overpass
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- Jun 7, 2007
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I posted this earlier in the goalie project thread. I'm going to put it in it's own thread as well, where I can update it if/when I get additional information. I've already added some missing games from the Boston Globe and other papers, and the playoff shot totals from 1943-44 through 1954-55 are nearly complete.
Playoff goaltending from 1945-46 until 1954-55
I've been researching the decade after the war, with a focus on playoff performances. Most playoff games had shot totals published in at least one paper, so I've compiled shot totals and save percentages for most games.
In the 1940s, shot totals were often included in the narrative of the game. Some papers would include shots for both teams, sometimes just for one team. If there were other remarkable stats or features of the game for the game report - for example, lots of penalties or lots of goals - the shot totals were less likely to be published.
Around 1950, some papers started publishing shot or save totals in each game summary, so the early 1950 shots totals were easier to collect and have very few missing games.
I say shot totals, but it was actually more common for "stops", i.e. saves, to be recorded. Although sometimes shots were recorded. I've assumed shot totals mean shots on goal, and where stops were recorded, added goals to saves to get shots on goal. While it's possible that "shots" included missed shots as well as shots on goal, I think it's unlikely as the totals were "shots" were usually similar to the totals for "stops".
It's pretty clear that shot quality varied in individual games. Sometimes the team with lower shots allowed was noted to have allowed some high quality chances. Or that the team that allowed more shots allowed few good chances. I think a lot of this will wash out when the games are aggregated, but it's still possible that some teams consistently allowed harder or easier shots. I suspect the 1940s Canadiens and Wings, who allowed relatively few shots against, allowed higher quality shots on average. And I think the Leafs under Conn Smythe's direction usually allowed few quality shots against, whether their overall shots against were low or not.
1946 playoffs
Montreal Canadiens beat Boston Bruins in the final.
Bill Durnan and Frank Brimsek faced off in the final, and the consensus was that it was a great goaltending battle with strong performances from both Durnan and Brimsek. Durnan's Canadiens were clearly the stronger team and won easily.
The Maple Leaf, 11 Apr, 1946, by Sgt Lloyd Leonard (a paper written for Canadian occupation forces):
One aspect of this year's Cup playoffs which stood out above all others was the goaltending.
For a long time, you'll be hearing of the spring of '46, when fellows named Durnan and Brimsek were rival netminders in hockey's greatest classic. Watching these two masters ply their trade was worth more than the highest-priced seat at either the Forum or the Gardens.
Saskatoon Star-Phoenix, Apr 10, 1946
Montreal's Bill Durnan and Boston's Frankie Brimsek, who staged a terrific goaltending duel throughout the entire series, again turned in outstanding exhibitions of puck stopping Tuesday night. Brimsek deserved no part of the Boston defeat, which was mainly due to a weak defence that left him time and time again without protection.
Le Devoir, Apr 10, 1946
In the camp of the Canadiens, the players who starred the most were Bill Durnan (the real hero of the series), Toe Blake, who scored the decisive goal, and Elmer Lach, who scored a goal and provided two assists. We would be tempted to insist on the really spectacular game of Lach, who we class without hesitation as the best centre in the league.
For the Bruins we mention the names of Brimsek, who was solid as always, of Dumart and of Cowley, who most aided the cause of the losers.
Nashua Telegraph, Apr 11, 1946
Sole department in which Les Canadiens did not excel was at goal. There still seems to be but one Franky Brimsek. True enough Franky allowed more rubber to get past him than Durnan of the Canadiens, but then the Stanley Cup winner plastered Franky with about twice as many shots as his mates did Durnan.
I have shot totals for all of Montreal's playoff games and all Boston playoff games. The Nashua Telegraph may have exaggerated a little, but Brimsek did indeed face about 10 shots/game more than Durnan did.
1947 playoffs
Toronto Maple Leafs beat Montreal Canadiens in the final.
While this was the first Stanley Cup for the Toronto dynasty, they were a very young team and not favored to beat Montreal. Turk Broda played extremely well in the victory, and Bill Durnan was also excellent in defeat.
Windsor Daily Star, Apr 21, 1947 - Doug Vaughan's column
(Vaughan named coach Hap Day, captain Syl Apps, and goalie Turk Broda the three stars of the Leafs victory).
Broda's work in the nets, not only in the playoff but throughout the entire season, was sensational. There were times, hundreds of times, when the rookies in front of him made serious mistakes, and he never let them down. When they slipped he covered them up. When their spirits flagged he cheered them up, or if he felt they needed a straight talk, he gave it to them straight from the shoulder.
...
Outstanding feature of the Leafs-Canadiens series was the work of the rival goalies, Broda and Bill Durnan. Cup playoff games are too often dull and uninteresting affairs because of the stress put on defensive hockey. But this one wasn't. In 15 years of watching playoff hockey this writer had never seen two goalies given the opportunity to shine that Broda and Durnan had. And shine they did. Certainly, the three games played in Toronto were strictly duels between two great goalies. It was Broda who performed amazing feats of puck-fending magic to win the series for the Leafs. And, by the same token, it was no fault of Durnan's that Canadiens failed to retain their crown.
La Patrie, Apr 21, 1947
The winning players, with smiles on their lips, immediately surrounded Walter (Turk) Broda, who was the great hero of the World Series...
Turk Broda is acclaimed in Toronto as the hero of the great Spring Classic. The veteran who played for the Leafs for 10 years although his career was interrupted by a two year stint in the armed forces, was the real pivot of the young Leafs against the Canadiens. He shut out the NHL champions in the second game and in all the other games he shone brightly.
Other stars of the series were Syl Apps, who scored the winning goal in the overtime period, Ted Kennedy, the star of Saturday, and Gus Mortson, who was an ace on the defense despite a wrist injury.
I have shot totals for 10 of Broda's 11 games and all Durnan's 11 games. The one Broda game I'm missing was the one where Toronto was blown out and he allowed 9 goals, so his numbers in the table below are certainly better than they would be if that game was included. Both Toronto and Montreal kept the shots against low.
1948 playoffs
Toronto Maple Leafs beat Detroit Red Wings in the final.
Toronto was much improved by the addition of Max Bentley and another year of experience for their young players, and was talked about as an all time great team. The 1-2-3 centre depth of Syl Apps, Ted Kennedy, and Max Bentley is maybe still unequalled in history. Bentley was the best in the league as a power play point man.
Broda was good but it was a dominant team victory.
Le Canada, Apr 15, 1948
It would be difficult to choose the stars of the Leafs in this series final. Broda, Bentley, Thomson, Watson, Kennedy were all brilliant.
I have shot totals for 8 of Broda's 9 games and 8 of Lumley's 10 games. Detroit actually allowed very few shots, so Lumley's save percentage was terrible.
I didn't find any direct commentaries on Lumley's performance, usually a bad sign. A game report for Game 4 (a 7-2 Toronto victory, where Lumley stopped only 14 of 21 shots) gave some context by mentioning that Lumley faced a number of Toronto breakaways, and Broda's saves were easier.
Luddington Daily News, Apr 15, 1948
Solo sprints netted nearly half the Maple Leaf markers, and Lumley kicked out at least four other shots from surging Toronto players who had broken into the clear. Altogether the Leafs registered exactly one-third of their shots in the playoff windup as Lumley saved on only 14 shots.
