The Hawks, coached by Billy Reay, were playing back-to-back games to finish up the regular season schedule. The night before in Montreal, Chicago beat the Canadiens, 4-1. Coming back to Chicago on the April 5th, there was a lot at stake for both teams. The Hawks needed a victory to tie Boston for first place at 99 points, but Chicago held the tie-breaker with more wins.
On the other hand, Montreal had won the last two cups and were riding an NHL mark at that time of making the playoffs for 21 straight seasons. The Canadiens found out that the Rangers had won an afternoon game, tying them for the last playoff spot with the same points and victories.
Montreal needed a win or tie to clinch, with the third tie-breaker coming on goals scored.
The Blackhawks started strong with a 5-2 lead thanks to a hat trick by Pit Martin and the goaltending of rookie Tony Esposito in the third period. Ironically, had picked up Tony-O off waivers from the Canadiens before the season started.
With about 11 minutes remaining in the final period, Coach Claude Ruel was desperate to get three more goals to make the playoffs. The Hawks, knowing first place was on the line, took full advantage and fired five goals into the empty net - an NHL record by one team in a game - for a 10-2 victory and first place to finish out the year.
The game and season saw many Blackhawk milestones aside from improving from a 77-point last place finish the year before to first with 99. Tony Esposito setting a modern-day record with 15 shutouts and won the Vezina Trophy as the top goalie and the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year. Pit Martin became the first Blackhawk to win the Masterton Trophy for perseverance and dedication.
Coach Reay, who was known for his preference for using veterans over rookies, had changed his attitude and turned the season around after a 0-5-1 start, deciding to start Esposito in goal in Montreal on October 25, where he registered his first of 15 shutouts, 4-0.
