• HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • Site Index
  • NHL Salary Caps
  • Hockey 101: A Beginner’s Guide
  • Join Our Team
  • Free Newsletter
  • Store
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
Home
Nashville Predators
Predators History

Today in Hockey History: Oct. 13

By Greg Boysen October 13th, 2020

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

So many historic events occurred on Oct. 13 throughout National Hockey League. “Mr. Hockey” scored his first NHL goal in eight years, numerous big names lit the lamp for the first time in their careers, some legendary goaltenders earned shutouts and the first-ever All-Star Game was played in Toronto.

Howe Gets Back in the Goal Column

Gordie Howe returned to the NHL in 1979 when the Hartford Whalers merged into the league after the World Hockey Associated (WHA) ceased operations. On Oct. 13, 1979, he scored his first NHL goal since 1971, in the Whalers’ second game, a 3-3 tie at the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Gordie Howe
Howe scored on this date at the age of 51. (Photo by Denis Brodeur/NHLI via Getty Images)

The 51-year-old scored in the first period for his 787th career goal, which was the most in NHL history at the time. Howe incredibly played in all 80 games during the 1979-80 season in his early 50s. He scored 15 goals and 41 points in his 32nd and final season playing professional hockey.

Two First Wins

The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim took to the ice for the just the third time in franchise history on Oct. 13, 1993. After losses to the Detroit Red Wings and New York Islanders, they tried their luck versus the Edmonton Oilers. The Ducks roared out to a 4-0 lead midway through the second period but had to fight off a big-time comeback effort. In the end, goaltender Ron Tugnutt made 28 saves in a 4-3 Ducks win, their first in the NHL.

Five years later, on Oct. 13, 1998, it was the Nashville Predators turn to find the win column for the first time ever. In just their second game, they defeated the Carolina Hurricanes, 3-2, at the old Nashville Arena. Andrew Burnette scored the first goal in franchise history after they were shutout in their league debut. J.J. Daigneault scored the game-winning goal in the third period, while goaltender Mike Dunham made 34 saves.

A Huge Date for First Goals

Islanders’ legend Mike Bossy made his NHL debut and scored his first goal, on Oct. 13, 1977, in a 3-2 loss at the Buffalo Sabres. This was his first of 53 goals during the 1977-78 season, which ended with Bossy winning the Calder Trophy for being the rookie of the year.

On Oct. 13, 1979, the Oilers played their first NHL home game, at the Northlands Coliseum, after coming over from the WHA. In a 3-3 tie with the Red Wings, Mark Messier scored the first goal of his career. He scored 693 more before retiring in 2004.

Mark Messier of the Edmonton Oilers
Messier scored his first NHL goal on this date in 1979. (Photo by Bruce Bennett Studios/Getty Images)

In that same game, Red Wings’ rookie Mike Foligno also scored his first NHL goal, as well as adding an assist. Exactly six years later, on Oct. 13, 1987, Foligno scored the 250th goal of his career, as a member of the Sabres, in an 8-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Defenseman Chris Chelios scored his first NHL, on Oct. 13, 1984, during the Montreal Canadiens’ 4-3 victory over the Penguins.

On that same night, Kirk Muller lit the lamp for the first time. His goal was only one for the New Jersey Devils in a 4-1 loss at the Red Wings.

Wendel Clark enjoyed scoring his first goal so much, on Oct. 13, 1985, he scored a second one in the Toronto Maple Leafs’ 5-1 win at the Chicago Blackhawks.

Esa Tikkanen also scored his first NHL goal on this evening. He had the game-winning goal in the Oilers’ 6-3 victory over the St. Louis Blues.

On Oct. 13, 2002, Henrik Zetterberg scored his first career NHL goal in a 4-2 Red Wings’ road win at the Mighty Ducks. Zetterberg scored 337 goals, all with the Red Wings, during his 15-season career.

From First Goals to No Goals

Jacques Plante started a big date for shutouts, on Oct. 13, 1956, by recording the 18th of his career as the Canadiens beat the Boston Bruins, 3-0, at the Forum.

The game between the Red Wings and Blackhawks, on Oct. 13, 1962, featured a battle between two goaltending legends. Terry Sawchuk and Glenn Hall dueled to a 0-0 tie. It was the 89th career shutout for Sawchuk and the 47th of Hall’s career.

On Oct. 13, 1964, Charlie Hodge recorded his 15th career shutout, leading the Canadiens to a 3-0 win at the New York Rangers.

