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Montreal Canadiens

Frank Fleming
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Frank Fleming
92 mins
November 1st, 2023
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Montreal Canadiens

Historical Moments

n1909/10:On December 4th, the Canadiens are founded by J. Ambrose O’Brien, a sportsman from Ottawa, with financial support from another magnate of the time, T.C. Hare. The latter providing the $1,000 required for the formation of a team as well as the $5,000 to guarantee the players’ salaries. Playing in newly formed National Hockey Association, the Canadiens take the ice for the first time on January 5th, beating the Cobalt Silver Kings 7-6 in overtime before 3,000 spectators at Jubilee Rink. There was not much success that year for the Canadiens as they finished with a woeful record of 2-10.

1910/11:The Canadiens are sold to George Kennedy as the team’s sweaters are changed from blue to red during an improved 8-8 season that saw them finish second in the NHA.

1911/12:The Canadiens finish in 4th place in the NHA with a record of 8-10.

1912/13:The Canadiens continue to play mediocre hockey as they finish in 5th place with a 9-11 record.

1913/14:The Canadiens post their first winning season finishing 2nd with a 13-7 record. With a chance to play for the Stanley Cup, the drop a total goal series to the Toronto Blueshirts by a score of 6-2 losing Game 2 in Toronto 6-0 after winning Game 1 at home 2-0.

1914/15:The Canadiens uniform begins to take on a familiar look with their red jerseys featuring a red C on a blue stripe makes its debut the only difference is an A is in the center of the C. However, the Canadiens struggle on the ice finishing with an awful 6-14 record.

1915/16:The Canadiens rebound off a terrible season and finish in first place, finishing with a solid 16-7-1 record. Representing the NHA, the Canadiens faced the Portland Rosebuds from the PCHA with the Stanley Cup on the line. After the two teams split the first four games, the Canadiens took the decisive 5th game when seldom-used Goldie Prodgers found the back of the net in the 3rd period to give the Habs a 2-1 win for their first Stanley Cup. Players received $238 for winning the cup.

1916/17:After winning their first Stanley Cup, the Canadiens jersey is changed again with an H replacing the A, as the Canadiens, establishing a look that would become one of the most familiar logos in the world of sports. After winning the first-half championship, the Canadiens struggle in the 2nd half finishing with an overall 10-10 record but making the playoffs. In the NHA final, the Canadiens would beat the Ottawa Senators 7-5 in a 2-game total goal series. With the Stanley Cup on the line, the Canadiens are stunned by the Seattle Metropolitans of the PCHA in 4 games. After winning Game 1, by a score of 8-4, the Habs would be thrashed in the final three games by a combined score of 19-3 as an American team claims the Cup for the first time.

1917/18:Stemming partly from hatred of Toronto Blueshirts owner Eddie Livingstone, the owners of the NHA’s teams decided to form a new league known as the National Hockey League leaving Livingstone behind. Sharing the Montreal Arena with Wanderers, the Canadiens win the first-ever NHL game 7-4 as Joe Malone scored five goals, including the first goal in NHL history. The Canadiens would go on to finish in a first-place tie with a 13-9 record, as Joe Malone scores 44 goals in 22 games, establishing a season record that would last 27 years. Establishing an NHL first was goalie Georges Vezina who recorded the NHL’s first shutout over the Toronto Arenas 9-0 on February 18th. The season was not without its difficult moments as the Habs were forced to return to Jubilee Rink after the Montreal Arena burned down. However, the Habs would drop their playoff against the Toronto Arenas with the NHL title on the line.

1918/19:In their second NHL season, the Canadiens finish in 2nd place with a 10-8 record. In the NHL Finals, the Canadiens would earn the right to represent the league with Stanley Cup on the line by beating the Ottawa Senators in a Total Goal Series. In a rematch of the 1917 final, the Canadiens faced the Seattle Metropolitans in a series using both Western 6-man and Eastern 5-man rules played in Seattle. After the Mets took Games 1 and 3 under Western rules, the Canadiens need to win Game 4 just to stay alive in the series. However, Game 4 would never be decided as neither team could score. As Game 5 was played, the influenza epidemic in the Seattle area began to become a concern as several players off each team became seriously sick. The Habs would force a decisive 6th game after winning Game 5 in OT 4-3. However, the influenza outbreak would get worse, and the rest of the series was canceled. The epidemic would hit home for the Canadiens when defenseman Joe Hall succumbed on April 5th.

1919/20:The Canadiens are touched by fire again as Jubilee Rink is lost in a summer fire. This forced officials to scramble and build a new rink between Clarke and Saint-Urbain Streets called Mount Royal Arena, which was built for $300,000 in less than six months, housing 10,000 seats. In their first game at their new arena, the Canadiens beat the Toronto St. Patricks 14-7, as Newsy Lalonde scored a record six goals. However, the Canadiens would fall short in their attempt to return to the playoffs as they finished in second place with a 13-11 record.

1920/21:The Canadiens fall just short of the playoffs again, finishing in third place with a 13-11 record.

1921/22:Tragedy strikes the Canadiens as their owner George Kennedy passes away. Shortly after his passing, Kennedy’s widow sells the team to Leo Dandurand, Jos Cattarinich & Louis A Letourneau for $11,500. Under new ownership, the Canadiens would be on the outside looking in again, finishing in third place with a 12-11-1 record.

1922/23:The Canadiens are involved in a tight battle all season for first place finishing 1 point short with a 13-9-2 record. With a second chance in the playoffs, the Canadiens would be beaten out by the Ottawa Senators in a Total Goal Series.

1923/24:The Canadiens finish the season in 2nd place again with a 13-11 record. However, in the NHL playoffs, the Canadiens would win the right to fight for the Stanley Cup by beating the Ottawa Senators in a Total Goal series. In the finals, the Canadiens beat both the Vancouver Millionaire sand Calgary Tigers in two straight games to claim their second Stanley Cup. The star of the first series against Vancouver was Billy Boucher, who scored three of the Habs’ five goals, including both game-winners while 21-year old rookie Howie Morenz notched a Hat Trick in both games against Calgary.

1924/25:Due to problems with the ice at the Mount Royal Arena, the Canadiens are forced to open their season in the rival Maroons’ new home known as the Montreal Forum. In the first game ever at the Forum, the Habs beat the Toronto St. Patricks 7-1 scoring the first goal is Billy Boucher. The Habs would return to their home and would go on to finish in 3rd place with a 17-11-2 record. Facing the St. Patricks in the semifinal, the Canadiens would win easily to advance to the NHL final. However, the final would be canceled, as the Hamilton Tigers did not make payment to their players, forcing ten players to quit the team, as the Canadiens were awarded the NHL Championship. Facing the Victoria Cougars in the Stanley Cup Finals, the Canadiens fumble the NHL’s stranglehold on the Stanley Cup falling in four games. It would be the last time a non-NHL team won hockey’s Holy Grail.

1925/26:During an early-season game on November 28th legendary goalie George Vezina collapses after the first period due to a high fever. In his 16th season with Habs, Vezina would never play again, being diagnosed with tuberculosis. Without their star backstop, the Canadiens would fall into last place with an 11-24-1 record. Shortly after the season ended, Vezina would succumb at the age of 39. Following his passing, the NHL would name a yearly award for the best goaltender in his honor.

1926/27:Now playing in the Montreal Forum fulltime, the Canadiens would rebound from their season of loss to finish in second place in the Canadian Division with a 28-14-2 record as George Hainsworth captures the first Vezina Trophy. In the playoffs, the Habs would battle their English speaking rivals the Montreal Maroons, beating them in overtime of Game 2 to capture their total goal series 2-1. However, in the semifinals, the Canadiens would be beaten 5-1 in a Total-Goal series by the Ottawa Senators.

1927/28:Led by Howie Morenz, who wins the Hart Trophy with a league-best 51 points, the Canadiens finish the season with the best record in the NHL at 26-11-7. I the semifinals, the Habs would be stunned by the Maroons in overtime of Game 2, losing their total goal series by a score of 3-2.

1928/29:George Hainsworth sets an NHL record by recording 22 shutouts on the way to his 3rd straight Vezina Trophy as the Canadiens again finish with the best record in the NHL at 22-7-15. However, the Canadiens would be shutout themselves in playoffs, as they are swept by the Boston Bruins in 3 straight losing the first two games 1-0.

1929/30:The Canadiens finish the season in second place with a record of 21-14-9, losing a tight race with the rival Maroons. In the playoffs, the Canadiens would beat the Chicago Blackhawks in a Total Goal Series before sweeping the New York Rangers in 2 straight to earn a trip to the finals. Facing the Boston Bruins who posted an impressive 38-5-1 record in the regular season, the Canadiens pull off the upset beating the Bruins in two straight games to win their third Stanley Cup, staring for the Habs in the Finals in Sylvio Mantha who tallies critical goals in both games.

1930/31:The Canadiens win their third division in four years by finishing with a 26-10-8 record. Facing the Boston Bruins in the semifinals, the Canadiens win a hard-fought five-game series taking the decisive fifth game in overtime by a score of 3-2. In the Finals, the Canadiens would overcome two overtime losses by winning Games 4 and 5 to take their second straight Stanley Cup against the Chicago Black Hawks.

1931/32:Seeking their third straight Stanley Cup Championship, the Canadiens finish with the best record in the NHL at 25-16-7 as Howie Morenz wins his third Hart Trophy. However, the Canadiens’ quest for the cup would come to a sudden end in the semifinals losing three straight games to the New York Rangers after capturing Game 1.

1932/33:Despite struggling to finish in third place with an 18-25-5 record, the Canadiens still make the playoffs. However, in a Total Goal Series in the first round, the Habs are thrashed 8-5 by the New York Rangers.

1933/34:The Montreal Canadiens continue to be a perennial playoff contender by finishing in 2nd place with a 22-20-6 record. However, for the second year in a row, the Habs are bounced out quickly, losing to the Chicago Black Hawks in a Total Goal Series by a score of 4-3.

