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 23rd, featuring Scotty Bowman.



Today in Hockey History

Scotty Bowman Sets Playoff Win Record

1992: The Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Washington Capitals, 6-4, in Game 3 of the Patrick Division semifinals. Mario Lemieux‘s three goals and three assists help Bowman get his 115th post-season victory.

The win puts Bowman past former New York Islanders coach Al Arbour for the all-time lead. Bowman would finish with 223 playoff victories before he ends his NHL coaching career.

Other Notable Events

1950: Pete Babando scores in the second overtime as the Detroit Red Wings beat the New York Rangers, 4-3, in the first Game 7 in the Stanley Cup Finals. It’s the only Game 7 to go to a second overtime.

1964: Bob Baun scores on a broken leg as the Toronto Maple Leafs beat Detroit, 4-3, early in overtime. The goal helps Toronto take Game 6 and force a deciding seventh game.

1994: Tony Amonte scores four goals in the Chicago Blackhawks 5-4 win over Toronto in Game 3 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals. He’s the second Blackhawks player to score four goals in a post-season game.

1997: Wayne Gretzky gets his ninth post-season hat trick in the Rangers 3-2 win over the Florida Panthers in Game 4 of the Eastern quarterfinals.

Lemieux scores in his final game before cancer treatment in a 4-1 season-ending loss to the Philadelphia Flyers.

1998: Montreal wins its record-setting 14th straight playoff overtime game in a 3-2 over Pittsburgh. Benoit Brunet scores 18:43 into overtime to win the game.

2002: Brent Johnson is the first goalie to get shutouts in his first three postseason starts. Johnson makes 27 saves in the St. Louis Blues 1-0 win over Chicago.

2012: The Phoenix Coyotes win their first series since moving to the desert. Phoenix wins in six games in the Western Quarterfinals over the Blackhawks.

2018: Washington is the first team to win a seven-game series after losing the first two games in overtime. The Caps beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 6-3 in Game 6.

2019: Barclay Goodrow scores in overtime as the San Jose Sharks oust the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 7. San Jose rallied from a three-goal deficit in the third period to win 5-4.

Happy Birthday to You

1943: Tony Esposito

1949: Gregg Sheppard

1950: Reggie Leach

1952: Wayne Merrick

1958: Ryan Walter

1973: Patrick Poulin

1988: Pat Maroon