The 1979–80 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 (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team play ...

' 13th

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

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 ...

(NHL). This team owns the longest unbeaten streak in major North American sports history in 35 consecutive games without a loss, from October 14 to January 6. The Flyers reached the

Stanley Cup Finals The Stanley Cup Finals in ice hockey (also known as the Stanley Cup Final among various media, ) is the annual championship series of the National Hockey League (NHL). The winner is awarded the Stanley Cup, North America's oldest professional spo ...

but lost in six games to the

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 ...

Off-season

On August 10, 1979, Bobby Clarke was named a player-assistant coach. In order to become an assistant coach, Clarke was required to give up the captaincy due to NHL rules. Mel Bridgman was named Clarke's replacement as team captain on October 11.

Regular season

The Flyers went undefeated for a North American professional sports record 35 straight games (25–0–10), a record that still stands to this day. In doing so, the Flyers wrapped up the Patrick Division title with 14 games to spare and the #1 overall seed in the playoffs.

Season standings

Record vs. opponents

Playoffs

The Flyers' regular-season success continued into the playoffs, as the Flyers swept a young

Wayne Gretzky Wayne Douglas Gretzky ( ; born January 26, 1961) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and former head coach. He played 20 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for four teams from 1979 to 1999. Nicknamed "the Great One ...

and his

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

in the first round, then went on to get revenge against Fred Shero and his Rangers by beating them in five before disposing of Minnesota in five to lock up a berth in the

. Facing the Islanders for the Cup, the Flyers would ultimately lose in six games on Bob Nystrom's overtime Cup-winning goal. The result of the series was marred by controversy, as the Islanders were arguably offside on the play that resulted in their second goal in Game 6, but no call was made. Linesman Leon Stickle admitted after the game that he had blown the call.

Schedule and results

Regular season

, - , 1 , , October 11 , , 5–2 , , align="left",

, , Myre , , 17,077 , , 1–0–0 , , 2 , , , - , 2 , , October 13 , , 2–9 , , align="left", @

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 ...

, , Myre , , 13,358 , , 1–1–0 , , 2 , , , - , 3 , , October 14 , , 4–3 , , align="left",

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 ...

, , Peeters , , 17,077 , , 2–1–0 , , 4 , , , - , 4 , , October 18 , , 6–2 , , align="left",

, , Peeters , , 17,077 , , 3–1–0 , , 6 , , , - , 5 , , October 20 , , 7–3 , , align="left", @

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 ...

, , Myre , , 15,417 , , 4–1–0 , , 8 , , , - , 6 , , October 21 , , 6–6 , , align="left",

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 ...

, , Myre , , 17,077 , , 4–1–1 , , 9 , , , - , 7 , , October 25 , , 5–2 , , align="left",

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 ...

, , Peeters , , 17,077 , , 5–1–1 , , 11 , , , - , 8 , , October 28 , , 5–4 , , align="left",

, , Myre , , 17,077 , , 6–1–1 , , 13 , , , - , - , 9 , , November 1 , , 3–1 , , align="left", St. Louis Blues , , Peeters , , 17,077 , , 7–1–1 , , 15 , , , - , 10 , , November 3 , , 5–3 , , align="left", @

, , Myre , , 17,012 , , 8–1–1 , , 17 , , , - , 11 , , November 4 , , 3–1 , , align="left",

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 ...

, , Peeters , , 17,077 , , 9–1–1 , , 19 , , , - , 12 , , November 7 , , 4–3 , , align="left", @

Quebec Nordiques The Quebec Nordiques (, pronounced in Quebec French, in Canadian English; translated "Northmen" or "Northerners") were a professional ice hockey team based in Quebec City. The Nordiques played in the World Hockey Association (1972–1979) an ...

, , Myre , , 11,899 , , 10–1–1 , , 21 , , , - , 13 , , November 10 , , 5–2 , , align="left", @

, , Peeters , , 14,995 , , 11–1–1 , , 23 , , , - , 14 , , November 11 , , 5–4 , , align="left",

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 ...