1934/35:Despite a disappointing 19-23-6, the Canadiens still make the playoffs by finishing in 3rd place in the Canadian Division. However, for the third year in a row, the Canadiens are bounced in the first-round loss to the New York Rangers in a Total Goal Series 5-4.

1935/36:The Canadiens streak of ten straight playoff appearances comes to an end as they finish with a league worse 11-26-11 record.

1936/37:Tragedy strikes the Canadiens again as star center Howie Morenz dies of complications from a broken leg suffered against the Chicago Blackhawks on January 28th. Despite the tragedy, the Canadiens would finish in first place with a 24-18-6 record. However, in the playoffs, the Canadiens would lose a five-game series heartbreakingly, losing Game 5 to the Detroit Red Wings in overtime by a score of 2-1.

1937/38:Before the start of the season, the Canadiens and Maroons play a benefit all-star game against the rest of the NHL for Howie Morenz’s family. The season would mark the last time the Canadiens would have to share the Forum as the Maroons folded following the season. After an 18-17-13 record, the Canadiens lose in a first-round series to the Chicago Black Hawks dropping the decisive third game in overtime by a score of 3-2.

1938/39:Despite an awful 15-24-9 record, the Canadiens still make the playoffs by avoiding last place in the now seven-team NHL. In the playoffs, the Canadiens would fall again in the first round losing a decisive third game in overtime 1-0 to the Detroit Red Wings.

1939/40:The Canadiens hit rock bottom finishing in last place with a franchise worse 10-33-5 record.

1940/41:The Canadiens continue to struggle but make the playoffs by finishing in sixth place with a 16-26-6 record. In the playoffs, the Habs would be bounced in the first round again, losing to the Chicago Black Hawks in three games.

1941/42:The Canadiens sneak into the playoffs again, finishing in sixth place with an 18-27-3 record. In the playoffs again, the Canadiens would be bounced in the first round losing to the Detroit Red Wings in three games.

1942/43:With the league reduced to six teams, the Montreal Canadiens must finish in fourth place to qualify for the NHL’s final playoff spot for the fourth time in five years with a 19-19-12 record, holding off the Chicago Black Hawks by one point. In the playoffs, the Canadiens would be bounced quickly again, losing top the Boston Bruins four games to one.

1943/44:After struggling with mediocrity for the better part of a decade, the Canadiens reestablish themselves as one of the NHL’s elite teams by crushing the rest of the competition on the way to an impressive league-best 38-5-78 record. In the playoffs, the Habs stayed red-hot blowing away the Toronto Maple Leafs in five games, outscoring them over the final four games by a score of 22-3. In the Finals, the Canadiens would sweep away the Chicago Black Hawks in four straight games, as Maurice Richard netted five goals, including a Game 2 Hat trick. In the Game 4 finale, the Habs won in sudden death overtime on Toe Blake’s goal. Helping to keep the game tied was Vezina winning goalie Bill Durnan who stopped the first penalty shot in Finals history.

1944/45:The Canadiens looked like a strong bet for repeating as Stanley Cup Champions as they finished as regular season Champions again with a 38-8-4 record, as Maurice Richard becomes the first player to score 50 goals in a single season, netting the mark in a 50-game season. However, in the playoffs, the Habs would be stunned in six games by the Toronto Maple Leafs.

1945/46:The Canadiens capture their third straight regular-season title with a 28-17-5 record. In the playoffs, the Canadiens would catch fire outscoring the Chicago Black Hawks 26-7 in a four-game sweep. In the Finals, the Canadiens would get off to a fast start winning the first two games on the Boston Bruins in overtime, on the way to a 3-0 series lead. After dropping Game 4 in overtime, the Habs would put the Bruins with a 6-3 win in Game 5 for their sixth Stanley Cup Championship.

1946/47:With Goalie Bill Durnan winning his fourth straight Vezina Trophy, the Canadiens finish in first place again with a 34-16-10 record. In the playoffs, the Canadiens would blast the Boston Bruins in five games for the third Final Appearance in four years. However, in the finals, the Habs Stanley Cup reign would come to an end as the Toronto Maple Leafs beat them in six games.

1947/48:With Toe Blake suffering a career-ending leg injury, the Canadiens endure a season of injuries missing the playoffs by finishing in fifth place with a 20-29-11 record.

1948/49:The Montreal Canadiens rebound off their injury-plagued season to finish in third place with a 28-23-9 record, as Bill Durnan wins his fifth Vezina Trophy in six years. However, in the playoffs, the Canadiens would lose a hard-fought seven-game battle to the Detroit Red Wings.

1949/50:The Canadiens finish in second place with a solid 29-22-19 record playing in the Montreal Forum, which underwent a $600,000 renovation to expand capacity to 13,551 seats. Playing in his final season, Goalie Bill Durnan wins his sixth Vezina Trophy. The playoffs would end quickly for the Habs as they are tripped up by the New York Rangers in five games.

1950/51:Despite a mediocre 25-30-15 record, the Montreal Canadiens make the playoffs by finishing in third place. In the playoffs, the Canadiens would play their best hockey of the season, knocking off the Detroit Red Wings in six games for a trip to the finals. The finals would be an unforgettable battle against the Toronto Maple Leafs as all five games went to overtime. However, the Maple Leafs would emerge victorious in four of the games to claim the Stanley Cup.

1951/52:The Montreal Canadiens put together a solid season finishing in second place with a 34-26-10 record. In the playoffs, the Canadiens would rally forcing Game 7 with a 3-2 win in overtime of Game 6. Building off the momentum, the Habs would capture Game 7 by a score of 3-1 to advance to their second straight Final. However, in the finals, the Canadiens are swept away by the Detroit Red Wings, losing all four games by a combined score of 11-2.

1952/53:With Jacques Plante making his NHL debut, the Montreal Canadiens finish in second place with a record of 28-23-19. In the playoffs, the Canadiens would overcome a devastating home loss in Game 5 to beat the Chicago Black Hawks in seven games for their second straight trip to the finals. After splitting the first two games of the finals with the Boston Bruins, Coach Dick Irvin replaces Plante in goal with backup Gerry McNeil. McNeil would make Irvin look like a genius, as he shutout the Bruins twice in the finals three games as the Canadiens won their seventh Stanley Cup with a five-game series victory. Netting the cup-winning goal was Elmer Lach, who broke a scoreless tie 1:22 into overtime.

1953/54:The Montreal Canadiens finish in second place again, posting a solid 35-24-14 record, as Jean Beliveau plays in his first full season. In the playoffs, the Canadiens would breeze through the semifinals sweeping the Boston Bruins in four straight games with a combined score of 16-4. In the finals, the Habs overcame a 3-1 deficit to force a decisive seventh game. However, the Habs’ dreams or repeating was ended by a 2-1 loss in overtime.

1954/55:Battling the Detroit Red Wings again for first place the Montreal Canadiens playoff chances take a blow when star Winger Maurice Richard is suspended for the playoffs after striking an NHL linesman. After Richard’s suspension was announced, the city of Montreal was thrown into a destructive riot, as fans protesting the ruling got unruly. Without Richard, in the final two games, the Habs settle for second place with a 41-18-11 record. In the semifinals, the Habs did not seem to miss the Rocket that much as they knocked off the Boston Bruins in five games. In the finals, the absence of Richard caught up to them as they fell to the Detroit Red Wings in a hard-fought seven-game series.

1955/56:With Toe Blake taking over the coaching reigns, the Canadiens put together their first 100-point season finishing in first place with a 45-15-10 record, as Jacques Plante wins his first Vezina Trophy. In the playoffs, the Hobs would turn it up a notch easily beating the New York Rangers in five games for their sixth straight Finals appearance. The Finals would end up becoming the Jean Beliveau show as the Canadiens star center scored seven times as the Canadiens finally solved the Detroit Red Wings in five games. It was the Canadiens’ eighth Stanley Cup as they passed the Toronto Maple Leafs for most sips from Lord Stanley’s Holy Grail.

1956/57:Coming off their Stanley Cup Championship, the Canadiens finish in second place with a solid 35-23-12 record. In the playoffs, the Canadiens remained a superpower beating the New York Rangers in five games. Facing the Boston Bruins in the finals, the Canadiens received a boost right away as Maurice Richard netted four goals in Game 1, as the Habs jumped out to a 3-0 series lead. After being shutout in Game 4, the Canadiens buried the Bruins with a 5-1 in Game 5 for their second straight Stanley Cup Championship.

1957/58:The Canadiens seeking their third straight Stanley Cup the Canadiens capture the regular-season championship with a record of 43-17-10. In the playoffs, the Habs remained hot as they swept the Detroit Red Wings in four games. Moving on to their eighth straight Finals appearance, the Canadiens led by Maurice Richard win their third straight Stanley Cup by beating the Boston Bruins in six games.

1958/59:The Canadiens remain the class of the NHL winning the regular-season championship again with a record of 39-18-13. In the playoffs, the Habs work past a stiff challenge to beat the Chicago Black Hawks in six games for their ninth finals appearance in a row. In the finals, the Canadiens would win their fourth straight Stanley Cup despite Maurice Richard being held scoreless as they beat the Toronto Maple Leafs in five games.

1959/60:After breaking his nose Jacques Plante becomes the first goalie to wear a facemask in an NHL game on November 1st. With the mask in hand, Plante would go on to win his 5th straight Vezina Trophy as the Canadiens finished with a league-best 40-18-2 record. The Canadiens would sweep through the Chicago Black Hawks and Toto Maple Leafs on the way to their record fifth straight Stanley Cup. In the Finals, Plante allowed just five goals in four games as Maurice Richard ended his career by netting his recorded 34th finals goal.

1960/61:With Boom Boom Geoffrion winning the Hart trophy by scoring 50 goals, the Canadiens overcome the retirement of Maurice Richard by finishing with a league-best 41-19-10. However, in the playoffs, the Habs would be stunned in six games by the Chicago Black Hawks as their reign of five straight Stanley Cups, and ten consecutive Finals appearances come to an end.

