Hockey Outsider
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There have been nine games in NHL history where a player scored an empty net goal, and his team didn't win. All nine instances were in the regular season:
April 5th, 1970 - this was surely one of the most ridiculous days in NHL history. It was the final day of the 1969-70 regular season. In the East (aka Original Six) division, two teams were fighting for the final playoff spot. The Habs had 92 points, and the Rangers had 90. Both had a final game to play. If Montreal lost, and the Rangers won, both teams would have 92 points, and both would have 38 wins. The next tiebreaker was most goals scored (Montreal was ahead 242-237).
The Rangers played first, and went for an all-out attack. They took 65 shots on poor Roger Crozier. This was by far the most shots they took during this season (the next closest game had 50 shots). The Rangers were up 9-3 late in the third period (Dave Balon had a hat trick, and Arnie Brown had a four point night). Despite having an insurmountable lead, the Rangers pulled their goalie anyway! Coach Emile Francis must have realized that, being up 9-3 with three minutes to go, they would definitely win. If Montreal lost, the tiebreaker would be most goals scored (they were now ahead, but it was still close). Thus, Ed Giacomin was pulled. (Any goals they scored would strengthen their grip on the tiebreaker, and any goals they allowed would essentially be meaningless, since they weren't going to blow a six goal lead in three minutes). Gordie Howe and Nick Libett both scored EN goals for the losing Red Wings during the final 2:30, ultimately cutting the lead to 9-5. The Rangers failed to score any more goals, but they were now tied with the Habs in points (92) and wins (38), and they were up 246-242 in the goals race.
Montreal played later that night. They had two paths to the playoffs - a win or tie, or scoring at least five goals. Unfortunately for the Habs, the first option wasn't looking likely, since they were losing badly midway through the third (down 5-2). Instead, they (rationally) focused on the goals scored tiebreaker. They pulled Rogie Vachon with around eight minutes left in the third period, still needing three goals to pass the Rangers' total. Chicago was brutal and scored five EN goals (the Habs didn't score any). This ended Montreal's streak of 21 consecutive playoff appearances. (Everything worked out as a rookie Ken Dryden helped Montreal win the Stanley Cup the next year). This day was a farce, as it involved two teams manipulating poorly-designed rules. The NHL quickly changed the tiebreaker from most goals scored to largest goal differential. LINK
October 25th, 1978 - early in the season, the Penguins (a solid team) played the Blues (who were terrible). The Penguins were up 5-4 late in the third goalie, and St. Louis pulled their goalie Doug Grant. George Ferguson (who had a solid NHL career spanning nearly 800 games) scored into the empty net with 61 seconds to go. The Blues mounted a furious comeback, with Brian Sutter and Bernie Federko scoring with 28 and 11 seconds left respectively, forcing overtime. The game ended in a tie (there was no overtime then). Federko had a five point night. LINK
November 28, 1979 - surprisingly, at this early stage of the 1979-80 season, the Islanders (who would go on to win the Stanley Cup that spring) were only slightly ahead of the weak Rockies in the standings. The Rockies were up 4-3 through two periods. Glen Resch was yanked with less than a minute left in the second period, and replaced by Billy Smith. On a delayed penalty, Rob Ramage scored into his team's open net, tying the game. The goal was credited to Smith; this was the first goal in NHL history credited to a goalie. Colorado scored three goals during the rest of the period, winning 7-4. (What bad luck for Smith! He gets credit for the first goal in NHL history from a goalie, he only allowed one goal against in 20 minutes of action - pretty good for the early 1980's - and still gets the loss. Resch allowed four goals on 21 shots, and gets no decision). LINK
December 30th, 1988 - this was the first of two consecutive games between the Blues and North Stars (both were weak playoff teams). Minnesota took a 4-0 lead in the first period. St. Louis scored three in the second, but couldn't equalize. The Blues pulled goalie Vincent Riendeau (who replaced starter Greg Millen) and Marc Habscheid scored into the empty net with just 33 seconds to go. You'd think that a 5-3 lead would be safe at that point. Todd Ewen scored with 18 seconds to go, and Brett Hull tied it with four seconds left in the period. The game ended in a tie after five minutes of scoreless overtime. LINK
January 12th, 2014 - the Blackhawks were facing the terrible Oilers (who were still a few years away from drafting McDavid). Chicago was up 2-1 midway through the second period. The Blackhawks pulled goalie Antti Raana on a delayed penalty call, and Patrick Kane made a blind pass towards the point, but nobody was there. The goal was credited to Edmonton's Boyd Gordon (tying the game). Chicago went on to win 5-3 (Kane had two assists). LINK - VIDEO OF GOAL
