The 1975–76

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' 50th

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 ...

. During the previous season, the club had a 37–35–8 record, earning 82 points, and finished in third place in the

Smythe Division The National Hockey League's Smythe Division was formed in 1974 as part of the Clarence Campbell Conference. The division existed for 19 seasons until 1993. It was named in honour of Conn Smythe, who was a longtime owner, general manager, and he ...

. Then, the Black Hawks upset the heavily favored

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 NHL preliminary series before losing to the

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 ...

in the NHL quarterfinals.

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 ...

and

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 ...

were named co-captains for the season. The team had played without a captain, since 1969–70. Chicago started off the 1975–76 regular season with a 10–4–11 record in their first 25 games and took the lead in the

. The Hawks had a 15-game unbeaten streak (6–0–9) during that span. The team reached a peak of being ten games over .500 with a record of 21–11–16 through 48 games. Chicago then fell into a slump and found themselves under .500 with only four games left in the season, falling to 29–30–17. The club went unbeaten in their last four games (3–0–1) to finish the year with a 32–30–18 record, earning 82 points, which was enough to finish in first place in the Smythe Division. The Hawks 32 wins was their lowest toal since 1967–68, when they also won 32 games. Offensively, the Black Hawks were led by

, who had a club high 32 goals and 71 points. Dennis Hull rebounded from a poor 1974–75 season to score 27 goals and 66 points.

Ivan Boldirev Ivan Boldirev (Serbian Cyrillic: Иван Болдирев; born August 15, 1949) is a Yugoslavian-born Canadian former professional ice hockey player. Boldirev played 15 seasons and over 1,000 games in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1970 ...

scored 28 goals and 62 points. Defenseman

Dale Tallon Michael "Dale" Tallon (born October 19, 1950) is a Canadian ice hockey executive and former player. He played in the NHL for ten years as a defenceman for the Vancouver Canucks, Chicago Black Hawks and the Pittsburgh Penguins. Following his ret ...

led the club with 47 assists, while scoring 15 goals for 62 points.

missed 32 games due to injuries; however, he still earned 57 points.

Keith Magnuson Keith Arlen Magnuson (April 27, 1947 – December 15, 2003) was a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman from Wadena, Saskatchewan who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) between 1969 and 1979. Magnuson played 589 career NHL games, ...

had a team high +13 rating, and Phil Russell led the club with 194 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 ...

once again led the club with 30 victories and a 2.97 GAA, earning four shutouts in 68 games. Since the Hawks won their division, they were given a bye in the NHL preliminary series, and they faced the powerful

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 the NHL quarter-finals. The Canadiens had a record breaking season in 1975–76 with 58 wins and 127 points and finished in first place in the

Norris Division The National Hockey League's Norris Division was formed in 1974 as part of the Prince of Wales Conference. When the NHL realigned into geographic divisions in 1981, the division moved to the Clarence Campbell Conference, where it comprised the ...

. The Black Hawks—Canadiens series opened with two games at the

Montreal Forum Montreal Forum () is a historic building located facing Cabot Square, Montreal, Cabot Square in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Called "the most storied building in hockey history" by ''Sporting News'', it was an indoor arena which served as the home o ...

. The Canadiens quickly took control of the series, shutting out Chicago 4–0 in the series opener, and then winning 3–1 in the second game. The series continued 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 ...

for the next two games, where the Canadiens took the third game by a 2–1 score, and then swept the Hawks out of the playoffs with a 4–1 victory in the fourth game.

Season standings

Final standings

Record vs. opponents

Schedule and results

Regular season

, - , 1 , , October 8 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 2–2 , ,

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 ...

, , 0–0–1 , , 1 , - , 2 , , October 11 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 1–2 , ,

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 ...

, , 0–1–1 , , 1 , - , 3 , , October 12 , , Vancouver Canucks , , 0–3 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 1–1–1 , , 3 , - , 4 , , October 15 , ,

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 ...

, , 4–4 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 1–1–2 , , 4 , - , 5 , , October 16 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 1–7 , ,

, , 1–2–2 , , 4 , - , 6 , , October 18 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 3–1 , , Minnesota North Stars , , 2–2–2 , , 6 , - , 7 , , October 19 , , Minnesota North Stars , , 2–3 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 3–2–2 , , 8 , - , 8 , , October 22 , ,

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. ...