Tony Esposito recorded the 24th shutout of his career, on Oct. 13, 1971, in the Blackhawks’ 1-0 win over the visiting Blues. The Hockey Hall of Famer retired in 1984 with 76 shutouts.

Tony Esposito
Esposito was a brick wall on this date in 1971. (Photo by Steve Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images)

The Philadelphia Flyers became just the fourth team in NHL history to open a season with two straight shutouts, on Oct. 13, 1973, as Bernie Parent recorded the 16th of his career in a 6-0 blanking the Islanders.

On that same night, Dan Bouchard earned his third career shutout to lead the Atlanta Flames to a 1-0 win versus the Blues. Leon Rochefort scored the game-winning goal at 16:57 of the final period.

Kirk McLean became the first goaltender to record 20 career shutouts with the Vancouver Canucks, on Oct. 13, 1997, in a 3-0 win over the visiting Oilers.

Related – Do You Know Your NHL Goalie Trivia?

On Oct. 13, 2001, Kevin Weekes picked up his seventh career shutout as Tampa Bay Lightning picked up their first victory of the season.  Vinnie Prospal netted the only goal of a 1-0 win at the Kings, improving the Lightning’s all-time record against Los Angeles to 8-1-1.

Three Straight Milestones for Gartner

Hockey Hall of Famer Mike Gartner had memorable moments on this date three years in a row. First, on Oct. 13, 1984, he began a Washington Capitals’ team-record 17-game point streak with a power-play goal in a 4-2 loss to the Flyers.

One year later, Gartner scored twice to give him 250 career NHL goals in another Washington 4-2 loss to the Flyers. He was the first player to ever score 250 goals as a member of the Capitals.

Mike Gartner
Gartner loved playing on Oct. 13. (THW Archives)

Gartner picked up his 300th career assist, on Oct. 13, 1986.  He also two goals, including the game-winner in overtime, to lead the Capitals to a 7-6 win over the Rangers. Gartner had 397 goals and 789 points in his 10 seasons in Washington before being traded to the Minnesota North Stars in 1989.

Dionne Makes His Mark

Marcel Dionne was another member of the Hockey of Fame who did some damage on this date. Starting on Oct. 13, 1974, Dionne had five assists to lead the Red Wings to a 7-3 win over the Oakland Seals at the Olympia.

Now in Los Angeles, on Oct. 13, 1981, Dionne scored twice to become the first player to score 300 goals as a member of the Kings. The milestone came in a 4-3 win versus the visiting Calgary Flames.

Marcel Dionne
Dionne is a legend in Los Angeles. (Photo by Graig Abel Collection/Getty Images)

Finally, on Oct. 13, 1984, Dionne scored the franchise’s first goal while the team was short two men. However, his goal on the 5v3 disadvantage was wasted in a 6-5 overtime loss to the Canucks.

Odds & Ends

On Oct. 13, 1930, Maple Leafs’ general manager Conn Smythe resigned as head coach and hired Art Duncan as his replacement. On this same day, the NHL approved the transfer of the Pittsburgh Pirates franchise to Philadelphia, where the team became known as the “Quakers” and played for just one season before folding.

The first-ever NHL All-Star Game was played, on Oct. 13, 1947, as the defending the Stanly Cup champion Maple Leafs hosted a squad of stars from the other five teams. Doug Bentley of the Blackhawks scored the game-winning goal in a 4-3 victory for the NHL All-Stars. The game was held as benefit for the players’ pension fund.

On this day in 1947, the @MapleLeafs took on a team of All-Stars in the NHL's first official All-Star Game #Hockey365 #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/ptUfhPaWSZ

— Mike Commito (@mikecommito) October 13, 2019

Steve Kasper scored at 19:59 of the third period, on Oct. 13, 1989, to give the Kings a 6-5 win at the Canucks. The game-winning goal was set up by Wayne Gretzky for the 1,849th assist of his career, putting him one behind Howe for the all-time record.

The Blackhawks beat the North Stars 4-1, on Oct. 1990, for the 1,700th victory in franchise history. Steve Larmer was the offensive hero by scoring the fifth hat trick of his career and assisting on the other Blackhawks’ goal.

On that same night, Bruins legend Ray Bourque played in his 800th game, a 7-1 loss in Los Angeles.

On Oct. 13, 1993, Red Wings captain Steve Yzerman recorded the 600th assist of his career in a 5-2 loss the Blues.