, , Myre , , 17,077 , , 12–1–1 , , 25 , , , - , 15 , , November 15 , , 5–3 , , align="left",

, , Myre , , 17,077 , , 13–1–1 , , 27 , , , - , 16 , , November 17 , , 3–3 , , align="left", @ St. Louis Blues , , Peeters , , 12,723 , , 13–1–2 , , 28 , , , - , 17 , , November 21 , , 6–4 , , align="left", @

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. ...

, , Peeters , , 10,030 , , 14–1–2 , , 30 , , , - , 18 , , November 23 , , 5–2 , , align="left", @

, , Myre , , 16,413 , , 15–1–2 , , 32 , , , - , 19 , , November 24 , , 2–2 , , align="left", @

, , Peeters , , 15,423 , , 15–1–3 , , 33 , , , - , 20 , , November 27 , , 6–2 , , align="left",

Hartford Whalers The Hartford Whalers were a professional ice hockey team based for most of its 25-year existence in Hartford, Connecticut. The club played in the World Hockey Association (WHA) from 1972 until 1979, and in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1 ...

, , Myre , , 17,077 , , 16–1–3 , , 35 , , , - , 21 , , November 29 , , 6–4 , , align="left",

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 ...

, , Peeters , , 17,077 , , 17–1–3 , , 37 , , , - , - , 22 , , December 1 , , 4–4 , , align="left", @

, , Myre , , 16,485 , , 17–1–4 , , 38 , , , - , 23 , , December 2 , , 4–4 , , align="left",

, , Peeters , , 17,077 , , 17–1–5 , , 39 , , , - , 24 , , December 4 , , 2–2 , , align="left",

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 ...

, , Myre , , 17,077 , , 17–1–6 , , 40 , , , - , 25 , , December 6 , , 9–4 , , align="left",

, , Peeters , , 17,077 , , 18–1–6 , , 42 , , , - , 26 , , December 9 , , 4–4 , , align="left",

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 ...

, , Myre , , 17,077 , , 18–1–7 , , 43 , , , - , 27 , , December 13 , , 6–4 , , align="left",

, , Peeters , , 17,077 , , 19–1–7 , , 45 , , , - , 28 , , December 15 , , 3–2 , , align="left",

, , Peeters , , 17,077 , , 20–1–7 , , 47 , , , - , 29 , , December 16 , , 1–1 , , align="left", @

, , Myre , , 17,404 , , 20–1–8 , , 48 , , , - , 30 , , December 20 , , 1–1 , , align="left",

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 ...

, , Peeters , , 17,077 , , 20–1–9 , , 49 , , , - , 31 , , December 22 , , 5–2 , , align="left", @

, , Myre , , 14,673 , , 21–1–9 , , 51 , , , - , 32 , , December 23 , , 4–2 , , align="left",

, , Peeters , , 17,077 , , 22–1–9 , , 53 , , , - , 33 , , December 26 , , 4–4 , , align="left", @

, , Myre , , 7,627 , , 22–1–10 , , 54 , , , - , 34 , , December 28 , , 5–3 , , align="left", @

Winnipeg Jets The Winnipeg Jets are a professional ice hockey team based in Winnipeg. The Jets compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The te ...

, , Peeters , , 16,038 , , 23–1–10 , , 56 , , , - , 35 , , December 29 , , 3–2 , , align="left", @

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 (baseball), National League (NL) National League West, West Division. Th ...

