In 1950-51, the second year with a 70 game schedule for each NHL team, the Detroit Red Wings finished first overall with 101 points. The Wings did it on 44 wins and 13 ties. Despite the high number of points, the Toronto Maple Leafs were just six points behind with 95. The Wings and Leafs were the only two teams with better than a .500 winning percentage.
Detroit was led that year by Gordie Howe with his 43 goals and 43 assists for 86 points. Howe led the league in all three categories, earning his first of six Art Trophys. Despite this, Howe finished tied for third in voting for the Hart Trophy with teammate Red Kelly. Milt Schmidt of the Boston Bruins won the MVP award with Maurice Richard coming runner-up.
The Red Wings couldn’t carry their success into the Stanley Cup playoffs. In the quest for the second consecutive championship, Detroit was upset in the opening round by the Canadiens. The series went six games with the first two won in overtime by the Habs. In the regular season, Montreal finished third, 36 points behind the Red Wings.
The following year, Detroit finished with exactly 100 points. They would not record 100 or more again until 1992-93. The franchise record is 131 points, recorded in 1995-96, a year they won 62 of 82 games under head coach Scotty Bowman.
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