Login
Login

1978–79 St. Louis Blues season

{{short description|National Hockey League team season}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}

{{Infobox ice hockey team season

|League=NHL

|Season=1978–79

|year=1978

|Team=St. Louis Blues

|Record=18–50–12

|HomeRecord=14–20–6

|RoadRecord=4–30–6

|Conference=Campbell

|ConferenceRank=7th

|Division=Smythe

|DivisionRank=3rd

|GoalsFor=249

|GoalsAgainst=348

|GeneralManager=Emile Francis

|Coach=Barclay Plager

|Captain=Barry Gibbs

|AltCaptain=None

|Arena=Checkerdome

|GoalsLeader=Brian Sutter (41)

|AssistsLeader=Bernie Federko (64)

|PointsLeader=Bernie Federko (95)

|PIMLeader=Brian Sutter (165)

|WinsLeader=Phil Myre
Ed Staniowski (9)

|GAALeader=Ed Staniowski (3.83)

}}

The 1978–79 St. Louis Blues season was the 12th for the franchise in St. Louis, Missouri. The Blues finished the season with a record of just 18 wins (a franchise low), 50 losses and just 12 ties, for an all-time franchise low of 48 points. The Blues finished out of the playoffs for the second straight season, and the last time before the 2005–06 season, following the lockout.

{{TOC limit|limit=2}}

Offseason

{{Empty section|date=July 2010}}

Regular season

=Final standings=

{{1978–79 NHL Smythe Division standings|team=STL}}

=Record vs. opponents=

{{1978–79 NHL Record vs. opponents (Smythe)|team=STL}}

Schedule and results

{{Game log start|style=background:#fff; border-top:#002F87 5px solid; border-bottom:#FCB514 5px solid;|title=1978–79 regular season{{cite web |title=1978-79 St. Louis Blues Schedule |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/STL/1979_games.html |website=Hockey-Reference.com |access-date=March 26, 2025}}}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style=background:#fff; border-top:#002F87 2px solid; border-bottom:#FCB514 2px solid;|title=October|Game |Result |Date |Score |Opponent |Record}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|1||W||October 11, 1978||5–4 || align="left"| @ Detroit Red Wings (1978–79) ||1–0–0

|- {{Game-lost}}

|2||L||October 13, 1978||4–8 || align="left"| @ Vancouver Canucks (1978–79) ||1–1–0

|- {{Game-lost}}

|3||L||October 14, 1978||2–6 || align="left"| @ Los Angeles Kings (1978–79) ||1–2–0

|- {{Game-won}}

|4||W||October 17, 1978||8–6 || align="left"| Vancouver Canucks (1978–79) ||2–2–0

|- {{Game-tied}}

|5||T||October 20, 1978||5–5 || align="left"| @ Colorado Rockies (1978–79) ||2–2–1

|- {{Game-lost}}

|6||L||October 21, 1978||3–4 || align="left"| Colorado Rockies (1978–79) ||2–3–1

|- {{Game-lost}}

|7||L||October 24, 1978||2–7 || align="left"| Boston Bruins (1978–79) ||2–4–1

|- {{Game-tied}}

|8||T||October 25, 1978||6–6 || align="left"| @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1978–79) ||2–4–2

|- {{Game-tied}}

|9||T||October 28, 1978||7–7 || align="left"| Buffalo Sabres (1978–79) ||2–4–3

|- {{Game-lost}}

|10||L||October 31, 1978||2–5 || align="left"| Atlanta Flames (1978–79) ||2–5–3

|-

{{Game log section end}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style=background:#fff; border-top:#002F87 2px solid; border-bottom:#FCB514 2px solid;|title=November|Game |Result |Date |Score |Opponent |Record}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|11||L||November 1, 1978||1–9 || align="left"| @ Minnesota North Stars (1978–79) ||2–6–3

|- {{Game-tied}}

|12||T||November 4, 1978||5–5 || align="left"| Chicago Black Hawks (1978–79) ||2–6–4

