1993 - Senators tie record for longest winless streak on the road
It was a rough start for the Ottawa Senators during their inaugural season . Not only did they finish with a dismal 24 points (10-70-4), but they set the record for the longest road winless streak in NHL history.
The Hartford Whalers thumped the Senators 7-3 and extended their road winless streak to 37 games and tied the Washington Capitals' 1975 record.
After winning their first game on Oct. 8, the Senators had to wait until Nov. 25 to taste victory again. Worse than that, they had to wait until April 10 before they won their first road game in franchise history, setting the record for the longest winless streak on the road with 38 in a row along the way.
They finally snapped the streak with a 5-3 win over the New York Islanders.
1979 - NHL announces expansion from 17 to 21 teams
After the NHL merged with the WHA, the league announced that it would expand from 17 to 21 teams.
With the WHA marred in financial troubles, a deal was made with the NHL and the NHL Board of Governors held a vote on expansion, eventually ruling in favor of introducing the Edmonton Oilers, New England (Hartford) Whalers, Winnipeg Jets and Quebec Nordiques into the league.
The Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs originally voted against expansion because it would mean the revenue they received from Hockey Night in Canada would have to be split six ways instead of three (including the Vancouver Canucks).
The expansion was a positive move for the NHL at the time, but the league would see three of the four teams re-locate within 20 years (the Winnipeg Jets returned in 2011). The Edmonton Oilers were the most successful team introduced, winning five Stanley Cups and making the playoffs every season during their first 13 years in the league.
Birthdays
1953 - Dennis Ververgaert
1961 - Doug Wickenheiser
1965 - Dave Ellett
1987 - Marc-Edouard Vlasic