1961/62:The Montreal Canadiens continue to be the top team in the league, winning the regular-season championship with a record of 42-14-14. However, for the second straight season, the Habs season is ended in the semifinals by the Chicago Black Hawks in six games.

1962/63:The Montreal Canadiens string of five straight regular-season championships comes to an end as they finish in third place with a record of 28-19-23. However, in the semifinals, the Canadiens lose tough seven-game series to the Toronto Maple Leafs, scoring just one goal in the final two games.

1963/64:The Canadiens recapture the regular-season championship edging the Chicago Black Hawks by one point with a record of 36-21-13. In the playoffs, the Habs are beaten in the semifinals by the Toronto Maple Leafs in five games.

1964/65:The Canadiens make the playoffs for the 23rd time in 24 years, including 15 straight years by finishing in second place with a 36-23-11 record. In the playoffs, the Habs would end the Toronto Maple Leafs reign of three consecutive Stanley Cups by beating them in six games of the semifinals. Moving on to the Finals, the Habs would knock off the Chicago Black Hawks in seven games as the home team won every game. Staring for the Canadiens who won their 13th Stanley Cup was Goalie Gump Worsley, who recorded two shutouts and Jean Beliveau, who won the first-ever Conn Smythe Trophy for playoff MVP.

1965/66:The Canadiens dominate the NHL again, winning the regular-season championship with a 41-21-8 record. In the playoffs, the Canadiens would make the Finals again by sweeping away the Toronto Maple Leafs. In the Finals, the Canadiens would drop the first two games at home to Detroit Red Wings before rebounding to win four straight games for their second consecutive Stanley Cup Championship. Netting the cup-clinching goal was Henri Richard, who beat Conn Smythe Winner Roger Crozier in overtime of Game 6.

1966/67:In the final season before expansion, the Canadiens make the playoffs again by finishing in second place with a 32-25-13 record. After sweeping the New York Rangers in the semifinals, the Canadiens are beaten by a veteran Toronto Maple Leafs team in six games.

1967/68:The era of expansion arrives for the NHL, but the Montreal Canadiens remain at the top of the heap, winning the Eastern Division with a league-best 42-22-10 record. In the playoffs, the Canadiens get past the first round, quickly sweeping the Boston Bruins in four straight games. Moving on to the Eastern Conference Finals the Habs stayed hot beating the Chicago Black Hawks in five games. Moving on to the finals, the Canadiens played the expansion St. Louis Blues in the Stanley Cup Finals. The Blues had a roster of proven Stanley Cup competitors, including former Canadien Doug Harvey. Although the Canadiens would win their 15th Stanley Cup in a sweep, all four games were decided by one goal, including two in overtime. Following the playoffs, Coach Toe Blake who won nine Stanley Cups since taking over the reins as coach retired after 13 years behind the Habs bench.

1968/69:The Montreal Forum is rededicated as the old arena completes massive renovations costing $9.5 million that added seats improved sightlines, and modernized the whole arena. Under new coach Claude Ruel, the Habs had a mod look to finishing with best record overall again at 46-19-11. In the playoffs, the Canadiens remained hot, sweeping the New York Rangers in four straight games. In the Eastern Conference Finals, the Habs used three-overtime wins to catapult them over the Boston Bruins in six games. In the Finals, the Canadiens would sweep the St. Louis Blue for the second year in a row outscoring them 12-3 as Serge Savard won the Conn Smythe Award.

1969/70:Despite posting a 38-22-16 record that was six points better than the 1st place team in the Western Conference full of third-year teams, the Canadiens miss the playoffs by finishing in fifth place with all the established teams. It is the first time the Habs miss the playoffs in 22 years and just the second time in 29.

1970/71:After missing the playoffs, the Canadiens would get off to a slow start as Coach Claude Ruel resigns as is replaced by Al MacNeil. Under MacNeil, the Habs would play much better and would finish in third place with a solid 42-23-13 record. Heading into the playoffs, the Canadiens would make a change in net starting Ken Dryden despite only six regular-season starts. Despite a shaky start, Dryden hung tough in the first round as the Canadiens overcame a 3-2 deficit to dethrone the defending Champion Boston Bruins in seven games. In the semifinals, the Dryden started to get comfortable as the Habs beat the Minnesota North Stars in six games. Moving on to the Finals, the Habs found themselves with their backs to the wall again, trailing the Chicago Black Hawks three games to two. Fueled by the Mahovlich brothers, Frank and Peter the Canadiens forced a seventh game in Chicago. Once again, things looked bleak for the Habs in Game 7 as they fell behind 2-0. However, the Habs would rally as Henri Richard scored the tying and winning goals as the Canadiens won their 17th Stanley Cup. Ken Dryden, who had an impressive playoff GAA of 3.00 was named Conn Smythe winner. Following the season, Jean Beliveau would announce his retirement to take a job in the front office. Despite their Stanley Cup victory, Coach Al MacNeil would not be kept on as the Canadiens named Scotty Bowman their new coach.

1971/72:Guy LaFleur becomes an instant fan favorite in his rookie season as the Canadiens finish in third place with a solid 46-16-16 record. However, in the playoffs, the Habs would lose in the first round to the New York Rangers in six games.

1972/73:The Canadiens dominate the NHL all season, losing just ten games on the way to an NHL best 120 points with a 52-10-16 record, as Ken Dryden continues a Canadiens tradition by becoming the 6th different Canadiens goalie to win the Vezina, and the 19th overall. In the playoffs, the Habs started quickly taking a 3-0 series lead over the Buffalo Sabres before advancing in six games. In the semifinals, The Canadiens overcame a heartbreaking Game 1 loss in overtime to beat the Philadelphia Flyers in five games. In the finals, the Canadiens could not be stopped as they won their 18th Stanley Cup by beating the Chicago Black Hawks in six games, as Yvan Cournoyer won the Conn Smythe by setting a record with 15 goals in the playoffs.

1973/74:The Canadiens are hurt by a season-long hold out by Ken Dryden, falling to second place with a 45-24-9 record. However, they would not feel the full effect until the playoffs when the New York Rangers beat them in six games.

1974/75:Ken Dryden returns as the Canadiens win the newly established Norris Division with an impressive 47-14-19 record. After earning a first-round by the Canadiens, take out the Vancouver Canucks in five games to advance to the Wales Conference Finals. In the Wales Final, the Habs would fall in six games to the Buffalo Sabres, as Henri Richard’s career came to an end.

1975/76:The Canadiens rip through the NHL regular season finishing with the best overall record and incredible 127 points with a 58-11-11 record. After a first-round bye, the Canadiens continued to dominate sweeping the Chicago Black Hawks in four straight games. Moving on to the Wales Final, the Habs won their first three games on the way to dispatching the New York Islanders in 5 games. In the Finals, the Canadiens continued their dominant ways sweeping the Philadelphia Flyers in four straight games. Despite the Habs dominance, no one player could be singled out for the Conn Smythe as Flyers Reggie Leach took home the award.

1976/77:The Canadiens set new records in dominance as Steve Shutt scored 60 goals setting a record for Left Wingers. Helping to set Shutt up is Guy LaFleur, who wins the Hart Trophy by amassing 1936 points a new franchise record. Along with LaFleur, the Goalie combo of Ken Dryden and Bunny Larocque won the Vezina, as Larry Robinson took home the Norris during an incredible all-time NHL best record of 60-8-12 with an incredible 132 points. In the playoffs, the Canadiens crushed the St. Louis Blues in four straight games, outscoring them 19-3 to advance to the Wales Final. In the Wales Final, the Canadiens would fight off a challenge form the New York Islanders in six games. In the finals, the Habs would easily beat the Boston Bruins in four straight games as Guy LaFleur was named Conn Smythe winner as playoff MVP. The victory gave the Canadiens their second consecutive Stanley Cup Championship and their 20th overall, seven more than the second-best.

1977/78:The Montreal Canadiens dominance continues as the only fall off slightly from their record-setting year, taking the best record again at 59-10-11, with 127 points. In the playoffs, the Canadiens would continue to be untouchable as they clipped the Detroit Red Wings in five games. Moving on to the semifinals, the Habs would sweep away the Toronto Maple Leafs in four straight games, outscoring them 16-6. In the Finals, the Habs would suffer two straight losses as the Boston Bruins evened the series two games apiece. However, there would be no denying the Habs their third straight Stanley Cup as the won the next two games by identical 4-1 scores as star defenseman Larry Robinson won the Conn Smythe trophy by setting up 17 Canadiens goals.

1978/79:The Montreal Canadiens continue to be one of the top teams in the NHL, winning the Norris Division with a solid 52-17-11 record. In the playoffs, the Canadiens would be quickly mulching up the Toronto Maple Leafs in four games. Moving on to the semifinals, the Canadiens would be challenged for the first time in four years as they were pushed to a seventh game by the Boston Bruins. In Game 7, the Habs would advance to the finals with win a 5-4 win in overtime. In the finals, the Canadiens would fall behind early, losing Game 1 to the New York Rangers 4-1. The Habs quickly grabbed back momentum with a 6-2 win in Game 2 on the way to winning their fourth straight Stanley Cup in five games. Bob Gainey, the league’s premier two-way forward, would earn the Conn Smythe award. Following the season the Ken Dryden, Jacques Lemaire and Yvan Cournoyer all announce their retirements, as Scotty Bowman resigns as head coach.

1979/80:Despite the retirement of several key players, the Canadiens still won the Norris Division while amassing 107 points with a 47-20-13 record. In the playoffs, the Canadiens would easily beat the Hartford Whalers, sweeping them in three straight games. However, their reign would come to an end in the second round as they are stunned by the Minnesota North Stars in seven games.

1980/81:The Canadiens win their seventh straight Division title with a 45-22-13 record. In the first round, they would be stunned by an up and coming Edmonton Oilers team led by Wayne Gretzky, who swept them in three straight games.

