The 1973–74

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 Hawks' 48th

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 axial tilt, tilted orbit around the Sun. In temperat ...

in the

NHL 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 the club was coming off their fourth consecutive first-place finish in

1972–73 Year 197 ( CXCVII) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Magius and Rufinus (or, less frequently, year 950 ''Ab urbe condita''). The denomination 197 for this y ...

, as they finished on top of the West Division with a 42–27–9 record, earning 93

points A point is a small dot or the sharp tip of something. Point or points may refer to: Mathematics * Point (geometry), an entity that has a location in space or on a plane, but has no extent; more generally, an element of some abstract topologica ...

. The Black Hawks defeated the

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. ...

in the NHL quarter-finals, but lost to the

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 ...

in the semi-finals. Chicago started the season slowly, as they had a 2–4–4 record in their first ten games; however, the club then went on a nine-game unbeaten streak to push themselves over the .500 mark. The Hawks battled with 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 (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team play ...

all season long for the top spot in the West Division, as Chicago finished with a record of 41–14–23, earning 105 points, which was their third-highest total in club history. It was not enough though, as the Flyers dethroned the Black Hawks for top spot in the West, as they finished with 112 points thus ending Chicago's streak of four consecutive division titles. The 14 losses by Chicago was the fewest by the team in one season, while the 23 ties they recorded was a new team record. Offensively, the Black Hawks were led by

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 ...

, who had a club-high 50 assists and 80 points, while

Jim Pappin James Joseph Pappin (September 10, 1939 – June 29, 2022) was a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger who played 14 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Chicago Black Hawks, and the Cal ...

led the team in goals for the second consecutive season, as he scored 32 goals, and finished with 73 points.

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 ...

scored 30 goals and 77 points, while Dennis Hull had 29 goals and 68 points. On defense,

Dick Redmond Richard John Redmond (born August 14, 1949) is a Canadian former professional National Hockey League (NHL) defenceman. He featured in the 1973 Stanley Cup Finals with the Chicago Blackhawks. He is the son of former Allan Cup winner Eddie Redmond ...

emerged as the offensive leader, scoring 17 goals and 59 points, while Bill White recorded 36 points, while having a team-high +51 rating. Phil Russell had 10 goals and 35 points, while having a team-high 184 penalty minutes. In goal,

Tony Esposito Anthony James "Tony O" Esposito (April 23, 1943 – August 10, 2021) was a Canadian-American professional ice hockey goaltender, who played 16 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL), 15 of those for the Chicago Black Hawks. He was one of ...

led the club with 34 victories and a 2.04 GAA, along with ten shutouts while appearing in 70 games. Rookie goaltender Mike Veisor backed up Esposito, going 7–0–2 with a 2.23 GAA in 10 games. Chicago tied the

with the fewest goals against in the league at 164, as

and the Flyers

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 between 1965 and 1979, an ...

shared 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 achievements. The Hawks opened the playoffs against the

, who had a record of 33–33–12, earning 78 points, while placing third in the West Division. 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 used their home ice to their advantage, defeating the Kings 3–1 and 4–1 to take a 2–0 series lead. The series shifted to The Forum in Los Angeles for the next two games, and the Hawks continued to shut down the Kings in the third game, shutting them out 1–0. Los Angeles avoided the sweep by easily handling the Black Hawks 5–1 to send the series back to Chicago. In the fifth game, the Hawks, led by

, shut out Los Angeles by a score of 1–0 to eliminate the Kings from the playoffs. Chicago's next opponent was the

, who had finished the season with a 52–17–9 record, earning 113 points, and a first-place finish in the East Division. The Bruins swept the

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 ...

in the first round. The series opened up with two games at the

Boston Garden The Boston Garden was an arena in Boston, Massachusetts. Designed by boxing promoter Tex Rickard, who also built the third iteration of New York's Madison Square Garden, it opened on November 17, 1928, as "Boston Madison Square Garden" (later ...

, but it was Chicago who struck first, doubling the Bruins 4–2 in the series opener. Boston responded in the second game, winning 8–6 to even the series. The next two games were played in Chicago, and the Black Hawks re-took the series lead, defeating Boston 4–3 in overtime; however, the Bruins rebounded, winning the fourth game 5–2 to even the series again. The fifth game was back in Boston, and the Bruins took their first series lead, dominating Chicago by a score of 6–2. Boston clinched the series in the sixth game, winning 4–2 on Chicago ice to eliminate the Black Hawks from the post-season.

