If you had a 9-3 lead late in the third period, would you pull your goalie for an extra attacker?
Not likely, but that is exactly what Emile Francis, coach of the New York Rangers, did on April 5th 1970.
Francis was worried about tie-breaker scenarios and qualifying for the Stanley Cup playoffs. The Rangers and Montreal Canadiens entered the final night of the season tied for the last playoff spot. The first tie breaker would be goals scored.
The move would prove to be unnecessary as Montreal would lose their last game in Chicago and New York would qualify for the playoffs cleanly.
By the way, the Rangers never did score that 10th goal. They surrendered two more, winning the game 9-5.
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