March 29th, 2014 - the Lightning were playing the Sabres. Tampa Bay was by far the better team, but it was tied 2-2 after the first period. Midway through the second, Steven Stamkos scored into his own net (the Lightning had pulled their goalie on a delayed penalty - Stamkos passed the puck back, but nobody was there). The goal was credited to Buffalo's Cory Conacher (no relation to HOF'ers Charlie, Lionel or Roy). Still, Stamkos redeemed himself. The Lightning won the game in overtime. Stamkos had a goal and an assist in regulation, and scored the OT winner. LINK - VIDEO OF GOAL
October 15th, 2016 - this was the first game of the season for the Canucks (so maybe you can excuse their sloppiness), and the third game for the Flames. The Canucks pulled Ryan Miller on a delayed penalty, and Loui Eriksson accidentally shot the puck into his own net (I couldn't find a video of this). Daniel Sedin tied the game for Vancouver with under four minutes left in the third. After five minutes of scoreless OT, Brandon Sutter (part of perhaps the most prolific family in NHL history) scored the only goal in the shootout. Eriksson's own-goal prevented Ryan Miller from getting a shutout (he stopped all 25 shots he faced in regulation/OT, and all four shooters in the shootout). LINK
January 5th, 2020 - as there were vague reports of a mysterious illness emerging in China, the Capitals played a much weaker Sharks team. After a scoreless first, San Jose took a 3-2 lead in the second. Washington pulled Braden Holtby, and Logan Couture scored into the empty net with exactly one minute remaining. The Capital launched a furious comeback, with Jakub Varana and TJ Oshie scoring with 47 and 15 seconds left in the third period to tie the game. In overtime, Lars Eller scored the winner. Thus the Capitals improbably earned two points after being down two goals with a minute to go. Erik Karlsson has a rough night (he was on the ice for four of Washington's five goals, including the tying goal with 15 seconds left, and the OT winner). Evander Kane has a hat trick in a losing cause. LINK - VIDEO OF COMEBACK
March 11th, 2020 - this was the final day of the 2019-20 regular season before the COVID-19 pandemic forced the NHL to cancel the rest of the year (though the playoffs took place in August and September). According to the record books, Adam Henrique scored an EN goal in a loss, but that didn't really happen. St. Louis played Anaheim on February 11th, and Jay Bouwmeester collapsed from a heart attack. In that aborted game, Henrique scored a goal, so they gave him credit for one in this game (it was officially recorded as EN goal at 0:00 of the first period - this way Henrique still got credit for his goal, but the goalie wasn't penalized). So this one is just a technicality. (St. Louis also got credit for a goal from the previous game - so the match started 1-1, and the Blues outscored the Ducks 3-1 the rest of the way). LINK
SUMMARY - nine times in NHL history, a team has scored an EN goal, and didn't win the game. One was a farce due to the Red Wings trying to manipulate a dumb rule. One didn't actually feature an EN goal (it was a "bookkeeping entry"). Four games involved a playing scoring into his own net on a delayed penalty, and three involved a team allowing a comeback after scoring an EN goal (this category is the most exciting).
(EDIT - I missed Billy Smith's goal initially. This has been added).
April 5th, 1970 - this was surely one of the most ridiculous days in NHL history. It was the final day of the 1969-70 regular season. In the East (aka Original Six) division, two teams were fighting for the final playoff spot. The Habs had 92 points, and the Rangers had 90. Both had a final game to play. If Montreal lost, and the Rangers won, both teams would have 92 points, and both would have 38 wins. The next tiebreaker was most goals scored (Montreal was ahead 242-237).
The Rangers played first, and went for an all-out attack. They took 65 shots on poor Roger Crozier. This was by far the most shots they took during this season (the next closest game had 50 shots). The Rangers were up 9-3 late in the third period (Dave Balon had a hat trick, and Arnie Brown had a four point night). Despite having an insurmountable lead, the Rangers pulled their goalie anyway! Coach Emile Francis must have realized that, being up 9-3 with three minutes to go, they would definitely win. If Montreal lost, the tiebreaker would be most goals scored (they were now ahead, but it was still close). Thus, Ed Giacomin was pulled. (Any goals they scored would strengthen their grip on the tiebreaker, and any goals they allowed would essentially be meaningless, since they weren't going to blow a six goal lead in three minutes). Gordie Howe and Nick Libett both scored EN goals for the losing Red Wings during the final 2:30, ultimately cutting the lead to 9-5. The Rangers failed to score any more goals, but they were now tied with the Habs in points (92) and wins (38), and they were up 246-242 in the goals race.