|- {{Game-lost}}

|13||L||November 5, 1978||1–3 || align="left"| @ Chicago Black Hawks (1978–79) ||2–7–4

|- {{Game-lost}}

|14||L||November 7, 1978||0–5 || align="left"| Toronto Maple Leafs (1978–79) ||2–8–4

|- {{Game-won}}

|15||W||November 11, 1978||5–3 || align="left"| Colorado Rockies (1978–79) ||3–8–4

|- {{Game-lost}}

|16||L||November 14, 1978||2–4 || align="left"| Los Angeles Kings (1978–79) ||3–9–4

|- {{Game-lost}}

|17||L||November 16, 1978||2–6 || align="left"| @ Buffalo Sabres (1978–79) ||3–10–4

|- {{Game-lost}}

|18||L||November 18, 1978||1–3 || align="left"| @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1978–79) ||3–11–4

|- {{Game-lost}}

|19||L||November 19, 1978||2–5 || align="left"| @ Boston Bruins (1978–79) ||3–12–4

|- {{Game-lost}}

|20||L||November 21, 1978||3–4 || align="left"| Washington Capitals (1978–79) ||3–13–4

|- {{Game-won}}

|21||W||November 22, 1978||3–1 || align="left"| @ Washington Capitals (1978–79) ||4–13–4

|- {{Game-lost}}

|22||L||November 24, 1978||1–4 || align="left"| @ Atlanta Flames (1978–79) ||4–14–4

|- {{Game-won}}

|23||W||November 25, 1978||4–0 || align="left"| Detroit Red Wings (1978–79) ||5–14–4

|- {{Game-lost}}

|24||L||November 28, 1978||3–6 || align="left"| Vancouver Canucks (1978–79) ||5–15–4

|- {{Game-lost}}

|25||L||November 30, 1978||0–3 || align="left"| @ Philadelphia Flyers (1978–79) ||5–16–4

|-

{{Game log section end}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style=background:#fff; border-top:#002F87 2px solid; border-bottom:#FCB514 2px solid;|title=December|Game |Result |Date |Score |Opponent |Record}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|26||W||December 2, 1978||5–2 || align="left"| Washington Capitals (1978–79) ||6–16–4

|- {{Game-lost}}

|27||L||December 6, 1978||4–7 || align="left"| @ New York Rangers (1978–79) ||6–17–4

|- {{Game-lost}}

|28||L||December 7, 1978||1–7 || align="left"| @ New York Islanders (1978–79) ||6–18–4

|- {{Game-lost}}

|29||L||December 9, 1978||2–4 || align="left"| Chicago Black Hawks (1978–79) ||6–19–4

|- {{Game-lost}}

|30||L||December 12, 1978||0–6 || align="left"| Montreal Canadiens (1978–79) ||6–20–4

|- {{Game-lost}}

|31||L||December 13, 1978||0–3 || align="left"| @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1978–79) ||6–21–4

|- {{Game-tied}}

|32||T||December 16, 1978||2–2 || align="left"| New York Islanders (1978–79) ||6–21–5

|- {{Game-lost}}

|33||L||December 17, 1978||1–4 || align="left"| @ Philadelphia Flyers (1978–79) ||6–22–5

|- {{Game-won}}

|34||W||December 19, 1978||7–4 || align="left"| Atlanta Flames (1978–79) ||7–22–5

|- {{Game-lost}}

|35||L||December 21, 1978||1–5 || align="left"| @ New York Islanders (1978–79) ||7–23–5

|- {{Game-lost}}

|36||L||December 23, 1978||1–6 || align="left"| Toronto Maple Leafs (1978–79) ||7–24–5

|- {{Game-lost}}

|37||L||December 26, 1978||4–6 || align="left"| Minnesota North Stars (1978–79) ||7–25–5

|- {{Game-lost}}

|38||L||December 27, 1978||3–4 || align="left"| @ Chicago Black Hawks (1978–79) ||7–26–5

|- {{Game-won}}

|39||W||December 30, 1978||6–3 || align="left"| Philadelphia Flyers (1978–79) ||8–26–5

