1994–95 Chicago Blackhawks season

1994–95 Chicago Blackhawks
Division3rd Central
Conference4th Western
1994–95 record24–19–5
Home record11–10–3
Road record13–9–2
Goals for156
Goals against115
Team information
General managerBob Pulford
CoachDarryl Sutter
CaptainDirk Graham
Alternate captainsChris Chelios
Jeremy Roenick
ArenaUnited Center
Average attendance20,832
Minor league affiliate(s)Indianapolis Ice
Flint Generals
Team leaders
GoalsJoe Murphy (23)
AssistsBernie Nicholls (29)
PointsBernie Nicholls (51)
Penalty minutesSteve Smith (128)
Plus/minusChris Chelios (+17)
WinsEd Belfour (22)
Goals against averageEd Belfour (2.28)

The 1994–95 Chicago Blackhawks season was the Hawks' 69th season. It was the Blackhawks' first season at United Center, which replaced Chicago Stadium as their home venue. The Hawks ended the regular season on a high note, winning their final five games. They tied the Detroit Red Wings for most power play goals (52) and had the best power play in the league (24.53%). They also allowed the fewest goals (115) and the fewest even-strength goals (76) during the regular season.[1] It was an inconsistent season for the team, as they had three 5-game winning streaks (February 1 to 9; March 16 to 26; and April 25 to May 3) and one 13-game winless streak from March 29 to April 23. Within their winless streak, they lost 8 games in a row. Points-leader Bernie Nicholls had 3 hat tricks, including two four-goal games (the first one came on February 5 and the second one came on February 28). Nicholls' three-goal game came on March 21 in a 7-3 Blackhawks' win at San Jose.

Offseason

Regular season

The Blackhawks were one of only 3 teams in 1994–95 to have a better regular-season record on the road than at home (the other 2 teams were the Florida Panthers and the Los Angeles Kings).

Season standings

Central Division
No. CR GP W L T GF GA Pts
1 1 Detroit Red Wings 48 33 11 4 180 117 70
2 2 St. Louis Blues 48 28 15 5 178 135 61
3 4 Chicago Blackhawks 48 24 19 5 156 115 53
4 5 Toronto Maple Leafs 48 21 19 8 135 146 50
5 8 Dallas Stars 48 17 23 8 136 135 42
6 10 Winnipeg Jets 48 16 25 7 157 177 39

[2]

Note: No. = Division rank, CR = Conference rank, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, GF = Goals For, GA = Goals Against, Pts = Points
       Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold.

Western Conference[3]
R Div GP W L T GF GA Pts
1 p – Detroit Red Wings CEN 48 33 11 4 180 117 70
2 x – Calgary Flames PAC 48 24 17 7 163 135 55
3 St. Louis Blues CEN 48 28 15 5 178 135 61
4 Chicago Blackhawks CEN 48 24 19 5 156 115 53
5 Toronto Maple Leafs CEN 48 21 19 8 135 146 50
6 Vancouver Canucks PAC 48 18 18 12 153 148 48
7 San Jose Sharks PAC 48 19 25 4 129 161 42
8 Dallas Stars CEN 48 17 23 8 136 135 42
9 Los Angeles Kings PAC 48 16 23 9 142 174 41
10 Winnipeg Jets CEN 48 16 25 7 157 177 39
11 Edmonton Oilers PAC 48 17 27 4 136 183 38
12 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim PAC 48 16 27 5 125 164 37

Divisions: CEN – Central, PAC – Pacific

bold – Qualified for playoffs; x – Won division; p – Won Presidents' Trophy


Playoffs

In the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Blackhawks defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs in a tight 7-game series, swept the Vancouver Canucks, and then lost to the Detroit Red Wings in the Western Conference Finals in 5 games; 3 of those games went into overtime (Detroit won all 3).

