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 26th, featuring the 1974-75 New York Islanders.



Today in Hockey History

1974-75 New York Islanders Dig Out of 0-3 Hole

1975: Ed Westfall scores the only of the game as the Isles beat the Pittsburgh Penguins, 1-0. The captain’s goal with 5:18 left in regulation helps New York become the second team to rally from an 0-3 deficit.

The Islanders are the first team to accomplish the feat since the 1941-42 Toronto Maple Leafs. They came back from three games down to win the Stanley Cup over the Detroit Red Wings.

Other Notable Events

1977: Montreal Canadiens goalie Ken Dryden gets his 50th playoff victory. He makes 19 saves in a 2-0 win over the Isles in Game 2 of the semifinals.

1983: Glenn Anderson scores four goals and Mark Messier adds three more in the Edmonton Oilers 8-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. It’s the second time two players from the same team have scored at least three goals as Edmonton gets Game 2 of the Campbell Conference Final.

1988: Steve Kasper and Cam Neely each score twice as the Boston Bruins beat Montreal in a series for the first time in 45 years. Boston wins the Adams Division final in five games.

1993: Al Iafrate and Ray Ferraro are the second duo from opposing teams to score at least three goals in a playoff game. Iafrate gets a hat trick in the Washington Capitals 6-4 win over the Islanders. Ferraro scores all four goals in Game 5 of the Patrick Division Final.

2010: Jaroslav Halak‘s 53 saves in Montreal’s 4-1 win over Washington in Game 6 of the first round. It’s the most saves by a goalie in a non-overtime game in the expansion era.

2011: Brian Boucher wins his first Game 7 start in over 10 years as the Philadelphia Flyers beat the Buffalo Sabres, 5-2. It’s the longest gap between Game 7 starts for any goalie.

2012: The New York Rangers win their first Game 7 since 1994 after beating the Ottawa Senators, 2-1. Dan Girardi and Marc Staal get the goals in the Blueshirts’ victory.

2018: The Vegas Golden Knights are the first team in league history win its first five post-season game. Vegas beats the San Jose Sharks, 7-0, in Game 1 of the Western Conference semis.

Happy Birthday to You

1908: Cecil Dillon

1941: Bruce MacGregor

1976: Vaclav Varada

1977: Craig Adams

1995: Frederik Gauthier