Gordie Howe capped off his legendary NHL career with the Hartford Whalers during the 1979–80 season, playing all 80 games and finishing with 15 goals and 41 points. On April 9, 1980, in Game 2 of the Preliminary Round against the Montreal Canadiens, the 52-year-old Howe scored the final playoff goal of his NHL career on a backhand from the top of the left circle after taking a pass from his son Mark. The goal came late in the third period of an 8–4 loss and drew a standing ovation from the Montreal crowd in recognition of one of hockey’s all-time greats.