The 1971–72

Chicago Black Hawks Chicago is the List of municipalities in Illinois, most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. With a population of 2,746,388, as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the List of Unite ...

season was the club's 46th season in the

National Hockey League The National Hockey League (NHL; , ''LNH'') is a professional ice hockey league in North America composed of 32 teams25 in the United States and 7 in Canada. The NHL is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Cana ...

, and their second consecutive first-place finish in the NHL West, with 46 victories and 107 points. In the 1972 playoffs, the Black Hawks swept the

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

in the quarter-finals before being swept by the

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

in the semi-finals.

Regular season

Chicago had an excellent start to the season, winning their opening five games, and never let up throughout the season, as they had an unbeaten streak of ten games in December to take control of the West Division. The Black Hawks finish the season with a twelve-game unbeaten streak to win their third straight divisional title, with a record of 46–17–15, tying the club record with 107 points that was set during the 1970–71 season. The Black Hawks finished 21 points ahead of the second place

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 ...

. Offensively, the Black Hawks were led by

Bobby Hull Robert Marvin Hull (January 3, 1939 – January 30, 2023) was a Canadian professional ice hockey player who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. His blond hair, skating speed, end-to-end rushes, and ability to shoot t ...

, who scored a team high 50 goals and 93 points, which placed him seventh in league scoring. Hull also led the club with a +54 rating.

Pit Martin Hubert Jacques "Pit" Martin (December 9, 1943 – November 30, 2008) was a Canadian professional ice hockey centre who served as captain for the Chicago Black Hawks of the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1975 to 1977. He was an NHL All-Star and ...

led the club with 51 assists, and finished second in team scoring with 75 points. Dennis Hull had 30 goals and 69 points, while

Stan Mikita Stanley Mikita (born Stanislav Guoth; May 20, 1940 – August 7, 2018) was a Slovaks, Slovak-born Canadian ice hockey player for the Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago Black Hawks of the National Hockey League, generally regarded as the best Centre (ic ...

was just behind him with 26 goals and 65 points. On defense, Pat Stapleton led the club with 41 points, while Bill White and Doug Jarrett each had 29 points. Keith Magnuson led the team in penalty minutes, as he accumulated 201. In goal, Tony Esposito led the club with 31 victories and a 1.77 goals against average, along with nine shutouts while appearing in 48 games. Backup goaltender Gary Smith won 14 games with a 2.42 goals against average and five shutouts. They helped the team have a league low 166 goals against, and were awarded the

Vezina Trophy The Vezina Trophy ( ) is awarded annually to the National Hockey League (NHL) goaltender who is "adjudged to be the best at this position". At the end of each season, the thirty-two List of NHL general managers, NHL general managers vote to dete ...

for their efforts.

Season standings

Record vs. opponents

Playoffs

The Hawks opened the playoffs against the

, who finished fourth in the West Division with a record of 26–38–14, earning 66 points. The series opened with two games at

Chicago Stadium Chicago Stadium was an indoor arena in Chicago from 1929 to 1995. When it was built, it was the largest indoor arena in the world with a maximum seating capacity of 26,000. It was the home of the National Hockey League's Chicago Blackhawks and ...

, and the Black Hawks, who had a record of 28–3–8 at home, continued their dominance, as they defeated the Penguins 3–1 and 3–2 to take a 2–0 series lead. The series moved to the Pittsburgh Civic Arena for the next two games, however, it was the Black Hawks who continued to stay hot, as they shutout the Penguins 2–0 in the third game, and finished off the series sweep with a 6–5 overtime win in the fourth game. Chicago's next opponent was the

for the second straight year, who had finished the season with a 48–17–13 record, earning 109 points, and a second-place finish in the East Division. The Rangers defeated the defending Stanley Cup champions, the

Montreal Canadiens The Montreal Canadiens (), officially ' ( Canadian Hockey Club) and colloquially known as the Habs, are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal. The Canadiens compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic D ...

in their first playoff series. Since the Black Hawks won their division, they were given a home-ice advantage in the series for the second straight year. The series opened up with two games at Chicago Stadium, however, it was the Rangers who struck first, defeating the Hawks 3–2, then taking the second game in Chicago by a score of 5–3 to take an early 2–0 series lead. Chicago did not get themselves back in the series, as New York won the third game 3–2, and the Rangers completed the sweep of the Black Hawks with a 6–2 thumping in the fourth game.

Schedule and results

Regular season

, - , 1 , , October 9 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 4–2 , ,

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 (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. Th ...

, , 1–0–0 , , 2 , - , 2 , , October 10 , ,

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 ...

