The 1977–78 Philadelphia Flyers season was the

Philadelphia Flyers The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia. The Flyers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference. The team plays its home games in Wells ...

' 11th

season A season is a division of the year based on changes in weather, ecology, and the number of daylight hours in a given region. On Earth, seasons are the result of the axial parallelism of Earth's tilted orbit around the Sun. In temperate and pol ...

in the

National Hockey League The National Hockey League (NHL; french: Ligue nationale de hockey—LNH, ) is a professional ice hockey league in North America comprising 32 teams—25 in the United States and 7 in Canada. It is considered to be the top ranked professional ...

(NHL).

Regular season

The Flyers lost their hold on the

Patrick Division The Patrick Division is a former division of the National Hockey League (NHL). It was formed in 1974 as part of the Clarence Campbell Conference. The division moved to the Prince of Wales Conference in 1981. The division existed for 19 seasons unt ...

in 1977–78 and settled for second place. Tom Bladon's 8 points (4 goals and 4 assists) in a game against the

Cleveland Barons The name Cleveland Barons has been used by three professional hockey teams and one junior team. *Cleveland Barons (NHL), the National Hockey League team that played between 1976 and 1978 *Cleveland Barons (1937–1973), the original American Hockey ...

on December 11 set an NHL record for a defenseman.

Season standings

Record vs. opponents

Playoffs

After sweeping the

Colorado Rockies The Colorado Rockies are an American professional baseball team based in Denver. The Rockies compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. The team plays its home baseball games at Coors Fie ...

in 2 games in the preliminary round, the Flyers moved on and beat Buffalo in five games. They faced Boston in the semifinals for the second consecutive season, and lost again, this time in five games.

Schedule and results

Regular season

, - style="background:#cfc;" , 1 , , October 13 , ,

Chicago Black Hawks (''City in a Garden''); I Will , image_map = , map_caption = Interactive Map of Chicago , coordinates = , coordinates_footnotes = , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name ...

, , 5–1 , , 1–0–0 , , 2 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 2 , , October 15 , , @

Pittsburgh Penguins The Pittsburgh Penguins (colloquially known as the Pens) are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division of the Eastern Conference, and have playe ...

, , 8–2 , , 2–0–0 , , 4 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 3 , , October 16 , ,

St. Louis Blues The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis. The Blues compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division in the Western Conference. The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the s ...

, , 7–0 , , 3–0–0 , , 6 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 4 , , October 20 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 11–0 , , 4–0–0 , , 8 , , , - style="background:#fcf;" , 5 , , October 22 , , @

Toronto Maple Leafs The Toronto Maple Leafs (officially the Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club and often referred to as the Leafs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Div ...

, , 1–6 , , 4–1–0 , , 8 , , , - style="background:#fcf;" , 6 , , October 23 , , Toronto Maple Leafs , , 3–6 , , 4–2–0 , , 8 , , , - style="background:#ffc;" , 7 , , October 26 , , @ Chicago Black Hawks , , 2–2 , , 4–2–1 , , 9 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 8 , , October 29 , , @ St. Louis Blues , , 7–3 , , 5–2–1 , , 11 , , , - , - style="background:#cfc;" , 9 , , November 3 , ,

Washington Capitals The Washington Capitals (colloquially known as the Caps) are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. The team competes in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL) ...

, , 4–1 , , 6–2–1 , , 13 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 10 , , November 5 , , @ Washington Capitals , , 3–1 , , 7–2–1 , , 15 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 11 , , November 6 , ,

Vancouver Canucks The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference, and play their home games at Rogers Arena. Bruce B ...

, , 3–2 , , 8–2–1 , , 17 , , , - style="background:#fcf;" , 12 , , November 10 , ,

Buffalo Sabres The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. The Sabres compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference. The team was established in 1970, along w ...

, , 2–3 , , 8–3–1 , , 17 , , , - style="background:#ffc;" , 13 , , November 12 , , @

New York Islanders The New York Islanders (colloquially known as the Isles) are a professional ice hockey team based in Elmont, New York. The Islanders compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference ( ...