, , Myre , , 16,452 , , 24–1–10 , , 58 , , , - , - , 36 , , January 4 , , 5–3 , , align="left", @

, , Myre , , 17,398 , , 25–1–10 , , 60 , , , - , 37 , , January 6 , , 4–2 , , align="left", @

, , Peeters , , 16,433 , , 26–1–10 , , 62 , , , - , 38 , , January 7 , , 1–7 , , align="left", @

, , Myre , , 15,962 , , 26–2–10 , , 62 , , , - , 39 , , January 10 , , 5–4 , , align="left",

, , Peeters , , 17,077 , , 27–2–10 , , 64 , , , - , 40 , , January 12 , , 3–4 , , align="left", @

, , Myre , , 18,091 , , 27–3–10 , , 64 , , , - , 41 , , January 13 , , 1–1 , , align="left", St. Louis Blues , , Peeters , , 17,077 , , 27–3–11 , , 65 , , , - , 42 , , January 15 , , 7–4 , , align="left",

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 ...

, , Myre , , 17,077 , , 28–3–11 , , 67 , , , - , 43 , , January 17 , , 5–1 , , align="left",

, , Peeters , , 17,077 , , 29–3–11 , , 69 , , , - , 44 , , January 19 , , 4–4 , , align="left", @

, , Myre , , 18,130 , , 29–3–12 , , 70 , , , - , 45 , , January 22 , , 3–1 , , align="left", @ St. Louis Blues , , Peeters , , 17,453 , , 30–3–12 , , 72 , , , - , 46 , , January 23 , , 4–1 , , align="left", @

, , Myre , , 17,160 , , 31–3–12 , , 74 , , , - , 47 , , January 25 , , 5–4 , , align="left", @

, , Peeters , , 15,122 , , 32–3–12 , , 76 , , , - , 48 , , January 27 , , 5–3 , , align="left", @

, , Peeters , , 15,423 , , 33–3–12 , , 78 , , , - , 49 , , January 31 , , 4–2 , , align="left",

, , St. Croix , , 17,077 , , 34–3–12 , , 80 , , , - , - , 50 , , February 2 , , 4–0 , , align="left", @

, , Peeters , , 16,033 , , 35–3–12 , , 82 , , , - , 51 , , February 3 , , 3–3 , , align="left",

, , Myre , , 17,077 , , 35–3–13 , , 83 , , , - , 52 , , February 7 , , 1–4 , , align="left",

, , Myre , , 17,077 , , 35–4–13 , , 83 , , , - , 53 , , February 9 , , 6–5 , , align="left", @

, , Peeters , , 19,353 , , 36–4–13 , , 85 , , , - , 54 , , February 10 , , 5–2 , , align="left",

, , Myre , , 17,077 , , 37–4–13 , , 87 , , , - , 55 , , February 14 , , 5–1 , , align="left",

, , Peeters , , 17,077 , , 38–4–13 , , 89 , , , - , 56 , , February 17 , , 6–5 , , align="left",

, , Myre , , 17,077 , , 39–4–13 , , 91 , , , - , 57 , , February 19 , , 6–8 , , align="left", @

, , Peeters , , 11,563 , , 39–5–13 , , 91 , , , - , 58 , , February 22 , , 7–3 , , align="left", @

, , Myre , , 16,341 , , 40–5–13 , , 93 , , , - , 59 , , February 23 , , 5–1 , , align="left", @

, , Peeters , , 16,005 , , 41–5–13 , , 95 , , , - , 60 , , February 27 , , 1–1 , , align="left", @

, , Myre , , 16,433 , , 41–5–14 , , 96 , , , - , - , 61 , , March 1 , , 3–3 , , align="left", @

, , Myre , , 16,485 , , 41–5–15 , , 97 , , , - , 62 , , March 2 , , 1–5 , , align="left",

, , Peeters , , 17,077 , , 41–6–15 , , 97 , , , - , 63 , , March 4 , , 4–1 , , align="left",

, , Peeters , , 17,007 , , 42–6–15 , , 99 , , , - , 64 , , March 6 , , 2–5 , , align="left",

, , Myre , , 17,077 , , 42–7–15 , , 99 , , , - , 65 , , March 8 , , 6–2 , , align="left", @