The Leafs threw up a superb defense in front of Goalie Walter (Turk) Broda but he still had a busy time, turning away a total of 26 pucks fired at him. Most of them, however, were simple saves.
1949 playoffs
Toronto Maple Leafs beat Detroit Red Wings in the final.
It was the third straight Cup victory for Toronto, an NHL record. Their captain Syl Apps had retired, and the team struggled with motivation during an ordinary regular season. But during the playoffs they dominated like they did in 1948. They scored three goals in each of their eight playoff wins.
Broda played well enough to win but really it was another dominant team performance. Lumley played better than the previous season.
Windsor Daily Star, Apr 19, 1949
After the Leafs drubbed Detroit Red Wings, 3-1, Saturday night for their fourth straight win in the title series, the Leafs, to a man, mobbed Broda, daddy of the team at 34. To them, he's the finest money-goalie to buckle on a pad. The Turk has outshone every goalie he's faced over a three-year period as the Leafs have won 24 out of 29 playoff battles.
Windsor Daily Star, 18 Apr, 1949
Mid-season accusations that some of the Toronto players were "fat" from two successive Stanley Cup triumphs were not without foundation. Day and Smythe had to swing the bull whip more than once. Then, too, the Leafs had more than their share of injuries during the regular season...by playoff time they had the team rolling in high gear and the result was another championship.
(Game 4) - (Toronto) packed too much speed, too much power, too much punch. Had it not been for the brilliant work of Harry Lumley between the Detroit uprights, plus the fact that the Leafs did not have too much luck around the Detroit citadel, there is no telling what the score might have been. As it was, it was still mighty convincing.
Shots on goal reflected the trend of play. In the first period Lumley handled six drives to Broda's six, but in the last two periods the ultimate winners had a 25-10 margin and it was Lumley's sensational puck-fending that kept the score down.
A United Press article mentioned that Broda was winning despite his style.
The Pittsburgh Press, Apr 16, 1949
Broda is the guy people thought might be getting too old for big league goaltending--a job for men with hair-trigger reactions and lightning coordination. Watching the phlegmatic, 34-year-old Broda in action, one is reminded of a walrus flopping across an ice-flow, awkward, indignant, but never easy to fool.
Broda, despite certain vagaries of style, has definitely carried the Leafs this year, as in many other years. He's allowed an average of two goals in each of the eight playoff games.
I have shot totals for 8 of Broda's 9 games and 10 of Lumley's 11 games. Toronto really kept the shots against down.
1950 playoffs
Detroit Red Wings beat New York Rangers in the final.
This was a weird playoff season, overshadowed by Gordie Howe's terrible injury at the beginning of the Wings-Leafs series. The series was marked by fights and rough play. It's very possible the Leafs might have won and continued their dynasty if not for the distraction.
Detroit needed the maximum of 14 playoff games to beat Toronto and then the underdog New York Rangers.
No individual really stood out on the winning Detroit team, who pulled together after Howe's injury. Goalie Chuck Rayner was mentioned as one of the stars of the losing Rangers.
Windsor Daily Star, Apr 24, 1950 - Doug Vaughan
Standout performers in a losing Ranger cause were undoubtedly Edgar Laprade and Goalie Chuck Rayner. Laprade was a threat every minute he was on the ice and if he isn't the greatest centre in the game today he certainly ranks with the best.
Rayner played brilliantly all the way through. There were times, such in last night's game and the one of Saturday, when he saved his team from being soundly beaten time and time again.
...
Harry Lumley was talking about how he had "sweated it out during the overtime."
"You know," said the apple-cheeked Detroit goalie. "I think those were the longest 38 minutes I ever lived through. I didn't have too much work to do and all the time I was standing there watching the fellows peppering away at Rayner. I kept thinking how awful it would be it the Rangers should get a breakaway and walk in on top of me to score. I think I would have died right on the spot."
I have shot totals for 13 of 14 Detroit games, and 11 of 12 Ranger games. Rayner certainly faced more shots against, not surprising considering he played for the weaker team.
1951 playoffs
Toronto Maple Leafs beat Montreal Canadiens in the final
Gerry McNeil of the Canadiens was outstanding in an upset of the league-winning Red Wings. Some said his performance in Games 1 and 2, both long overtime games, was the best they had ever seen. The Leafs won with veteran Turk Broda filling in for the injured Al Rollins. Overall I would say McNeil was clearly the goaltender of this playoff, and Broda and Rollins did their job on an all-time great defence.
This Leafs team has the single best record I've ever seen at preventing shots. They allowed 17.7 shots against per 60 minutes and 18.8 shots against per game. No playoff team since 1956 has allowed fewer than 20 shots per game. Their defence was incredible, with Bill Barilko maybe the best of a foursome that also included Jim Thomson, Gus Mortson, and Fern Flaman. Their top line of Smith-Kennedy-Sloan was absolutely dominant two ways, Max Bentley was a wizard on the power play, and they only allowed one power play goal against all playoffs.
La Patrie, Apr 23, 1951
The Canadiens's defence offered little resistance to the Leafs, who easily reached McNeil all night.
The Toronto defence was solid, but Rollins could have saved the shot from Meger in the third period.
Les Torontos are a stronger club, and it's to the credit of Canadiens that they required an overtime period in each of the five games of the series to get the result. With a bit more luck, le Tricolore would maybe be ahead 3-2 in the series today.
The Calgary Herald, Apr 23, 1951
In the decisive game, a spectacular goaltending performance by little Gerry McNeil forced the Leafs to come from behind twice to tie the score.
The cool rookie gave an unbelievable display of puck-stopping. Once the fans roared their applause when he snatched a rifle-like slap shot from Barilko's stick through a crowd of players. He had 41 shots to handle, 14 of them in the first period and 19 in the dazzling third session. His mates, a poor second when it came to territorial play, drove 19 at Rollins.
The crowd shouted for veteran Turk Broda, the greatest playoff goalie of them all, who played two games against Canadiens and all but one period of the six-game semi-final against Boston Bruins because of an injury to Al Rollins.
La Patrie, Apr 22, 1951
Gerry McNeil became a question mark. After a good start to the season, he weakened toward the middle of the campaign. But in the playoffs, McNeil was a great star with Maurice Richard.
...
The defenses of the two clubs are equal, although the young Canadiens rearguards are prone to making more mistakes. In goal, Gerry McNeil has been just as brilliant, if not more so, than Turk Broda and Al Rollins, who have taken turns in the Leafs net.
I have shot totals for all the Toronto and Montreal games. Gerry McNeil faced a lot of shots and played extremely well. Broda and Rollins played behind one of the greatest defences in history - although they didn't have to face the strong Detroit team like McNeil did.
1952 playoffs
Detroit Red Wings beat Montreal Canadiens in the final.
Detroit Red Wings went 8-0, an all-time great performance. Terry Sawchuk had maybe the greatest individual playoff of all time. But it's also clear that the Wings played very, very well as a team in front of him.
Several articles noted that the 22 year old Sawchuk was already recognized as one of the greatest goalies of all time.