|-

{{Game log section end}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style=background:#fff; border-top:#002F87 2px solid; border-bottom:#FCB514 2px solid;|title=January|Game |Result |Date |Score |Opponent |Record}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|40||L||January 2, 1979||2–4 || align="left"| @ Colorado Rockies (1978–79) ||8–27–5

|- {{Game-tied}}

|41||T||January 3, 1979||3–3 || align="left"| @ Minnesota North Stars (1978–79) ||8–27–6

|- {{Game-lost}}

|42||L||January 6, 1979||1–4 || align="left"| Colorado Rockies (1978–79) ||8–28–6

|- {{Game-lost}}

|43||L||January 9, 1979||3–5 || align="left"| New York Rangers (1978–79) ||8–29–6

|- {{Game-lost}}

|44||L||January 11, 1979||3–4 || align="left"| @ Vancouver Canucks (1978–79) ||8–30–6

|- {{Game-tied}}

|45||T||January 13, 1979||3–3 || align="left"| Vancouver Canucks (1978–79) ||8–30–7

|- {{Game-won}}

|46||W||January 16, 1979||5–2 || align="left"| Boston Bruins (1978–79) ||9–30–7

|- {{Game-lost}}

|47||L||January 18, 1979||0–4 || align="left"| @ Boston Bruins (1978–79) ||9–31–7

|- {{Game-won}}

|48||W||January 20, 1979||3–2 || align="left"| New York Rangers (1978–79) ||10–31–7

|- {{Game-lost}}

|49||L||January 23, 1979||3–6 || align="left"| Montreal Canadiens (1978–79) ||10–32–7

|- {{Game-lost}}

|50||L||January 26, 1979||1–4 || align="left"| @ Vancouver Canucks (1978–79) ||10–33–7

|- {{Game-won}}

|51||W||January 28, 1979||7–2 || align="left"| @ Chicago Black Hawks (1978–79) ||11–33–7

|- {{Game-won}}

|52||W||January 30, 1979||7–1 || align="left"| Los Angeles Kings (1978–79) ||12–33–7

|- {{Game-lost}}

|53||L||January 31, 1979||1–5 || align="left"| @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1978–79) ||12–34–7

|-

{{Game log section end}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style=background:#fff; border-top:#002F87 2px solid; border-bottom:#FCB514 2px solid;|title=February|Game |Result |Date |Score |Opponent |Record}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|54||W||February 3, 1979||6–3 || align="left"| Colorado Rockies (1978–79) ||13–34–7

|- {{Game-lost}}

|55||L||February 4, 1979||1–3 || align="left"| @ Buffalo Sabres (1978–79) ||13–35–7

|- {{Game-tied}}

|56||T||February 13, 1979||3–3 || align="left"| Vancouver Canucks (1978–79) ||13–35–8

|- {{Game-lost}}

|57||L||February 17, 1979||1–5 || align="left"| Chicago Black Hawks (1978–79) ||13–36–8

|- {{Game-lost}}

|58||L||February 18, 1979||4–6 || align="left"| Atlanta Flames (1978–79) ||13–37–8

|- {{Game-lost}}

|59||L||February 21, 1979||3–7 || align="left"| @ New York Rangers (1978–79) ||13–38–8

|- {{Game-lost}}

|60||L||February 22, 1979||1–6 || align="left"| @ New York Islanders (1978–79) ||13–39–8

|- {{Game-lost}}

|61||L||February 24, 1979||4–6 || align="left"| @ Montreal Canadiens (1978–79) ||13–40–8

|- {{Game-won}}

|62||W||February 27, 1979||4–1 || align="left"| New York Rangers (1978–79) ||14–40–8

|- {{Game-won}}

|63||W||February 28, 1979||6–5 || align="left"| @ Detroit Red Wings (1978–79) ||15–40–8

|-

{{Game log section end}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style=background:#fff; border-top:#002F87 2px solid; border-bottom:#FCB514 2px solid;|title=March|Game |Result |Date |Score |Opponent |Record}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|64||W||March 3, 1979||8–4 || align="left"| Pittsburgh Penguins (1978–79) ||16–40–8