Steve Yzerman Detroit Red Wings
Yzerman hit 600 assists on this date in 1993. (Photo by Bruce Bennett Studios via Getty Images Studios/Getty Images)

Those same two teams got together again, six years later, on Oct. 13, 1999. This time the Red Wings won 4-2, but Blues’ forward scored his 400th career goal in the losing effort. He eventually became one of just 45 players to score at least 500 goals, retiring with 515 tallies.

Joel Quenneville became the winningest coach in Blues’ history, on Oct. 13, 2000, when he picked up his 154th career victory. Quenneville broke the record of 153 wins set by Brian Sutter. Rookie goalie Brent Johnson recorded first 1st career shutout and Alex Khavanov scored his first NHL goal in a 2-0 win versus the Minnesota Wild.

Alex Ovechkin scored a power-play goal, on Oct. 13, 2017, in the Capitals 5-2 win at the Devils. With the tally, he became the first player since 1967 to have nine goals in his team’s first five games of a season. Ovechkin finished the season with a league-leading 49 goals.

Happy Birthday to You

There are 17 current and former NHL players sharing birthdays on this date. The most notable birthday boys are Paul Cavallini (55), Sean O’Donnell (49), Marc-Andre Bergeron (40), Andrej Meszaros (35), Jakob Silfverberg (30), Igor Ozhiganov (28) and Lias Andersson (22).


Sign up for our regular 'Hockey History Newsletter' for all the best and most significant pieces from the THW Archives.
  • Tags
  • Gordie Howe
  • Marcel Dionne
  • Mike Gartner
  • Top Story
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Get theScore App Now!
Recent Posts
Jan 15th 10:25 AM
Los Angeles Kings

Kings Will Benefit From Doughty & Maatta Pairing

Jan 15th 10:15 AM
Montreal Canadiens

Revisiting the Golden Knights’ Trade for Max Pacioretty

Jan 15th 10:05 AM
Arizona Coyotes

Coyotes a Potential Sleeper Threat for Avalanche in West Division

Jan 15th 9:55 AM
Carolina Hurricanes

3 Positive Takeaways From the Hurricanes’ Season Opener

Jan 15th 9:45 AM
Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks News & Rumours: Toews, Dach, Kubalik, Subban & More

Jan 15th 9:35 AM
Washington Capitals

Capitals’ New Season Opens in Strange Conditions

Jan 15th 9:25 AM
Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings’ Greiss Shines, Other Newcomers Quiet in Season Opener

Jan 15th 9:15 AM
Montreal Canadiens

Canadiens’ Alexander Romanov Ready to Thrive in Montreal Spotlight

Jan 15th 9:05 AM
New York Rangers

Rangers Prospect Report: Lundkvist, Berard & More

Jan 15th 8:55 AM
Column

Maple Leafs News & Rumors: Judging Andersen & Tavares Season’s Start

Editor’s Picks
World Junior Championship All-Time Leading Scorers

World Junior Championship All-Time Leading Scorers

2021 Guide To the World Junior Championship

2021 Guide To the World Junior Championship

Masthead

Newsletters

RSS Feeds

Privacy Statement

Contact Us

About THW…

Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Updated daily with news and features from over 130 writers worldwide. Over 2 million monthly readers now come to THW for their hockey fix.

© The Hockey Writers 2020. All rights reserved.
logo
  • HOME
  • Hockey Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • North Division
    • Calgary Flames
    • Edmonton Oilers
    • Montreal Canadiens
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Vancouver Canucks
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • East Division
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • New Jersey Devils
    • New York Islanders
    • New York Rangers
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Pittsburgh Penguins
    • Washington Capitals
  • Central Division
    • Carolina Hurricanes
    • Chicago Blackhawks
    • Columbus Blue Jackets
    • Dallas Stars
    • Detroit Red Wings
    • Florida Panthers
    • Nashville Predators
    • Tampa Bay Lightning
  • West Division
    • Anaheim Ducks
    • Arizona Coyotes
    • Colorado Avalanche
    • Los Angeles Kings
    • Minnesota Wild
    • San Jose Sharks
    • Seattle Kraken
    • St Louis Blues
    • Vegas Golden Knights
  • World Juniors
  • CHL
    • Ontario Hockey League
    • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
    • Western Hockey League
  • THW Podcast Network
  • Store
  • FREE Newsletter
  • Search THW
  • More…
    • Join Our Team
    • The THW Archives
    • Prospects
    • The Goalie Page
    • NHL Salary Cap Information