The National Hockey League is a storied institution in the world of sports. It has a rich history of unforgettable moments that have captivated fans since 1917. With legendary games and iconic players, the NHL has provided countless memories that have left a lasting impression.
While they say that history repeats itself, the odds are that these moments in NHL history will never be seen again. These events and records testify to the extraordinary skill and determination of some of the greatest players in NHL history. With the increased scoring and talent of the modern game, fans looking to add more excitement may want to look at betting sites in Canada for prop bets on individual players and teams. While players like Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews, Alex Ovechkin, and Nikita Kucherov are among today’s favorites to possibly enter their names in the history books in their right, it’s a safe bet that the following five moments will never retake the place.
Mario Lemieux’s Five-Goal Game
Many have scored more goals in a single game, such as Joe Malone’s record seven-goal game in 1920 as a member of the Quebec Bulldogs. But what made Mario Lemieux’s five-goal game special was that he scored each goal differently. Closing out the 1988 calendar year, the Pittsburgh Penguins Hall of Fame forward finished the game against the New Jersey Devils with eight points.
To start his historical night, Lemieux pocketed an even-strength goal, then netted a power play goal and finished the first period with a short-handed goal. Lemieux would add a rare penalty shot goal in the second period and then cap off the evening with an empty netter as the clock wound down. The only goal that Super Mario didn’t record that night was a game-winning one.
Darryl Sittler’s Ten-Point Game
On February 7, 1976, the Toronto Maple Leafs hosted the Boston Bruins at Maple Leaf Gardens. In a battle of teams going two different directions at the time, the Bruins came into Toronto on a seven-game winning streak. One would never have known that Leafs captain Darryl Sittler was suiting up for the game with a shoulder injury after his history-making night.
Starting modestly in the first period, Sittler recorded a pair of assists before scoring three goals and added two more helpers in the second stanza. At the start of the third period, Sittler tied the previous record of eight points set by Maurice Richard and Bert Olmstead with his fourth goal of the night. Midway through the final twenty minutes, Sittler officially set a new mark for most points in a single game with his fifth goal of the evening before capping off the night with one final goal.
Detroit Red Wings vs. Montreal Maroons Six Overtimes Game
Of all the events that could be broken on this list, the Stanely Cup semifinal game between the Detroit Red Wings and Montreal Maroons that lasted a record 176 minutes and 30 seconds could be beaten, but very unlikely. Starting at 8:30 pm on March 24, 1936, the six-overtime affair would finish at 2:25 am the following day.
While there were no stats for shots on goal at the time, Red Wings goalie Normie Smith and his Maroons’ counterpart Lorne Chabot turned back every single attempt until Mud Bruneteau slid one past Chabot to give the Red Wings the first victory in the series.
Wayne Gretzky’s Fifty Goals in Thirty-Nine Games
There are a lot of records that “The Great One” set during his illustrious career, many of which will go untouched. One such record will likely be that he set on December 30, 1981, against the Philadelphia Flyers. Scoring four goals the game before, the Edmonton Oilers star tallied five of the team’s goals in their 7-5 victory.
While nine goals in two games is awe-inspiring, it would help Gretzky set the bar for the quickest fifty goals in NHL history, completing the milestone in just 39 games. Smashing the record of 50 in 50 set by Maurice Richard and Mike Bossy, Gretzky finished the 1981-82 season with a record-setting 92 goals.
Bill Mosienko’s 21 Second Hat Trick
A five-time NHL All-Star from Winnipeg, Canada, forward Bill Mosienko etched his name in the league’s history books during the Chicago Black Hawks game against the New York Rangers on March 23, 1952.
With the Rangers holding a convincing 6-2 lead with just over six minutes remaining in the final period, Mosienko slid his first goal past Lorne Anderson at 6:09. Eleven seconds later, a second puck found the back of the net. The Black Hawks winger would complete the hat trick at the 6:30 mark. Mosienko had a fourth attempt ring off the goalpost forty-five seconds later. Thanks mainly to Mosienko’s heroic feat, the Black Hawks completed the comeback victory, winning 7-6.
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