November 13 NHL History Highlights

The bizarre three-goalie game that made NHL history November 13 highlights

Perhaps no game better exemplifies the unexpected nature of hockey than the St. Louis Blues’ remarkable 3-1 victory over the New York Rangers on November 13, 1968. This contest became the first time in NHL history that a team needed three different goaltenders to complete a single game, creating a scenario that remains unique to this day.

The chaos began just 71 seconds into the game when veteran Glenn Hall allowed the Rangers’ lone goal. Things spiraled quickly when referee Vern Buffey issued Hall a game misconduct penalty just 45 seconds later for arguing a penalty call. Hall’s early departure sent rookie Robbie Irons scrambling off the bench to replace him, but fate had other plans.

Tragedy struck during Irons’ warm-up when he injured his leg. Despite attempting to play through the pain, Irons lasted only about three minutes on the ice before being forced to leave. Those three minutes would represent the entirety of Irons’ NHL career, making his brief appearance one of the most memorable debuts for all the wrong reasons.

Enter Jacques Plante, the future Hall of Famer who was watching from the press box. Plante hurried down, threw on his uniform, and was on the ice before the game reached the five-minute mark. He made 21 saves to secure the victory, demonstrating the veteran poise that had defined his legendary career. The bizarre sequence remains a testament to the unpredictable nature of hockey and the importance of being ready for anything.

The Hull family legacy on NHL history November 13 highlights

Few families have left as significant an impact on a single date as the Hull family has on November 13. Across three different decades, Bobby, Dennis, and Brett Hull each achieved personal milestones on this date, cementing their family’s place in hockey lore.

Bobby Hull, “The Golden Jet,” reached the 400-point milestone on November 13, 1963, scoring twice and adding two assists as the Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Boston Bruins 6-4. Bobby’s explosive skating and powerful shot revolutionized the game, and this milestone was just one stop on his journey to 1,153 career NHL points before he departed for the World Hockey Association in 1972.

Twelve years later, Dennis Hull followed in his brother’s footsteps when he became the third-highest goal-scorer in Blackhawks history on November 13, 1975. Dennis, known as “The Silver Jet,” scored his 259th career goal during a 5-5 tie with the Philadelphia Flyers. His 298 career goals still rank seventh on the franchise’s all-time list, proving that excellence ran deep in the Hull bloodline.

The family tradition continued into a new era when Brett Hull scored his first career NHL goal on November 13, 1986, during the Calgary Flames’ 4-3 victory over the Hartford Whalers. Brett would go on to become one of the greatest goal-scorers in hockey history, finishing his career with 741 goals—fourth-most in NHL history. The fact that all three Hulls achieved significant milestones on the same calendar date remains one of hockey’s most remarkable coincidences.

Legendary goaltenders shine in NHL history November 13 highlights

While the three-goalie game stands out for its peculiarity, November 13 has also witnessed some of the most impressive goaltending performances in league history. The date has served as a stage for netminders to showcase their excellence and reach career milestones that few others have achieved.

On November 13, 1955, Glenn Hall and Terry Sawchuk engaged in an epic goaltender duel during Hall’s rookie season. The Detroit Red Wings and Boston Bruins battled to a scoreless tie, with Hall recording his fourth career shutout and Sawchuk earning his 61st. The matchup represented a passing of the torch between generations, with the veteran Sawchuk and rookie Hall both demonstrating the stellar goaltending that would define their Hall of Fame careers.

That same night, Jacques Plante recorded his second shutout in as many nights, leading the Montreal Canadiens to a 2-0 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. This was the 15th shutout of Plante’s career, adding another achievement to his growing legend. Plante’s ability to deliver consecutive shutouts showcased his consistency and dominance during an era of offensive firepower.

Tony Esposito joined elite company on November 13, 1982, when he made 34 saves to lead the Blackhawks to a 3-2 victory over the Red Wings. Tom Lysiak’s power-play goal in the third period proved decisive, but Esposito’s milestone stole the headlines—he became just the fourth goaltender in NHL history to reach 400 career wins. His achievement paved the way for future netminders to chase similar heights, similar to how other milestones have shaped the game across different eras, as seen throughout November 9 hockey history milestones.

Hall of Fame scorers reach milestones in NHL history November 13 highlights

November 13 has witnessed numerous offensive stars reach career milestones that solidified their eventual enshrinement in the Hockey Hall of Fame. The date has become synonymous with goal-scoring excellence, with multiple legendary players hitting significant marks throughout the decades.

Dino Ciccarelli etched his name in Minnesota North Stars history on November 13, 1987, scoring twice in a 5-4 road victory over the Buffalo Sabres. The performance gave Ciccarelli 268 career goals, making him the franchise’s all-time leading goal-scorer at the time. He would add another 64 goals before being traded to the Washington Capitals in 1992, with his 332 goals still ranking third in franchise history.

Joe Sakic delivered a dominant performance on November 13, 1998, recording five points (one goal and four assists) as the Colorado Avalanche dismantled the Tampa Bay Lightning 8-1. Among those points was the 900th of his illustrious career, cementing his status as one of the game’s elite playmakers. Sakic remains the Avalanche franchise’s all-time leader with 625 goals, 1,016 assists, and 1,641 points—numbers that may never be surpassed.