Montreal Gazette, Apr 16, 1952
It was the 16th shutout of the 1951-52 campaign for goalie Sawchuk, rated by experts as one of the greatest netminders in history. He had 12 during the regular season. This was his fourth in the playoffs and all at home.
...
Canadiens lost nothing in stature in losing to one of the best all-round clubs Detroit has ever produced. The Montrealers simply bowed out to a superior club, which did it in eight straight without being at all spectacular or impressive about it.
Ottawa Citizen, Apr 16, 1952
From the 1952 Stanley Cup playoffs, the Detroit Red Wings have emerged as World Champions, and goaler Terry Sawchuk has stamped himself as one of the very best netminders of all time. After leading the NHL race and capturing the Vezina trophy, Sawchuk continued his sensational work to score four shutouts in eight games and hold his opposition to but five goals in two series. No matter what record Sawchuk took into his team's playoff engagements, his series work alone was enough to put the stamp of greatness on him.
St Petersburgh Times, Apr 17, 1952
The Detroit Red Wings yesterday were hailed as the top team in hockey history after sweeping the Stanley Cup series in an unprecedented eight straight games.
...
Individually, the Wings were far and away the most honored team.
Linesman Gordie Howe won the Art Ross Trophy as the league's high scorer and teammate Ted Lindsay placed second for that coveted award.
The Vezina Trophy for the leading NHL goalie went to Terry Sawchuk, who was cited by many during the season as one of the greatest goalies ever to tend a net.
...
No team could dent the formidable Wing lineup when it came to the playoffs...much of the credit for the total rout of the opposition goes to sophomore goalie Sawchuk who battered away the enemy puck to the extent of four shutouts.
Windsor Daily Star, Apr 16, 1952
For the Wings it would be unfair to single out an individual star. Prystai, of course, was the "trigger-man" for the night, just as it was tiny Tony Leswick in the first game, Pavelich and Lindsay in the second encounter, and Gordie Howe in the third game.
Defensively, the record-setting Sawchuk and Bob Goldham once again came up with terrific performances. But it was still a team effort on the part of the winners. There wasn't a weak link in the chain.
Le Canada, Apr 17, 1952
Irvin's tactics didn't pay off, especially against an invincible Terry Sawchuk. Sawchuk was undoubtedly the great star of Red Wings in the playoff series against Toronto and Detroit. Many will say that the Detroit goalie was lucky. That's true in the sense that he blocked many shots in a quasi-miraculous fashion. However, he proved himself to be a great goalie, gifted with remarkable composure and expected to follow in the footsteps of Bill Durnan, Frank Brimsek, Turk Broda, and others. A goalie can be favored by Lady Luck in some games, but not all the time. When a guy like Sawchuk allows only five goals in eight games, and records four shutouts, you have to give him credit. Sawchuk was the big difference between the Red Wings and the Canadiens and between the Red Wings and the Maple Leafs. He was virtually invincible. And without his magnificent performance the Red Wings would likely have been forced to battle to the 14-game limit in both series to win the Stanley Cup.
Gerry McNeil did his best in the Habs' fortress. In fact, he was superb in several playoff games. He was the star of his club on defense. But, given that his teammates were powerless in the enemy zone -- especially against Detroit -- McNeil couldn't do all the work by himself. The Canadiens, as well as the Maple Leafs, managed to hold right winger Gordie Howe in check (with the exception of the third game of the final when he scored two goals and had an assist to beat the Canadiens 3 to 0), but the work of Sawchuk in the nets made up for the lack of effectiveness of Gordie Howe on the offensive.
I have shots for all 8 Detroit games, and 10 of 11 Montreal games. Detroit wasn't actually great at keeping the total number of shots down. But several game reports mentioned that while Sawchuk saw a number of shots, only a handful were dangerous. That almost has to be the case for a GAA of 0.63, and it's still an incredibly impressive playoff.
1953 playoffs
Montreal Canadiens beat Boston Bruins in the final.
This was a bad year for goaltenders. Gerry McNeil played well, and his team won - but he lost his nerve after losing 3 straight games in the first round, and Jacques Plante had to take his place for the next 4 games. Terry Sawchuk was terrible in a first round upset, and also asked out but wasn't allowed to leave the net. Jim Henry faced a ton of rubber for an underdog Boston team, but also missed a couple of games to injury and his backup, the unrelated Gord "Red" Henry, wasn't up to par.
The Telegraph, Apr 6, 1953
After his Red Wings were dethroned, Coach Tommy Ivan cited goalie Henry as "the player who hurt us the most". During the six-games series, the Red Wings outshot the Bruins by a 228-140 margin but, despite winning the opening game in Detroit, 7-0, were limited to 21 goals, a total the Bruins matched.
Montreal Gazette, Apr 11, 1953
In Detroit they are still trying to figure out what happened to Terry Sawchuk in the semifinal series against the Bruins. Coach Tommy Ivan has some theories, but refuses to say what they are. Jack Adams says "Our downfall could not be attributed to Sawchuk's right arm trouble. The Bruins scored on him from that side." Teammates sympathized with Sawchuk's troubles but said in an uncritical way that his work in the nets was the biggest factor in their defeat.
Sawchuk read the newspaper stories hinting that he would be traded to the Rangers or some other club. Said he "No matter who I'm with, I'm going to be the best goalie in the league next season." One Detroit hockey writer sums it up like this. "Publicly Adams and Ivan are not considering a trade involving Sawchuk. Privately no one knows what they're doing."
Le Petit Journal, Apr 12, 1953
After the Durnan drama, we have just witnessed the McNeil drama and we might as well add the Sawchuk drama. If you want to ruin your nerves, at least temporarily, become a goalie. Big, tall Bill Durnan gave up on his own and never wanted to pick up the pads and stick again. It is true that he was at a fairly advanced age, for a goalie or a hockey player. There is no question of McNeil or Sawchuk retiring, but the fact remains that they both "cracked". But there was no other goalie to take their place.
It was McNeil himself who asked to be replaced. It is true that he made this request while suffering from a nervous breakdown, even though he thought it would not be accepted. Nevertheless, McNeil acted in the best interests of himself and his club.
Put yourself in McNeil's shoes. It's true that he had "dragged" the club all season. It's true that he was largely responsible for the Canadiens's 2nd place finish, which earned the club a spot in the Stanley Cup final, given that, on paper at least, Chicago was a much less formidable opponent than Detroit, which the Habs would have faced had they finished in 3rd place.
Now, in the series against Chicago, the Canadiens, after two great victories, suffered three consecutive defeats. In this third defeat, although it was not the case, McNeil came to think that he had been responsible. Because of a nervous breakdown, he came to wonder if he would not be blamed by his teammates for the loss of a sum of at least a thousand dollars, since the players of the club losing in the semi-finals would have received only $500 and that there would have been a loss of at least another $500, even as a member of the club defeated in the final.
It could be said that McNeil, after his excellent work throughout the season, had nothing to worry about. But then the nerves kicked in and McNeil "cracked".
As for Terry Sawchuk, he was also visibly tired and angry after the season. It is true that his club had finished first. All the same, the WIngs goalie was credited with a large part of the success achived. Indeed, Sawchuk, for a second consecutive year, had won the Vezina trophy awarded to the goalie of the club least often foiled.
