Flyers vs. (5) Buffalo Sabres This was the second playoff series meeting between these two teams. Philadelphia won the only previous meeting in six games in the 1975 Stanley Cup Finals. Semifinals (1) Montreal Canadiens vs. (4) Toronto Maple Leafs This was the 14th playoff series meeting between these two teams. Toronto lead 7–6 in previous meetings. Toronto won the most recent meeting in six games in the 1967 Stanley Cup Finals. (2) Boston Bruins vs. (3) Philadelphia Flyers This was the fourth playoff series meeting between these two teams. Philadelphia won two of the previous three meetings. This was the third straight semifinal meeting following Philadelphia's win in five games in 1976 and Boston's four-game sweep last season. Game five was Fred Shero's last game as head coach of the Flyers, and Gerry Cheevers left the ice without shaking hands with any of the Flyers. Stanley Cup Finals This was the 17th playoff series (and the last Finals) meeting between these two teams. Montreal led 14–2 in previous meetings. This was a rematch of last year's Stanley Cup Finals, in which Montreal won in a four-game sweep. Awards The league introduced the Frank J. Selke trophy this season. It rewards the forward judged to be the best at defensive abilities. All-Star teams Player statistics Scoring leaders GP = Games Played, G = Goals, A = Assists, Pts = Points, PIM = Penalties In Minutes Source: NHL. Leading goaltenders Note: GP = Games played; Min = Minutes played; GA = Goals against; GAA = Goals against average; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; SO = Shutouts Other statistics Plus-minus Guy Lafleur, Montreal Canadiens Coaches Patrick Division Atlanta Flames: Fred Creighton New York Islanders: Al Arbour New York Rangers: Jean-Guy Talbot Philadelphia Flyers: Fred Shero and Bob McCammon Adams Division Boston Bruins: Don Cherry Buffalo Sabres: Marcel Pronovost Cleveland Barons: Jack Evans Toronto Maple Leafs: Roger Neilson Norris Division Detroit Red Wings: Bobby Kromm Los Angeles Kings: Ron Stewart Montreal Canadiens: Scotty Bowman Pittsburgh Penguins: Johnny Wilson Washington Capitals: Tom McVie Smythe Division Chicago Black Hawks: Bob Pulford Colorado Rockies: Patrick Kelly Minnesota North Stars: Andre Beaulieu and Lou Nanne St. Louis Blues: Leo Boivin and Barclay Plager Vancouver Canucks: Orland Kurtenbach Debuts The following is a list of players of note who played their first NHL game in 1977–78 (listed with their first team, asterisk(*) marks debut