On February 20, 1971 at the Forum in Los Angeles against the Kings, Phil Esposito reached the 50 goal plateau for the first time in his NHL career. Of course, in that 1970-71 season, Esposito would go on to score 76, a record that stood for just over a decade. He scored at 2:18 of the first period, putting one past Denis DeJordy with help from Ken Hodge.
It was a unique night for Esposito. He not only scored the magic goal but also assisted on a Ken Hodge goal shortly after for a two point night. But wait, that’s not all! Phil also dropped the gloves with Larry Cahan in the second period to achieve the “Gordie Howe Hat Trick”.
The game went a little like the 1970-71 season for the Bruins. They started early with three goals in the first 5:36 of the first period and held that 3-0 lead through to nearly the halfway point of the game. The Kings scored two in the second and Boston countered with a single to make the score 4-2 after two.
The much weaker home team came up with three unanswered in the third to stun the mighty Bruins 5-4. Boston had all the firepower they would ever need in that 1970-71 NHL season but when it came to defended their Stanley Cup title from the previous season, the Bruins were bounced in the opening round by the Montreal Canadiens.