1981/82:With realignment, the Canadiens were shifted to the Adams Division once again, finishing in first place with a solid 46-17-17 record. In the Adams Division Playoffs, the Habs would face the Provincial Rival the Quebec Nordiques. In the battle of David versus Goliath, the Nordiques would stun the Habs with a dramatic 3-2 win in overtime of Game 5.

1982/83:The Canadiens string of eight straight Division titles comes to an end as they settle for second place with a 42-24-14 record. In the playoffs, the Habs would be sent home early as they are swept by Scotty Bowman’s Buffalo Sabres in three straight games.

1983/84:Despite suffering their first losing season in 33 years the Canadiens still make the playoffs by finishing in fourth place with a 35-40-5 record. However, in the playoffs, the Canadiens would play their best hockey of the season as they swept the first-place Boston Bruins in three straight games, outscoring the 10-2. Moving on to the Adams Division Finals the Habs would stay hot as they beat the Quebec Nordiques in six games. In the Wales Conference Finals, the Habs would continue to roll as they took the first two games against the New York Islanders. However, the Canadiens run would stall as they lost the next four games.

1984/85:The Canadiens celebrate their 75th anniversary by announcing their all-time team, while Guy LaFleur, the team’s all-time leading scorer, retires on November 26th. Despite the loss of LaFleur, the Canadiens would go on to win the Adams Division title with a 41-27-12 record. In the playoffs, the Canadiens would beat the Boston Bruins in a hard-fought five-game series. However, in the Adams Division Finals, the Habs would be stunned by the Quebec Nordiques in seven games, losing three games, including the decisive seventh game in overtime.

1985/86:With 20-year old Goalie Patrick Roy playing in his first full season, the Canadiens finish in second place with a 40-33-7 record. In the playoffs, Roy would start making a name for himself as he held the Boston Bruins to six goals as they Habs swept their old rivals in three straight games. Moving on, the Adams Division Finals Roy was the backbone as the Canadiens fought off the Hartford Whalers in seven games, allowing one or fewer goals in five out of the seven games. The Canadiens would go on to make their first finals appearance in seven years by beating the New York Rangers in five games. In the finals, the Canadiens would be matched up against the Calgary Flames in the first all-Canadian final in 19 years. The Flames would get off to a fast start winning 5-2 in Game 1. However, the Habs would rally to take Game 2 in overtime and would go on to douse the Flames in five games claiming their 23rd Stanley Cup setting a professional team sports record for most championships. Patrick Roy, who had a 1.92 GAA, would go on to become the youngest player ever to win the Conn Smythe at the age of 20.

1986/87:Coming off their record 23rd Stanley Cup, the Montreal Canadiens finish in second place with a solid 41-29-10 record. In the playoffs, the Habs would easily knock off the Boston Bruins, sweeping them in four straight games, scoring 19 goals in the process. Moving on to the Adams Division Finals, the Canadiens would hold off the Quebec Nordiques in seven games to advance to the Wales Final. However, in the Wales Final, the Canadiens would fall to the Philadelphia Flyers in six games.

1987/88:The Montreal Canadiens continue to be one of the premier teams in the NHL, winning the Adams Division with a solid 45-22-13 record. In the playoffs, the Habs would capsize the Hartford Whalers in six games. However, in the Adams Division Final, the Canadiens would be stunned by the Boston Bruins in five games, losing four straight games after taking Game 1.

1988/89:Patrick Roy continues a Canadiens tradition as he captures his first Vezina Trophy, becoming the eighth different Habs goalie to win the award and 25th overall. After winning the Adams Division with a 53-18-9 record, the Canadiens would sweep the Hartford Whalers in the first round. In the Adams Division Final, the Habs would beat the Boston Bruins in five games avenge their previous season’s defeat. Moving on the Wales Final, the Habs would get revenge for 1987 by beating the Philadelphia Flyers in six games. In a rematch of the 1986 Finals, the Habs would be torched by the Calgary Flames in six games.

1989/90:Despite the departure of Bob Gainey and Larry Robinson, the Canadiens remain one of the top teams in the NHL as they finish in third place with a solid 41-28-11 record. In the playoffs, the Habs would knock off the Buffalo Sabres in six games. However, facing the Boston Bruins for the third year in a row in the Adams Division Finals, the Habs would be knocked off in five games.

1990/91:The Canadiens continue to be one of the strongest teams in the NHL, finishing in 2nd place with a 39-30-11 record. In the playoffs, the Canadiens would knock off the Buffalo Sabres in 6 games during a high scoring s4eries that saw the Canadiens score 27 goals. However, in the Adams Division Finals, the Habs would be eliminated by The Boston Bruins in a dramatic 7-game series.

1991/92:The NHL celebrated its 75th Anniversary as the Canadiens rose to the top of the Adams Division again with a 41-28-11 record. However, in the playoffs, the Habs would have trouble with Hartford Whalers, who was one of the worst teams during the regular season but made the playoffs by finishing in fourth place. In the end, the Canadiens would survive as they took Game 7 in overtime. However, in the Adams Division Finals, the Habs would not be as lucky as the Boston Bruins swept them in four straight games.

1992/93:In a season in which the hockey celebrated the 100th Anniversary of the dedication of the Stanley Cup, the Canadiens put together another solid season with a 48-30-6 record. In the first round, the Canadiens would get off to a slow start losing the first two games to the Quebec Nordiques, including an overtime loss in Game 1. As the series shifted to Montreal, the Canadiens captured an overtime win of their own as they went on to win four straight games to advance to the next round. In the Adams Division Finals, the Canadiens stayed on a roll beating the Buffalo Sabres in four consecutive games. However, it was not as easy as it seemed, as the Habs needed three overtime wins. Moving on to the Wales Conference Finals, the Canadiens were playing their best hockey of the season, winning eight straight games, including five in overtime. In the Wales Conference Final, the Habs continued to work overtime as they beat the New York Islanders in five games, including two more overtime wins. Facing the Los Angeles Kings led by Wayne Gretzky in the Finals, the Canadiens desperately needed to change the momentum as hey railed Game 2 at the Forum 2-1, as they faced a 0-2 deficit. Coach Jacques Demers decided to challenge the stick used by Kings Enforcer Marty MacSorley. His instinct was proven right as the curve was determined to be illegal, setting up the Habs on the power play. The Canadiens would go onto tie the game forcing overtime where they won their record eighth straight playoff overtime game. As the series shifted to Los Angeles, the Habs continued their overtime magic taking two more games in extra time to establish a 3-1 series lead heading home. In Game 5, the Habs would not need overtime as Eric Desjardins record a hat trick in the Canadiens 4-1 win. The win gave the Canadiens their 24th Stanley Cup Championship, by far the most in the silver chalet’s 100-year history. Earning Conn Smythe honors for the second time was Goalie Patrick Roy, who has a 2.13 GAA.

1993/94:The Canadiens remain an NHL force as they finish in third place in the newly renamed Northeast Division with a solid 41-29-14 record. However, in the first round, the Canadiens have a 3-2 series lead slip through their fingers as the Boston Bruins beat them in seven games.

1994/95:In a season cut in half by a four-month lockout, the Canadiens miss the playoffs for the first time in 25 years, and just the third time 55 years with a disappointing 18-23-7 record.

1995/96:The Montreal Canadiens would get off to a slow start as Coach Jacques Demers is fired. New Coach Mario Tremblay instantly found himself embroiled in controversy as he refused to pull goalie Patrick Roy in a blowout loss to the Detroit Red Wings at the Forum. It would end up being Roy’s final game as a Canadian as he is traded to the Colorado Avalanche just days later. However, after the deal, the Canadiens played strong hockey with Jocelyn Thibault in the nets. March 11th would see another era end in Montreal as the Canadiens beat the Dallas Stars 4-1 in the final game at the Montreal Forum. Following the game, a touching ceremony had all the Canadiens living captains on the ice passing the torch to each other. Five days later, the torch was carried to the Molson Centre, where they beat the New York Rangers in their first game at their new home. The Canadiens would go on to finish in third place with a solid 40-32-10 record. In the playoffs, the Habs would get off to a fast start as they won two straight games over the Rangers in New York. However, the ghost of the Forum did not move with them as the Rangers rebounded to win the next four games, including three at the Canadiens’ new state of the art arena. However, what must have been more painful to Canadiens management was that the Colorado Avalanche won the Stanley Cup led by goalie Patrick Roy.

1996/97:Despite a mediocre 31-36-15 record, the Montreal Canadiens make the playoffs as the 8th seed holding off the Hartford Whalers by two points. The Canadiens would be eliminated quickly in the playoffs as they are beaten by the New Jersey Devils led by Coach Jacques Lemaire in five games. Following the season controversial, Coach Mario Tremblay would be fired and replaced by Alain Vigneault.

1997/98:With new coach Alain Vigneault the Canadiens get back into the playoffs by finishing in 4th place with a 37-32-13 record. In the playoffs, the Canadiens would show signs of brilliance as they stunned the second-seeded Pittsburgh Penguins in six games. However, all the energy the Habs had was gone as the Buffalo Sabres swept them in the second round.

1998/99:The Canadiens finish in last place for the first time in 59 years, missing the playoffs with a disappointing 32-39-11 record.

1999/00:The Canadiens get off to another slow start as Michel Therrien takes over as Coach less than two months into the season. Under Therrien, the Habs would play much better but would miss the playoffs for the second year in a row with a 35-38-9-4 record. For the Canadiens, it was the first time since 1922 that they missed the postseason two years in a row.

2000/01:The Canadiens struggle continues as they miss the playoffs for the third year in a row just the 2nd time since the formation of the NHL that they missed the playoffs three consecutive seasons. While the Canadiens were finishing in last place with a 28-40-8-6 record, change was being made at the top as George N. Gillett Jr purchases the franchise.

