1979–80 Philadelphia Flyers | |
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Campbell Conference champions
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Patrick Division champions
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Division | 1st Patrick |
Conference | 1st Campbell |
1979–80 record | 48–12–20 |
Home record | 27–5–8 |
Road record | 21–7–12 |
Goals for | 327 (2nd) |
Goals against | 254 (7th) |
Team information | |
President | Robert Butera |
General Manager | Keith Allen |
Coach | Pat Quinn |
Captain | Mel Bridgman |
Alternate captains | None |
Arena | Spectrum |
Average attendance | 17,077 |
Minor league affiliate(s) |
Maine Mariners Toledo Goaldiggers Hampton Aces |
Team leaders | |
Goals | Reggie Leach (50) |
Assists |
Bobby Clarke (57) Ken Linseman (57) |
Points | Ken Linseman (79) |
Penalties in minutes | Paul Holmgren (267) |
Plus/minus | Jimmy Watson (+53) |
Wins | Pete Peeters (29) |
Goals against average | Rick St. Croix (2.00) |
The 1979–80 Philadelphia Flyers season was the Philadelphia Flyers' 13th season in the National Hockey League (NHL). This team owns the longest unbeaten streak in North American sports history in 35 consecutive games without a loss, from October 14 to January 6. The Flyers reached the Stanley Cup Finals but lost in six games to the New York Islanders.
On August 10, 1979, Bobby Clarke was named a player-assistant coach. In order to become an assistant coach Clarke had to give up the captaincy due to NHL rules.Mel Bridgman was named Clarke's replacement as team captain on October 11.
The Flyers would go undefeated for a North American professional sports record 35 straight games (25–0–10), a record that still stands to this day. In doing so, the Flyers wrapped up the Patrick Division title with 14 games to spare and the No.1 overall seed in the playoffs.
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against
Note: Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold.
The Flyers' regular-season success continued into the playoffs, as the Flyers swept a young Wayne Gretzky and his Edmonton Oilers in the first round, then went on to get revenge against Fred Shero and his Rangers by beating them in five before disposing of Minnesota in five to lock up a berth in the Stanley Cup Finals. Facing the Islanders for the Cup, the Flyers would ultimately lose in six games on Bob Nystrom's overtime Cup-winning goal. The end result of the series was marred by controversy, as the Islanders were offside on the play that resulted in their second goal in Game 6, but the call was not made. Linesman Leon Stickle admitted after the game that he had blown the call.