[Leafs67]

1948-49 NHL Season

Standings
1. Montreal Canadiens: 30-16-14; 74 pts
2. Toronto Maple Leafs: 29-18-13; 71 pts
3. Boston Bruins: 26-23-11; 63 pts
4. Detroit Red Wings: 24-25-11; 59 pts
5. Chicago Blackhawks: 21-30-9; 51 pts
6. New York Rangers: 14-32-14; 42 pts

Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens came 1st place this time around, building on last year's Cup success. Led once again by Richard (50-26-76), who won his first Art Ross Trophy, and scored 50 goals, the Canadiens dominated the league. Lach (19-54-73) was great, and Blake (16-32-48) kept pace. Bouchard, Reardon, and Harvey combined for a +40 and 81 points, just as good as the year before. Bill Durnan (25-11-12, 3 shutouts, 2.29 GAA, .916 SV%) was brilliant yet again.

Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs once again upheld (along with Montreal) Canadian dominance in the standings. With Paul Ronty (15-51-66) replacing Apps down the middle, and Bud Poile (37-24-61) clicking well with the sophomore center and left wing Harry Watson (27-18-45), the Leafs were nigh unstoppable. Turk Broda (19-13-6, 6 shutouts, 2.45 GAA, .913) was dealt to Chicago, and Harvey Bennett (10-5-7, 3 shutouts, 2.73 GAA, .905 SV%) took his place. Gus Mortson and Jim Thomson emerged as the top pairing in the league, combining for a +45 and 60 points.

Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins did well, coming into the playoff more comfortably than last season, despite losing playoff hero Billy Taylor to retirement. Johnny Peirson (26-29-55) emerged as a star goal scorer, and Milt Schmidt (23-27-50), and new addition Sid Smith (22-28-50) complemented him well. Frank Brimsek (26-23-11, 2 shutouts, 2.62 GAA, .906 SV%) was better than last year, and Backor and Egan formed a solid defensive pair.

Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings didn't collapse this year, as added veteran Woody Dumart (23-33-56) helped stabilize the team. He replaced Ted Lindsay (15-14-29) as the top line LW, and Gerry Couture (18-23-41) moved into Gordie Howe's (14-24-38) usual spot. Between Howe and Lindsay was Jim Conacher (29-18-47), and the Red Wings had two legitimate scoring lines. Quackenbush and McCaig once again led the defense for Detroit. Harry Lumley (24-25-11, 7 shutouts, 2.68 GAA, .901 SV%) was solid in net once again.

Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks were on the outside looking in this year, as their one dimensional play was their downfall. Max Bentley (28-28-56) couldn't dominate the way he did last year, maybe because Doug Bentley (18-28-46) and Bill Mosienko (14-26-40) just weren't putting his slick passes in the net as much. Roy Conacher (23-33-56) had a breakout year playing with new addition Bobby Bauer (19-19-38). On defense, Bill Gadsby (8-31-39) managed a career high in points despite playing only 50 games. Jack Gelineau (16-17-5, 4 shutouts, 2.97 GAA, .894 SV%) began the year as the goalie, but was replaced by Turk Broda (5-13-4, 1 shutout, 4.18 GAA, .894) who struggled to get used to the new surroundings.

New York Rangers
The New York Rangers came last again, mostly because they lacked any serious threats in the lineup. Chuck Rayner (14-32-14, 2 shutouts, 2.95 GAA, .903 SV%) was one of the league's top goalies, but had little support. Grant Warwick (21-23-44) led the team in points, and Buddy O'Connor (23-19-42) was the only other to breach 40 points, or 33 for that matter. Fred Shero and Bill Juzda formed a decent pair on defense.

Awards
Art Ross Trophy: Maurice Richard, MTL - 76 points
Hart Memorial Trophy: Maurice Richard, MTL - 76 points
Vezina Trophy: Bill Durnan, MTL - 103 GA
Calder Memorial Trophy: Dunc Fisher, NYR - 26 points