, , 5–3 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 3–3–2 , , 8 , - , 9 , , October 25 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 4–0 , , Kansas City Scouts , , 4–3–2 , , 10 , - , 10 , , October 26 , ,

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

, , 7–5 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 4–4–2 , , 10 , - , 11 , , October 29 , ,

, , 1–2 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 5–4–2 , , 12 , - , - , 12 , , November 1 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 3–1 , , Detroit Red Wings , , 6–4–2 , , 14 , - , 13 , , November 2 , , Vancouver Canucks , , 1–6 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 7–4–2 , , 16 , - , 14 , , November 5 , ,

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 ...

, , 4–4 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 7–4–3 , , 17 , - , 15 , , November 8 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 7–5 , ,

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 ...

, , 8–4–3 , , 19 , - , 16 , , November 9 , , Minnesota North Stars , , 0–3 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 9–4–3 , , 21 , - , 17 , , November 12 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 4–4 , , New York Rangers , , 9–4–4 , , 22 , - , 18 , , November 13 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 5–5 , , Philadelphia Flyers , , 9–4–5 , , 23 , - , 19 , , November 15 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 4–4 , , Montreal Canadiens , , 9–4–6 , , 24 , - , 20 , , November 19 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 4–2 , , Los Angeles Kings , , 10–4–6 , , 26 , - , 21 , , November 22 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 1–1 , , Vancouver Canucks , , 10–4–7 , , 27 , - , 22 , , November 26 , , Toronto Maple Leafs , , 4–4 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 10–4–8 , , 28 , - , 23 , , November 29 , ,

, , 4–4 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 10–4–9 , , 29 , - , 24 , , November 30 , , Kansas City Scouts , , 1–1 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 10–4–10 , , 30 , - , - , 25 , , December 3 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 3–3 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 10–4–11 , , 31 , - , 26 , , December 4 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 2–5 , , Philadelphia Flyers , , 10–5–11 , , 31 , - , 27 , , December 7 , ,

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 ...

, , 2–0 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 10–6–11 , , 31 , - , 28 , , December 10 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 7–2 , , Washington Capitals , , 11–6–11 , , 33 , - , 29 , , December 13 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 1–2 , , Minnesota North Stars , , 11–7–11 , , 33 , - , 30 , , December 14 , , St. Louis Blues , , 4–3 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 11–8–11 , , 33 , - , 31 , , December 17 , , Philadelphia Flyers , , 4–2 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 11–9–11 , , 33 , - , 32 , , December 19 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 2–5 , ,

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 ...

, , 11–10–11 , , 33 , - , 33 , , December 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 ...

