It turned mainly on which fleet spotted the others' carriers first, and got in the first strike. That could have gone either way. The fact that we knew the Japanese were coming and they didn't know we were waiting gave us an edge, but the coin still could easily have landed tails instead of heads.
That was one thing the ‘76 movie has over the new one: spotlighting the role of the Navy’s PBY Catalina flying boats in finding the Japanese carriers first.
As they say, it was five minutes that changed history. Could have gone either way.
Amusing to see all the negative reviews while the theater goers rave about it. Even Military Times!