|- {{Game-tied}}

|65||T||March 7, 1979||5–5 || align="left"| New York Islanders (1978–79) ||16–40–9

|- {{Game-lost}}

|66||L||March 10, 1979||5–7 || align="left"| @ Washington Capitals (1978–79) ||16–41–9

|- {{Game-won}}

|67||W||March 11, 1979||8–2 || align="left"| Minnesota North Stars (1978–79) ||17–41–9

|- {{Game-tied}}

|68||T||March 13, 1979||5–5 || align="left"| @ Colorado Rockies (1978–79) ||17–41–10

|- {{Game-lost}}

|69||L||March 17, 1979||1–3 || align="left"| Detroit Red Wings (1978–79) ||17–42–10

|- {{Game-lost}}

|70||L||March 18, 1979||3–5 || align="left"| @ Philadelphia Flyers (1978–79) ||17–43–10

|- {{Game-tied}}

|71||T||March 21, 1979||1–1 || align="left"| @ Vancouver Canucks (1978–79) ||17–43–11

|- {{Game-tied}}

|72||T||March 22, 1979||3–3 || align="left"| @ Los Angeles Kings (1978–79) ||17–43–12

|- {{Game-lost}}

|73||L||March 25, 1979||2–8 || align="left"| @ Atlanta Flames (1978–79) ||17–44–12

|- {{Game-lost}}

|74||L||March 26, 1979||2–4 || align="left"| Buffalo Sabres (1978–79) ||17–45–12

|- {{Game-lost}}

|75||L||March 29, 1979||2–5 || align="left"| @ Montreal Canadiens (1978–79) ||17–46–12

|- {{Game-lost}}

|76||L||March 31, 1979||2–4 || align="left"| Philadelphia Flyers (1978–79) ||17–47–12

|-

{{Game log section end}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style=background:#fff; border-top:#002F87 2px solid; border-bottom:#FCB514 2px solid;|title=April|Game |Result |Date |Score |Opponent |Record}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|77||L||April 1, 1979||5–9 || align="left"| @ Colorado Rockies (1978–79) ||17–48–12

|- {{Game-lost}}

|78||L||April 3, 1979||2–3 || align="left"| Pittsburgh Penguins (1978–79) ||17–49–12

|- {{Game-won}}

|79||W||April 7, 1979||4–1 || align="left"| Chicago Black Hawks (1978–79) ||18–49–12

|- {{Game-lost}}

|80||L||April 8, 1979||2–3 || align="left"| @ Chicago Black Hawks (1978–79) ||18–50–12

|-

{{Game log section end}}

|-

|

Legend:

{{legend2|#cfc|Win (2 points)|border=1px solid black}}

{{legend2|#fcc|Loss (0 points)|border=1px solid black}}

{{legend2|#ffc|Tie (1 point)|border=1px solid black}}

{{Game log end}}

Player statistics

=Regular season=

;Scoring

class="wikitable sortable" width="60%"
ALIGN="center"

! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="10%" | Player

! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="3%" title="Position"| Pos

! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="5%" title="Games played" | GP

! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="5%" title="Goals" | G

! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="5%" title="Assists" | A

! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="5%" title="Points" | Pts

! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="5%" title="Penalties in Minutes" | PIM

! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="5%" title="Plus/minus" | +/-

! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="5%" title="Power play goals" | PPG

! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="5%" title="Short-handed goals" | SHG

! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="5%" title="Game-winning goals" | GWG

align="center"

| align="right" | {{Sortname|Bernie|Federko}}

C7431649514|
15701
align="center"

| align="right" | {{Sortname|Brian|Sutter}}

LW77413980165|
21203
align="center"

| align="right" | {{Sortname|Wayne|Babych}}

RW6727366375|
111100
align="center"

| align="right" | {{Sortname|Garry|Unger}}

C8030265644|
44303
align="center"

| align="right" | {{Sortname|Larry|Patey}}

C7815193460|
27022
align="center"

| align="right" | {{Sortname|Inge|Hammarstrom}}

LW651222348|
13001
align="center"

| align="right" | {{Sortname|Jack|Brownschidle}}

D6410243414|
21501
align="center"

| align="right" | {{Sortname|Curt|Bennett}}

LW7414193362|
23101
align="center"

| align="right" | {{Sortname|Barry|Gibbs}}

D762272946|
42000
align="center"

| align="right" | {{Sortname|Larry|Giroux}}

D7352227111|
25001
align="center"

| align="right" | {{Sortname|Bob|Murdoch|Bob Murdoch (ice hockey b. 1954)}}

RW5413132617|
6103
align="center"

| align="right" | {{Sortname|Mike|Zuke}}

C349172618|
8300
align="center"

| align="right" | {{Sortname|Tony|Currie|Tony Currie (ice hockey)}}

RW36415190|
9102
align="center"

| align="right" | {{Sortname|Mike|Walton}}

C22711186|
13300
align="center"

| align="right" | {{Sortname|Bob|Stewart|Bob Stewart (ice hockey)}}

D785131847|
28100
align="center"

| align="right" | {{Sortname|John|Smrke}}

LW55681420|
24010
align="center"

| align="right" | {{Sortname|Harvey|Bennett|Harvey Bennett Jr.}}

C52391263|
18000
align="center"

| align="right" | {{Sortname|Mike|Crombeen}}

RW37381134|
13000
align="center"

| align="right" | {{Sortname|Bob|Hess}}

D2734714|
20000
align="center"

| align="right" | {{Sortname|Brian|Ogilvie}}

C141567|
3000
align="center"

| align="right" | {{Sortname|Jamie|Masters}}

D100660|
6000
align="center"

| align="right" | {{Sortname|Doug|Palazzari}}

C202354|
5000
align="center"

| align="right" | {{Sortname|Bruce|Affleck}}

D2613412|
13000
align="center"

| align="right" | {{Sortname|Rick|Bowness}}

RW2413430|
17000
align="center"

| align="right" | {{Sortname|Dick|Lamby}}

D9044125000
align="center"

| align="right" | {{Sortname|Rick|Shinske}}

C110442|
3000
align="center"

| align="right" | {{Sortname|Neil|Komadoski|Neil George Komadoski}}

D42123300000
align="center"

| align="right" | {{Sortname|Steve|Durbano}}

D13112103|
7000
align="center"

| align="right" | {{Sortname|Ken|Richardson|Ken Richardson (ice hockey)}}

C161122|
5000
align="center"

| align="right" | {{Sortname|Neil|LaBatte}}

C/D2202213|
1000
align="center"

| align="right" | {{Sortname|Bill|Fairbairn}}

RW51010|
2000
align="center"

| align="right" | {{Sortname|Rod|Seiling}}

D30114|
1000
align="center"

| align="right" | {{Sortname|Ed|Staniowski}}

G3901120000
align="center"

| align="right" | {{Sortname|Doug|Grant|Doug Grant (ice hockey)}}

G400000000
align="center"

| align="right" | {{Sortname|Gord|McTavish}}

C10000|
2000
align="center"

| align="right" | {{Sortname|Phil|Myre}}

G3900060000
align="center"

| align="right" | {{Sortname|Terry|Richardson|Terry Richardson (ice hockey)}}

G100000000

;Goaltending

class="wikitable sortable" width="60%"
bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="10%" | Player

! width="3%" bgcolor="#DDDDFF" title="Minutes played" |MIN

! width="3%" bgcolor="#DDDDFF" title="Games played in"|GP

! width="3%" bgcolor="#DDDDFF" title="Wins"|W

! width="3%" bgcolor="#DDDDFF"title="Losses"| L

! width="3%" bgcolor="#DDDDFF" title="Ties"|T

! width="3%" bgcolor="#DDDDFF" title="Goals against"|GA

! width="3%" bgcolor="#DDDDFF" title="Goals against average"|GAA

! width="3%" bgcolor="#DDDDFF"title="Shut-outs"| SO

align="center"

| align="right" | {{Sortname|Phil|Myre}}

22593992281634.331
align="center"

| align="right" | {{Sortname|Ed|Staniowski}}

22913992531463.820
align="center"

| align="right" | {{Sortname|Doug|Grant|Doug Grant (ice hockey)}}

1904021237.260
align="center"

| align="right" | {{Sortname|Terry|Richardson|Terry Richardson (ice hockey)}}

60101099.000
align="center"

| align="right" | Team:

4800801850123414.261

{{cite web |publisher=hockey-reference.com |accessdate=2009-06-15 |title=1978-79 St. Louis Blues Statistics - Hockey-Reference.com|url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/STL/1979.html}}

{{Hockey season stats note}}

Awards and records

{{Empty section|date=July 2010}}

Transactions

{{Empty section|date=July 2010}}

Draft picks

St. Louis's draft picks at the 1978 NHL amateur draft held at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal.

class="wikitable"
align="center"

! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="4.0%" | Round

! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="4.0%" | #

! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="21.0%" | Player

! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="14.5%" | Nationality

! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="50.0%" | College/Junior/Club team (League)

13Wayne Babych{{flagu|Canada}}Portland Winterhawks (WCHL)
339Steve Harrison{{flagu|Canada}}Toronto Marlboros (OMJHL)
572Kevin Willison{{flagu|Canada}}Billings Bighorns (WCHL)
689Jim Nill{{flagu|Canada}}Medicine Hat Tigers (WCHL)
7106Steve Stockman{{flagu|Canada}}Cornwall Royals (QMJHL)
7109Paul MacLean{{flagu|Canada}}Hull Olympiques (QMJHL)
8123Denis Houle{{flagu|Canada}}Hamilton Fincups (OMJHL)
9140Tony Meagher{{flagu|Canada}}Boston University (ECAC)
9143Rick Simpson{{flagu|Canada}}Medicine Hat Tigers (WCHL)
10157Jim Lockhurst{{flagu|Canada}}Kingston Canadians (OMJHL)
10160Bob Froese{{flagu|Canada}}Niagara Falls Flyers (OMJHL)
10170Dan Lerg{{flagu|United States}}University of Michigan (WCHA)
11173Risto Siltanen{{FIN}}Ilves (Finland)
11175Dan Hermansson{{flagu|Sweden}}Karlskoga (Sweden)
11181Jean-Francois Boutin{{flagu|Canada}}Verdun Eperviers (QMJHL)
11185John Sullivan{{flagu|United States}}Providence College (ECAC)
12188Serge Menard{{flagu|Canada}}Montreal Juniors (QMJHL)
12191Don Boyd{{flagu|Canada}}Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (ECAC)
12197Paul Stasiuk{{flagu|Canada}}Providence College (ECAC)
12200Gerd Truntschka{{FRG}}EV Cologne (West Germany)
13203Viktor Shkurdyuk{{flagu|USSR}}Leningrad (USSR)
13205Carl Bloomberg{{flagu|United States}}St. Louis University (CCHA)
13207Terry Kitching{{flagu|Canada}}St. Louis University (CCHA)
13209Brian O'Connor{{flagu|United States}}Boston University (ECAC)
13210Brian Crombeen{{flagu|Canada}}Kingston Canadians (OMJHL)
13211Mike Pidgeon{{flagu|Canada}}Oshawa Generals (OMJHL)
14214John Cochrane{{flagu|United States}}Harvard University (ECAC)
14216Joe Casey{{flagu|United States}}Boston College (ECAC)
14218Jim Farrell{{flagu|United States}}Princeton University (ECAC)
14220Frank Johnson{{flagu|United States}}Providence College (ECAC)
14221Blair Wheeler{{flagu|Canada}}Yale University (ECAC)

See also

References

{{reflist}}

{{St. Louis Blues}}

{{St. Louis Blues seasons}}

{{1978–79 NHL season by team}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:1978-79 St. Louis Blues season}}

Category:St. Louis Blues seasons

St. Louis

St Louis

St Louis