With a lineup that included Phil Esposito, Anders Hedberg, Ulf Nilsson and Ron Duguay, the 1978-79 New York Rangers could score goals in bunches -- even at playoff time. Of course, sometimes the emphasis they put on offense hurt them in their own end, but New York's firepower was generally good enough to ultimately take care of things.

That's what happened on April 24, 1979, when the Rangers and the Flyers hooked in Philadelphia for Game 5 of a quarterfinals series.

New York entered the game leading the series 3-1 and took a 2-0 lead into the third period when both teams forgot how to play defense. A total of nine goals were scored in the final 20 minutes -- six by the Rangers -- as the two teams combined for a playoff record for most goals in one period.

The Rangers won the game 8-3 and the series thanks to a period that goes down as one of the most memorable events in hockey history that took place during the week of April 24-30

April 24

Patrick Roy strikes this pose often.(Provided to SportsLine)

When Patrick Roy of the Colorado Avalanche wins his fourth game of next season, he will become the winningest goaltender in NHL history. Roy already holds that distinction in post-season play. He became No. 1 on this date in 1997 when he shutout the Blackhawks 7-0 for his 89th career playoff win, moving him ahead of Billy Smith of the Islanders. Heading into the second round of play in this year's playoffs, Roy had 114 career victories in Stanley Cup action.

April 25

Mario Lemieux could do it all by himself.(Allsport)

Way back in 1944, Maurice Richard was voted all three stars in a playoff game. Mario Lemieux deserved the same recognition on this date in 1989 when he tied five playoff records by scoring five goals and three assists in Pittsburgh's 10-7 win over Philadelphia. Lemieux tied records for most goals in one game, most goals in one period, most points in a period, most goals in one game, and most points in one game.

April 26

Glenn Resch and Billy Smith gave the Islanders a great tandem.(Provided to SportsLine)

It ain't over till it's over as the Pittsburgh Penguins found out on this date in 1975 when the Islanders and goaltender Chico Resch shut them out 1-0 in Game 7 of their quarterfinals series. The Islanders joined the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs as the only teams in NHL history to rebound from a 3-0 series deficit with four consecutive victories. New York almost worked its magic again in the next series against Philadelphia, but lost Game 7 after winning three consecutive games.

April 27

Pierre Turgeon scored the third goal of the run.(AP)

When the St. Louis Blues played the Los Angeles Kings in a Western Conference quarterfinal two years ago, they decided to take advantage of their opportunities quickly. On this date in 1998, the Blues set a playoff record by scoring four power-play goals in the third period within a span of 3 minutes, seven seconds. Pascal Rheaume got the first marker at 9:59 of the third period, and was soon followed by Brett Hull, Pierre Turgeon and Terry Yake.

April 28

Arturs Irbe has been surpassed by Dominik Hasek.(Allsport)

He doesn't get that much recognition because he has played for mediocre teams during this career, but Arturs Irbe has been a steady, consistent and a durable goalie in the NHL. On this date in 1995, while a member of the San Jose Sharks, the Latvian-born Irbe said a record for European goalies by playing in the 158th game of his career. He marked the occasion in fine style, posting a 4-0 shutout over the Los Angeles Kings.

April 29

Ken Dryden won six Stanley Cups with Montreal.(Provided to SportsLine)

They came through the same organization to get to the NHL and they were teammates during the famed 1972 Summit Series between Canada and the Soviet Union. But when Ken Dryden and Tony Esposito met on this date in 1973, there was no love lost between them. Dryden was in goal for Montreal, while Esposito was guarding Chicago's net in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals series. Both goalies had an up-and-down series in which an average of 9.5 goals were scored per game, but the Canadiens ended up winning Game 1 8-3 and the series in six games.

April 30

Jean Ratelle's broken ankle cost the Rangers their chance.(Provided to SportsLine)

Rangers fans have always understood that things don't happen until they're supposed to. That's why when the Rangers faced off against Boston on this date in 1972, their first Stanley Cup Finals game since 1950, fans weren't all that confident of their team winning the cup. They were right. The jinx that began after the team won the Stanley Cup continued, as Boston won the championship in six games, clinching the series with a 3-0 victory at Madison Square Garden.

Historical photos courtesy of hockeyonline.com