Schedule and results

Regular season

1994–95 regular season[4]
January: 3–3–0 (home: 2–0–0; road: 1–3–0)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
1 L January 20, 1995 1–4 @ Detroit Red Wings (1994–95) 0–1–0 Recap
2 L January 23, 1995 3–5 @ Winnipeg Jets (1994–95) 0–2–0 Recap
3 W January 25, 1995 5–1 Edmonton Oilers (1994–95) 1–2–0 Recap
4 W January 27, 1995 4–1 Toronto Maple Leafs (1994–95) 2–2–0 Recap
5 W January 29, 1995 6–3 @ Los Angeles Kings (1994–95) 3–2–0 Recap
6 L January 30, 1995 1–2 @ San Jose Sharks (1994–95) 3–3–0 Recap
February: 9–2–1 (home: 2–1–1; road: 7–1–0)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
7 W February 1, 1995 7–0 @ Edmonton Oilers (1994–95) 4–3–0 Recap
8 W February 3, 1995 4–3 OT @ Calgary Flames (1994–95) 5–3–0 Recap
9 W February 5, 1995 9–4 @ Vancouver Canucks (1994–95) 6–3–0 Recap
10 W February 7, 1995 3–0 @ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1994–95) 7–3–0 Recap
11 W February 9, 1995 5–0 @ St. Louis Blues (1994–95) 8–3–0 Recap
12 L February 13, 1995 2–4 @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1994–95) 8–4–0 Recap
13 T February 16, 1995 2–2 OT Calgary Flames (1994–95) 8–4–1 Recap
14 W February 19, 1995 4–1 Edmonton Oilers (1994–95) 9–4–1 Recap
15 W February 20, 1995 3–2 San Jose Sharks (1994–95) 10–4–1 Recap
16 L February 23, 1995 2–4 Detroit Red Wings (1994–95) 10–5–1 Recap
17 W February 26, 1995 2–1 @ Dallas Stars (1994–95) 11–5–1 Recap
18 W February 28, 1995 8–4 @ Los Angeles Kings (1994–95) 12–5–1 Recap
March: 7–5–2 (home: 3–3–1; road: 4–2–1)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
19 L March 1, 1995 1–3 @ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1994–95) 12–6–1 Recap
20 W March 3, 1995 5–2 @ Edmonton Oilers (1994–95) 13–6–1 Recap
21 W March 5, 1995 3–0 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1994–95) 14–6–1 Recap
22 L March 7, 1995 3–6 Calgary Flames (1994–95) 14–7–1 Recap
23 L March 9, 1995 3–4 Los Angeles Kings (1994–95) 14–8–1 Recap
24 T March 11, 1995 2–2 OT @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1994–95) 14–8–2 Recap
25 L March 13, 1995 2–4 @ Dallas Stars (1994–95) 14–9–2 Recap
26 W March 16, 1995 9–2 Vancouver Canucks (1994–95) 15–9–2 Recap
27 W March 19, 1995 3–2 @ Winnipeg Jets (1994–95) 16–9–2 Recap
28 W March 21, 1995 7–3 @ San Jose Sharks (1994–95) 17–9–2 Recap
29 W March 23, 1995 3–1 @ Vancouver Canucks (1994–95) 18–9–2 Recap
30 W March 26, 1995 5–2 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1994–95) 19–9–2 Recap
31 L March 29, 1995 1–3 St. Louis Blues (1994–95) 19–10–2 Recap
32 T March 31, 1995 3–3 OT Toronto Maple Leafs (1994–95) 19–10–3 Recap
April: 3–9–2 (home: 2–6–1; road: 1–3–1)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
33 L April 2, 1995 1–2 Dallas Stars (1994–95) 19–11–3 Recap
34 L April 4, 1995 2–3 @ Calgary Flames (1994–95) 19–12–3 Recap
35 L April 5, 1995 1–4 @ Winnipeg Jets (1994–95) 19–13–3 Recap
36 L April 9, 1995 1–4 Detroit Red Wings (1994–95) 19–14–3 Recap
37 L April 12, 1995 2–3 San Jose Sharks (1994–95) 19–15–3 Recap
38 L April 14, 1995 1–3 Detroit Red Wings (1994–95) 19–16–3 Recap
39 L April 16, 1995 0–2 @ Dallas Stars (1994–95) 19–17–3 Recap
40 L April 17, 1995 1–3 Toronto Maple Leafs (1994–95) 19–18–3 Recap
41 T April 19, 1995 2–2 OT St. Louis Blues (1994–95) 19–18–4 Recap
42 L April 21, 1995 1–2 Winnipeg Jets (1994–95) 19–19–4 Recap
43 T April 23, 1995 2–2 OT @ St. Louis Blues (1994–95) 19–19–5 Recap
44 W April 25, 1995 4–3 OT Vancouver Canucks (1994–95) 20–19–5 Recap
45 W April 27, 1995 5–1 Dallas Stars (1994–95) 21–19–5 Recap
46 W April 30, 1995 4–0 @ Detroit Red Wings (1994–95) 22–19–5 Recap
May: 2–0–0 (home: 2–0–0; road: 0–0–0)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
47 W May 1, 1995 3–2 Winnipeg Jets (1994–95) 23–19–5 Recap
48 W May 3, 1995 5–1 Los Angeles Kings (1994–95) 24–19–5 Recap
Legend:

  Win (2 points)   Loss (0 points)   Tie (1 point)

Playoffs

1995 Stanley Cup playoffs[4]
Western Conference Quarterfinals vs. (5) Toronto Maple Leafs – Blackhawks win 4–3
Game Result Date Score Opponent Series Recap
1 L May 7, 1995 3–5 Toronto Maple Leafs Maple Leafs lead 1–0 Recap
2 L May 9, 1995 0–3 Toronto Maple Leafs Maple Leafs lead 2–0 Recap
3 W May 11, 1995 3–2 @ Toronto Maple Leafs Maple Leafs lead 2–1 Recap
4 W May 13, 1995 3–1 @ Toronto Maple Leafs Series tied 2–2 Recap
5 W May 15, 1995 4–2 Toronto Maple Leafs Blackhawks lead 3–2 Recap
6 L May 17, 1995 4–5 OT @ Toronto Maple Leafs Series tied 3–3 Recap
7 W May 19, 1995 5–2 Toronto Maple Leafs Blackhawks win 4–3 Recap
Western Conference Semifinals vs. (6) Vancouver Canucks – Blackhawks win 4–0
Game Result Date Score Opponent Series Recap
1 W May 21, 1995 2–1 OT Vancouver Canucks Blackhawks lead 1–0 Recap
2 W May 23, 1995 2–0 Vancouver Canucks Blackhawks lead 2–0 Recap
3 W May 25, 1995 3–2 OT @ Vancouver Canucks Blackhawks lead 3–0 Recap
4 W May 27, 1995 4–3 OT @ Vancouver Canucks Blackhawks win 4–0 Recap
Western Conference Finals vs. (1) Detroit Red Wings – Red Wings win 4–1
Game Result Date Score Opponent Series Recap
1 L June 1, 1995 1–2 OT @ Detroit Red Wings Red Wings lead 1–0 Recap
2 L June 4, 1995 2–3 @ Detroit Red Wings Red Wings lead 2–0 Recap
3 L June 6, 1995 3–4 2OT Detroit Red Wings Red Wings lead 3–0 Recap
4 W June 8, 1995 5–2 Detroit Red Wings Red Wings lead 3–1 Recap
5 L June 11, 1995 1–2 2OT @ Detroit Red Wings Red Wings win 4–1 Recap
Legend:

  Win   Loss

Player statistics

Scoring

  • Position abbreviations: C = Center; D = Defense; G = Goaltender; LW = Left wing; RW = Right wing
  • † = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Blackhawks only.
  • ‡ = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Blackhawks only.
No. Player Pos Regular season Playoffs
GP G A Pts +/- PIM GP G A Pts +/- PIM
92 Bernie Nicholls C 48 22 29 51 4 32 16 1 11 12 0 8
17 Joe Murphy RW 40 23 18 41 7 89 16 9 3 12 −1 29
7 Chris Chelios D 48 5 33 38 17 72 16 4 7 11 6 12
20 Gary Suter D 48 10 27 37 14 42 12 2 5 7 −1 10
10 Tony Amonte RW 48 15 20 35 7 41 16 3 3 6 3 10
27 Jeremy Roenick C 33 10 24 34 5 14 8 1 2 3 −2 16
44 Patrick Poulin LW 45 15 15 30 13 53 16 4 1 5 1 8
25 Sergei Krivokrasov LW 41 12 7 19 9 33 10 0 0 0 0 8
11 Jeff Shantz LW 45 6 12 18 11 33 16 3 1 4 0 2
12 Brent Sutter C 47 7 8 15 6 51 16 1 2 3 1 4
33 Dirk Graham RW 40 4 9 13 2 42 16 2 3 5 6 8
2 Eric Weinrich D 48 3 10 13 1 33 16 1 5 6 8 4
5 Steve Smith D 48 1 12 13 6 128 16 0 1 1 2 26
14 Paul Ysebaert‡ LW 15 4 5 9 4 6 — — — — — —
18 Denis Savard† C 12 4 4 8 3 8 16 7 11 18 12 10
32 Murray Craven† LW 16 4 3 7 2 2 16 5 5 10 2 4
22 Christian Ruuttu‡ LW 20 2 5 7 3 6 — — — — — —
19 Brent Grieve LW 24 1 5 6 2 23 — — — — — —
15 Jim Cummins† RW 27 3 1 4 −3 117 14 1 1 2 3 4
8 Cam Russell D 33 1 3 4 4 88 16 0 3 3 4 8
30 Ed Belfour G 42 0 3 3 11 16 0 0 0 6
3 Greg Smyth D 22 0 3 3 2 33 — — — — — —
55 Eric Daze LW 4 1 1 2 2 2 16 0 1 1 −4 4
4 Keith Carney D 18 1 0 1 −1 11 4 0 1 1 0 0
6 Gerald Diduck† D 13 1 0 1 3 48 16 1 3 4 −4 22
26 Roger Johansson D 11 1 0 1 1 6 — — — — — —
34 Tony Horacek LW 19 0 1 1 −4 25 — — — — — —
22[a] Steve Dubinsky C 16 0 0 0 −5 8 — — — — — —
23 Daniel Gauthier LW 5 0 0 0 0 0 — — — — — —
31 Jeff Hackett G 7 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0
29 Darin Kimble RW 14 0 0 0 −5 30 — — — — — —
23 Rich Sutter‡ RW 15 0 0 0 1 28 — — — — — —
49 Jimmy Waite† G 2 0 0 0 0 — — — — — —