, , 2–2 , , 8–3–2 , , 18 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 14 , , November 13 , ,

Detroit Red Wings The Detroit Red Wings (colloquially referred to as the Wings) are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit. The Red Wings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the East ...

, , 3–0 , , 9–3–2 , , 20 , , , - style="background:#ffc;" , 15 , , November 17 , , New York Islanders , , 4–4 , , 9–3–3 , , 21 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 16 , , November 19 , , @

Minnesota North Stars The Minnesota North Stars were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League (NHL) for 26 seasons, from 1967 to 1993. The North Stars played their home games at the Met Center in Bloomington, Minnesota, and the team's colors for ...

, , 7–2 , , 10–3–3 , , 23 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 17 , , November 20 , ,

Atlanta Flames The Atlanta Flames were a professional ice hockey team based in Atlanta from 1972 until 1980. They played home games in the Omni Coliseum and were members of the West and later Patrick divisions of the National Hockey League (NHL). Along with t ...

, , 4–0 , , 11–3–3 , , 25 , , , - style="background:#fcf;" , 18 , , November 23 , , @ Detroit Red Wings , , 1–4 , , 11–4–3 , , 25 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 19 , , November 25 , ,

, , 7–2 , , 12–4–3 , , 27 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 20 , , November 27 , ,

Los Angeles Kings The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles. The team competes in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division in the Western Conference and was founded on June 5, 1967, after Jack Kent ...

, , 2–0 , , 13–4–3 , , 29 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 21 , , November 29 , , @ Vancouver Canucks , , 3–0 , , 14–4–3 , , 31 , , , - , - style="background:#cfc;" , 22 , , December 1 , , @ Los Angeles Kings , , 4–2 , , 15–4–3 , , 33 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 23 , , December 3 , , @

, , 6–3 , , 16–4–3 , , 35 , , , - style="background:#ffc;" , 24 , , December 7 , , @

New York Rangers The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the New York City borough of Manhattan. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference. The team plays its home ...

, , 3–3 , , 16–4–4 , , 36 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 25 , , December 8 , , New York Rangers , , 7–4 , , 17–4–4 , , 38 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 26 , , December 10 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 4–2 , , 18–4–4 , , 40 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 27 , , December 11 , , Cleveland Barons , , 11–1 , , 19–4–4 , , 42 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 28 , , December 15 , ,

Boston Bruins The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston. The Bruins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference. The team has been in existence since 1924, making t ...

, , 6–4 , , 20–4–4 , , 44 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 29 , , December 17 , , @ Atlanta Flames , , 4–3 , , 21–4–4 , , 46 , , , - style="background:#fcf;" , 30 , , December 18 , ,

Montreal Canadiens The Montreal CanadiensEven in English, the French spelling is always used instead of ''Canadians''. The French spelling of ''Montréal'' is also sometimes used in the English media. (french: link=no, Les Canadiens de Montréal), officially ...