2001/02:Before the season started, the Canadiens were dealt a blow when captain Saku Koivu announced he had non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a deadly form of cancer in his abdomen. While Koivu underwent extensive chemotherapy, goalie Jose Theodore kept the Canadiens in the playoff chase. The chemo treatments worked as cancer in Koivu’s stomach was beaten into remission. As the season was winding down Koivu decided he wanted to make a comeback, while he began working out with the team, the inspired Canadiens got hot and climbed up the standing and into the eighth and final playoff spot. On the same day, April 9th, that Koivu made his return with a seven-minute standing ovation at the Molson Center, the Canadiens beat the Ottawa Senators in overtime to clinch a playoff berth. In the playoffs, the Habs remained hot as they planted top-seeded Boston Bruins in six games. In the second round, the Habs were looking strong again as they led the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 4 by three goals entering the 3rd period with a chance to take a 3-1 series lead. However, the Hurricanes would storm back to take the game in overtime and would go on to win the series in six games. Despite the late struggles, the Canadiens became contenders again posting a 36-31-12-3 record, ending a string of three straight losing seasons while Goalie Jose Theodore became the 28th Canadiens Goalie to win the Vezina Trophy. In addition, he would receive the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP for keeping the Canadiens alive in the playoff chase.

2002/03:Coming off a year in which he won both the Vezina and Hart Trophy Jose Theodore came into camp out of shape, and it would show in his play as he struggled all season as the Canadiens played mediocre hockey. The Habs lackluster play would even cost Coach Michel Therian his job as he was replaced in the middle of the season by Claude Julien. However, the Habs would not play any better as they missed the playoffs for the fourth time in five years with a record of 30-35-8-9. Following the season, the Canadiens would hire former Captain Bob Gainey as their new General Manager with the hopes of bringing creditability back to the organization.

2003/04:The Canadiens would begin the Gainey era with a slow start as they played mediocre hockey for the first three months. One early highlight came on November 22nd when the Canadiens played the Edmonton Oilers at Edmonton’s Commonwealth Stadium in the first outdoor game in NHL history. The Canadiens would steal the show winning 4-3 before a record 57,167 fans as January started as they won seven of their first nine games in the New Year. Hoping to add scoring, the Canadiens acquired Alexei Kovalev from the New York Rangers just before the trade deadline. Kovalev would struggle to adjust to his new surroundings, but the Canadiens would not, making the playoffs with a 41-30-7-4 record. Leading the way for the Canadiens was Mike Ribeiro and Rookie Michael Ryder, who each topped 60 points. In the playoffs, the Habs would get off to a slow start falling behind the Boston Bruins three games to one. Suddenly the Canadiens would come alive as Jose Theodore made 43 saves in a 5-2 win in Game 5. The Habs would stay hot in Game 6, winning 5-1 to force a seventh game, where Theodore was the hero again stopping all 26 shots as the Canadiens broke a 0-0 tie with two goals in the third period by Richard Zednik. In the second round, the Canadiens would run into a buzz saw as they were swept in four straight games by the eventual Stanley Cup Champion Tamp Bay Lightning.

2004/05:Season Cancelled Due to Lockout

2005/06:Coming out of the Lockout, the Canadiens started strong winning 12 of their first 16 games. The Canadiens began to struggle in November seven of their next nine as their great start was nearly washed away by three months of mediocre hockey that saw them post losing records in November, December, and January, as Coach Claude Julien was fired and replaced by GM Bob Gainey, while Goalie Jose Theodore struggled. Theodore’s season would go from bad to worse as he suffered a heel injury off the ice, and then he failed a pre-Olympic drug test, receiving a two-year ban from international play. While Theodore was out, back up, Cristobal Huet played well, eventually leading the Habs to deal Theodore a one-time Hart Trophy winner to the Colorado Avalanche for Goalie David Aebischer. With Huet and Aebischer in the net, the Canadiens would have a strong March, as they made the playoffs for the 77th time with a 42-31-9 record. In the playoffs, the seventh-seeded Canadiens got off to a solid start winning the first two games on the road against the Carolina Hurricanes 6-1 and 6-5. With a chance to take a commanding 3-0 series lead at home, the Canadiens held a 1-0 lead midway through the third period. However, Captain Saku Koivu would suffer and injury on a stick to the eye from Justin Williams, as the Hurricanes came back and won 2-1 in overtime. Koivu would be knocked out the rest of the series as the Hurricanes would not lose another game, winning four straight one-goal games to eliminate the Canadiens, on the way to winning the Stanley Cup. Following the season, Gainey went back to the front office as former Captain Guy Carbonneau was named Coach.

2006/07:Coming into the season, the Canadiens were hoping to build off their trip to the playoffs, with a new Coach Guy Carbonneau, who had been a big part of the team during its last two championship runs. For much of the first three months, things looked good in Montreal as the Canadiens were off to a strong start posting a 21-8-5 record through their first 34 games. However, as the winter’s chill gripped the NHL, the Canadiens started to struggle, losing six of eight. In February, things got worse, as the Habs lost eight of nine with Cristobal Huet also being lost to a hamstring injury. With backup Goalie David Aebischer struggling, the Canadiens were in danger of missing the playoffs. To try to reverse their fortunes, the Habs benched Aebischer in favor of Jaroslav Halak, who played well, winning five in a row to get the Habs a chance to make a late run for the postseason. The run would last into April when the Habs had destiny in their own hands. However, losses to the New York Rangers and Toronto Maple Leafs in their last two games doomed them to missing the playoffs with a record of 42-34-6.

2007/08:The Canadiens entered the season with not the loftiest expectations after missing the playoffs the previous season. However, they would get off to a strong start, posting a 6-2-2 record in their first ten games. Over the next two months, the Canadiens continued to play well, as they entered the New Year with a record of 19-13-7. One of the reasons behind the Habs’ success was Rookie Goalie Carey Price, who was getting more chances to play as Coach Guy Charboneau’s confidence grew in the 21-year old prospect. Eventually, the Canadiens would turn to Price full-time, who was a finalist for the Calder Trophy while leading all rookies with 24 wins in the net. At the same time, Christobal Huet was traded to the Washington Capitals at the deadline. The Canadiens would play even better in the season’s second half as they challenged for the top spot in the Eastern Conference. One of Huet’s last wins in the Habs rouge, blanc, et bleu sweater nearly blew the roof off the Bell Centre as the Canadiens overcame a 5-0 deficit to defeat the New York Rangers in a shootout 6-5 on February 19th. On March 1st, the Canadiens rise in the Eastern Conference reached its pinnacle as they took over first place with 2-1 win over the New Jersey Devils. It was the first time they were in first place this late in the season since winning the Stanley Cup in 1993. The Canadiens would go on to finish first overall in the East, winning their first division title since 1992, with a record of 47-25-10. In the playoffs, the Canadiens were matched up against the Boston Bruins, who they dominated in the regular season, as they set a franchise record with 11 straight wins over their Original Six rival. That dominance continued as they won their first two games at home. After a 2-1 loss in overtime in Game 3, the Habs appeared to be on the way to an easy first-round win, as Carey Price earned his first career playoff shutout, blanking the Bruins 1-0 in Game 4 while stopping 27 shots. However, Price was shaky in the next two games, as the Bruins won both to force a seventh game. In Game 7, at the Bell Centre, the Canadiens would come with their A-game as they blanked the Bruins 5-0 to advance to the second round for the first time since the lockout. In the second round, the Canadiens would face the Philadelphia Flyers. Down 3-2 in the final minute of Game 1, the Habs would force overtime as Alexei Kovalev netted a power-play goal with the Canadiens net empty with 29 seconds left. In Overtime, the Habs would not need much time for the game-winner Tom Kostopoulos scored 48 seconds into the extra session. However, it would be the last moment Canadiens fans had to cheer during the season, as the Flyers would bounce back to win the next four games, taking the series in five games.

2008/09:The Canadiens began a Centennial celebration, as the oldest continually operating franchise in the NHL and the most successful team with 24 Stanley Cups. However, without a cup since 1993, fans felt their 100th season would be perfect for them to return to the top of the hockey world, especially after posting the best record in the Eastern Conference in the previous season. Early on things looked good for the Habs as they got off to a strong start, winning eight of their first ten games. The Canadiens would play strong hockey for most of the first half as they hosted the All-Star Game, with the Eastern Conference winning in a shootout 12-11, as Alexei Kovalev thrilled the home fans by winning MVP honors with two goals, and one assist, while shooting the clinched in the shootout. However, in the second half, the Canadiens suddenly went into a tailspin, which started with a four-game losing streak wrapped around the All-Star Break after they were sitting strong in the East with a solid 27-11-6. The struggles continued into February as the Habs as the four-game losing streak was the start of a 15 game stretch, in which the Canadiens won just three games. The Canadiens would close February with four straight wins. Still, the Canadiens continued to play mediocre hockey in March, as the Canadiens who began the season with aspirations to win the Stanley Cup suddenly found themselves on the playoff bubble. The struggles would even coast Coach Guy Carbonneau his job as General Manager Bob Gainey took over behind the bench for the final 16 games. The Canadiens would end up making the playoffs, despite a season-ending four-game losing streak as they posted a 41-30-11 record, and gained the eighth seed via a tiebreaker over the Florida Panthers. The struggles would continue into the playoffs as the Canadiens would go down without a fight, losing four straight games to the Boston Bruins, while being outscored 17-6. Following the season, the Canadiens would undergo wholesale changes, as Jacques Martin was named their new coach. At the same time, Captain Saku Koivu was not offered a new contract, allowing him to sign with the Anaheim Ducks. The Canadiens would also lose All-Star Game MVP Alexei Kovalev to the Ottawa Senators. Meanwhile, the team would be sold by George Gillett to a group headed Geoffrey, Justin, and Andrew Molson, marking the third time the Molson Family would own the Habs.

