During the NHL’s hiatus, we at the Last Word on Hockey are going to look back at each date’s historical significance to the game. We’ll remember the moments that shaped the sport of hockey that happened on this day. Here’s our look at this date in hockey history for April 22nd, featuring Patrik Sundstrom.



Today in Hockey History

Patrik Sundstrom Has Playoff-Record Eight Points

1988: The New Jersey Devils forward sets a post-season record for most points in a game with eight. His three goals and five assists led the Devils to a 10-4 win over the Washington Capitals. Sundstrom would break Wayne Gretzky‘s record to help New Jersey win Game 4 of the Patrick Division Final.

Gretzky would achieve seven points three times in his career before Sundstrom broke the mark. Mario Lemieux of the Pittsburgh Penguins would equal the Swede’s record during the 1989 playoffs.

Other Notable Events

1945: The Toronto Maple Leafs hold off the Detroit Red Wings to win the Stanley Cup in seven games. Toronto wins 2-1 to avoid blowing a three-games-to-none series lead.

1971: The Minnesota North Stars are the first expansion to beat an Original Six team in the playoffs as they beat the Montreal Canadiens, 6-3, in Game 2 of the semifinals. The Canadiens would still win the series and go on to win the Stanley Cup.

1976: Darryl Sittler ties the post-season record with five goals as the Leafs beat the Philadelphia Flyers, 8-5. Sittler ties Maurice Richard‘s record as Toronto wins Game 6 of the quarterfinals. The Flyers would win Game 7.

1983: The New York Islanders win their 14th straight post-season series as they top the rival New York Rangers in six games. Butch Goring scores twice as the Isles win 5-2.

1998: Bruce Gardiner is the 49th player to score his first post-season goal in OT as the Ottawa Senators beat New Jersey, 2-1. His goal helps the Sens take the series opener.

2003: Patrick Roy‘s career comes to an end as Andrew Brunette helps the Minnesota Wild stun the Colorado Avalanche. Roy would retire a month later after the 3-2 overtime loss.

2016: The Islanders win their first Game 5 after losing their last 11. Alan Quine‘s marker helps New York beat the Florida Panthers, 3-2, for its first Game 5 win since 1987.

2017: Magnus Paajarvi scores nearly halfway through the first overtime period as the St. Louis Blues beat Minnesota in five games. It’s the Blues’ first series-clinching goal in overtime since Pierre Turgeon in 1999.

2018: Jake Guentzel scores four straight goals and Sean Couturier gets five points in the Pens’ 8-5 victory. Both Guentzel and Couturier are the first set of opposing players to get at least five points in a playoff game.

Happy Birthday to You

1944: Doug Jarrett

1953: Tom Lysiak

1965: Peter Zezel

1968: Zarley Zalapski

1976: Dan Cloutier

1994: Chandler Stephenson