, , 1–2 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 2–0–0 , , 4 , - , 3 , , October 13 , ,

, , 0–1 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 3–0–0 , , 6 , - , 4 , , October 16 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 3–2 , ,

, , 4–0–0 , , 8 , - , 5 , , October 17 , ,

Los Angeles Kings The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles. The Kings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. ...

, , 0–4 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 5–0–0 , , 10 , - , 6 , , October 20 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 1–3 , ,

, , 5–1–0 , , 10 , - , 7 , , October 21 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 5–2 , ,

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 (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Con ...

, , 6–1–0 , , 12 , - , 8 , , October 23 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 5–2 , ,

, , 7–1–0 , , 14 , - , 9 , , October 24 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 1–2 , ,

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 (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team play ...

, , 7–2–0 , , 14 , - , 10 , , October 26 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 5–2 , ,

, , 8–2–0 , , 16 , - , 11 , , October 30 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 5–1 , ,

, , 9–2–0 , , 18 , - , 12 , , October 31 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 2–6 , ,

Vancouver Canucks The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver. The Canucks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conferenc ...

, , 9–3–0 , , 18 , - , - , 13 , , November 3 , ,

, , 0–3 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 10–3–0 , , 20 , - , 14 , , November 6 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 1–2 , ,

, , 10–4–0 , , 20 , - , 15 , , November 7 , ,

, , 1–4 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 11–4–0 , , 22 , - , 16 , , November 10 , ,

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 (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The t ...

, , 1–3 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 12–4–0 , , 24 , - , 17 , , November 14 , ,

California Golden Seals The California Golden Seals were a professional ice hockey club that competed in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1967–68 NHL season, 1967 to 1975–76 NHL season, 1976. Based in Oakland, California, they played their home games at the Oa ...

, , 1–4 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 13–4–0 , , 26 , - , 18 , , November 17 , ,

, , 0–3 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 14–4–0 , , 28 , - , 19 , , November 20 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 1–2 , ,

, , 14–5–0 , , 28 , - , 20 , , November 21 , ,

, , 3–7 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 15–5–0 , , 30 , - , 21 , , November 24 , ,

, , 3–3 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 15–5–1 , , 31 , - , 22 , , November 27 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 3–3 , ,

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. The Maple Leafs compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the A ...

, , 15–5–2 , , 32 , - , 23 , , November 28 , ,

, , 1–4 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 16–5–2 , , 34 , - , 24 , , November 30 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 2–4 , ,

, , 16–6–2 , , 34 , - , - , 25 , , December 3 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 1–2 , ,

, , 16–7–2 , , 34 , - , 26 , , December 5 , ,

, , 0–7 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 17–7–2 , , 36 , - , 27 , , December 8 , ,

, , 2–2 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 17–7–3 , , 37 , - , 28 , , December 9 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 3–1 , ,

, , 18–7–3 , , 39 , - , 29 , , December 11 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 3–1 , ,

, , 19–7–3 , , 41 , - , 30 , , December 12 , ,

, , 3–5 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 20–7–3 , , 43 , - , 31 , , December 15 , ,

, , 1–2 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 21–7–3 , , 45 , - , 32 , , December 18 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 4–1 , ,

, , 22–7–3 , , 47 , - , 33 , , December 19 , ,

, , 0–2 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 23–7–3 , , 49 , - , 34 , , December 22 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 4–1 , ,

, , 24–7–3 , , 51 , - , 35 , , December 26 , ,

, , 3–6 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 25–7–3 , , 53 , - , 36 , , December 29 , ,

, , 5–1 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 25–8–3 , , 53 , - , - , 37 , , January 2 , ,

, , 2–6 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 26–8–3 , , 55 , - , 38 , , January 5 , ,

, , 3–3 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 26–8–4 , , 56 , - , 39 , , January 8 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 4–0 , ,

, , 27–8–4 , , 58 , - , 40 , , January 9 , ,

, , 2–5 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 28–8–4 , , 60 , - , 41 , , January 12 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 5–5 , ,

, , 28–8–5 , , 61 , - , 42 , , January 15 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 2–4 , ,

, , 28–9–5 , , 61 , - , 43 , , January 16 , ,

, , 2–3 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 29–9–5 , , 63 , - , 44 , , January 19 , ,

, , 0–2 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 30–9–5 , , 65 , - , 45 , , January 20 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 2–3 , ,

, , 30–10–5 , , 65 , - , 46 , , January 23 , ,

, , 0–4 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 31–10–5 , , 67 , - , 47 , , January 27 , ,

, , 0–4 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 32–10–5 , , 69 , - , 48 , , January 29 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 4–2 , ,