Montreal played later that night. They had two paths to the playoffs - a win or tie, or scoring at least five goals. Unfortunately for the Habs, the first option wasn't looking likely, since they were losing badly midway through the third (down 5-2). Instead, they (rationally) focused on the goals scored tiebreaker. They pulled Rogie Vachon with around eight minutes left in the third period, still needing three goals to pass the Rangers' total. Chicago was brutal and scored five EN goals (the Habs didn't score any). This ended Montreal's streak of 21 consecutive playoff appearances. (Everything worked out as a rookie Ken Dryden helped Montreal win the Stanley Cup the next year). This day was a farce, as it involved two teams manipulating poorly-designed rules. The NHL quickly changed the tiebreaker from most goals scored to largest goal differential. LINK
October 25th, 1978 - early in the season, the Penguins (a solid team) played the Blues (who were terrible). The Penguins were up 5-4 late in the third goalie, and St. Louis pulled their goalie Doug Grant. George Ferguson (who had a solid NHL career spanning nearly 800 games) scored into the empty net with 61 seconds to go. The Blues mounted a furious comeback, with Brian Sutter and Bernie Federko scoring with 28 and 11 seconds left respectively, forcing overtime. The game ended in a tie (there was no overtime then). Federko had a five point night. LINK
November 28, 1979 - surprisingly, at this early stage of the 1979-80 season, the Islanders (who would go on to win the Stanley Cup that spring) were only slightly ahead of the weak Rockies in the standings. The Rockies were up 4-3 through two periods. Glen Resch was yanked with less than a minute left in the second period, and replaced by Billy Smith. On a delayed penalty, Rob Ramage scored into his team's open net, tying the game. The goal was credited to Smith; this was the first goal in NHL history credited to a goalie. Colorado scored three goals during the rest of the period, winning 7-4. (What bad luck for Smith! He gets credit for the first goal in NHL history from a goalie, he only allowed one goal against in 20 minutes of action - pretty good for the early 1980's - and still gets the loss. Resch allowed four goals on 21 shots, and gets no decision). LINK
December 30th, 1988 - this was the first of two consecutive games between the Blues and North Stars (both were weak playoff teams). Minnesota took a 4-0 lead in the first period. St. Louis scored three in the second, but couldn't equalize. The Blues pulled goalie Vincent Riendeau (who replaced starter Greg Millen) and Marc Habscheid scored into the empty net with just 33 seconds to go. You'd think that a 5-3 lead would be safe at that point. Todd Ewen scored with 18 seconds to go, and Brett Hull tied it with four seconds left in the period. The game ended in a tie after five minutes of scoreless overtime. LINK
January 12th, 2014 - the Blackhawks were facing the terrible Oilers (who were still a few years away from drafting McDavid). Chicago was up 2-1 midway through the second period. The Blackhawks pulled goalie Antti Raana on a delayed penalty call, and Patrick Kane made a blind pass towards the point, but nobody was there. The goal was credited to Edmonton's Boyd Gordon (tying the game). Chicago went on to win 5-3 (Kane had two assists). LINK - VIDEO OF GOAL
March 29th, 2014 - the Lightning were playing the Sabres. Tampa Bay was by far the better team, but it was tied 2-2 after the first period. Midway through the second, Steven Stamkos scored into his own net (the Lightning had pulled their goalie on a delayed penalty - Stamkos passed the puck back, but nobody was there). The goal was credited to Buffalo's Cory Conacher (no relation to HOF'ers Charlie, Lionel or Roy). Still, Stamkos redeemed himself. The Lightning won the game in overtime. Stamkos had a goal and an assist in regulation, and scored the OT winner. LINK - VIDEO OF GOAL
October 15th, 2016 - this was the first game of the season for the Canucks (so maybe you can excuse their sloppiness), and the third game for the Flames. The Canucks pulled Ryan Miller on a delayed penalty, and Loui Eriksson accidentally shot the puck into his own net (I couldn't find a video of this). Daniel Sedin tied the game for Vancouver with under four minutes left in the third. After five minutes of scoreless OT, Brandon Sutter (part of perhaps the most prolific family in NHL history) scored the only goal in the shootout. Eriksson's own-goal prevented Ryan Miller from getting a shutout (he stopped all 25 shots he faced in regulation/OT, and all four shooters in the shootout). LINK
January 5th, 2020 - as there were vague reports of a mysterious illness emerging in China, the Capitals played a much weaker Sharks team. After a scoreless first, San Jose took a 3-2 lead in the second. Washington pulled Braden Holtby, and Logan Couture scored into the empty net with exactly one minute remaining. The Capital launched a furious comeback, with Jakub Varana and TJ Oshie scoring with 47 and 15 seconds left in the third period to tie the game. In overtime, Lars Eller scored the winner. Thus the Capitals improbably earned two points after being down two goals with a minute to go. Erik Karlsson has a rough night (he was on the ice for four of Washington's five goals, including the tying goal with 15 seconds left, and the OT winner). Evander Kane has a hat trick in a losing cause. LINK - VIDEO OF COMEBACK
March 11th, 2020 - this was the final day of the 2019-20 regular season before the COVID-19 pandemic forced the NHL to cancel the rest of the year (though the playoffs took place in August and September). According to the record books, Adam Henrique scored an EN goal in a loss, but that didn't really happen. St. Louis played Anaheim on February 11th, and Jay Bouwmeester collapsed from a heart attack. In that aborted game, Henrique scored a goal, so they gave him credit for one in this game (it was officially recorded as EN goal at 0:00 of the first period - this way Henrique still got credit for his goal, but the goalie wasn't penalized). So this one is just a technicality. (St. Louis also got credit for a goal from the previous game - so the match started 1-1, and the Blues outscored the Ducks 3-1 the rest of the way). LINK
SUMMARY - nine times in NHL history, a team has scored an EN goal, and didn't win the game. One was a farce due to the Red Wings trying to manipulate a dumb rule. One didn't actually feature an EN goal (it was a "bookkeeping entry"). Four games involved a playing scoring into his own net on a delayed penalty, and three involved a team allowing a comeback after scoring an EN goal (this category is the most exciting).
(EDIT - I missed Billy Smith's goal initially. This has been added).
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