2009/10:Under new coach Jacques Martin, the Canadiens for the first time in franchise history began the year without a captain following the departure of Koivu. Early in the season, the Habs struggled, losing five straight after winning the first two games of the year in overtime. Through much of the first half of the season, the Canadiens played mediocre hockey as they hovered around the .500 mark. The Canadiens went into the Olympic break with a 29-28-6 record as front office changes were made as General Manager Bob Gainey retired and was replaced by Pierre Gauthier. Coming out of the break, the Canadiens played their best hockey of the season, winning seven of eight games to get back in playoff position. However, they would struggle the rest of the season, five of six games to end March. As April began, the Habs won a crucial game with the Philadelphia Flyers 1-0, with Jaroslav Halak stopping 35 shots. Halak would also earn a shutout the following night against the Buffalo Sabres. The two shutout wins would be enough to get the Canadiens into the playoffs, as they grabbed the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference despite losing their final three games to finish the year with a record of 39-33-10. In the playoffs, the Canadiens were underdogs as they faced the Washington Capitals, who won the President’s Trophy as the best team in the regular season. However, in Game 1 with Jaroslav Halak stopping 45 of 47shots, the Canadiens were able to earn an overtime win, as Tomas Plekanec scored at 13:19. The Capitals would bounce back to win Game 2 in overtime 6-5. As the series shifted to Montreal, the Canadiens struggled, losing both Game 3 and 4 by a combined score of 11-4. With their season on the brink, the Canadiens got another significant effort from Goalie Jaroslav Halak, who stopped 36 of 37 shots as they stayed alive with a 2-1 win in Game 5. In Game 6, it was more Halak, as he stopped 53 of 54 shots to lead the way to a 4-1 victory that sent the series to a seventh game. In Game 7, Jaroslav Halak continued to steal the show-stopping 41 of 42 shots as the Canadiens stunned the Capitals 2-1 to complete the comeback from a 3-1 deficit. In the second round, the Canadiens had an equally hard draw in the defending Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins. After losing 6-3 in Game 1, the Canadiens got another big game from Halak to earn a split in the Igloo as he stopped 38 of 39 shots in a 3-1 win. However, back in Montreal, the Canadiens stumbled in Game 3, losing 2-0. After allowing two first period goals, Jaroslav was strong again in Game 4, stopping 33 of 35 shots, as the Canadiens rallied to win 3-2 on third-period goals by Maxim Lapierre and Brian Gionta to even the series. After a 2-1 loss in Game 5, the Canadiens again faced elimination in Game 6. Once again, they rose to the occasion led by Mike Cammalleri, who scored two goals in a 4-3 win. In Game 7, it was Goalie Jaroslav Halak again who had a big day stopping 37 of 39 shots, as the Canadiens stunned the Penguins 5-2 to reach the Eastern Conference Finals. The Conference Finals featured the two last teams to qualify for the playoffs as the 8th seed Canadiens faced the #7 seed Philadelphia Flyers. Things looked bleak early for the Canadiens as they were shutout in the first two games 6-0 and 3-0. They would show signs of life with a 5-1 at Bell Centre in Game 3. However, once again, the Canadiens put up a lackluster effort in Game 4 and were shutout again 3-0. This time there would be no comeback from down 3-1, as the Flyers closed out the series with a 4-2 win in Game 5. Following the season, the Canadiens had a hard choice to make as both goalies Jaroslav Halak and Carey Price were restricted, free agents. Unable to keep both the Habs need to make a choice, and despite Halak’s heroic effort in the playoffs, the Canadiens chose Price, trading Halak to the St. Louis Blues for prospects, Lars Eller and Ian Schultz.

2010/11:Despite the heroic efforts that led the Canadiens to a surprise trip to the Eastern Conference Finals, Goalie Jaroslav Halak is dealt to the St. Louis Blues for Lars Eller andIan Schultz, as the Habs decided to stick with Carey Price. After starting the season with a 3-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs and a 3-2 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Canadiens suffered a 4-3 loss in overtime to the Tampa Bay Lightning in their home opener. Losses would be uncommon early in the season as the Canadiens posted a solid 7-3-1 record in October. The Canadiens would continue to play well through November as they entered December with a record of 15-8-1. The Habs would spend much of December on the road, and struggled because of it, as they lost seven of ten away from the Bell Centre as they entered the New Year with a record of 21-16-2. The Habs would only drop two games in regulation during January, as they posted a 6-2-3 record, with the addition of James Wisniewski from the New York Islanders. The Canadiens would have their struggles in February and March as they were on the playoff bubble while playing mediocre hockey. On February 20th, the Canadiens would be frozen out by the Calgary Flames in an outdoor game played at Calgary’s McMahon Stadium. Meanwhile, the rivalry between the Canadiens and Boston Bruins took an ugly turn as the two teams had a fight filed game in Boston on February 10th, won by the Habs 8-6. When they met again at Bell Centre on March 8th, Max Pacioretty was the victim of a vicious hit by Zdeno Chara that ran him into the edge of the glass by the bench. Pacioretty would be carried off the ice and lost for the season with a fractured neck and a severe concussion. Chara would get a five minute major and game misconduct, but no suspension, despite the city of Montreal conducting a criminal investigation, as the Habs won the game 4-1. The Canadiens would get points in their final four games and would snag the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs with a record of 44-30-8. In the playoffs, the Canadiens would face the Boston Bruins, with the Pacioretty-Chara incident still fresh in everyone’s minds. The Canadiens quickly took control of the series, winning the first two games in Boston, as Carey Price saved 65 of 66 shots as the Habs won 2-0 and 3-1. Looking to grab a stranglehold on Boston, the Canadiens came out flat at home, suffering a 4-2 loss in Game 3. The Canadiens had their chances in Game 4, as the game went to overtime. However, the Bruins would win again 5-4 on a goal by former Canadien Michael Ryder. As the series moved back to Boston, the Bruins and Canadiens battled into double overtime, as the Bruins won again 2-1 on a goal by Nathan Horton. The Canadiens would rebound with a 2-1 win in Game 6 as Carey Price had 31 saves, while Brian Gionta’s power-play goal in the second period made the difference. Game 7 in Boston would also go to overtime, as P.K. Subban tied the game with a power-play goal with 1:57 left. However, Nathan Horton would stun the Habs again with a goal at 5:43 to give the Bruins a 4-3 win. The Bruins would go on to win the Stanley Cup, as the Canadiens drought continued.

2011/12:In over 100 years of hockey, the Montreal Canadiens have had many proud seasons, winning the Stanley Cup a record 24 times as they made the playoffs a record 82 times. Not only did the Canadiens fail to make the playoffs, but they also had perhaps the worst season in team history as they were an embarrassment to the fans of Montreal on and off the ice. After losing to the Boston Bruins in the first round, losing a seven-game heartbreaker to the eventual Stanley Cup Champions, the Canadiens had a rather quiet off-season as they failed to address several of the team’s needs while losing key players like Roman Hamrlik and Jeff Halpren. Things started badly from the start, for the Canadiens as they lost 2-0 to the Toronto Maple Leafs, as they won just one of their first eight games, for their worst start in 71 years. The Canadiens would show some signs of life in November, as Carey Price recorded back to back shutouts. With their power play struggling, the Habs would acquire Tomas Kaberle from the Carolina Hurricanes on December 9th in exchange for defenseman Jaroslav Spacek. Spacek picked up two assists in a 2-1 road win over the New Jersey Devils. However, it was one of the lone bright spots as the Canadiens continued to struggle when GM Pierre Gauthier fired Coach Jacques Martin on December 17th, as the Habs held a subpar record of 13-12-7. The choice of interim Coach Randy Cunneyworth would not go over well in Montreal, as Cunneyworth did speak any French. The Canadiens would lose their first five games under new coach and seven of eight as they entered the New Year with a record of 14-18-7. Frustrations would boil over in January, as Michael Cammalleri was traded to the Calgary Flames after making disparaging remarks about the team. In return, the Habs who also dealt Karri Ramo received Rene Bourque, Patrick Holland, and a second-round pick in the 2013 NHL Draft. With the playoffs out of reach, the Canadiens began dealing away players and stocking up on prospects and draft picks, as Hal Gill and Andrei Kostitsyn were sent to the Nashville Predators for Blake Geoffrion, Robert Slaney and two draft picks. Geoffrion’s bloodlines lay deep in the Canadiens’ glorious past as his maternal Grandfather is Howie Morenz, while Boom Geoffrion is his paternal grandfather. The Canadiens would go on to finish with the worst record in the Eastern Conference at 31-35-16. One of the only bright spots was the play of Max Pacioretty, who came back from his concussion and neck injury to lead the team in scoring with 33 goals and 32 assists, while Erik Cole ranked second while leading the Habs with 35 goals and 26 assists. Following the season, as the Molson Family once again owned the Canadiens, a complete house cleaning of the front office was made as Marc Bergevin was named the new General Manager. At the same time, Michel Therrien, who coached the Canadiens from 2000-2003, was hired to lead the Habs once again.

2012/13:After one of the worst seasons in the history of Les Canadiens, the team underwent a complete front-office makeover, with Marc Bergevin with Michel Therrien, who coached the Habs from 2000-2003 getting a second tenure in Montreal. When the season began in January after a three-month lockout, expectations were not very high as most. However, the Canadiens would finish in last place again as they lost to the Toronto Maple Leafs 2-1 in their season opener on January 21st but quickly got back on track with four straight wins. The Canadiens continued their strong play in February and March as they won nine games in each month and found themselves at the top of the Eastern Conference standings. Pacing the Canadiens turnaround was a strong defense and solid goaltending, led by Carey Price, who was coming off a disappointing 2011/12 season won 18 of his first 28 starts. In contrast, back up, Peter Budaj won eight of his ten starts and had just one regulation loss. Both goalies had save percentages better than .900 and combined for four shutouts. A big reason for the success of Price and Budaj was the Canadiens pesky defenseman P.K. Subban, who after sitting out the first four games to work out a new contract with the Canadiens established himself as one of the best defensemen in the NHL, scoring 11 goals and 27 assists, as he matched his career-high 38 points despite playing in only 42 games because of the lockout-shortened season. P.K. Subban would become the first black player to win a season-long NHL award in NHL history by capturing the Norris Trophy as the Best Defenseman in the NHL. The Canadiens would have a mini-slump as the season ended, with just a 7-7-0 record in April. However, their 29-14-5 mark was good enough to win the Northeast Division Championship and get the second seed for the playoffs.