, , 33–10–5 , , 71 , - , 49 , , January 30 , ,

, , 2–4 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 34–10–5 , , 73 , - , - , 50 , , February 1 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 4–7 , ,

, , 34–11–5 , , 73 , - , 51 , , February 4 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 6–2 , ,

, , 35–11–5 , , 75 , - , 52 , , February 6 , ,

, , 0–5 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 36–11–5 , , 77 , - , 53 , , February 9 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 1–4 , ,

, , 36–12–5 , , 77 , - , 54 , , February 10 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 1–7 , ,

, , 36–13–5 , , 77 , - , 55 , , February 12 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 3–3 , ,

, , 36–13–6 , , 78 , - , 56 , , February 13 , ,

, , 1–3 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 37–13–6 , , 80 , - , 57 , , February 15 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 3–2 , ,

, , 38–13–6 , , 82 , - , 58 , , February 16 , ,

, , 3–3 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 38–13–7 , , 83 , - , 59 , , February 20 , ,

, , 3–1 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 38–14–7 , , 83 , - , 60 , , February 23 , ,

, , 2–1 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 38–15–7 , , 83 , - , 61 , , February 24 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 3–5 , ,

, , 38–16–7 , , 83 , - , 62 , , February 26 , ,

, , 0–3 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 39–16–7 , , 85 , - , 63 , , February 27 , ,

, , 3–3 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 39–16–8 , , 86 , - , - , 64 , , March 1 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 6–4 , ,

, , 40–16–8 , , 88 , - , 65 , , March 3 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 4–4 , ,

, , 40–16–9 , , 89 , - , 66 , , March 5 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 1–2 , ,

, , 40–17–9 , , 89 , - , 67 , , March 8 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 3–3 , ,

, , 40–17–10 , , 90 , - , 68 , , March 11 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 1–1 , ,

, , 40–17–11 , , 91 , - , 69 , , March 12 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 3–2 , ,

, , 41–17–11 , , 93 , - , 70 , , March 15 , ,

, , 1–3 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 42–17–11 , , 95 , - , 71 , , March 18 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 2–2 , ,

, , 42–17–12 , , 96 , - , 72 , , March 19 , ,

, , 3–3 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 42–17–13 , , 97 , - , 73 , , March 23 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 4–2 , ,

, , 43–17–13 , , 99 , - , 74 , , March 25 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 5–5 , ,

, , 43–17–14 , , 100 , - , 75 , , March 26 , ,

, , 0–4 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 44–17–14 , , 102 , - , 76 , , March 29 , ,

, , 5–5 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 44–17–15 , , 103 , - , - , 77 , , April 1 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 2–0 , ,

, , 45–17–15 , , 105 , - , 78 , , April 2 , ,

, , 1–6 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 46–17–15 , , 107 , - , - , ''Legend'':

Playoffs

, - , 1 , , April 5 , ,

, , 1–3 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 1–0 , - , 2 , , April 6 , ,

, , 2–3 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 2–0 , - , 3 , , April 8 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 2–0 , ,

, , 3–0 , - , 4 , , April 9 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 6–5 , ,

, , 4–0 , - , - , 1 , , April 16 , ,

, , 3–2 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 0–1 , - , 2 , , April 18 , ,

, , 5–3 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 0–2 , - , 3 , , April 20 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 2–3 , ,

, , 0–3 , - , 4 , , April 23 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 2–6 , ,

, , 0–4 , - , - , ''Legend'':

Player stats

Regular season

;Scoring leaders ;Goaltending

Playoffs

;Scoring leaders ;Goaltending

Transactions

Draft picks

Chicago's draft picks at the

1971 NHL amateur draft The 1971 NHL amateur draft was the ninth NHL entry draft. It was held on June 10, 1971, at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal, Quebec. The last active player in the NHL from this draft class was Larry Robinson, who retired after the 1991� ...

held at the

Queen Elizabeth Hotel Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth () is a historic grand hotel in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. With 950 rooms and 21 floors it is the largest hotel in Quebec, and the second largest Fairmont hotel in Canada after the Fairmont Royal York in Toronto. Lo ...

Montreal Montreal is the List of towns in Quebec, largest city in the Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Quebec, the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, second-largest in Canada, and the List of North American cit ...

References

Sources

Hockey-Reference
*

*National Hockey League Guide & Record Book 2007 {{DEFAULTSORT:1971-72 Chicago Black Hawks season Chicago Blackhawks seasons

Chicago Chicago is the List of municipalities in Illinois, most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. With a population of 2,746,388, as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the List of Unite ...

Regular season

Season standings

Record vs. opponents

Playoffs

Schedule and results

Regular season

Playoffs

Player stats

Regular season

Playoffs

Transactions

Draft picks

See also

References

Sources