Needless to say, in the series against Boston, we expected an equivalent performance of the season. However, this Sawchuk who had only been beaten 19 times by the Bruins players in the 14 regular season games, was, believe it or not, fooled 21 times in only 6 games of the semi-final! Sawchuk also had to tell himself that he was responsible for the loss of at least $1,000 by each of his teammates and he must also have been a victim of nervous depression. Jack Adams, in his case, was in a different position than Dick Irvin. First, it is not hidden that Sawchuk asked to be replaced by Glenn Hall, who was not available, and that it was almost impossible to take the risk with David Gatherum, a goalie from the Senior League whose club had finished in 7th and last position. Additionally, Sawchuk had not been outwitted once in five consecutive Stanley Cup games in Detroit!
As for Dick Irvin, let's put ourselves in his position. And speaking of position, he really risked it by making the important decision to replace McNeil with Plante. The fact is that he admitted it himself and that he knew what awaited him if the tactic had not succeeded. He was greatly blamed by a crowd of Canadiens supporters who obviously did not know, at the time, what the result would be. Dick had the support of Frank Selke, it is true, but the fact remains that the general manager of the Forum would have received many letters if the Canadiens had been defeated in this 6th and even in this 7th and final game of the series.
Vancouver Sun, Apr 17, 1953 (about the final game)
Sugar Jim Henry went into the Boston net after missing two games that Boston lost, with his sprained ankle far from healed. His ankle was given special attention and wrapping and his return to the net seemed to inspire his mates.
Henry, with fewer goal-labelled shots to handle than Gerry McNeil, was especially effective on rebounds and scrambles.
McNeil matched him all the way and had several particularly tough shots to handle, fired by Milt Schmidt, Dave Creighton, Leo Labine, and Fleming Mackell.
I have shot totals for all Montreal and Boston games. Montreal was particularly good at limiting shots in the 4 games Jacques Plante played. Jim Henry of Boston faced far more shots than any other Finals goalie of his era. Gerry McNeil, once again, had an outstanding save percentage, but his playoff was marred by his nervous breakdown after losing 3 straight to Chicago.
1954 playoffs
Detroit Red Wings beat Montreal Canadiens in the final.
Terry Sawchuk bounced back in a big way, and played extremely well.
Jacques Plante and Gerry McNeil were very good for Montreal. McNeil had been injured toward the end of the regular season, and Plante played so well that he stole McNeil's starting job. Plante played all games in Montreal's semifinal victory over Boston. But after Montreal went down 3-1 to Detroit, Dick Irvin put McNeil back in the net. The Habs won the next two games but lost in game 7.
Apr 13, 1954 - The Calgary Herald
The decision to change goalies was a quick one. Coach Dick Irvin of Canadiens again went all out on applied psychology and something he calls the unseen hand.
An hour out of Detroit as the hockey special train rolled along, Irvin said to McNeil:
"I was just wondering if you would like to get your job back again."
"I certainly would," said McNeil.
That ended the conversation. When McNeil walked into Canadiens dressing-room Sunday night his equipment was all laid out and Plante's wasn't.
McNeil went into the nets and turned in a sensational game. Although two months out of competitive action, he blanked the Red Wings on into overtime until Ken Mosdell broke up the scoreless masterpiece of hockey with a backhand shot that streaked by goalie Terry Sawchuk.
Reading Eagle, Apr 18, 1954
Forward Tony Leswick, goalie Terry Sawchuk, and defenseman Bob Goldham, all question marks last fall, were the key figures in wresting the coveted 37-year-old trophy from the Montreal Canadiens.
...
Sawchuk, a self-admitted flop in last year's playoffs, was superb throughout this season's playoffs. He reached a peak in the third period of Friday'sgame when he virtually made a one-man stand against the aroused Canadiens. He made 12 saves in the one-sided final period, making spectacular stops on drives by Gaye Stewart and Dollard St Laurent.
Goldham was a defensive giant in front of Sawchuk, not only in the final game, but during the entire playoffs and regular season as well. The Red Wing players were practically unanimous in their opinion that the 32-year-old defenseman was the club's most valuable player, quite an accomplishment for one who was expected to see only part-time duty.
I have shot totals for all Montreal and Detroit games.
1955 playoffs
Detroit Red Wings beat Montreal Canadiens in the final.
Sawchuk and Plante weren't as good as they had been in 1954 in the rematch.
Dick Irvin used a weird platoon system with Plante and Charlie Hodge in four of the games. Irvin strikes me as another Mike Keenan when it comes to managing his goalies. Gerry McNeil, for one, had nothing good to say about Irvin after he left the NHL.
23 Mar, 1955, Windsor Daily Star
The mysterious "something new" promised by Coach Dick Irvin materialized when he sent two goalies, working in relays, to face the Bruins' shots. It was a stunt never pulled before in Stanley Cup play. Jacques Plante, regular netminder, and rookie Charlie Hodge were shuttled into and out of the game.
Apr 15, 1955, Montreal Gazette (before the final game)
Tonight's game and the series may swing on the performance of the goalkeepers. Jacques Plante has been under fire for his goaltending, but so has Terry Sawchuk. To date Plante has the better record, he has faced more shots than Sawchuk and has the higher percentage of saves.
I have shot totals for all Montreal and Detroit games.
Playoff goaltending from 1945-46 until 1954-55
I've been researching the decade after the war, with a focus on playoff performances. Most playoff games had shot totals published in at least one paper, so I've compiled shot totals and save percentages for most games.
In the 1940s, shot totals were often included in the narrative of the game. Some papers would include shots for both teams, sometimes just for one team. If there were other remarkable stats or features of the game for the game report - for example, lots of penalties or lots of goals - the shot totals were less likely to be published.
Around 1950, some papers started publishing shot or save totals in each game summary, so the early 1950 shots totals were easier to collect and have very few missing games.
I say shot totals, but it was actually more common for "stops", i.e. saves, to be recorded. Although sometimes shots were recorded. I've assumed shot totals mean shots on goal, and where stops were recorded, added goals to saves to get shots on goal. While it's possible that "shots" included missed shots as well as shots on goal, I think it's unlikely as the totals were "shots" were usually similar to the totals for "stops".
It's pretty clear that shot quality varied in individual games. Sometimes the team with lower shots allowed was noted to have allowed some high quality chances. Or that the team that allowed more shots allowed few good chances. I think a lot of this will wash out when the games are aggregated, but it's still possible that some teams consistently allowed harder or easier shots. I suspect the 1940s Canadiens and Wings, who allowed relatively few shots against, allowed higher quality shots on average. And I think the Leafs under Conn Smythe's direction usually allowed few quality shots against, whether their overall shots against were low or not.
1946 playoffs
Montreal Canadiens beat Boston Bruins in the final.
Bill Durnan and Frank Brimsek faced off in the final, and the consensus was that it was a great goaltending battle with strong performances from both Durnan and Brimsek. Durnan's Canadiens were clearly the stronger team and won easily.
The Maple Leaf, 11 Apr, 1946, by Sgt Lloyd Leonard (a paper written for Canadian occupation forces):
One aspect of this year's Cup playoffs which stood out above all others was the goaltending.
