1944-45 NHL season

 The 1944-45 NHL season had 6 teams and 50 game schedule.  Regular season went from October 28 - March 18. Playoffs went from March 20 to April 22.  Some players started retuning from WWII.  Maurice Richard was the first to score 50 goals in 50 games. Elmer Lach broke the assists record with 54. Richard, Lach and Toe Blake was the first line in five seasons to go 1-2-3 in points.  1939-40 had Milt Schmidt, Bobby Bauer and Woody Dumart.  Toronto signs rookie Frank McCool.  He backstops Toronto to a cup and the Calder trophy for rookie of the year. Semi finals had Toronto beat Montreal 4-2 and Detroit beat Chicago 4-3. Stanley Cup had Toronto beat Detroit 4-3. Detroit nearly pulled off to Toronto, what Toronto did to Detroit in 1942 - a reverse sweep to win. When next season starts, WWII will have ended.