, , Peeters , , 15,701 , , 43–7–15 , , 101 , , , - , 66 , , March 9 , , 5–3 , , align="left",

, , Myre , , 17,077 , , 44–7–15 , , 103 , , , - , 67 , , March 11 , , 4–3 , , align="left",

, , Peeters , , 9,972 , , 45–7–15 , , 105 , , , - , 68 , , March 12 , , 6–6 , , align="left", @

, , Myre , , 17,306 , , 45–7–16 , , 106 , , , - , 69 , , March 15 , , 3–4 , , align="left", @

, , Peeters , , 15,156 , , 45–8–16 , , 106 , , , - , 70 , , March 16 , , 4–4 , , align="left",

, , Myre , , 17,077 , , 45–8–17 , , 107 , , , - , 71 , , March 20 , , 0–3 , , align="left",

, , Peeters , , 17,077 , , 45–9–17 , , 107 , , , - , 72 , , March 21 , , 5–5 , , align="left", @

, , Myre , , 14,460 , , 45–9–18 , , 108 , , , - , 73 , , March 23 , , 2–7 , , align="left", @

, , Peeters , , 14,673 , , 45–10–18 , , 108 , , , - , 74 , , March 25 , , 2–5 , , align="left", @

, , Myre , , 14,995 , , 45–11–18 , , 108 , , , - , 75 , , March 27 , , 5–2 , , align="left",

, , Peeters , , 17,077 , , 46–11–18 , , 110 , , , - , 76 , , March 29 , , 3–3 , , align="left", @

, , Myre , , 18,130 , , 46–11–19 , , 111 , , , - , 77 , , March 30 , , 4–2 , , align="left",

, , Peeters , , 17,077 , , 47–11–19 , , 113 , , , - , - , 78 , , April 1 , , 3–3 , , align="left", @

, , Myre , , 10,706 , , 47–11–20 , , 114 , , , - , 79 , , April 3 , , 4–2 , , align="left",

, , Peeters , , 17,077 , , 48–11–20 , , 116 , , , - , 80 , , April 6 , , 3–8 , , align="left",

, , Myre , , 17,077 , , 48–12–20 , , 116 , , , - , - , ''Legend'':

Playoffs

, - , 1 , , April 8 , , 4–3 OT , , align="left",

, , Peeters , , 17,077 , , Flyers lead 1–0 , , , - , 2 , , April 9 , , 5–1 , , align="left",

, , Peeters , , 17,077 , , Flyers lead 2–0 , , , - , 3 , , April 11 , , 3–2 OT , , align="left", @

, , Myre , , 15,423 , , Flyers win 3–0 , , , - , - , 1 , , April 16 , , 2–1 , , align="left",

, , Peeters , , 17,077 , , Flyers lead 1–0 , , , - , 2 , , April 17 , , 4–1 , , align="left",

, , Peeters , , 17,077 , , Flyers lead 2–0 , , , - , 3 , , April 19 , , 3–0 , , align="left", @

, , Peeters , , 17,374 , , Flyers lead 3–0 , , , - , 4 , , April 20 , , 2–4 , , align="left", @

, , Peeters , , 17,368 , , Flyers lead 3–1 , , , - , 5 , , April 22 , , 3–1 , , align="left",

, , Peeters , , 17,077 , , Flyers win 4–1 , , , - , - , 1 , , April 29 , , 5–6 , , align="left",

, , Peeters , , 17,077 , , North Stars lead 1–0 , , , - , 2 , , May 1 , , 7–0 , , align="left",

, , Myre , , 17,077 , , Series tied 1–1 , , , - , 3 , , May 4 , , 5–3 , , align="left", @

, , Myre , , 15,706 , , Flyers lead 2–1 , , , - , 4 , , May 6 , , 3–2 , , align="left", @

, , Myre , , 15,650 , , Flyers lead 3–1 , , , - , 5 , , May 8 , , 7–3 , , align="left",