For a long time, you'll be hearing of the spring of '46, when fellows named Durnan and Brimsek were rival netminders in hockey's greatest classic. Watching these two masters ply their trade was worth more than the highest-priced seat at either the Forum or the Gardens.
Saskatoon Star-Phoenix, Apr 10, 1946
Montreal's Bill Durnan and Boston's Frankie Brimsek, who staged a terrific goaltending duel throughout the entire series, again turned in outstanding exhibitions of puck stopping Tuesday night. Brimsek deserved no part of the Boston defeat, which was mainly due to a weak defence that left him time and time again without protection.
Le Devoir, Apr 10, 1946
In the camp of the Canadiens, the players who starred the most were Bill Durnan (the real hero of the series), Toe Blake, who scored the decisive goal, and Elmer Lach, who scored a goal and provided two assists. We would be tempted to insist on the really spectacular game of Lach, who we class without hesitation as the best centre in the league.
For the Bruins we mention the names of Brimsek, who was solid as always, of Dumart and of Cowley, who most aided the cause of the losers.
Nashua Telegraph, Apr 11, 1946
Sole department in which Les Canadiens did not excel was at goal. There still seems to be but one Franky Brimsek. True enough Franky allowed more rubber to get past him than Durnan of the Canadiens, but then the Stanley Cup winner plastered Franky with about twice as many shots as his mates did Durnan.
I have shot totals for all of Montreal's playoff games and all Boston playoff games. The Nashua Telegraph may have exaggerated a little, but Brimsek did indeed face about 10 shots/game more than Durnan did.
| Goalie | Playoff | W | L | T | TOI | GA | GAA | SA | SV | SV% | SA/60 |
| Bill Durnan | 1946 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 581 | 20 | 2.06 | 215 | 195 | 0.907 | 22.2 |
| Frank Brimsek | 1946 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 651 | 29 | 2.67 | 346 | 317 | 0.916 | 31.9 |
1947 playoffs
Toronto Maple Leafs beat Montreal Canadiens in the final.
While this was the first Stanley Cup for the Toronto dynasty, they were a very young team and not favored to beat Montreal. Turk Broda played extremely well in the victory, and Bill Durnan was also excellent in defeat.
Windsor Daily Star, Apr 21, 1947 - Doug Vaughan's column
(Vaughan named coach Hap Day, captain Syl Apps, and goalie Turk Broda the three stars of the Leafs victory).
Broda's work in the nets, not only in the playoff but throughout the entire season, was sensational. There were times, hundreds of times, when the rookies in front of him made serious mistakes, and he never let them down. When they slipped he covered them up. When their spirits flagged he cheered them up, or if he felt they needed a straight talk, he gave it to them straight from the shoulder.
...
Outstanding feature of the Leafs-Canadiens series was the work of the rival goalies, Broda and Bill Durnan. Cup playoff games are too often dull and uninteresting affairs because of the stress put on defensive hockey. But this one wasn't. In 15 years of watching playoff hockey this writer had never seen two goalies given the opportunity to shine that Broda and Durnan had. And shine they did. Certainly, the three games played in Toronto were strictly duels between two great goalies. It was Broda who performed amazing feats of puck-fending magic to win the series for the Leafs. And, by the same token, it was no fault of Durnan's that Canadiens failed to retain their crown.
La Patrie, Apr 21, 1947
The winning players, with smiles on their lips, immediately surrounded Walter (Turk) Broda, who was the great hero of the World Series...
Turk Broda is acclaimed in Toronto as the hero of the great Spring Classic. The veteran who played for the Leafs for 10 years although his career was interrupted by a two year stint in the armed forces, was the real pivot of the young Leafs against the Canadiens. He shut out the NHL champions in the second game and in all the other games he shone brightly.
Other stars of the series were Syl Apps, who scored the winning goal in the overtime period, Ted Kennedy, the star of Saturday, and Gus Mortson, who was an ace on the defense despite a wrist injury.
I have shot totals for 10 of Broda's 11 games and all Durnan's 11 games. The one Broda game I'm missing was the one where Toronto was blown out and he allowed 9 goals, so his numbers in the table below are certainly better than they would be if that game was included. Both Toronto and Montreal kept the shots against low.
| Goalie | Playoff | W | L | T | TOI | GA | GAA | SA | SV | SV% | SA/60 |
| Turk Broda | 1947 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 680 | 16 | 1.74 | 247 | 229 | 0.927 | 23.9 |
| Bill Durnan | 1947 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 622 | 20 | 1.92 | 274 | 251 | 0.916 | 22.9 |
1948 playoffs
Toronto Maple Leafs beat Detroit Red Wings in the final.
Toronto was much improved by the addition of Max Bentley and another year of experience for their young players, and was talked about as an all time great team. The 1-2-3 centre depth of Syl Apps, Ted Kennedy, and Max Bentley is maybe still unequalled in history. Bentley was the best in the league as a power play point man.
Broda was good but it was a dominant team victory.
Le Canada, Apr 15, 1948
It would be difficult to choose the stars of the Leafs in this series final. Broda, Bentley, Thomson, Watson, Kennedy were all brilliant.
I have shot totals for 8 of Broda's 9 games and 8 of Lumley's 10 games. Detroit actually allowed very few shots, so Lumley's save percentage was terrible.
| Goalie | Playoff | W | L | T | TOI | GA | GAA | SA | SV | SV% | SA/60 |
| Turk Broda | 1948 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 497 | 17 | 2.05 | 205 | 188 | 0.917 | 24.7 |
| Harry Lumley | 1948 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 480 | 23 | 3.00 | 168 | 145 | 0.853 | 21.0 |
I didn't find any direct commentaries on Lumley's performance, usually a bad sign. A game report for Game 4 (a 7-2 Toronto victory, where Lumley stopped only 14 of 21 shots) gave some context by mentioning that Lumley faced a number of Toronto breakaways, and Broda's saves were easier.
Luddington Daily News, Apr 15, 1948
Solo sprints netted nearly half the Maple Leaf markers, and Lumley kicked out at least four other shots from surging Toronto players who had broken into the clear. Altogether the Leafs registered exactly one-third of their shots in the playoff windup as Lumley saved on only 14 shots.
The Leafs threw up a superb defense in front of Goalie Walter (Turk) Broda but he still had a busy time, turning away a total of 26 pucks fired at him. Most of them, however, were simple saves.
1949 playoffs
Toronto Maple Leafs beat Detroit Red Wings in the final.
It was the third straight Cup victory for Toronto, an NHL record. Their captain Syl Apps had retired, and the team struggled with motivation during an ordinary regular season. But during the playoffs they dominated like they did in 1948. They scored three goals in each of their eight playoff wins.
Broda played well enough to win but really it was another dominant team performance. Lumley played better than the previous season.
Windsor Daily Star, Apr 19, 1949
After the Leafs drubbed Detroit Red Wings, 3-1, Saturday night for their fourth straight win in the title series, the Leafs, to a man, mobbed Broda, daddy of the team at 34. To them, he's the finest money-goalie to buckle on a pad. The Turk has outshone every goalie he's faced over a three-year period as the Leafs have won 24 out of 29 playoff battles.