Goaltending

  • † = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Blackhawks only.
No. Player Regular season Playoffs
GP W L T SA GA GAA SV% SO TOI GP W L SA GA GAA SV% SO TOI
30 Ed Belfour 42 22 15 3 990 93 2.28 .906 5 2450 16 9 7 479 37 2.19 .923 1 1014
49 Jimmy Waite† 2 1 1 0 51 5 2.53 .902 0 119 — — — — — — — — —
31 Jeff Hackett 7 1 3 2 150 13 2.38 .913 0 328 2 0 0 11 1 2.28 .909 0 26

Awards and records

Awards

Type Award/honor Recipient Ref
League
(annual) 		NHL First All-Star team Chris Chelios (Defense) [5]
NHL Second All-Star team Ed Belfour (Goaltender) [5]
William M. Jennings Trophy Ed Belfour [6]

Milestones

Milestone Player Date Ref
25th shutout Ed Belfour February 7, 1995 [7]
First game Daniel Gauthier March 3, 1995 [8]
Eric Daze April 27, 1995

Draft picks

Chicago's draft picks at the 1994 NHL Entry Draft held at the Hartford Civic Center in Hartford, Connecticut.[9]

Round Pick Player Nationality College/junior/club team
1 14 Ethan Moreau (LW)  Canada Niagara Falls Thunder (OHL)
2 40 Jean-Yves Leroux (LW)  Canada Beauport Harfangs (QMJHL)
4 85 Steve McLaren (LW)  Canada North Bay Centennials (OHL)
5 118 Marc Dupuis (D)  Canada Belleville Bulls (OHL)
6 144 Jim Ensom (C)  Canada North Bay Centennials (OHL)
7 170 Tyler Prosofsky (C)  Canada Tacoma Rockets (WHL)
8 196 Mike Josephson (LW)  Canada Kamloops Blazers (WHL)
9 222 Lubomir Jandera (D)  Czech Republic Chemopetrol Litvinov (Czech)
10 248 Lars Weibel (G)  Switzerland HC Lugano (Switzerland)
11 263 Rob Mara (RW)  United States Belmont Hill High School (USHS-MA)

Notes

  1. ^ Dubinsky wore number 32 in his first four games.

References

  • "Chicago Blackhawks 1994-95 roster and scoring statistics at hockeydb.com". www.hockeydb.com. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
  • "1994-95 Chicago Blackhawks Roster, Stats, Injuries, Scores, Results, Shootouts". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
  1. ^ "1994-95 NHL Summary".
  2. ^ Standings: NHL Public Relations Department (2008). Dave McCarthy; et al. (eds.). THE NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE Official Guide & Record Book/2009. National Hockey League. p. 154. ISBN 978-1-894801-14-0.
  3. ^ "1994-1995 Conference Standings Standings - NHL.com - Standings". NHL.
  4. ^ a b "1994-95 Chicago Blackhawks Schedule". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
  5. ^ a b "Postseason All-Star Teams". records.nhl.com. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
  6. ^ "William M. Jennings Trophy". records.nhl.com. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
  7. ^ Norwood, Robyn (February 8, 1995). "Chicago Shows How to Grind : Hockey: Playing the style the Ducks covet, the Blackhawks hold Anaheim to 16 shots on goal and win, 3-0". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 12, 2023. Chicago's Ed Belfour recorded his 25th career shutout
  8. ^ "1994-95 NHL Debuts". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
  9. ^ "1994 NHL Entry Draft". hockeydb.como.