1954–55 NHL season


The 1954–55 NHL season was the 38th season of the National Hockey League. The Detroit Red Wings were the Stanley Cup champions as they defeated the Montreal Canadiens four games to three in the best-of-seven final series. The Canadiens were without star forward Maurice 'Rocket' Richard who had been suspended for the playoffs, a suspension which led to the March 17, 1955 "Richard Riot" in Montreal.

League business

announced at the league governors meeting that his connection with Boston would terminate at the end of September. As this would be his last appearance at a league meeting, he took the opportunity to thank the governors and others associated with the league during the 30 years of his being officer of the Boston club for the kindness, courtesy and cooperation he had received, and extended his good wishes for the continued success of the league. Conn Smythe and Frank Selke voiced the good wishes of all present to Ross on his retirement.
Prior to the season, Red Wings head coach Tommy Ivan left Detroit to become general manager of the Chicago Black Hawks, and Jimmy Skinner replaced him behind the bench in the Motor City. One of the first things Ivan did at Chicago was to establish an extensive farm system, something the Black Hawks never had.

Regular season

On December 18, 1954, Maurice Richard scored his 400th career goal against Chicago netminder Al Rollins in a 4–1 Canadiens victory over the Black Hawks. Montreal and Toronto played to a 1–1 tie on December 29, at Maple Leaf Gardens. Maurice Richard got a standing ovation when he scored his 401st goal late in the first period.
In a scoreless tie at the Montreal Forum on March 10, a new ice cleaner and resurfacer called a Zamboni was used for the first time. The fans were not appreciative of Toronto's defensive style in this game and threw garbage, including pig's feet, on the ice.
The Richard Riot took place on March 17, 1955. Maurice Richard had been suspended by league president Clarence Campbell after an incident in a game against Boston where Richard punched the referee. Richard was suspended for the rest of the season and the playoffs. Campbell's subsequent appearance at a Canadiens' game at the Montreal Forum incited a group of protesters and led to violence in the Forum and in downtown Montreal.

Final standings

Playoffs

Playoff bracket

Semifinals

(1) Detroit Red Wings vs. (3) Toronto Maple Leafs

(2) Montreal Canadiens vs. (4) Boston Bruins

Stanley Cup Finals

Awards

First team Position Second team
Harry Lumley, Toronto Maple LeafsGTerry Sawchuk, Detroit Red Wings
Doug Harvey, Montreal CanadiensDBob Goldham, Detroit Red Wings
Red Kelly, Detroit Red WingsDFern Flaman, Boston Bruins
Jean Beliveau, Montreal CanadiensCKen Mosdell, Montreal Canadiens
Maurice Richard, Montreal CanadiensRWBernie Geoffrion, Montreal Canadiens
Sid Smith, Toronto Maple LeafsLWDanny Lewicki, New York Rangers

Player statistics

Scoring leaders

Note: GP = Games played, G = Goals, A = Assists, PTS = Points, PIM = Penalties in minutes
PlayerTeamGPGAPTSPIM
Bernie GeoffrionMontreal Canadiens7038377557
Maurice RichardMontreal Canadiens67383674125
Jean BeliveauMontreal Canadiens7037367358
Earl ReibelDetroit Red Wings7025416615
Gordie HoweDetroit Red Wings6429336268
George SullivanChicago Black Hawks6919426151
Bert OlmsteadMontreal Canadiens70104858103
Sid SmithToronto Maple Leafs7033215414
Ken MosdellMontreal Canadiens7022325482
Danny LewickiNew York Rangers702924538

Source: NHL

Leading goaltenders

Note: GP = Games played; Min – Minutes Played; GA = Goals Against; GAA = Goals Against Average; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; SO = Shutouts
PlayerTeamGPMINGAGAAWLTSO
Harry LumleyToronto Maple Leafs6941401331.932324228
Terry SawchukDetroit Red Wings6840801321.9440171112
Jacques PlanteMontreal Canadiens5231201092.10311375
Charlie HodgeMontreal Canadiens14820312.277341
John HendersonBoston Bruins4526521092.471514155
Lorne WorsleyNew York Rangers6539001953.001533174
Jim HenryBoston Bruins271548793.0681261
Hank BassenChicago Black Hawks211260633.004980
Al RollinsChicago Black Hawks4426401493.3992780

Coaches

The following is a list of players of note who played their first NHL game in 1954–55 :
The following is a list of players of note that played their last game in the NHL in 1954–55 :