The NHL Belt · reign 1,304
New York Rangers
Took the belt from Buffalo Sabres, 4–2, on January 11, 1973. Lost it to Montréal Canadiens, 6–3, on February 14, 1973.
14Defenses
34Days
169thReign for the franchise
+1Closest call · Jan 20, 1973
3.7Average winning margin
121stLongest of 3,434 reigns, by days
8thMost defenses of 3,434 reigns
Defended against
California Golden Seals ×2Bruins ×2Islanders ×2BluesFlyersKingsCanucksRed WingsMaple LeafsAtlanta FlamesCanadiens
The season
- 1972–73: Montréal Canadiens had the best record (52–10–16); Montréal Canadiens won the Stanley Cup; 16 belt games of this reign; the belt changed hands 21 times that season.
Reign leaders
Most points for New York Rangers across the 16 belt games of this reign with a box score.
| Player | PTS | Games | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rod Gilbert | 22 | 16 |
| 2 | Steve Vickers | 21 | 16 |
| 3 | Jean Ratelle | 21 | 16 |
| 4 | Brad Park | 18 | 16 |
| 5 | Walt Tkaczuk | 18 | 15 |
Every game of the reign
margins from New York Rangers’ side| Belt game | Date | Result | Margin | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3,412 | Jan 11, 1973 | New York Rangers beat Buffalo Sabres 4–2 Game → | +2 | Title change |
| 3,413 | Jan 13, 1973 | New York Rangers beat St. Louis Blues 5–3 | +2 | Defense |
| 3,414 | Jan 14, 1973 | New York Rangers beat Philadelphia Flyers 5–2 | +3 | Defense |
| 3,415 | Jan 17, 1973 | New York Rangers and Los Angeles Kings tied 4–4 | 0 | Tie · defense |
| 3,416 | Jan 19, 1973 | New York Rangers beat California Golden Seals 6–0 | +6 | Defense |
| 3,417 | Jan 20, 1973 | New York Rangers beat Vancouver Canucks 4–3 | +1 | Defense |
| 3,418 | Jan 24, 1973 | New York Rangers beat Boston Bruins 4–2 | +2 | Defense |
| 3,419 | Jan 27, 1973 | New York Rangers beat Detroit Red Wings 6–3 | +3 | Defense |
| 3,420 | Jan 28, 1973 | New York Rangers beat Toronto Maple Leafs 5–2 | +3 | Defense |
| 3,421 | Jan 31, 1973 | New York Rangers beat California Golden Seals 3–1 | +2 | Defense |
| 3,422 | Feb 3, 1973 | New York Rangers beat Boston Bruins 7–3 | +4 | Defense |
| 3,423 | Feb 4, 1973 | New York Rangers beat Atlanta Flames 6–0 | +6 | Defense |
| 3,424 | Feb 7, 1973 | New York Rangers beat New York Islanders 6–0 | +6 | Defense |
| 3,425 | Feb 10, 1973 | New York Rangers beat New York Islanders 6–0 | +6 | Defense |
| 3,426 | Feb 11, 1973 | New York Rangers and Montréal Canadiens tied 2–2 | 0 | Tie · defense |
| 3,427 | Feb 14, 1973 | Montréal Canadiens beat New York Rangers 6–3 Game → | −3 | Title change |