Season standings

Record vs. opponents

Schedule and results

Regular season

, - , 1 , , October 10 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 3–0 , ,

, , 1–0–0 , , 2 , - , 2 , , October 12 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 2–3 , ,

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 ...

, , 1–1–0 , , 2 , - , 3 , , October 14 , ,

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 ...

, , 1–1 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 1–1–1 , , 3 , - , 4 , , October 17 , ,

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 ...

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

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 (N ...

, , 3–3 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 2–1–2 , , 6 , - , 6 , , October 24 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 1–3 , ,

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 ...

, , 2–2–2 , , 6 , - , 7 , , October 27 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 4–4 , ,

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 ...

, , 2–2–3 , , 7 , - , 8 , , October 28 , ,

, , 1–1 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 2–2–4 , , 8 , - , - , 9 , , November 1 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 0–1 , ,

, , 2–3–4 , , 8 , - , 10 , , November 3 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 4–5 , ,

, , 2–4–4 , , 8 , - , 11 , , November 4 , ,

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 ...

, , 1–4 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 3–4–4 , , 10 , - , 12 , , November 7 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 1–1 , ,

, , 3–4–5 , , 11 , - , 13 , , November 9 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 4–0 , ,

, , 4–4–5 , , 13 , - , 14 , , November 11 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 3–0 , ,

, , 5–4–5 , , 15 , - , 15 , , November 14 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 4–4 , ,

, , 5–4–6 , , 16 , - , 16 , , November 16 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 6–1 , ,

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 ...

, , 6–4–6 , , 18 , - , 17 , , November 17 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 4–1 , ,

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 ...

, , 7–4–6 , , 20 , - , 18 , , November 21 , ,

, , 1–4 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 8–4–6 , , 22 , - , 19 , , November 24 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 3–1 , ,

, , 9–4–6 , , 24 , - , 20 , , November 25 , ,

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 ...

, , 6–4 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 9–5–6 , , 24 , - , 21 , , November 28 , ,

, , 3–3 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 9–5–7 , , 25 , - , - , 22 , , December 1 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 5–0 , ,

, , 10–5–7 , , 27 , - , 23 , , December 2 , ,

, , 1–2 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 11–5–7 , , 29 , - , 24 , , December 5 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 8–2 , ,

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 ...

, , 12–5–7 , , 31 , - , 25 , , December 9 , ,

, , 3–5 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 13–5–7 , , 33 , - , 26 , , December 12 , ,

, , 2–2 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 13–5–8 , , 34 , - , 27 , , December 15 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 3–3 , ,

, , 13–5–9 , , 35 , - , 28 , , December 16 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 6–1 , ,

, , 14–5–9 , , 37 , - , 29 , , December 19 , ,

, , 2–2 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 14–5–10 , , 38 , - , 30 , , December 22 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 2–4 , ,

, , 14–6–10 , , 38 , - , 31 , , December 23 , ,

, , 2–6 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 15–6–10 , , 40 , - , 32 , , December 26 , ,

, , 3–3 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 15–6–11 , , 41 , - , 33 , , December 29 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 4–2 , ,

, , 16–6–11 , , 43 , - , 34 , , December 30 , ,

, , 4–3 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 16–7–11 , , 43 , - , - , 35 , , January 2 , ,

, , 1–5 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 17–7–11 , , 45 , - , 36 , , January 3 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 2–3 , ,

, , 17–8–11 , , 45 , - , 37 , , January 6 , ,

, , 4–9 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 18–8–11 , , 47 , - , 38 , , January 9 , ,

, , 4–4 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 18–8–12 , , 48 , - , 39 , , January 10 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 2–2 , ,

, , 18–8–13 , , 49 , - , 40 , , January 13 , ,

, , 1–4 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 19–8–13 , , 51 , - , 41 , , January 16 , ,

, , 5–5 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 19–8–14 , , 52 , - , 42 , , January 19 , ,

, , 3–2 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 19–9–14 , , 52 , - , 43 , , January 20 , ,

, , 2–7 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 20–9–14 , , 54 , - , 44 , , January 24 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 2–1 , ,

, , 21–9–14 , , 56 , - , 45 , , January 26 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 1–4 , ,

