Gump Worsley with the Montreal Canadiens in the 1960s, and Detroit Red Wings legend Gordie Howe, with coach Sid Abel, on Nov. 27, 1965 after Howe had scored on Worsley for his 600th regular-season NHL goal.
Lou Fontinato's first-period goal was the only shot among New York's 38 that beat Detroit goalie Glenn Hall.
But the Rangers' 1-0 lead evaporated in the second period, Howe and Ted Lindsay making it 2-1 before the Red Wings blew it wide open in the third with six goals, scored by Norm Ullman, Bill Dineen, Al Arbour, Metro Prystai and two by Howe.
It was the third of Worsley's 11 Christmas games played between 1954-71, going 5-6-0 with an .899 save percentage in seven starts for the Rangers, two for the Montreal Canadiens and two for the Minnesota North Stars.
Howe was pleased with his six points, but told reporters he'd had a better game.
"Fourteen goals and an assist for King George School when I was in the eighth grade back in Saskatoon," he joked of his Saskatchewan youth.
Howe would enjoy other historic games against "The Gumper."
On March 14, 1962 in New York, he beat Worsley for his 500th NHL goal to join retired Canadiens legend Maurice "Rocket" Richard, then the only two players in that exclusive club.
On Oct. 27, 1963 in Detroit, Worsley was in goal for the Canadiens when Howe scored his 544th goal to pass Richard for most in NHL history.
On Nov. 27, 1965 at the Montreal Forum, Howe beat Worsley for his 600th career goal.