Pentti paced the playoffs in 1950

LOOKING back at the history of the Stanley Cup playoffs, this marks the 70th anniversary of Pentti Lund leading the National Hockey League postseason in offensive production.

Seven decades ago Lund paced all NHL skaters in the 1950 playoffs, averaging just under a point-per-game with 11 in a dozen outings, helping lead his New York Rangers all the way to the finals.

Back in the ‘Original Six’ days, New York finished fourth in the standings that year and met the mighty Montreal Canadiens in the semifinals.

Going head-to-head against the legendary Maurice Richard, Lund bested the future hall of famer by racking up nine points in the series while holding ‘The Rocket’ to just two in a match-up that saw the Rangers upset the Habs in five games.

Advancing to meet the first place Detroit Red Wings, who finished 21 points clear of New York in the regular season standings, the Broadway Blueshirts gave them everything they could handle before eventually falling in double overtime in a seventh and deciding game.

With two points in the final, Lund finished the playoffs with six goals, which tied him for the NHL lead, and five assists to pace the scoring parade.

He and Eric Staal with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006 are the only two players, who called the Lakehead home, that went on to lead the NHL in playoff scoring.

That same year Kenora product Don Raleigh tied for second in postseason competition as a member of the Rangers with nine while teammate and eventual Hockey Hall of Fame honoured member Edgar Laprade was right behind him with eight.

The Stanley Cup champion Red Wings also boasted a local connection in their lineup with Steve Black and Lee Fogolin Sr., both playing for Detroit.

That season also saw Laprade bestowed with the Calder Trophy as NHL Rookie of the Year, one year after Lund was recognized with the same award.

Overall, the 1949-50 campaign featured a plethora of local and northwestern talent competing on the ice.

Not only did Lund, Laprade and Raleigh suit up for the Rangers along with Black and Fogolin as members of the Red Wings, six other city products all saw action in the NHL that season.

They included Gaye Stewart (Chicago); Gus Bodnar (Chicago); Bud Poile (Rangers & Boston); Rudy Migay (Toronto); Bart Bradley (Boston) and Bill ‘Red’ Johansen (Toronto).

You also had Laprade (Tie-17th); Stewart (20th); Bodnar (T-26th) and Poile (T-26th) all finish among the Top 30 point getters that year.

DID YOU KNOW?: In the past 15 years, no player has had a longer consecutive game point streak in a single playoff year than Eric Staal.

The veteran NHLer had a league-best 15-game run back in 2006 when he helped lead Carolina to the Stanley Cup.

In one postseason, that ties him for fifth best in league tenure with Mario Lemieux (Pittsburgh-1991) and Mark Messier (Edmonton-1988).

Bryan Trottier holds the NHL record at 18, established with the New York Islanders, back in 1981.

While there are no area players remaining in the NHL playoffs, there are a number of local connections on the four squads still vying for the title.

Thunder Bay’s Tony Hrkac is a professional scout with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

He also was a Stanley Cup with the Dallas Stars back in 1999.

Then there is former Thunder Bay Thundercats equipment manager Scott Boggs, who is now in his 13th season serving in the same capacity for the New York Islanders.

You also have past Chronicle-Journal reporter and sports editor Gary Lawless, who is on the Vegas Golden Knights communications team, working in all facets of the club’s media platforms, including television segments and colour commentary on radio broadcasts.