1967–68 Chicago Black Hawks season

The 1967–68 Chicago Black Hawks season was the Hawks' 42nd season in the NHL. The team was coming off their best regular season in team history. In 1966–67, Chicago finished in first place for the first time in club history with a franchise record 94 points. The Black Hawks were then upset by the Toronto Maple Leafs in six games in the NHL semi-finals.[1]

1967–68 Chicago Black Hawks
Division4th East
1967–68 record32–26–16
Home record20–13–4
Road record12–13–12
Goals for212
Goals against222
Team information
General managerTommy Ivan
CoachBilly Reay
CaptainPierre Pilote
Alternate captainsBobby Hull
Stan Mikita
ArenaChicago Stadium
Team leaders
GoalsBobby Hull (44)
AssistsStan Mikita (47)
PointsStan Mikita (87)
Penalty minutesGilles Marotte (122)
Plus/minusBobby Hull (+14)
WinsDenis DeJordy (23)
Goals against averageDenis DeJordy (2.71)

Off-season

There were many changes in the NHL during the off-season. Most notably the league doubled in size, as six expansion teams began play in the 1967–68 season. The new teams added to the league were the California Seals (renamed to Oakland Seals in November), Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota North Stars, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and St. Louis Blues. The league placed all of the expansion teams in the new West Division, while the Original Six teams made up a newly created East Division. The NHL schedule also increased from 70 to 74 games.

The Black Hawks saw significant roster changes as they lost a number of players in the 1967 NHL Expansion Draft. The most noteworthy loss was goaltender Glenn Hall, left unprotected by the Hawks and drafted by the St. Louis Blues. Chicago also made a blockbuster trade, sending Phil Esposito, Ken Hodge, and Fred Stanfield to the Boston Bruins for Pit Martin, Gilles Marotte, and Jack Norris.

Regular season

A six-game losing streak to start the season left the Black Hawks in last place. Chicago then rebounded, going 20–4–12 in their next 36 games. Poor play late in the season left the team with a 32–26–16 mark, good for 80 points and the fourth and final playoff berth from the East Division. It was the team's ninth consecutive postseason appearance.[2]

Stan Mikita led the Hawks offense. His 40 goals and 47 assists (a league-best 87 points) won him both the Art Ross Trophy and Hart Memorial Trophy for the second straight year. Bobby Hull led the league in goals for the sixth time in his career, as he scored 44 times and earned 75 points. Kenny Wharram had another very solid season, earning 69 points, while Doug Mohns finished with 53 points. Pat Stapleton led the defense with 38 points, while Pierre Pilote finished just behind him with 37. Newly acquired Gilles Marotte led the team in penalty minutes with 122.

Denis DeJordy saw most of the action in goal. Playing in 50 games, DeJordy recorded a career high 23 wins, along with a team best 2.71 GAA and four shutouts.[3]

Season standings
East Division[4]
GP W L T GF GA DIFF Pts
1Montreal Canadiens74422210236167+6994
2New York Rangers74392312226183+4390
3Boston Bruins74372710259216+4384
4Chicago Black Hawks74322616212222−1080
5Toronto Maple Leafs74333110209176+3376
6Detroit Red Wings74273512245257−1266

Record vs. opponents
1967-68 NHL Records
Team BOS CHI DET LAK MIN MON NYR OAK PHI PIT STL TOR
Boston —5–3–25–3–23–12–25–56–2–22–23–12–22–1–12–5–3
Chicago 3–5–2—4–3–32–1–13–12–6–23–4–33–0–13–12–1–12–0–25–4–1
Detroit 3–5–23–4–3—1–2–12–23–6–13–5–23–0–13–13–12–1–11–8–1
Los Angeles 1–31–2–12–1–1—2–6–22–22–24–4–25–4–16–44–3–32–2
Minnesota 2–21–32–26–2–2—1–2–10–2–25–2–33–6–13–4–33–5–21–2–1
Montreal 5–56–2–26–3–12–22–1–1—4–4–23–12–1–14–03–0–15–3–2
New York 2–6–24–3–35–3–22–22–0–24–4–2—4–03–13–0–13–17–3
Oakland 2–20–3–10–3–14–4–22–5–31–30–4—4–3–31–5–40–7–31–3
Philadelphia 1–31–31–34–5–16–3–11–2–11–33–4–3—3–4–37–1–23–1
Pittsburgh 2–21–2–11–34–64–3–30–40–3–15–1–44–3–3—4–62–1–1
St. Louis 1–2–10–2–21–2–13–4–35–3–20–3–11–37–0–31–7–26–4—2–1–1
Toronto 5–2–34–5–18–1–12–22–1–13–5–23–73–11–31–2–11–2–1—

