By John Kreiser @jkreiser7713 / NHL.com Managing Editor —
THIS DATE IN HISTORY: Dec. 24
1949: In one of the best goaltending duels in NHL history, Bill Durnan of the Montreal Canadiens and Chuck Rayner of the New York Rangers match saves for 60 minutes in a 0-0 tie at the Forum.
It’s the 31st NHL shutout for Durnan and the 17th for Rayner, who combine for the only 0-0 tie in League history to be played on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
MORE MOMENTS
1921: Punch Broadbent of the Ottawa Senators begins his NHL-record 16-game goal streak by scoring in the third period of a 10-0 win against the visiting Canadiens.
1966: Two former Canadiens, Bernie Geoffrion and Don Marshall, spoil Christmas Eve for their old team and help the Rangers win 4-3 at the Forum. Geoffrion scores twice in the second period, and Marshall wins the game by beating Charlie Hodge with 33 seconds remaining in the third period.
1969: Ron Ellis scores twice in the first period, and the Toronto Maple Leafs roll to an 8-1 victory against the Los Angeles Kings at Maple Leaf Gardens. It’s the last time Toronto plays on Christmas Eve; the Maple Leafs are 5-2-2 in nine Dec. 24 games.
1972: In the final NHL game to be played on Christmas Eve, Serge Bernier scores four goals to help the Kings defeat the California Golden Seals 5-3 in Oakland. Bernier scores once in the first period and twice in the second, and then gets what proves to be the game-winner at 7:34 of the third period.
Earlier that night, Ed Giacomin ties Dave Kerr’s Rangers record with his 40th NHL shutout, and Pete Stemkowski has four assists in a 5-0 win against the Detroit Red Wings at Madison Square Garden.