2013 Playoffs:In the playoffs, the Canadiens would face the Ottawa Senators in a battle of hard-hitting defensive teams. Game 1 would set the tone of the series, as Senators Defenseman Eric Gryba was given a five-minute major penalty, game misconduct, and a two-game suspension after delivering a hit on Montreal’s Lars Eller that sent the Canadiens Center to the hospital. Eller, who was one of the Habs top scorers in the regular season with eight goals and 22 assists, would be lost for the remainder of the series as the Senators won the opener 4-2. The Canadiens would rebound to even the series with a 3-1 win in Game 2. As the series shifted to Ottawa, the emotions would boil over as the two teams combined for 236 penalty minutes with the Senators winning 6-1. Things looked good for Montreal in Game 4, as they jumped out to a 2-0 lead. The Senators would cut the lead to 2-1 with just over nine minutes left. Then with time running out, the Senators tied the game on a goal by Cory Conacher with 23 seconds left. The goal was reviewed but allowed to stand despite it appearing that it was knocked past Carey Price with a kicking motion. Making matters worse, Price suffered a groin injury on the play and was unable to play in overtime. With Peter Budaj coming into the game cold, the Senators quickly won the game 3-2 on a goal by Kyle Turris. Budaj would get the start in Game 5, as the Canadiens quickly unraveled, losing 6-1 as the Senators won the series in five games.

2013/14:After a great comeback season that ended with a bitter disappointment in the playoffs, the Montreal Canadiens looked to continue their climb back to elite status. The Canadiens would start the season with a 4-3 home loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. However, they would win five of their first seven games, thanks to a successful trip to Western Canada. In October, the Canadiens were much stronger on the road, winning four of five, while splitting eight games at Bell Centre. After a slow start in November, the Canadiens began to resemble the team that won the Northeast Division in the lockout season as they won nine of ten games, with the only loss coming in a shootout. After starting the New Year with a record of 23-14-4, the Canadiens played mediocre hockey through much of January. However, as the Olympic break approached, they began to pick up their play as they lost just one of nine-game in regulation. After the break, the Habs were one of the hottest teams in the NHL as they fortified the team at the trade deadline, acquiring Thomas Vanek from the New York Islanders. Vanek had six goals and nine assists for the Canadiens in 18 games, as Montreal finished the season in third place in the new Atlantic Division with a record of 46-28-8. Max Pacioretty was the Canadiens leading scorer with 39 goals and 21 assists, while P.K. Subban once again was one of the top defensemen in the league with ten goals and 43 assists. However, the Habs MVP was Goalie Carey Price, who had perhaps his finest season to date, with a record of 34-20-5, while posting a 2.32 GAA and a .927 save percentage. Price also became a national hero, with near-flawless goaltending in Sochi to lead Team Canada to the Olympic Gold Medal.

2014 Playoffs:In the first round of the playoffs, the Canadiens would face the Tampa Bay Lightning, who just beat them out for second place and home ice for the series in the new division heavy playoff format. However, Tampa was hobbled as the playoffs began with Goalie Ben Bishop sidelined with an injury. In the opener, the Canadiens would overcome goals by Steven Stamkos to win in overtime 5-4. The Habs would get five goals from five different players, with Dale Weise netting the game-winner 1:52 into overtime. The Canadiens would also take Game 2 in Tampa by a score of 4-1 as Carey Price was sharp, allowing just one goal on 27 shots, as Rene Bourque led the way to two goals. As the series shifted to Bell Centre, the Canadiens got on the board quickly with Bourque netting a goal just 11 seconds into Game 3. The Canadiens would go on to take the game 3-2 and take a commanding 3-0 series lead. Looking to sweep the series, the Canadiens jumped out to a 3-0 lead in Game 4, but the Lightning battled back to even the score. Taking advantage of a Cedric Paquette tripping penalty, the Canadiens would get the game-winner with 43 seconds left on a power play by Max Pacioretty. In the Atlantic Division Finals, the Canadiens would face the Boston Bruins in the playoffs for the 34th time. In the opener, the Canadiens would get a dramatic win in double overtime as P.K. Subban silenced the Boston fans with his second goal of the game in a 4-3 win. After holding a 3-1 lead in Game 2, the Canadiens would suffer their first loss of the playoffs as the Bruins scored four unanswered goals in the final 9:04 to even the series with a 5-3 win. However, the Habs would bounce back as the series shifted to Montreal, getting a 4-2 win as Tomas Plekanec and P.K. Subban netted first period goals. Game 4 was a showdown between the goalies as both Tuukka Rask and Carey Price did not allow a score in regulation. In overtime, the Bruins would need just 79 seconds as Matt Fraser scored to even the series. The Bruins would take the momentum from their overtime win and take control of the series with a 4-2 win in Boston. Facing elimination at home, the Canadiens got a big performance from Carey Price, who stopped all 26 shots in a 4-0 win. Game 7 would take place in Boston, and Price was right on again, allowing just one goal on 30 shots in a 3-1 win, with Dale Weise scoring early in the first period to take the Boston crowd out of the game. In the Eastern Conference Finals, the Canadiens would move on to face the New York Rangers. The series would start at Bell Centre, but the Canadiens found trouble right away as Carey Price suffered a knee injury on a collision with Rangers Winger Chris Kreider, with the Habs trailing 2-1 in the second period. Price would finish the period but allowed two more goals as the Rangers won 7-2. With Price out for the remainder of the series, Dustin Tokarski got that start in Game 2. The Canadiens came out in desperation mode and dominated the early part of the game Max Pacioretty gave them a 1-0 lead. With the crowd buzzing, the Rangers quickly retook momentum, tying the game just 17 seconds later. The Rangers would go to win the game 3-1, as the Canadiens managed to get one of 41 shots past Rangers Goalie Henrik Lundqvist. Down 2-0 in the series, the Canadiens would get back in the series with a 3-2 win in overtime at Madison Square Garden as Alex Galchenyuk deflected in a shot from Pacioretty 72 seconds into overtime. Game 4 would also go to OT, but this time the Rangers would win the game 3-2 on a goal by Martin St. Louis to take a 3-1 series lead. Facing elimination in Game 5, the Canadiens who all series long were frustrated by Lundqvist erupted for seven goals in a 7-2 win at Bell Centre. It would be the final goals the Canadiens would score in the season, as the Rangers closed out the series with a 1-0 win in Game 6, smothering the Canadiens down the final 20 minutes of the game with a defense that allowed just five shots Dominic Moore scored the game’s lone goal late in the second period.

2014/15:After reaching the Eastern Conference Finals, the Montreal Canadiens lost several key players, including Captain Brian Gionta. However, with the acquisition of P. A. Parenteau, they looked just as strong entering the season. One reason for the Canadiens confidence was the continued strong play of Carey Price, who continued to be rock solid in goal, as the Habs started the season strong, winning eight of their first ten games. Price was nearly unbeatable early in the season, and had the best season of his career, winning a league-high 44 games, along with a 1.96 GAA and a .933 save percentage, both of which were also career-best and league-leading numbers. Carey Price would join a long list of Canadiens Goalies to claim the Vezina Trophy as the best goalie in the league. Price would also claim the William Jennings Trophy for the fewest goals allowed during the season. Powered by Carey Price, the Canadiens were at or near the top of the Atlantic Division all season, battling the Tampa Bay Lightning. Despite losing all five regular-season matchups with Tampa, the Canadiens were able to win their second straight division championship with a record of 50-22-10. While Carey Price, was a brick wall in between the pipes, it as Max Pacioretty leading the Canadiens on offense, scoring a team-best 37 goals, while leading the team with 67 points. Pacioretty’s most significant contribution may have been his league-best +/- of +38. The Canadiens also got 60 point seasons from Tomas Plekanec and P.K. Subban, who had a team-high 45 assists, while remaining one of the league’s top defenseman.

2015 Playoffs:In the first round, the Canadiens would face the Ottawa Senators in a battle of Canadian teams in the Atlantic Division. Right away, there was bad blood, as P.K. Subban was given a game misconduct for a slash on Mark Stone that led to the Senators star rookie suffering a fractured wrist. The Canadiens would go on to win the opener 4-3, behind four-second period goals, with Brian Flynn scoring the game-winner with two assists. Despite Stone’s injury, Subban would face no further discipline from the NHL and would score a second-period goal in Game 2. The Habs would go on to win the game in overtime 3-2, with Alex Galchenyuk netting the game-winner. As the series shifted to the Nation’s Capital P.K. Subban was booed every time he touched the puck. The Canadiens would rally to win Game 3 in overtime, as Dale Weise scored both Canadiens goals. Despite a strong effort from Carey Price, the Canadiens were unable to complete the sweep, as the Senators kept their hopes alive with a 1-0 win. Returning to Montreal, the Senators again fought off defeat, scoring five goals on Carey Price to win the game 5-1. In Game 6, the Senators continued their strong play, peppering Carey Price with 43 shots, all of which were stopped by the Canadiens award-winning goalie. The Canadiens would win the game 2-0 on a first-period goal by Brendan Gallagher with Max Pacioretty netting an empty-net goal within the game’s final second. In the second round, the Canadiens would face the Tampa Bay Lightning. The game would be a strong defensive effort, with each team scoring a goal in the third period. The game would go to overtime and second overtime, before Tampa, with a goal by Nikita Kucherov, sent the Bell Centre crowd home unhappy with a 2-1 win. Game 2 would not be nearly as close as the Lightning struck six times, to beat the Habs 6-2 and took a 2-0 series lead down to Tampa with them. Game 3 in Tampa appeared heading to overtime like the opener tie 1-1. However, Tyler Johnson scored with 1.1 seconds left to give Tampa Bay a 2-1 victory, taking a 3-0 series lead. The Canadiens would not go down without a fight winning Game 4 by a score of 6-2, with Max Pacioretty recording a shorthanded goal and two assists. Back in Montreal, the Canadiens would continue to stay alive, winning Game 5 on a goal by P. A. Parenteau with 4:47 left in regulation. However, the Habs would not be able to fight back as they suffered a 4-1 loss in Game 6, with Tampa getting two big goals by Nikita Kucherov.

