1976–77 NHL season | |
---|---|
League | National Hockey League |
Sport | Ice hockey |
Duration | October 5, 1976 – May 14, 1977 |
Number of games | 80 |
Number of teams | 18 |
Regular season | |
Season champions | Montreal Canadiens |
Season MVP | Guy Lafleur (Canadiens) |
Top scorer | Guy Lafleur (Canadiens) |
Playoffs | |
Playoffs MVP | Guy Lafleur (Canadiens) |
Stanley Cup | |
Champions | Montreal Canadiens |
Runners-up | Boston Bruins |
The 1976–77 NHL season was the 60th season of the National Hockey League. The Kansas City Scouts moved to Denver, Colorado, and became the Colorado Rockies and the California Golden Seals moved to Cleveland, Ohio, and became the Cleveland Barons. The Montreal Canadiens once again dominated the playoffs as, for the second straight year, they swept their opponent four games to none in the final series for the Stanley Cup.
Not since the Ottawa Senators had relocated in 1934, becoming the St. Louis Eagles, had an NHL team moved. This year saw not one, but two teams relocate. The Kansas City Scouts moved to Denver, Colorado, and became the Colorado Rockies and the California Golden Seals moved to Cleveland, Ohio, and became the Cleveland Barons. The instability, along with the poor performances of the Washington Capitals and the Scouts since the 1974 expansion, caused the league to shelve an expansion to Denver and Seattle that had been proposed for this season.
This season was Clarence Campbell's last as NHL President. He would be succeeded by John Ziegler.