, , 0–2 , , 21–5–4 , , 46 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 31 , , December 21 , , @ Cleveland Barons , , 4–0 , , 22–5–4 , , 48 , , , - style="background:#fcf;" , 32 , , December 23 , , @ Boston Bruins , , 1–6 , , 22–6–4 , , 48 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 33 , , December 28 , , @ New York Rangers , , 4–3 , , 23–6–4 , , 50 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 34 , , December 29 , , Minnesota North Stars , , 5–2 , , 24–6–4 , , 52 , , , - style="background:#fcf;" , 35 , , December 31 , , @ St. Louis Blues , , 2–3 , , 24–7–4 , , 52 , , , - , - style="background:#cfc;" , 36 , , January 3 , , Cleveland Barons , , 5–4 , , 25–7–4 , , 54 , , , - style="background:#ffc;" , 37 , , January 5 , , Los Angeles Kings , , 4–4 , , 25–7–5 , , 55 , , , - style="background:#fcf;" , 38 , , January 6 , , @ Atlanta Flames , , 3–5 , , 25–8–5 , , 55 , , , - style="background:#ffc;" , 39 , , January 9 , , @ Montreal Canadiens , , 3–3 , , 25–8–6 , , 56 , , , - style="background:#fcf;" , 40 , , January 11 , , @ Chicago Black Hawks , , 4–5 , , 25–9–6 , , 56 , , , - style="background:#ffc;" , 41 , , January 12 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 4–4 , , 25–9–7 , , 57 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 42 , , January 14 , , New York Rangers , , 4–1 , , 26–9–7 , , 59 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 43 , , January 16 , , Atlanta Flames , , 5–3 , , 27–9–7 , , 61 , , , - style="background:#ffc;" , 44 , , January 19 , , Montreal Canadiens , , 1–1 , , 27–9–8 , , 62 , , , - style="background:#fcf;" , 45 , , January 21 , , @ New York Islanders , , 1–6 , , 27–10–8 , , 62 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 46 , , January 26 , , @ Vancouver Canucks , , 6–2 , , 28–10–8 , , 64 , , , - style="background:#fcf;" , 47 , , January 28 , , @ Colorado Rockies , , 4–6 , , 28–11–8 , , 64 , , , - style="background:#ffc;" , 48 , , January 29 , , @ Detroit Red Wings , , 3–3 , , 28–11–9 , , 65 , , , - , - style="background:#fcf;" , 49 , , February 1 , , @ Chicago Black Hawks , , 1–3 , , 28–12–9 , , 65 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 50 , , February 2 , , Colorado Rockies , , 3–0 , , 29–12–9 , , 67 , , , - style="background:#ffc;" , 51 , , February 4 , , @ Cleveland Barons , , 2–2 , , 29–12–10 , , 68 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 52 , , February 6 , , St. Louis Blues , , 2–0 , , 30–12–10 , , 70 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 53 , , February 9 , , Vancouver Canucks , , 5–2 , , 31–12–10 , , 72 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 54 , , February 12 , , Washington Capitals , , 4–1 , , 32–12–10 , , 74 , , , - style="background:#fcf;" , 55 , , February 16 , , Minnesota North Stars , , 2–4 , , 32–13–10 , , 74 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 56 , , February 18 , , Detroit Red Wings , , 4–2 , , 33–13–10 , , 76 , , , - style="background:#fcf;" , 57 , , February 19 , , New York Islanders , , 1–4 , , 33–14–10 , , 76 , , , - style="background:#fcf;" , 58 , , February 23 , , @ Buffalo Sabres , , 0–4 , , 33–15–10 , , 76 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 59 , , February 25 , , @ Pittsburgh Penguins , , 3–1 , , 34–15–10 , , 78 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 60 , , February 26 , , @ Washington Capitals , , 6–1 , , 35–15–10 , , 80 , , , - style="background:#ffc;" , 61 , , February 28 , , @ Boston Bruins , , 4–4 , , 35–15–11 , , 81 , , , - , - style="background:#fcf;" , 62 , , March 1 , , @ Toronto Maple Leafs , , 2–3 , , 35–16–11 , , 81 , , , - style="background:#fcf;" , 63 , , March 4 , , @ Montreal Canadiens , , 1–7 , , 35–17–11 , , 81 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 64 , , March 5 , , St. Louis Blues , , 7–1 , , 36–17–11 , , 83 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 65 , , March 7 , , Atlanta Flames , , 5–3 , , 37–17–11 , , 85 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 66 , , March 11 , , Boston Bruins , , 6–2 , , 38–17–11 , , 87 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 67 , , March 12 , , Colorado Rockies , , 6–2 , , 39–17–11 , , 89 , , , - style="background:#ffc;" , 68 , , March 15 , , @ New York Rangers , , 2–2 , , 39–17–12 , , 90 , , , - style="background:#fcf;" , 69 , , March 16 , , @ Buffalo Sabres , , 1–3 , , 39–18–12 , , 90 , , , - style="background:#ffc;" , 70 , , March 18 , , Buffalo Sabres , , 2–2 , , 39–18–13 , , 91 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 71 , , March 20 , , New York Islanders , , 4–2 , , 40–18–13 , , 93 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 72 , , March 23 , , Toronto Maple Leafs , , 4–1 , , 41–18–13 , , 95 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 73 , , March 25 , , @ Minnesota North Stars , , 4–3 , , 42–18–13 , , 97 , , , - style="background:#fcf;" , 74 , , March 28 , , @ Colorado Rockies , , 3–4 , , 42–19–13 , , 97 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 75 , , March 31 , , @ Vancouver Canucks , , 3–2 , , 43–19–13 , , 99 , , , - , - style="background:#cfc;" , 76 , , April 1 , , @ Los Angeles Kings , , 4–2 , , 44–19–13 , , 101 , , , - style="background:#ffc;" , 77 , , April 4 , , @ New York Islanders , , 3–3 , , 44–19–14 , , 102 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 78 , , April 6 , , New York Rangers , , 3–0 , , 45–19–14 , , 104 , , , - style="background:#ffc;" , 79 , , April 8 , , @ Atlanta Flames , , 1–1 , , 45–19–15 , , 105 , , , - style="background:#fcf;" , 80 , , April 9 , , Minnesota North Stars , , 1–3 , , 45–20–15 , , 105 , , , - , - , ''Legend'':

