Smythe Division with 82 points, finishing behind the Vancouver Canucks and St. Louis Blues.
The Bruins were coached by Don Cherry and it was nearing the era of Orr, Esposito and Bucyk. Gilles Gilbert once again played the bulk of playoff games for the Bruins. Billy Reay was again behind the bench for the Blackhawks. For Chicago, it was Mikita, Ivan Boldirev and Cliff Koroll leading the way with Tony Esposito in net.
1977-78
The last time these two teams met in the post season was the 1977-78 quarter-finals. Boston swept the series in four games after finishing the regular season with 30 more points than their opponent. Boston then eliminated Philadelphia in five games to earn a berth in the finals against the Montreal Canadiens. The Habs won in six.
During the regular season, the Bruins placed first in the Adams with 113 points. Chicago finished first in the weak Smythe Division with just 83 points. The Bruins were coached by Don Cherry. There was a changing of the guard on the playing roster with Terry O’Reilly, Jean Ratelle and Brad Park leading the way. Ron Grahame played the bulk of the regular season in net for the Bruins but it was Gerry Cheevers that played all games in the post season.
There was a changing of the guard in Chicago, as well. Bob Pulford was now behind the bench for the Blackhawks. However, on the ice, it was still Stan Mikita and Tony Esposito starring for the club.