Game log
#DateVisitorScoreHomeRecordPts
1October 11New York Rangers6–3Chicago Black Hawks0–1–00
2October 14Chicago Black Hawks1–5Toronto Maple Leafs0–2–00
3October 15Toronto Maple Leafs5–3Chicago Black Hawks0–3–00
4October 18Boston Bruins7–1Chicago Black Hawks0–4–00
5October 21Chicago Black Hawks2–4Pittsburgh Penguins0–5–00
6October 22Los Angeles Kings5–3Chicago Black Hawks0–6–00
7October 25Chicago Black Hawks2–2New York Rangers0–6–11
8October 28Chicago Black Hawks4–2Minnesota North Stars1–6–13
9October 29Chicago Black Hawks1–5Detroit Red Wings1–7–13
10November 2Chicago Black Hawks3–1Los Angeles Kings2–7–15
11November 5Chicago Black Hawks2–2California Seals2–7–26
12November 8Montreal Canadiens2–3Chicago Black Hawks3–7–28
13November 11Chicago Black Hawks3–3Montreal Canadiens3–7–39
14November 12St. Louis Blues2–5Chicago Black Hawks4–7–311
15November 15Chicago Black Hawks4–1St. Louis Blues5–7–313
16November 18Chicago Black Hawks2–2Toronto Maple Leafs5–7–414
17November 19Detroit Red Wings2–2Chicago Black Hawks5–7–515
18November 22Chicago Black Hawks7–1New York Rangers6–7–517
19November 23Montreal Canadiens7–0Chicago Black Hawks6–8–517
20November 25Chicago Black Hawks4–1Minnesota North Stars7–8–519
21November 26Minnesota North Stars1–2Chicago Black Hawks8–8–521
22November 29Philadelphia Flyers1–3Chicago Black Hawks9–8–523
23December 2Chicago Black Hawks2–2Boston Bruins9–8–624
24December 3Minnesota North Stars4–3Chicago Black Hawks9–9–624
25December 6Pittsburgh Penguins2–7Chicago Black Hawks10–9–626
26December 9Chicago Black Hawks2–2Montreal Canadiens10–9–727
27December 10Chicago Black Hawks3–0Philadelphia Flyers11–9–729
28December 13New York Rangers2–5Chicago Black Hawks12–9–731
29December 14Chicago Black Hawks3–1Detroit Red Wings13–9–733
30December 16Chicago Black Hawks1–1Pittsburgh Penguins13–9–834
31December 17Toronto Maple Leafs0–2Chicago Black Hawks14–9–836
32December 20Boston Bruins3–6Chicago Black Hawks15–9–838
33December 23Philadelphia Flyers2–3Chicago Black Hawks16–9–840
34December 25Montreal Canadiens1–3Chicago Black Hawks17–9–842
35December 27Chicago Black Hawks2–7Boston Bruins17–10–842
36December 30Chicago Black Hawks3–3New York Rangers17–10–943
37December 31Oakland Seals0–3Chicago Black Hawks18–10–945
38January 6Detroit Red Wings2–6Chicago Black Hawks19–10–947
39January 7Boston Bruins2–4Chicago Black Hawks20–10–949
40January 10New York Rangers3–3Chicago Black Hawks20–10–1050
41January 13Chicago Black Hawks4–4Detroit Red Wings20–10–1151
42January 14St. Louis Blues2–2Chicago Black Hawks20–10–1252
43January 17New York Rangers4–2Chicago Black Hawks20–11–1252
44January 20Chicago Black Hawks1–3Montreal Canadiens20–12–1252
45January 21Chicago Black Hawks0–6Boston Bruins20–13–1252
46January 24Detroit Red Wings4–2Chicago Black Hawks20–14–1252
47January 27Chicago Black Hawks4–1Toronto Maple Leafs21–14–1254
48January 28Toronto Maple Leafs3–1Chicago Black Hawks21–15–1254
49January 31Chicago Black Hawks3–2New York Rangers22–15–1256
50February 1Chicago Black Hawks4–4Boston Bruins22–15–1357
51February 3Chicago Black Hawks3–5Philadelphia Flyers22–16–1357
52February 4Los Angeles Kings3–5Chicago Black Hawks23–16–1359
53February 7Toronto Maple Leafs2–3Chicago Black Hawks24–16–1361
54February 10Chicago Black Hawks4–6Montreal Canadiens24–17–1361
55February 11Montreal Canadiens6–0Chicago Black Hawks24–18–1361
56February 14Boston Bruins1–3Chicago Black Hawks25–18–1363
57February 17Chicago Black Hawks7–4Detroit Red Wings26–18–1365
58February 18Detroit Red Wings1–7Chicago Black Hawks27–18–1367
59February 21Chicago Black Hawks1–0Oakland Seals28–18–1369
60February 24Chicago Black Hawks3–3Los Angeles Kings28–18–1470
61February 28Chicago Black Hawks1–0Toronto Maple Leafs29–18–1472
62March 2Chicago Black Hawks3–3St. Louis Blues29–18–1573
63March 3Chicago Black Hawks0–4New York Rangers29–19–1573
64March 6Boston Bruins5–3Chicago Black Hawks29–20–1573
65March 9Chicago Black Hawks0–5Montreal Canadiens29–21–1573
66March 10Toronto Maple Leafs0–4Chicago Black Hawks30–21–1575
67March 13Pittsburgh Penguins3–4Chicago Black Hawks31–21–1577
68March 17Oakland Seals1–4Chicago Black Hawks32–21–1579
69March 20New York Rangers5–3Chicago Black Hawks32–22–1579
70March 21Chicago Black Hawks0–8Boston Bruins32–23–1579
71March 24Montreal Canadiens7–2Chicago Black Hawks32–24–1579
72March 28Chicago Black Hawks1–3Detroit Red Wings32–25–1579
73March 30Chicago Black Hawks0–3Toronto Maple Leafs32–26–1579
74March 31Detroit Red Wings5–5Chicago Black Hawks32–26–1680