, , 2–5 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 12–10–11 , , 35 , - , 34 , , December 23 , , St. Louis Blues , , 1–4 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 13–10–11 , , 37 , - , 35 , , December 27 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 4–1 , , Toronto Maple Leafs , , 14–10–11 , , 39 , - , 36 , , December 28 , , Buffalo Sabres , , 2–2 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 14–10–12 , , 40 , - , 37 , , December 30 , , California Golden Seals , , 3–5 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 15–10–12 , , 42 , - , - , 38 , , January 3 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 1–1 , , New York Islanders , , 15–10–13 , , 43 , - , 39 , , January 4 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 3–5 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 16–10–13 , , 45 , - , 40 , , January 9 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 1–1 , , Atlanta Flames , , 16–10–14 , , 46 , - , 41 , , January 11 , , New York Rangers , , 6–2 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 16–11–14 , , 46 , - , 42 , , January 14 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 2–2 , , California Golden Seals , , 16–11–15 , , 47 , - , 43 , , January 16 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 2–1 , , Vancouver Canucks , , 17–11–15 , , 49 , - , 44 , , January 18 , , Philadelphia Flyers , , 0–2 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 18–11–15 , , 51 , - , 45 , , January 21 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 3–3 , , New York Rangers , , 18–11–16 , , 52 , - , 46 , , January 24 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 2–1 , , St. Louis Blues , , 19–11–16 , , 54 , - , 47 , , January 25 , , Kansas City Scouts , , 1–3 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 20–11–16 , , 56 , - , 48 , , January 28 , , Atlanta Flames , , 3–7 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 21–11–16 , , 58 , - , 49 , , January 29 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 3–5 , , Boston Bruins , , 21–12–16 , , 58 , - , 50 , , January 31 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 1–2 , , Detroit Red Wings , , 21–13–16 , , 58 , - , - , 51 , , February 1 , , Vancouver Canucks , , 3–2 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 21–14–16 , , 58 , - , 52 , , February 4 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 3–8 , , Montreal Canadiens , , 21–15–16 , , 58 , - , 53 , , February 6 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 2–1 , , Atlanta Flames , , 22–15–16 , , 60 , - , 54 , , February 8 , , Washington Capitals , , 2–4 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 23–15–16 , , 62 , - , 55 , , February 11 , , Los Angeles Kings , , 7–4 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 23–16–16 , , 62 , - , 56 , , February 14 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 5–4 , , Kansas City Scouts , , 24–16–16 , , 64 , - , 57 , , February 15 , , Boston Bruins , , 4–1 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 24–17–16 , , 64 , - , 58 , , February 18 , , Buffalo Sabres , , 4–4 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 24–17–17 , , 65 , - , 59 , , February 21 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 1–10 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 24–18–17 , , 65 , - , 60 , , February 22 , , California Golden Seals , , 5–2 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 24–19–17 , , 65 , - , 61 , , February 24 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 4–1 , , Vancouver Canucks , , 25–19–17 , , 67 , - , 62 , , February 26 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 6–2 , , Los Angeles Kings , , 26–19–17 , , 69 , - , 63 , , February 28 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 1–4 , , New York Islanders , , 26–20–17 , , 69 , - , 64 , , February 29 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 1–4 , , Washington Capitals , , 26–21–17 , , 69 , - , - , 65 , , March 4 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 4–6 , , Buffalo Sabres , , 26–22–17 , , 69 , - , 66 , , March 6 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 4–7 , , St. Louis Blues , , 26–23–17 , , 69 , - , 67 , , March 10 , , Montreal Canadiens , , 5–1 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 26–24–17 , , 69 , - , 68 , , March 13 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 4–1 , , Minnesota North Stars , , 27–24–17 , , 71 , - , 69 , , March 14 , , New York Islanders , , 5–3 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 27–25–17 , , 71 , - , 70 , , March 16 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 6–3 , , Kansas City Scouts , , 28–25–17 , , 73 , - , 71 , , March 17 , , Toronto Maple Leafs , , 5–6 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 29–25–17 , , 75 , - , 72 , , March 20 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 2–4 , , New York Islanders , , 29–26–17 , , 75 , - , 73 , , March 21 , , Detroit Red Wings , , 6–0 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 29–27–17 , , 75 , - , 74 , , March 24 , , Atlanta Flames , , 7–2 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 29–28–17 , , 75 , - , 75 , , March 25 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 2–4 , , Boston Bruins , , 29–29–17 , , 75 , - , 76 , , March 27 , , New York Rangers , , 6–5 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 29–30–17 , , 75 , - , 77 , , March 28 , , Minnesota North Stars , , 3–5 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 30–30–17 , , 77 , - , 78 , , March 31 , , Kansas City Scouts , , 3–6 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 31–30–17 , , 79 , - , - , 79 , , April 3 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 3–3 , , St. Louis Blues , , 31–30–18 , , 80 , - , 80 , , April 4 , , St. Louis Blues , , 2–7 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 32–30–18 , , 82 , - , - , ''Legend'':

Playoffs

, - , 1 , , April 11 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 0–4 , , Montreal Canadiens , , 0–1 , - , 2 , , April 13 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 1–3 , , Montreal Canadiens , , 0–2 , - , 3 , , April 15 , , Montreal Canadiens , , 2–1 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 0–3 , - , 4 , , April 18 , , Montreal Canadiens , , 4–1 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 0–4 , - , - , ''Legend'':

Season stats

Scoring leaders

Goaltending

Playoff stats

Scoring leaders

Goaltending

Awards, records and honors

Lester Patrick Trophy The Lester Patrick Trophy has been presented by the National Hockey League and USA Hockey since 1966 to honor a recipient's contribution to ice hockey in the United States. It is considered a non-NHL trophy because it may be awarded to players, ...

Collins gem Hockey Facts and Stats 2009–10, p.424, Andrew Podnieks, Harper Collins Publishers Ltd, Toronto, Ontario, Canada,

Draft picks

Chicago's draft picks during the 1975 NHL amateur draft at the NHL Office in

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:1975-76 Chicago Black Hawks season Chicago Blackhawks seasons

Chicago Blackhawks The Chicago Blackhawks (spelled Black Hawks until 1986, and known colloquially as the Hawks) are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago. The Blackhawks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (N ...

Smythe Division champion seasons