Playoffs

, - style="background:#cfc;" , 1 , , April 11 , ,

, , 3–2 OT , , Flyers lead 1–0 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 2 , , April 13 , , @ Colorado Rockies , , 3–1 , , Flyers win 2–0 , , , - , - style="background:#cfc;" , 1 , , April 17 , ,

, , 2–4 , , Sabres lead 1–0 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 2 , , April 19 , , Buffalo Sabres , , 2–1 OT , , Series tied 1–1 , , , - style="background:#fcf;" , 3 , , April 22 , , @ Buffalo Sabres , , 5–2 , , Flyers lead 2–1 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 4 , , April 23 , , @ Buffalo Sabres , , 4–2 , , Flyers lead 3–1 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 5 , , April 25 , , Buffalo Sabres , , 6–3 , , Flyers win 4–1 , , , - , - style="background:#fcf;" , 1 , , May 2 , , @

, , 2–3 , , Bruins lead 1–0 , , , - style="background:#fcf;" , 2 , , May 4 , , @ Boston Bruins , , 5–7 , , Bruins lead 2–0 , , , - style="background:#cfc;" , 3 , , May 7 , , Boston Bruins , , 3–1 , , Bruins lead 2–1 , , , - style="background:#fcf;" , 4 , , May 9 , , Boston Bruins , , 2–4 , , Bruins lead 3–1 , , , - style="background:#fcf;" , 5 , , May 11 , , @ Boston Bruins , , 3–6 , , Bruins win 4–1 , , , - , - , ''Legend'':

Player statistics

Scoring

* ''Position abbreviations: C =

Center Center or centre may refer to: Mathematics *Center (geometry), the middle of an object * Center (algebra), used in various contexts ** Center (group theory) ** Center (ring theory) * Graph center, the set of all vertices of minimum eccentricity ...

; D =

Defense Defense or defence may refer to: Tactical, martial, and political acts or groups * Defense (military), forces primarily intended for warfare * Civil defense, the organizing of civilians to deal with emergencies or enemy attacks * Defense industr ...

; G =

Goaltender In ice hockey, the goaltender (commonly referred to as the goalie) is the player responsible for preventing the hockey puck from entering their team's net, thus preventing the opposing team from scoring. The goaltender mostly plays in or near t ...

; LW =

Left wing Left-wing politics describes the range of political ideologies that support and seek to achieve social equality and egalitarianism, often in opposition to social hierarchy. Left-wing politics typically involve a concern for those in soci ...

; RW =

Right wing Right-wing politics describes the range of political ideologies that view certain social orders and hierarchies as inevitable, natural, normal, or desirable, typically supporting this position on the basis of natural law, economics, authori ...

