Tom Monahan's story from Vol. 24, Issue 22 of The Hockey News on March 5, 1971, covering Phil Esposito and the 1970-71 Boston Bruins, which were on the verge of breaking the single-season record for wins and points.
BOSTON — Instead of the ‘Big Bad Bruins’ they are polishing up a new moniker for the defending Stanley Cup champions. In the very near future, they will be known as the ‘Boston Record Wreckers’.
Among the numerous marks due to be erased are a pair currently held by Montreal dealing with the number of wins for a season and the number of total points.
The Canadians hold the record at 46 victories set two years ago that also permitted them to establish a point total of 103.
With 23 games remaining the Bruins needed only seven more victories to replace the Canadiens and with 87 points were just 17 points shy of a new high.
Projections indicate that the Bruins should wind up with 55 victories and 115 to 120 points on the year.
On an individual basis, of course, the focus is on Phil Esposito and his challenge to his own record of 126 points. The big Bruin center has been averaging close to two points a game for the season and with 109 already in his pocket it seems only a disaster could keep him from beating himself.
And combining with Ken Hodge and Wayne Cashman, this Nitro Line figures to explode as the highest scoring line in history.
Two years ago Gordie Howe. Frank Mahovlich and Alex Delvecchio combined for an unprecedented 114 goals. The Esposito-Hodge-Cashman trio passed the 100 mark with 23 games remaining.
At the same time this combination will wipe out the record for most points in a season. That mark is 263 held by Espo, Hodge and the retired Ron Murphy. Now with Cashman on the line they have accounted for 253 points.
Early in March the B’s should wipe out their own NHL record of 29 home victories. The Bruins have 26 wins on home ice this year and since they have lost only two of 30 at the Garden it’s safe to assume they will not deviate far from that path in their nine remaining home engagements.
Another mark being eyed by the wrecking crew is that of least defeats. Detroit set the record at 13 during the 1950-51, 70 game schedule and the Bruins lost only eight of the first 55 games they played.
After they snapped their Maple Leaf Garden jinx by beating Toronto 5-1 for their second victory in 28 games in their personal snakepit they aren’t expected to lose very often from here to the playoffs.
And finally there is the matter of goals scored. The B’s also hold that record at 303 in the 1968-69 season. The Bruins have averaged close to five goals a game thus far and if they maintain that pace they’ll put that record out of sight.
So call them the ‘Big Bad Bruins’ if you want to but anyway you cut it the figures add up to the fact that the ‘Boston Record Wreckers’ must be hailed as one of the National Hockey League’s all time powerhouse squads.
ICE CHIPS: Johnny McKenzie is expected to be able to take his regular turn at right wing after surgery for a shoulder separation … Coach Tom Johnson planned to spot him in a couple of games and then turn him loose for full duty with Johnny Bucyk and Fred Stanfield as well as returning him to his spot on the power play… With a nine-point lead on second place New York, the Bruins are not relaxing … Johnson called an informal practice for three of the players who didn’t skate much in the game at Toronto and they were joined by nine regulars including Bobby Orr…
“We’re cocky and we’re loose,” admitted Johnson. “But we’re not too cocky and we’re not too loose” … Main incentive not only is to keep that edge on New York but to keep ahead of West Division leader Chicago by at least seven points to insure the Prince of Wales Trophy.
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