, , 21–10–14 , , 56 , - , 46 , , January 27 , ,

, , 4–2 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 21–11–14 , , 56 , - , 47 , , January 31 , ,

, , 1–2 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 22–11–14 , , 58 , - , - , 48 , , February 2 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 3–1 , ,

, , 23–11–14 , , 60 , - , 49 , , February 3 , ,

, , 0–3 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 24–11–14 , , 62 , - , 50 , , February 6 , ,

, , 1–1 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 24–11–15 , , 63 , - , 51 , , February 8 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 3–0 , ,

, , 25–11–15 , , 65 , - , 52 , , February 10 , ,

, , 3–5 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 26–11–15 , , 67 , - , 53 , , February 13 , ,

, , 0–4 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 27–11–15 , , 69 , - , 54 , , February 16 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 4–0 , ,

, , 28–11–15 , , 71 , - , 55 , , February 17 , ,

, , 1–4 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 29–11–15 , , 73 , - , 56 , , February 20 , ,

, , 0–3 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 30–11–15 , , 75 , - , 57 , , February 23 , ,

, , 1–3 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 31–11–15 , , 77 , - , 58 , , February 24 , ,

, , 4–2 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 31–12–15 , , 77 , - , 59 , , February 27 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 3–1 , ,

, , 32–12–15 , , 79 , - , 60 , , February 28 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 2–2 , ,

, , 32–12–16 , , 80 , - , - , 61 , , March 3 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 6–6 , ,

, , 32–12–17 , , 81 , - , 62 , , March 6 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 3–3 , ,

, , 32–12–18 , , 82 , - , 63 , , March 7 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 2–3 , ,

, , 32–13–18 , , 82 , - , 64 , , March 9 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 4–4 , ,

, , 32–13–19 , , 83 , - , 65 , , March 13 , ,

, , 3–3 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 32–13–20 , , 84 , - , 66 , , March 14 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 5–2 , ,

, , 33–13–20 , , 86 , - , 67 , , March 16 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 3–1 , ,

, , 34–13–20 , , 88 , - , 68 , , March 17 , ,

, , 3–3 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 34–13–21 , , 89 , - , 69 , , March 20 , ,

, , 3–2 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 34–14–21 , , 89 , - , 70 , , March 23 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 3–1 , ,

, , 35–14–21 , , 91 , - , 71 , , March 24 , ,

, , 0–6 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 36–14–21 , , 93 , - , 72 , , March 27 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 5–3 , ,

, , 37–14–21 , , 95 , - , 73 , , March 28 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 2–2 , ,

, , 37–14–22 , , 96 , - , 74 , , March 30 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 2–1 , ,

, , 38–14–22 , , 98 , - , 75 , , March 31 , ,

, , 2–2 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 38–14–23 , , 99 , - , - , 76 , , April 3 , ,

, , 2–6 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 39–14–23 , , 101 , - , 77 , , April 6 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 6–3 , ,

, , 40–14–23 , , 103 , - , 78 , , April 7 , ,

, , 4–7 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 41–14–23 , , 105 , - , - , ''Legend'':

Playoffs

, - , 1 , , April 10 , ,

, , 1–3 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 1–0 , - , 2 , , April 11 , ,

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

, , 3–0 , - , 4 , , April 14 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 1–5 , ,

, , 3–1 , - , 5 , , April 16 , ,

, , 0–1 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 4–1 , - , - , 1 , , April 18 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 4–2 , ,

, , 1–0 , - , 2 , , April 21 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 6–8 , ,

, , 1–1 , - , 3 , , April 23 , ,

, , 3–4 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 2–1 , - , 4 , , April 25 , ,

, , 5–2 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 2–2 , - , 5 , , April 28 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 2–6 , ,

, , 2–3 , - , 6 , , April 30 , ,

, , 4–2 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 2–4 , - , - , ''Legend'':

Season stats

Scoring leaders

Goaltending

Playoff stats

Scoring leaders

Goaltending

Draft picks

Chicago's draft picks at the 1973 NHL amateur draft held at the

Mount Royal Hotel Mount is often used as part of the name of specific mountains, e.g. Mount Everest. Mount or Mounts may also refer to: Places * Mount, Cornwall, a village in Warleggan parish, England * Mount, Perranzabuloe, a hamlet in Perranzabuloe parish, ...

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:1973-74 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 ...