The milestone march continued with Brendan Shanahan scoring his 400th career goal on November 13, 1999, during the Detroit Red Wings’ 1-1 tie with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Shanahan would add 256 more goals before retirement, finishing 14th on the all-time NHL goal-scoring list with 656. Just one year later, Jaromir Jagr joined the 400-goal club on November 13, 2000, netting twice in the Pittsburgh Penguins’ 3-2 overtime loss in Colorado. Jagr became just the second player in Penguins history to reach 400 goals, joining Mario Lemieux in that exclusive club.

Franchise milestones and records mark NHL history November 13 highlights

Beyond individual achievements, November 13 has played host to numerous franchise-defining moments that shaped team histories. These organizational milestones represent breakthroughs, records, and announcements that altered the landscape of their respective franchises forever.

The Buffalo Sabres experienced a breakthrough on November 13, 1974, when they finally earned their first victory in Montreal during their fifth NHL season. Rene Robert led the charge with a hat trick and an assist in an 8-6 victory over the Canadiens. The win represented a psychological barrier broken for a young franchise attempting to establish itself among the league’s elite. Interestingly, Canadiens defenseman Guy Lapointe scored the only hat trick of his career in the losing effort, making the game memorable for both sides.

The NHL landscape expanded on November 13, 1997, when the league’s newest franchise in Nashville officially announced it would be called the Predators. The team would join the league at the start of the 1998-99 season, bringing hockey to the heart of country music and establishing a presence in the southern United States that has since flourished.

According to The Hockey Writers, the St. Louis Blues achieved a significant milestone on November 13, 2003, recording their 500th all-time road victory with a 4-3 overtime win over the San Jose Sharks. The Blues became only the second post-1967 expansion team to reach 500 road wins, following the Philadelphia Flyers who achieved the mark during the 1999-2000 season. This accomplishment highlighted the Blues’ consistent success away from home throughout their history.

Perhaps the most impressive franchise achievement occurred on November 13, 2006, when the Buffalo Sabres defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 7-4 in Raleigh. The victory extended their NHL record for most consecutive road victories to start a season to 10 games. This would be the final win of that historic streak, which remains the longest in league history and showcases the importance of strong road performances in building championship-caliber teams, much like the historic moments captured in November 5 NHL history milestones.

Unusual records and memorable moments define NHL history November 13 highlights

Sometimes the most memorable moments aren’t about traditional milestones but rather the unique and unusual occurrences that make hockey’s history so colorful. November 13 has delivered its share of peculiar records and performances that stand apart from typical achievements.

Ralph “Scotty” Bowman made history on November 13, 1934, when he scored the first penalty-shot goal in NHL history during the St. Louis Eagles’ 2-1 loss to the Montreal Maroons. His historic goal came on just the second penalty shot ever awarded by the league. Interestingly, this Scotty Bowman is not the same Scotty Bowman who later became the winningest coach in NHL history—a coincidence that often causes confusion among hockey fans.

Bernie Nicholls achieved a feat that remains unmatched on November 13, 1984, when he became the first player in NHL history to score in all four periods of a game. During the Los Angeles Kings’ 5-4 overtime victory against the Quebec Nordiques, Nicholls found the net in the first, second, and third periods before winning the game three minutes into overtime. His four-goal performance exemplified offensive consistency across an entire game.

The New York Islanders and Rangers engaged in an offensive explosion on November 13, 1979, during the famous “Double Chili” game. The Islanders won 10-5 in their first meeting since the previous year’s playoffs. The game earned its unique nickname from a Wendy’s promotion where fans received a free bowl of chili after the Islanders scored six goals at home. With the team ahead 6-2 by 7:32 of the second period, a Wendy’s executive in attendance doubled the offer. Denis Potvin scored the 10th goal to secure the double chili promotion, as reported by the NHL’s official coverage, creating a moment that remains beloved in Islanders lore.

John Marks set an NHL record during that same Philadelphia-Chicago game in 1975 where Dennis Hull reached his milestone, scoring twice within the first 33 seconds to establish the mark for fastest two goals from the start of a game. His record stood for nearly four decades until Mike Knuble of the Boston Bruins scored twice in the first 27 seconds on February 13, 2013.

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November 13 has consistently proven itself to be one of the NHL’s most historically significant dates, offering a remarkable collection of achievements, oddities, and breakthrough moments that span the entire spectrum of hockey excellence. From the Hull family’s multi-generational dominance to the unprecedented three-goalie game in St. Louis, the date encapsulates everything that makes hockey history so compelling. The combination of individual brilliance, franchise milestones, and unusual records creates a tapestry that reflects the sport’s rich heritage.

These moments remind us that hockey’s greatest stories often emerge from unexpected circumstances and that records can fall on any given night. As the NHL continues to evolve and new stars emerge, November 13 will undoubtedly continue adding chapters to its already impressive legacy, creating future memories that will be celebrated alongside these historic achievements for generations to come.