 In the 1971–72 NHL season, Ratelle, Hadfield, and Gilbert finished third, fourth, and fifth in league scoring, respectively.Ratelle had been leading the Boston Bruins' Phil Esposito in the scoring race, until Ratelle broke his ankle and was sidelined for a month.In the playoffs, they defeated the defending champions Montreal Canadiens, and last year's finalists Chicago Blackhawks, to reach the Stanley Cup Finals where they lost to the Boston Bruins.