This Day In Hockey History: May 31st

1961 - Defenseman Doug Harvey signed with the NY Rangers to be their new player/coach, replacing Alf Pike.

1974 - Jimmy Anderson was named the Washington Capitals first head coach.

1987 - Jari Kurri scored the game winner at 14:59 of the second period in the seventh and deciding game of the Stanley Cup Finals as the Oilers beat the Philadelphia Flyers 3-1 to win their third Stanley Cup in four years.

1994 - Kirk McLean made 52 saves, the most in the Stanley Cup Finals since 1971 (including 17 in overtime) to lead the Canucks to a 3-2 win over the Rangers, in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals, at New York. Greg Adams scored the winner at 19:26 of OT.

1999 - Erik Rasmussen scored the game winner midway through the third period as Buffalo won 4-2 at Toronto, to eliminate the Leafs from the playoffs in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Buffalo earned its first trip to the finals since 1975.

2002 - Dominik Hasek recorded his second consecutive playoff shutout, and set an NHL record with his 5th shutout in one playoff year, as the Red Wings won 7-0 against the visiting Colorado Avalanche, in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals.

2004 - Brad Richards set an NHL record with his 7th game-winning goal of the 2004 playoffs as the Lightning beat the Flames 1-0, in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals.

2012 - Detroit Red Wings Hall of Fame defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom announced his retirement.

Happy Birthday to Greg Adams, Erik Karlsson, Jeff Odgers, Art Coulter, Tiny Thompson, Jim Craig, Jim Carey, Jean Lemieux, Petr Tenkrat, and Bill Bennett.