1974-75 NHL season

 This season had 18 teams and 80 games. The Washington Capitals and Kansas City Scouts were added. Also the east and west of divisions became the Campbell Conference and Prince of Wales Conference. Each conference were split in to divisions - the Adams, Smythe, Norris and Patrick divisions.  A new playoff format was introduced. 4 division winners and the 8 best afterwards made the playoffs. Division winners had a bye into quarters. Preliminary round was best of three with the 5 to 12 place playing. Winners went to quarters and reseeded. Season had: 1. May 24 1974, Reggie Leach sent to Philadelphia by California Seals. 2. March 26 1975 Washington lost 17th in a row. Two nights later they win their only road game over California. 3. April 26, New York Islanders complete 0-3 comeback over Pittsburgh. (They almost did it to Philadelphia). Islanders ended up setting a playoff record with 8 straight elimination game wins. Playoffs: preliminary; Toronto 2 Los Angeles 1, New York Islanders 2 New York Rangers 1, Chicago 2 Boston 1 and Pittsburgh 2 St Louis 0. Quarterfinals; Philadelphia 4 Toronto 0, New York Islanders 4 Pittsburgh 3, Montreal 4 Vancouver 1, Buffalo 4 Chicago 1. Semi final; Philadelphia 4 New York Islanders 3, Buffalo 4 Montreal 2. Stanley Cup finals; Philadelphia 4 Buffalo 2. Philadelphia wins second straight Stanley Cup. Bernie Parent wins Conn Smythe trophy as playoff MVP. #1 draft pick in 1975 was Mel Bridgeman. He played 977 games, scored 252 goals, 449 assists and 701 points.