1975-76 NHL Week 1

Completing the doubleheader for today and wrapping up the week 1 schedule is the opening NHL games for 1975-76 season.


Philadelphia 2 Atlanta 3 (OT)
The Stanley Cup Champion Flyers were upset in the first game of their quest for a three-peat as the Flames knocked them off in overtime at the Omni. Eric Vail scored the winner for the Flames with 1:18 remaining in the extra session.


Buffalo 5 California 4
The Sabres, last year's Stanley Cup finalist, won a tight back and forth battle against the Golden Seals. Each team scored 3 times in the first period alone, but the decider was halfway through the third, when Danny Gare put in the winner to break a 4-4 tie. Also of note,5 seconds into the third, California's Al MacAdam scored in what has to be the fastest goal in NHL history.


Montreal 6 Washington 1
The Canadiens had no problem dispatching the feeble Capitals, blowing them away 6-1 in D.C. Steve Shutt had 1 goal and 2 assists and Guy Lafleur a goal nad an assist to lead Montreal.


Detroit 3 Los Angeles 8
The high flying Kings kicked off their year destroying the Red Wings at The Forum. Marcel Dionne and Butch Goring each ahd 2 goals to lead the Kings to an easy victory.


Toronto 2 Boston 3
At the Garden in Boston, a Wayne Cashman shorthanded goal in the third was the winner for the Bruins as they pulled out a tough win over the Maple LEafs. That goal gave Boston a 3-1 lead, Toronto would cut it late with a Bob Neeley goal, but the Bruins hung on.


Pittsburgh 5 NY Rangers 6
In a wild battle at the Garden in Manhatten, the Rangers avoided nearly blowing a 4 goal leadi n the third to defeat Pitsburgh. Down 6-2, the Penguins scored three times in the final 7 minutes of regulation, but could not tie the game in time.


Vancouver 4 Kansas City 3
The Canucks pullled out a tough win over the Scouts at Kemper Arena this week. Defenseman Bob Dailey led the way with a goal and 2 assists for Vancouver, who got the winner on a Bobby Lalonde shorthanded tally with two minutes left in regulation.


NY Islanders 5 Chicago 1
The Islanders rolled as they visited the Blackhawks at Chicago Stadium. Bob Nystrom led the way with 2 goals and 2 assists and center Jude Drouin had 3 assists to guide New York to a win.


Minnesota 2 St. Louis 9
Garry Unger had an incredible 2 goals and 4 assists as the Blues crushed the North Stars 9-2. LW Chcuk Lefley also came out to scoe 4 goals and also had one assist.

NHL Standings
Norris Division
Los Angeles 1-0-0
Montreal 1-0-0
Detroit 0-1-0
Pittsburgh 0-1-0
Washington 0-1-0

Adams Division
Boston 1-0-0
Buffalo 1-0-0
California 0-1-0
Toronto 0-1-0

Patrick Division
Atlanta 1-0-0
NY Islanders 1-0-0
NY Rangers 1-0-0
Philadelphia 0-1-0

Smythe Division
St. Louis 1-0-0
Vancouver 1-0-0
Chicago 0-1-0
Kansas City 0-1-0
Minnesota 0-1-0

Next Week's Games
Toronto at Boston
Detroit at Montreal
Washington at Pittsburgh
NY Islanders at Philadelphia
Atlanta at NY Rangers
Minnesota at Vancouver
Kansas City at Chicago
St. Louis at Boston
California at Los Angeles

That is the end of week 1, tomorrow will be the 1975 Daytona 500.