1971–72 Philadelphia Flyers season
| 1971–72 Philadelphia Flyers | |
|---|---|
| Division | 5th West |
| 1971–72 record | 26–38–14 |
| Home record | 19–13–7 |
| Road record | 7–25–7 |
| Goals for | 200 (14th) |
| Goals against | 236 (7th) |
| Team information | |
| President | Joe Scott |
| General Manager | Keith Allen |
| Coach | Fred Shero |
| Captain | Ed Van Impe |
| Alternate captains | Jean-Guy Gendron |
| Arena | Spectrum |
| Average attendance | 14,379 |
| Minor league affiliate(s) |
Richmond Robins San Diego Gulls Jersey Devils Salem Rebels |
| Team leaders | |
| Goals | Bobby Clarke (35) |
| Assists | Bobby Clarke (46) |
| Points | Bobby Clarke (81) |
| Penalties in minutes | Gary Dornhoefer (183) |
| Plus/minus | Bobby Clarke (+22) |
| Wins | Doug Favell (18) |
| Goals against average | Doug Favell (2.81) |
The 1971–72 Philadelphia Flyers season was the Philadelphia Flyers' fifth season in the National Hockey League (NHL). The Flyers missed the playoffs for the second time in three years.
The Flyers fired head coach Vic Stasiuk on May 27, 1971, after heavy criticism by Flyers players. On June 2, the Flyers hired Fred Shero to replace him. In the previous two seasons Shero had guided two teams to league championships, the Buffalo Bisons of the American Hockey League and the Omaha Knights of the Central Hockey League.
Bobby Clarke continued to progress as he led the team in goals (35), assists (46), and points (81) in 1971–72 and he became the first Flyer to win an NHL award, the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. However, in the season's final game, the Flyers needed a win or a tie against the second-year Buffalo Sabres to beat out the Pittsburgh Penguins for the final playoff spot. The score was tied late in the game, but with just four seconds on the clock, former Flyer Gerry Meehan took a shot from just inside the blue line that eluded Flyers goalie Doug Favell. With identical records the playoff berth was determined by 'goals for' and went to the Penguins.
The Flyers were involved in the following transactions from May 19, 1971, the day after the deciding game of the 1971 Stanley Cup Finals, through May 11, 1972, the day of the deciding game of the 1972 Stanley Cup Finals.
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