In 1970-71, Ed Giacomin and Gilles Villemure shared Vezina Trophy honours. The New York Rangers allowed just 177 goals over the 78 games. The next closest team was the Chicago Blackhawks with 184 goals against. The Rangers and Hawks were the only two teams with less than 200 goals against.
Giacomin played in 45 regular season games, allowing 95 of those goals while recording a 2.16 goals against average with eight shutouts. Villemure appeared in 34, allowing 78 and posting a 2.30 GAA with four blanks.
In the post season, Giacomin played 12 and Villemure played two. New York reached the semi-final before losing to the Chicago Blackhawks in sevn games. Three of those seven needed overtime with game six going to triple overtime with the Rangers winning 3-2.
Despite the length of the game, Giacomin faced just 26 shots while Tony Esposito turned away 46 of 49. Ultimately, it was Pete Stemkowski scoring the game winner at 1:29 of the third extra frame, assisted by Ted Irvine and Tim Horton.
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