Windsor Daily Star, 18 Apr, 1949
Mid-season accusations that some of the Toronto players were "fat" from two successive Stanley Cup triumphs were not without foundation. Day and Smythe had to swing the bull whip more than once. Then, too, the Leafs had more than their share of injuries during the regular season...by playoff time they had the team rolling in high gear and the result was another championship.
(Game 4) - (Toronto) packed too much speed, too much power, too much punch. Had it not been for the brilliant work of Harry Lumley between the Detroit uprights, plus the fact that the Leafs did not have too much luck around the Detroit citadel, there is no telling what the score might have been. As it was, it was still mighty convincing.
Shots on goal reflected the trend of play. In the first period Lumley handled six drives to Broda's six, but in the last two periods the ultimate winners had a 25-10 margin and it was Lumley's sensational puck-fending that kept the score down.
A United Press article mentioned that Broda was winning despite his style.
The Pittsburgh Press, Apr 16, 1949
Broda is the guy people thought might be getting too old for big league goaltending--a job for men with hair-trigger reactions and lightning coordination. Watching the phlegmatic, 34-year-old Broda in action, one is reminded of a walrus flopping across an ice-flow, awkward, indignant, but never easy to fool.
Broda, despite certain vagaries of style, has definitely carried the Leafs this year, as in many other years. He's allowed an average of two goals in each of the eight playoff games.
I have shot totals for 8 of Broda's 9 games and 10 of Lumley's 11 games. Toronto really kept the shots against down.
| Goalie | Playoff | W | L | T | TOI | GA | GAA | SA | SV | SV% | SA/60 |
| Turk Broda | 1949 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 514 | 14 | 1.64 | 182 | 168 | 0.923 | 21.3 |
| Harry Lumley | 1949 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 665 | 23 | 2.07 | 289 | 266 | 0.920 | 26.1 |
1950 playoffs
Detroit Red Wings beat New York Rangers in the final.
This was a weird playoff season, overshadowed by Gordie Howe's terrible injury at the beginning of the Wings-Leafs series. The series was marked by fights and rough play. It's very possible the Leafs might have won and continued their dynasty if not for the distraction.
Detroit needed the maximum of 14 playoff games to beat Toronto and then the underdog New York Rangers.
No individual really stood out on the winning Detroit team, who pulled together after Howe's injury. Goalie Chuck Rayner was mentioned as one of the stars of the losing Rangers.
Windsor Daily Star, Apr 24, 1950 - Doug Vaughan
Standout performers in a losing Ranger cause were undoubtedly Edgar Laprade and Goalie Chuck Rayner. Laprade was a threat every minute he was on the ice and if he isn't the greatest centre in the game today he certainly ranks with the best.
Rayner played brilliantly all the way through. There were times, such in last night's game and the one of Saturday, when he saved his team from being soundly beaten time and time again.
...
Harry Lumley was talking about how he had "sweated it out during the overtime."
"You know," said the apple-cheeked Detroit goalie. "I think those were the longest 38 minutes I ever lived through. I didn't have too much work to do and all the time I was standing there watching the fellows peppering away at Rayner. I kept thinking how awful it would be it the Rangers should get a breakaway and walk in on top of me to score. I think I would have died right on the spot."
I have shot totals for 13 of 14 Detroit games, and 11 of 12 Ranger games. Rayner certainly faced more shots against, not surprising considering he played for the weaker team.
| Goalie | Playoff | W | L | T | TOI | GA | GAA | SA | SV | SV% | SA/60 |
| Harry Lumley | 1950 | 8 | 5 | 0 | 848 | 25 | 1.77 | 333 | 308 | 0.925 | 23.6 |
| Chuck Rayner | 1950 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 714 | 28 | 2.35 | 340 | 312 | 0.918 | 28.6 |
1951 playoffs
Toronto Maple Leafs beat Montreal Canadiens in the final
Gerry McNeil of the Canadiens was outstanding in an upset of the league-winning Red Wings. Some said his performance in Games 1 and 2, both long overtime games, was the best they had ever seen. The Leafs won with veteran Turk Broda filling in for the injured Al Rollins. Overall I would say McNeil was clearly the goaltender of this playoff, and Broda and Rollins did their job on an all-time great defence.
This Leafs team has the single best record I've ever seen at preventing shots. They allowed 17.7 shots against per 60 minutes and 18.8 shots against per game. No playoff team since 1956 has allowed fewer than 20 shots per game. Their defence was incredible, with Bill Barilko maybe the best of a foursome that also included Jim Thomson, Gus Mortson, and Fern Flaman. Their top line of Smith-Kennedy-Sloan was absolutely dominant two ways, Max Bentley was a wizard on the power play, and they only allowed one power play goal against all playoffs.
La Patrie, Apr 23, 1951
The Canadiens's defence offered little resistance to the Leafs, who easily reached McNeil all night.
The Toronto defence was solid, but Rollins could have saved the shot from Meger in the third period.
Les Torontos are a stronger club, and it's to the credit of Canadiens that they required an overtime period in each of the five games of the series to get the result. With a bit more luck, le Tricolore would maybe be ahead 3-2 in the series today.
The Calgary Herald, Apr 23, 1951
In the decisive game, a spectacular goaltending performance by little Gerry McNeil forced the Leafs to come from behind twice to tie the score.
The cool rookie gave an unbelievable display of puck-stopping. Once the fans roared their applause when he snatched a rifle-like slap shot from Barilko's stick through a crowd of players. He had 41 shots to handle, 14 of them in the first period and 19 in the dazzling third session. His mates, a poor second when it came to territorial play, drove 19 at Rollins.
The crowd shouted for veteran Turk Broda, the greatest playoff goalie of them all, who played two games against Canadiens and all but one period of the six-game semi-final against Boston Bruins because of an injury to Al Rollins.
La Patrie, Apr 22, 1951
Gerry McNeil became a question mark. After a good start to the season, he weakened toward the middle of the campaign. But in the playoffs, McNeil was a great star with Maurice Richard.
...
The defenses of the two clubs are equal, although the young Canadiens rearguards are prone to making more mistakes. In goal, Gerry McNeil has been just as brilliant, if not more so, than Turk Broda and Al Rollins, who have taken turns in the Leafs net.
I have shot totals for all the Toronto and Montreal games. Gerry McNeil faced a lot of shots and played extremely well. Broda and Rollins played behind one of the greatest defences in history - although they didn't have to face the strong Detroit team like McNeil did.
| Goalie | Playoff | W | L | T | TOI | GA | GAA | SA | SV | SV% | SA/60 |
| Gerry McNeil | 1951 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 785 | 25 | 1.91 | 381 | 356 | 0.934 | 29.1 |
| Turk Broda | 1951 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 492 | 9 | 1.10 | 139 | 130 | 0.935 | 16.9 |
| Al Rollins | 1951 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 210 | 6 | 1.72 | 68 | 62 | 0.912 | 19.5 |
1952 playoffs
Detroit Red Wings beat Montreal Canadiens in the final.
Detroit Red Wings went 8-0, an all-time great performance. Terry Sawchuk had maybe the greatest individual playoff of all time. But it's also clear that the Wings played very, very well as a team in front of him.
