 In their inaugural season , the Flyers finished atop the West Division , recording 73 points in 74 games . The California Seals , a pre @-@ season favourite to win the division , changed their name to the Oakland Seals a month into the season . The team disappointed both on the ice and at the gate , finishing last in the NHL with 14 wins . The Blues defeated the Flyers and North Stars to become the first expansion team to play for the Stanley Cup , where they were defeated in four consecutive games by the Canadiens . The Blues reached the finals again in both 1969 and 1970 , but were similarly swept in both years , losing to the Canadiens and Boston Bruins , respectively . 