'' * '' = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Flyers only.'' * '' = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Flyers only.''

Goaltending

Awards and records

Awards

Records

On December 11, 1977, defenseman Tom Bladon had a record-breaking game against the

. He scored four goals, tying a team record, and picked up four assists for a total of eight points, a team record and tied for the NHL record among defenseman. His plus/minus of +10 in the game is an NHL single game record. Goaltender

Bernie Parent Bernard Marcel Parent (born April 3, 1945) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender who played 13 National Hockey League (NHL) seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers, Boston Bruins, and Toronto Maple Leafs, and also spent one seaso ...

won a team record ten consecutive games from November 20 to December 28. On April 1,

Bill Barber William Charles Barber (born July 11, 1952) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey forward who played twelve seasons for the Philadelphia Flyers in the National Hockey League (NHL). As part of the famed LCB (Leach, Clarke, Barber) line, Ba ...

tied a team record by scoring two shorthanded goals in a single game. During the playoffs,

Mel Bridgman Melvin John Bridgman (born April 28, 1955) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre who played 14 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1975–76 until 1988–89. Bridgman was born in Trenton, Ontario, but grew up in Thund ...

scored the fastest playoff overtime goal in team history (23 seconds) to end game one of the team's Preliminary Round series against the

.2016–2017 Philadelphia Flyers Media Guide, p. 351 The three goals they allowed to Colorado in two games is the fewest goals the Flyers have allowed in any playoff series. On May 11,

Orest Kindrachuk Orest Michael Kindrachuk (born September 14, 1950) is a Canadian-American former professional ice hockey centre who played ten seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Washington Capitals. ...

scored the two fastest goals by a single player in team playoff history, scoring eleven seconds apart.

Milestones

Transactions

The Flyers were involved in the following transactions from May 15, 1977, the day after the deciding game of the

1977 Stanley Cup Finals The 1977 Stanley Cup Finals was the championship series of the National Hockey League's (NHL) 1976–77 season, and the culmination of the 1977 Stanley Cup playoffs. It was contested between the Boston Bruins and the defending champion Montreal ...

, through May 25, 1978, the day of the deciding game of the

1978 Stanley Cup Finals The 1978 Stanley Cup Finals was the championship series of the National Hockey League's (NHL) 1977–78 season, and the culmination of the 1978 Stanley Cup playoffs. It was contested between the Boston Bruins and the defending champion Montreal ...

Trades

Players acquired

Players lost

Signings

Draft picks

Philadelphia's picks at the 1977 NHL amateur draft, which was held at the NHL's office in

Montreal, Quebec Montreal ( ; officially Montréal, ) is the second-most populous city in Canada and most populous city in the Canadian province of Quebec. Founded in 1642 as '' Ville-Marie'', or "City of Mary", it is named after Mount Royal, the triple-pea ...

, on June 14, 1977.

Farm teams

The Flyers were affiliated with the

Maine Mariners Maine Mariners may refer to: * Maine Mariners (AHL), an ice hockey team in Portland, Maine, which operated from 1977 to 1992 * Maine Mariners (ECHL) The Maine Mariners are a professional ice hockey team in the ECHL that began play in the 2018 ...

of the AHL and the

Philadelphia Firebirds The Philadelphia Firebirds were a minor league professional ice hockey team that played in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from 1974 to 1979, and later the franchise moved to Syracuse, New York, and played one final season as the Syracuse Firebirds. ...

of the

NAHL Nahl or NAHL may refer to: * Nahl (surname) * National Accident Helpline, a British personal injury lawyer service * North American Hockey League, an American junior hockey league * North American Hockey League (1973–1977), an American professi ...

Notes

References

;General * * * ;Specific {{DEFAULTSORT:1977-78 Philadelphia Flyers season Philadelphia Flyers seasons

Philadelphia Philadelphia, often called Philly, is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the sixth-largest city in the U.S., the second-largest city in both the Northeast megalopolis and Mid-Atlantic regions after New York City. Sinc ...

Philad Philad