Several articles noted that the 22 year old Sawchuk was already recognized as one of the greatest goalies of all time.
Montreal Gazette, Apr 16, 1952
It was the 16th shutout of the 1951-52 campaign for goalie Sawchuk, rated by experts as one of the greatest netminders in history. He had 12 during the regular season. This was his fourth in the playoffs and all at home.
...
Canadiens lost nothing in stature in losing to one of the best all-round clubs Detroit has ever produced. The Montrealers simply bowed out to a superior club, which did it in eight straight without being at all spectacular or impressive about it.
Ottawa Citizen, Apr 16, 1952
From the 1952 Stanley Cup playoffs, the Detroit Red Wings have emerged as World Champions, and goaler Terry Sawchuk has stamped himself as one of the very best netminders of all time. After leading the NHL race and capturing the Vezina trophy, Sawchuk continued his sensational work to score four shutouts in eight games and hold his opposition to but five goals in two series. No matter what record Sawchuk took into his team's playoff engagements, his series work alone was enough to put the stamp of greatness on him.
St Petersburgh Times, Apr 17, 1952
The Detroit Red Wings yesterday were hailed as the top team in hockey history after sweeping the Stanley Cup series in an unprecedented eight straight games.
...
Individually, the Wings were far and away the most honored team.
Linesman Gordie Howe won the Art Ross Trophy as the league's high scorer and teammate Ted Lindsay placed second for that coveted award.
The Vezina Trophy for the leading NHL goalie went to Terry Sawchuk, who was cited by many during the season as one of the greatest goalies ever to tend a net.
...
No team could dent the formidable Wing lineup when it came to the playoffs...much of the credit for the total rout of the opposition goes to sophomore goalie Sawchuk who battered away the enemy puck to the extent of four shutouts.
Windsor Daily Star, Apr 16, 1952
For the Wings it would be unfair to single out an individual star. Prystai, of course, was the "trigger-man" for the night, just as it was tiny Tony Leswick in the first game, Pavelich and Lindsay in the second encounter, and Gordie Howe in the third game.
Defensively, the record-setting Sawchuk and Bob Goldham once again came up with terrific performances. But it was still a team effort on the part of the winners. There wasn't a weak link in the chain.
Le Canada, Apr 17, 1952
Irvin's tactics didn't pay off, especially against an invincible Terry Sawchuk. Sawchuk was undoubtedly the great star of Red Wings in the playoff series against Toronto and Detroit. Many will say that the Detroit goalie was lucky. That's true in the sense that he blocked many shots in a quasi-miraculous fashion. However, he proved himself to be a great goalie, gifted with remarkable composure and expected to follow in the footsteps of Bill Durnan, Frank Brimsek, Turk Broda, and others. A goalie can be favored by Lady Luck in some games, but not all the time. When a guy like Sawchuk allows only five goals in eight games, and records four shutouts, you have to give him credit. Sawchuk was the big difference between the Red Wings and the Canadiens and between the Red Wings and the Maple Leafs. He was virtually invincible. And without his magnificent performance the Red Wings would likely have been forced to battle to the 14-game limit in both series to win the Stanley Cup.
Gerry McNeil did his best in the Habs' fortress. In fact, he was superb in several playoff games. He was the star of his club on defense. But, given that his teammates were powerless in the enemy zone -- especially against Detroit -- McNeil couldn't do all the work by himself. The Canadiens, as well as the Maple Leafs, managed to hold right winger Gordie Howe in check (with the exception of the third game of the final when he scored two goals and had an assist to beat the Canadiens 3 to 0), but the work of Sawchuk in the nets made up for the lack of effectiveness of Gordie Howe on the offensive.
I have shots for all 8 Detroit games, and 10 of 11 Montreal games. Detroit wasn't actually great at keeping the total number of shots down. But several game reports mentioned that while Sawchuk saw a number of shots, only a handful were dangerous. That almost has to be the case for a GAA of 0.63, and it's still an incredibly impressive playoff.
| Goalie | Playoff | W | L | T | TOI | GA | GAA | SA | SV | SV% | SA/60 |
| Terry Sawchuk | 1952 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 480 | 5 | 0.63 | 221 | 216 | 0.977 | 27.6 |
| Gerry McNeil | 1952 | 4 | 7 | 0 | 687 | 22 | 1.92 | 303 | 281 | 0.927 | 26.5 |
1953 playoffs
Montreal Canadiens beat Boston Bruins in the final.
This was a bad year for goaltenders. Gerry McNeil played well, and his team won - but he lost his nerve after losing 3 straight games in the first round, and Jacques Plante had to take his place for the next 4 games. Terry Sawchuk was terrible in a first round upset, and also asked out but wasn't allowed to leave the net. Jim Henry faced a ton of rubber for an underdog Boston team, but also missed a couple of games to injury and his backup, the unrelated Gord "Red" Henry, wasn't up to par.
The Telegraph, Apr 6, 1953
After his Red Wings were dethroned, Coach Tommy Ivan cited goalie Henry as "the player who hurt us the most". During the six-games series, the Red Wings outshot the Bruins by a 228-140 margin but, despite winning the opening game in Detroit, 7-0, were limited to 21 goals, a total the Bruins matched.
Montreal Gazette, Apr 11, 1953
In Detroit they are still trying to figure out what happened to Terry Sawchuk in the semifinal series against the Bruins. Coach Tommy Ivan has some theories, but refuses to say what they are. Jack Adams says "Our downfall could not be attributed to Sawchuk's right arm trouble. The Bruins scored on him from that side." Teammates sympathized with Sawchuk's troubles but said in an uncritical way that his work in the nets was the biggest factor in their defeat.
Sawchuk read the newspaper stories hinting that he would be traded to the Rangers or some other club. Said he "No matter who I'm with, I'm going to be the best goalie in the league next season." One Detroit hockey writer sums it up like this. "Publicly Adams and Ivan are not considering a trade involving Sawchuk. Privately no one knows what they're doing."
Le Petit Journal, Apr 12, 1953
After the Durnan drama, we have just witnessed the McNeil drama and we might as well add the Sawchuk drama. If you want to ruin your nerves, at least temporarily, become a goalie. Big, tall Bill Durnan gave up on his own and never wanted to pick up the pads and stick again. It is true that he was at a fairly advanced age, for a goalie or a hockey player. There is no question of McNeil or Sawchuk retiring, but the fact remains that they both "cracked". But there was no other goalie to take their place.
It was McNeil himself who asked to be replaced. It is true that he made this request while suffering from a nervous breakdown, even though he thought it would not be accepted. Nevertheless, McNeil acted in the best interests of himself and his club.
Put yourself in McNeil's shoes. It's true that he had "dragged" the club all season. It's true that he was largely responsible for the Canadiens's 2nd place finish, which earned the club a spot in the Stanley Cup final, given that, on paper at least, Chicago was a much less formidable opponent than Detroit, which the Habs would have faced had they finished in 3rd place.
Now, in the series against Chicago, the Canadiens, after two great victories, suffered three consecutive defeats. In this third defeat, although it was not the case, McNeil came to think that he had been responsible. Because of a nervous breakdown, he came to wonder if he would not be blamed by his teammates for the loss of a sum of at least a thousand dollars, since the players of the club losing in the semi-finals would have received only $500 and that there would have been a loss of at least another $500, even as a member of the club defeated in the final.
