1969–70 Boston Bruins season
| 1969–70 Boston Bruins | |
|---|---|
|
Stanley Cup champions
|
|
| Division | 2nd East |
| 1969–70 record | 40–17–19 |
| Home record | 27–3–8 |
| Road record | 13–14–11 |
| Goals for | 277 (1st) |
| Goals against | 216 (6th) |
| Team information | |
| General Manager | Milt Schmidt |
| Coach | Harry Sinden |
| Captain | Vacant |
| Alternate captains |
John Bucyk Phil Esposito Ed Westfall |
| Arena | Boston Garden |
| Team leaders | |
| Goals | Phil Esposito (43) |
| Assists | Bobby Orr (87) |
| Points | Bobby Orr (120) |
| Penalties in minutes | Bobby Orr (125) |
| Wins | Gerry Cheevers (24) |
| Goals against average | Gerry Cheevers (2.72) |
The 1969–70 Boston Bruins season was the Bruins' 46th season in the NHL.The Bruins were coming off of a successful season in 1968–69, as they finished with a franchise record 100 points, sitting in 2nd place in the Eastern Division, however, they would lose to the Montreal Canadiens in the Eastern Division finals. This year, the Bruins would go all the way to the Final and win the Stanley Cup.
The year was marred by an infamous incident in a preseason game against the St. Louis Blues, when veteran Ted Green had an ugly stick fight with Wayne Maki of the Blues. Green suffered a fractured skull and a brain injury as a result of the fight, necessitating a permanent steel plate put in his head and missing the entirety of the season. Both were charged with assault as a result of the incident, the first time NHL players faced criminal charges as a result of on-ice violence, and were eventually acquitted.
Boston got off to a quick start, going unbeaten in their first 7 games (6–0–1), which immediately was followed by a 5-game winless streak. The Bruins though would snap out of their mini-slump, and never have a 2-game losing streak for the remainder of the season, finishing the year with a 40–17–19 record, earning 99 points, which tied the Chicago Black Hawks for 1st place in the Eastern Division. Chicago was awarded 1st place though due to having more wins than Boston, as the Hawks recorded 45.
Bobby Orr had a breakout season, leading the league with 120 points, becoming the first defenseman in league history to record over 100 points, while setting an NHL record with 87 assists. Orr also scored 33 goals, which also was a record by a defenseman. Orr also provided toughness, leading the Bruins with 125 PIM. Phil Esposito had another very strong season, scoring 43 goals and earning 99 points, while John McKenzie registered 70 points. Thirty-four-year-old John Bucyk scored a career high 31 goals and tied his career best with 69 points.
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