Rocket Richard's 50 Goals in 50 Games

March 18th, 1945.  Rocket Richard scores 50 goals in 50 games - The Montreal Canadiens are paced by Rocket Richard. He scores an unthinkable 50 goals in 50 games, forever making the 50 goal mark one of the most famous numbers in all of hockey.



Richard's famous goal was scored against Boston goaltender Harvey Bennett.

Richard was the only player to score 50 goals in a 50 game season. The NHL officially recognizes 50 goal in feats in the first 50 games of the player's team's season (but not necessarily the player's 50th game).

In addition to Richard, only four players in NHL history are officially recognized for matching 50 goals in 50 games:

Mike Bossy (50 games - 1980-81)
Wayne Gretzky three times (39 games 1981-82, 42 games 1983-84 and 49 games in 1984-85)
Mario Lemieux (46 games in 1988-89)
Brett Hull two times (49 games in 1990-91 and 50 games in 1991-92)

Four players unofficially hit 50 goals in 50 games, but not within their team's first 50 games:

Jari Kurri (50 goals in 50 games, 1984-85. It was Edmonton's 53rd game)
Alexander Mogilny (50 goals in 46 games, 1992-93. It was Buffalo's 53rd game)
Mario Lemieux twice (50 goals in 48 games, 1992-93, Pittsburgh's 72nd game, and 50 goals in 50 games, 1995-96, Pittsburgh's 59th game)
Cam Neely (50 goals in 44 games, 1993-94, Boston's 66th game)

Five players just missed an official 50 goals in 50 games:

Joe Malone (44 goals in 20 games, 1917-18)
Bobby Hull (50 goals in 52 games, 1965-66)
Charlie Simmer (50 goals in 51 games, 1980-81)
Mario Lemieux (50 goals in 51 games, 1987-88)
Bernie Nicholls (50 goals in 51 games, 1988-89)