Playoffs

The Hawks would open the playoffs against the New York Rangers in the East Division semi-finals. The Rangers finished the season with 90 points, which was 10 more than Chicago. The series opened up with two games at Madison Square Garden in New York, and the Rangers took control of the series, winning both games for a 2–0 series lead. The series moved to Chicago Stadium for the next two games, and the Hawks responded on their home ice, winning both games to even the series up. The fifth game was played in New York, however, the Black Hawks held off the Rangers, winning the game 2–1, and took a 3–2 series lead. Chicago would wrap up the series in the sixth game at home, easily defeating the Rangers 4–1, and advance to the East Division finals.

Chicago would face the Montreal Canadiens, with the winner advancing to the Stanley Cup final. The Canadiens had the best record in the NHL, as they earned 94 points. Montreal swept the Boston Bruins in their first playoff round. The series began at the Montreal Forum, and the Canadiens quickly took a 2–0 series lead, as they dominated the Hawks in both games, winning 9–2 and 4–1. The series moved to Chicago for the next two games, however, in the third game of the series, Montreal took a 3–0 series lead, doubling the Hawks 4–2 to put Chicago on the brink of elimination. The Black Hawks staved off elimination in the fourth game, narrowly defeating Montreal 2–1, however, in the fifth game, played in Montreal, the Canadiens ended the series with an overtime winning goal, and advance to the Stanley Cup final.[5]

Chicago Black Hawks 4, New York Rangers 2
#DateVisitorScoreHomeRecord
1April 4Chicago Black Hawks1–3New York Rangers0–1
2April 9Chicago Black Hawks1–2New York Rangers0–2
3April 11New York Rangers4–7Chicago Black Hawks1–2
4April 13New York Rangers1–3Chicago Black Hawks2–2
5April 14Chicago Black Hawks2–1New York Rangers3–2
6April 16New York Rangers1–4Chicago Black Hawks4–2

Montreal Canadiens 4, Chicago Black Hawks 1
#DateVisitorScoreHomeRecord
1April 18Chicago Black Hawks2–9Montreal Canadiens0–1
2April 20Chicago Black Hawks1–4Montreal Canadiens0–2
3April 23Montreal Canadiens4–2Chicago Black Hawks0–3
4April 25Montreal Canadiens1–2Chicago Black Hawks1–3
5April 28Chicago Black Hawks3–4Montreal Canadiens1–4

Player stats

Scoring leaders
Player GP G A Pts PIM
Stan Mikita7240478714
Bobby Hull7144317552
Kenny Wharram7427426918
Doug Mohns6524295353
Pat Stapleton674343834

Goaltending
PlayerGPTOIWLTGASOGAA
Denis DeJordy50283823151112842.71
Dave Dryden2712687856913.26
Jack Norris73342302213.95

Playoff stats

Scoring leaders
Player GP G A Pts PIM
Stan Mikita1157126
Bobby Hull11461015
Pit Martin113692
Chico Maki112574
Doug Mohns1115612

Goaltending
PlayerGPTOIWLGASOGAA
Denis DeJordy11662563403.08

Roster
1967–68 Chicago Black Hawks
Goaltenders

Defensemen

Wingers

Centers

Draft picks

Chicago's draft picks at the 1967 NHL Amateur Draft held at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal, Quebec.

Round # Player Nationality College/Junior/Club Team (League)
17Bob Tombari CanadaSault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (NOHA)

References
  1. 1966–67 NHL Season Summary – Hockey-Reference.com
  2. 1967–68 Chicago Black Hawks Games – Hockey-Reference.com
  3. "Chicago Blackhawks goaltending history : Denis Dejordy". Archived from the original on 2008-02-28. Retrieved 2008-05-16.
  4. "1967–1968 Division Standings Standings - NHL.com - Standings". National Hockey League.
  5. 1967–68 Chicago Black Hawks Statistics – Hockey-Reference.com

Sources
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