This has been a memorable date for many National Hockey League franchises over the years. We saw everything from overtime wins, return trips to the Stanley Cup Final, and even a name change. Let’s hop aboard the THW time machine and relive all the great moments from May 23.
A Great Day in Chicago
May 23 has been a very kind day for the Chicago Blackhawks over the years. In 1968, they traded defenseman Pierre Pilote to the Toronto Maple Leafs for Jim Pappin. Pilote neared the end of his Hall of Fame career and played just one season with the Maple Leafs.
Meanwhile, Pappin was a very productive player in seven seasons in Chicago. He had four seasons of at least 30 goals, including a career-high 41 during the 1972-73 season. Overall, Pappin scored 216 goals and 444 points in 488 games before being traded to the California Golden Seals in 1975.
On May 23, 2010, the Blackhawks beat the San Jose Sharks 4-2 to complete a four-game sweep of the Western Conference Final. Dustin Byfuglien scored his third game-winning goal of the series as the Blackhawks advanced to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in 18 years.
Five years later, they beat the Anaheim Ducks 5-4 in double overtime in Game 4 of the Western Conference Final. Antoine Vermette, a healthy scratch in a Game 3 loss, scored early in the second overtime to even the series at two wins apiece. With the win, the Blackhawks became the first team in NHL history to win four multiple-overtime games in the same playoff.
Pittsburgh Penguins Flex Their Muscle
The Penguins beat the Minnesota North Stars 6-4 on May 23, 1991, in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final. Mario Lemieux and Kevin Stevens gave the Penguins an early 2-0 lead before Mark Recchi extended the advantage to 4-0 with a pair of goals. It was the fastest 4-0 lead ever in Stanley Cup Final history as it took just 13:41 of game time to obtain it. Defenseman Larry Murphy picked up four assists as the North Stars made things interesting before the end of the night.
Exactly one year later, the Penguins were headed back to the Stanley Cup Final. On May 23, 1992, Lemieux scored twice to lead the Penguins to a 5-1 win at the Boston Bruins, completing a four-game sweep of the Wales Conference Final.
Whalers/Hurricanes History
On May 23, 1977, Gordie Howe…
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