, , Myre , , 17,077 , , Flyers win 4–1 , , , - , - , 1 , , May 13 , , 3–4 OT , , align="left",

, , Peeters , , 17,077 , , Islanders lead 1–0 , , , - , 2 , , May 15 , , 8–3 , , align="left",

, , Peeters , , 17,077 , , Series tied 1–1 , , , - , 3 , , May 17 , , 2–6 , , align="left", @

, , Myre , , 14,995 , , Islanders lead 2–1 , , , - , 4 , , May 19 , , 2–5 , , align="left", @

, , Peeters , , 14,995 , , Islanders lead 3–1 , , , - , 5 , , May 22 , , 6–3 , , align="left",

, , Peeters , , 17,077 , , Islanders lead 3–2 , , , - , 6 , , May 24 , , 4–5 OT , , align="left", @

, , Peeters , , 14,995 , , Islanders win 4–2 , , , - , - , ''Legend'':

Player statistics

Scoring

* ''Position abbreviations: C = Center; 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 goalie or netminder) is the player responsible for preventing the hockey puck from entering their own team's net, thus preventing the opposing team from scoring. The goaltender mostly plays ...

; LW = Left wing; RW =

Right wing Right-wing politics is the range of Ideology#Political ideologies, political ideologies that view certain social orders and Social stratification, hierarchies as inevitable, natural, normal, or desirable, typically supporting this position b ...

'' * '' = 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

The 1979–80 Philadelphia Flyers set the NHL record and North American pro sports record undefeated streak of 35 games, 25 wins and 10 ties, from October 14 to January 6. Likewise, they set team records for longest home undefeated streak at 26 games (October 11 to February 3) and longest road undefeated streak at 16 games (October 20 to January 6). Among other team records set during the regular season was the most powerplay goals allowed in a single game (6 on February 19) and the most penalties in a single game (38 on February 22).2016–2017 Philadelphia Flyers Media Guide, p. 261 Their twelve losses and seven road losses on the season are the fewest in franchise history. The Flyers set a number of franchise records during their semifinal playoff series with the

. On May 1, Bob Dailey tied a team record for most assists during a playoff game (4) and set the team record for points by a defenseman during a playoff game (5). Team records were also tied for most powerplay goals in a single game (4) and single period (3) during the same game. Bill Barber's three shorthanded goals during the series is tied for an NHL record, as is the same total for most shorthanded goals in a playoff year. Another series mark which tied the NHL record was the 15 powerplay goals allowed against the

during the 1980 Stanley Cup Finals. Barber’s four game-winning goals is also tied for a team playoff year record and defenseman Andre Dupont’s +21 plus-minus rating is the team record. The Flyers nine home wins during the playoffs is tied for the most in team history.

Milestones

Transactions

The Flyers were involved in the following transactions from May 22, 1979, the day after the deciding game of the 1979 Stanley Cup Finals, through May 24, 1980, the day of the deciding game of the 1980 Stanley Cup Finals.

Trades

Players acquired

Players lost

Signings

Draft picks

Philadelphia's picks at the 1979 NHL entry draft, which was held at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel 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 ...

, on August 9, 1979.

Farm teams

The Flyers were affiliated with the Maine Mariners of the AHL, the Toledo Goaldiggers of the IHL, and the Hampton Aces of the

Eastern Hockey League The Eastern Hockey League was a minor professional United States ice hockey league. Eastern Amateur Hockey League (1933–1953) The league was founded in 1933 as the Eastern Amateur Hockey League (EAHL). The league was founded by Tommy Lockhart ...

Notes

References

* * *

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:1979-80 Philadelphia Flyers season Philadelphia Flyers seasons

Philadelphia Philadelphia ( ), colloquially referred to as Philly, is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania, most populous city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and the List of United States cities by population, sixth-most populous city in the Unit ...

Patrick Division champion seasons Western Conference (NHL) championship seasons

1970s in Philadelphia 1980 in Philadelphia