It could be said that McNeil, after his excellent work throughout the season, had nothing to worry about. But then the nerves kicked in and McNeil "cracked".
As for Terry Sawchuk, he was also visibly tired and angry after the season. It is true that his club had finished first. All the same, the WIngs goalie was credited with a large part of the success achived. Indeed, Sawchuk, for a second consecutive year, had won the Vezina trophy awarded to the goalie of the club least often foiled.
Needless to say, in the series against Boston, we expected an equivalent performance of the season. However, this Sawchuk who had only been beaten 19 times by the Bruins players in the 14 regular season games, was, believe it or not, fooled 21 times in only 6 games of the semi-final! Sawchuk also had to tell himself that he was responsible for the loss of at least $1,000 by each of his teammates and he must also have been a victim of nervous depression. Jack Adams, in his case, was in a different position than Dick Irvin. First, it is not hidden that Sawchuk asked to be replaced by Glenn Hall, who was not available, and that it was almost impossible to take the risk with David Gatherum, a goalie from the Senior League whose club had finished in 7th and last position. Additionally, Sawchuk had not been outwitted once in five consecutive Stanley Cup games in Detroit!
As for Dick Irvin, let's put ourselves in his position. And speaking of position, he really risked it by making the important decision to replace McNeil with Plante. The fact is that he admitted it himself and that he knew what awaited him if the tactic had not succeeded. He was greatly blamed by a crowd of Canadiens supporters who obviously did not know, at the time, what the result would be. Dick had the support of Frank Selke, it is true, but the fact remains that the general manager of the Forum would have received many letters if the Canadiens had been defeated in this 6th and even in this 7th and final game of the series.
Vancouver Sun, Apr 17, 1953 (about the final game)
Sugar Jim Henry went into the Boston net after missing two games that Boston lost, with his sprained ankle far from healed. His ankle was given special attention and wrapping and his return to the net seemed to inspire his mates.
Henry, with fewer goal-labelled shots to handle than Gerry McNeil, was especially effective on rebounds and scrambles.
McNeil matched him all the way and had several particularly tough shots to handle, fired by Milt Schmidt, Dave Creighton, Leo Labine, and Fleming Mackell.
I have shot totals for all Montreal and Boston games. Montreal was particularly good at limiting shots in the 4 games Jacques Plante played. Jim Henry of Boston faced far more shots than any other Finals goalie of his era. Gerry McNeil, once again, had an outstanding save percentage, but his playoff was marred by his nervous breakdown after losing 3 straight to Chicago.
| Goalie | Playoff | W | L | T | TOI | GA | GAA | SA | SV | SV% | SA/60 |
| Gerry McNeil | 1953 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 486 | 15 | 1.85 | 256 | 241 | 0.941 | 31.6 |
| Jacques Plante | 1953 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 240 | 7 | 1.75 | 90 | 83 | 0.922 | 22.5 |
| Jim Henry | 1953 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 494 | 26 | 3.16 | 311 | 285 | 0.916 | 37.8 |
1954 playoffs
Detroit Red Wings beat Montreal Canadiens in the final.
Terry Sawchuk bounced back in a big way, and played extremely well.
Jacques Plante and Gerry McNeil were very good for Montreal. McNeil had been injured toward the end of the regular season, and Plante played so well that he stole McNeil's starting job. Plante played all games in Montreal's semifinal victory over Boston. But after Montreal went down 3-1 to Detroit, Dick Irvin put McNeil back in the net. The Habs won the next two games but lost in game 7.
Apr 13, 1954 - The Calgary Herald
The decision to change goalies was a quick one. Coach Dick Irvin of Canadiens again went all out on applied psychology and something he calls the unseen hand.
An hour out of Detroit as the hockey special train rolled along, Irvin said to McNeil:
"I was just wondering if you would like to get your job back again."
"I certainly would," said McNeil.
That ended the conversation. When McNeil walked into Canadiens dressing-room Sunday night his equipment was all laid out and Plante's wasn't.
McNeil went into the nets and turned in a sensational game. Although two months out of competitive action, he blanked the Red Wings on into overtime until Ken Mosdell broke up the scoreless masterpiece of hockey with a backhand shot that streaked by goalie Terry Sawchuk.
Reading Eagle, Apr 18, 1954
Forward Tony Leswick, goalie Terry Sawchuk, and defenseman Bob Goldham, all question marks last fall, were the key figures in wresting the coveted 37-year-old trophy from the Montreal Canadiens.
...
Sawchuk, a self-admitted flop in last year's playoffs, was superb throughout this season's playoffs. He reached a peak in the third period of Friday'sgame when he virtually made a one-man stand against the aroused Canadiens. He made 12 saves in the one-sided final period, making spectacular stops on drives by Gaye Stewart and Dollard St Laurent.
Goldham was a defensive giant in front of Sawchuk, not only in the final game, but during the entire playoffs and regular season as well. The Red Wing players were practically unanimous in their opinion that the 32-year-old defenseman was the club's most valuable player, quite an accomplishment for one who was expected to see only part-time duty.
I have shot totals for all Montreal and Detroit games.
| Goalie | Playoff | W | L | T | TOI | GA | GAA | SA | SV | SV% | SA/60 |
| Terry Sawchuk | 1954 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 751 | 20 | 1.60 | 334 | 314 | 0.940 | 26.7 |
| Jacques Plante | 1954 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 480 | 14 | 1.75 | 208 | 194 | 0.933 | 26.0 |
| Gerry McNeil | 1954 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 190 | 3 | 0.95 | 90 | 87 | 0.967 | 28.4 |
1955 playoffs
Detroit Red Wings beat Montreal Canadiens in the final.
Sawchuk and Plante weren't as good as they had been in 1954 in the rematch.
Dick Irvin used a weird platoon system with Plante and Charlie Hodge in four of the games. Irvin strikes me as another Mike Keenan when it comes to managing his goalies. Gerry McNeil, for one, had nothing good to say about Irvin after he left the NHL.
23 Mar, 1955, Windsor Daily Star
The mysterious "something new" promised by Coach Dick Irvin materialized when he sent two goalies, working in relays, to face the Bruins' shots. It was a stunt never pulled before in Stanley Cup play. Jacques Plante, regular netminder, and rookie Charlie Hodge were shuttled into and out of the game.
Apr 15, 1955, Montreal Gazette (before the final game)
Tonight's game and the series may swing on the performance of the goalkeepers. Jacques Plante has been under fire for his goaltending, but so has Terry Sawchuk. To date Plante has the better record, he has faced more shots than Sawchuk and has the higher percentage of saves.
I have shot totals for all Montreal and Detroit games.
| Goalie | Playoff | W | L | T | TOI | GA | GAA | SA | SV | SV% | SA/60 |
| Terry Sawchuk | 1955 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 660 | 26 | 2.36 | 307 | 281 | 0.915 | 27.9 |
| Jacques Plante | 1955 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 640 | 29 | 2.72 | 330 | 301 | 0.912 | 30.9 |