2015/16:The Montreal Canadiens expected big things coming off a season in which Goalie Carey Price won the Hart Trophy and Vezina. Before the start of the year, Max Pacioretty was named the Habs 29th captain after a player vote. When the puck dropped on October 7th, the Canadiens looked like the best team in the NHL as they began the year with a 3-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Canadiens would skate off with a win in each of their first nine games. During a Western Canada road trip, the Canadiens season took a sudden turn when Carey Price suffered a knee injury on October 29th, during a 4-3 loss to the Edmonton Oilers. Price missed the next ten games, as the Canadiens continued to play solid hockey, holding a 14-4-2 record on November 19th just before their MVP goalie was set to return. Carey Price would lead the Canadiens to wins in the next three games, but on November 25th, during a 5-1 win over the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden, Price aggravated his knee injury. At the time, Carey Price was only expected to miss six weeks, but as it turned out, he would not play in another game in the season, as the sprained MCL never healed enough to be declared ready to play. Along with Price, other injuries began to take their toll on Montreal as Brendan Gallagher suffered a hand injury on November 22nd. The Canadiens beat the New Jersey Devils 3-2 in a shootout after the Price injury but would go into a significant skid in December, losing 12 of 13 games, including a streak on eight straight losses. The Canadiens appeared to have righted the ship when they began the New Year with a 5-1 win in the Winter Classic against the Boston Bruins at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, with Gallagher returning to the lineup and earning the first star with a goal and an assist. However, injuries continued to mount as the Canadiens posted a record of 3-7-1 in January. In February, the Canadiens had a solid month at Bell Centre, posting a 5-1-1 record at home, but on the road, it was more misery for Montreal as they lost five of six. With their playoff hopes in doubt, the Canadiens were busy at the deadline. However, instead of making a big move to improve the team, the Habs looked more at picking up youth and sending a message as they traded the underachieving Devante Smith-Pelly to the New Jersey Devils for Stefan Matteau. The Canadiens continued to be middling in mediocrity in March, splitting their first four games before P.K. Subban suffered a season-ending neck injury during a 3-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres. Subban was taken to the hospital and released the next day, but as the Canadiens playoff hopes flickered and died, they decided to rest him the remainder of the season as a precaution as they finished the season with a record of 38-38-6.

2016/17:Coming off a disappointing injury-plagued season, in which they missed the playoffs, the Montreal Canadiens hoped to bounce back. A big off-season shocker came when the Canadiens traded former Norris Trophy winner P.K. Subban to the Nashville Predators for Shea Webber. As the season began, the Canadiens got the most significant boost; they needed a healthy Carey Price in goal. Highlighted by an eight-game winning streak, the Canadiens blazed out of the gate, with a 13-1-1 record in their first 15 games. The Canadiens were unable to keep up their torrid start, as they went into the New Year with a record of 22-9-6. The Canadiens continued their spot atop the Atlantic Division, as they had a solid month in January. Still, things began to unravel in February as the Habs won just one of their first seven games, leading to a shocking change behind the bench. On February 14th, sitting at 31-19-8, the Canadiens dismissed coach Michel Therrien and replaced him with Claude Julien, who was fired just a few weeks earlier by the rival Boston Bruins. While Montreal struggled at the start of Julien’s second tenure in Montreal, they soon found their stride and finished the season strong, posting a record of 15-5-1 over their last 21 games. With their strong start and solid finish, the Canadiens won the Atlantic Division with a record of 47-26-9. A key the Canadiens success was Carey Price, who again was one of the top goalies in the NHL, winning 37 games, with a 2.23 GAA and .923 save percentage. Max Pacioretty was the team’s leading scorer with 67 points, highlighted by a team-best 35 goals.

2017 Playoffs:The Montreal Canadiens faced the New York Rangers in an Original Six showdown in the first round of the playoffs. Things did not start well for the Canadiens, as they lost the opener at the Molson Centre 2-0, with Henrik Lundqvist outdueling Carey Price in a showcase of two of the NHL premiere netminders. Down 3-2 late in the third period, the Habs were in danger of losing the first two games at home, when Tomas Plekanec tied the game 18 seconds left in regulation. In overtime, the Canadiens would win the game 4-3 on a goal by Alexander Radulov at 18:34. At Madison Square Garden in Game 3, the Canadiens got a superior defensive effort to win 3-1 to take the series lead. The Rangers would bounce back to even the series with a 2-1 win in Game 4. Back in Montreal for Game 5, the Canadiens found themselves in overtime again, this time the Rangers would win 3-2 on a goal by Mika Zibanejad. New York would go on to eliminate the Canadiens with a 3-1 win in Game 6 at the Madison Square Garden.

2017/18:After their quick playoff collapse, the Montreal Canadiens stumbled out of the gate, losing seven straight games after starting the season with a 3-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres. It would be a year of injury and frustration for Carey Price, who had a career-worst 3.11 GAA and .900 save percentage while posting a record of 16-26-7. At the end of November, the Canadiens surged when Carey Price returned from the injured list. The Canadiens slumped in December, posting a record of 4-7-1. This included a 3-0 loss to the Ottawa Senators in an outdoor game at Ottawa’s TD Place Stadium. The game called the NHL 100 Classic celebrated the first game in NHL history 100 years earlier. After ending December with a record of 16-19-4, the Canadiens’ struggles continued into the New Year, as they won just four games a month and finished the season with a record of 29-40-13. Brendan Gallagher was perhaps the lone bright spot in the dismal season, as he led Montreal with 31 goals and 54 points.

2018/19:After missing the playoffs, the Montreal Canadiens made several moves looking to get younger. This included trading, Alex Galchenyuk, to the Arizona Coyotes for Max Domi. They would also trade captain Max Pacioretty to the Vegas Golden Knights for Tomas Tatar, Nick Suzuki, and a second-round draft pick. The Canadiens started strong, with points in seven of their first eight games. After a November slump, the Canadiens had a ten-win December and were in playoff position as they began the New Year with a record of 21-14-5. A big key to the Canadiens solid first half was the play of Max Domi, who had a breakout season as he led the team in scoring with 72 points, as well as a team-best 44 assists, while Brendan Gallagher again led the Canadiens with 33 goals. In the New Year, the Canadiens were often streaky as they battled for a wild card spot. Despite going 7-2-1 over their final ten games, the Canadiens fell two points short, with a record of 44-30-8. Despite missing the playoffs for the second straight season, Carey Price had a bounce-back season, with 35 wins, a 2.4 9 GAA and .918 save percentage.

Championship Teams

Canadiens Arenas

Canadiens Legends

Joseph Cattarinich

1909/10

Art Bernier

1909-1911

Jimmy Gardner

1913-1915

Howard Mc Namara

1915/16, 1919/20

Jack Laviolette

1909-1917

Skinner Poulin

1909-1911, 1915-1917

Joe Hall

1917-1919

Amos Arbour

1915/16, 1918-1921

Newsy Lalonde*

1909-1922

Didler Pitre

1909-1913, 1914-1923

Louis Berlinguette

1912-1923

Joe Malone

1917-1919, 1922-1924

Odie Cleghorn

1918-1925

Sprague Cleghorn

1921-1925

Georges Vezina

1910-1926

Bill Coutu

1916-1920, 1920-1926

Billy Boucher

1921-1927

Art Gagne

1926-1929

Herb Gardiner

1926-1929

1927 Hart Trophy

George Hainsworth

1926-1933,

1936/37 1927, 1928, & 1929 Vezina

Albert Leduc

1925-1933, 1934/35

Sylvio Mantha

1923-1936

Wildor Larochelle

1925-1936

Leroy Goldsworthy

1934-1936

Howie Morenz

1926-1934,

1936/37 1928, 1931, & 1932 Hart

Jack McGill

1934-1937

Aurel Joliat

1922-1938

1934 Hart Trophy

Pit Lepine

1925-1938

Babe Siebert

1936-1939

1937 Hart Trophy

Armand Mondou

1928-1940

Johnny Gagnon

1930-1934, 1934-1940

Walter Buswell

1935-1940

Georges Mantha

1928-1941

Wilf Cude

1933-1941

Paul Haynes

1935-1941

Rod Lorrain

1935-1942

Tony Demers

1937-1943

Ray Getliffe

1939-1945

Paul Bibeault

1940-1943, 1945/46

Joe Benoit

1940-1943, 1945-1947

Buddy O’Connor

1941-1947

Toe Blake

1935-1948

1939 Hart Trophy

John Quilty

1940-1942, 1946-1948

1941 Calder Trophy

Murph Chamberlain

1940-1942, 1943-1949

Maurice Richard

1947 Hart Trophy

Frank Selke

President 1946-1964

Kenny Reardon

1940-1942, 1945-1950

Bill Durnan

1943-1950

1944, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1949, & 1950 Vezina

Leo Gravelle

1946-1951

Boom Boom Geoffrion

1952 Calder Trophy

Norm Dussault

1947-1951

Billy Reay

1946-1953

Elmer Lach

1940-1954

1945 Hart Trophy

Baldy MacKay

1949-1955

Paul Masnick

1950-1955

Paul Meger

1950-1955

Butch Bouchard

1941-1956

Gerry McNeil

1947/48, 1949-54, 56/57

Ken Mosdell

1944-1956, 1957/58

Dollard St.Laurent

1950-1958

Bert Olmstead

1950-1958

Doug Harvey

1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1960 & 1961 Norris Trophy

Jacques Plante

1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, & 1962 Vezina

“The Rocket” Maurice Richard

1942-1960

Doug Harvey

1947-1961

Tom Johnson

1949-1963

1959 Norris Trophy

Jacques Plante

1950-1963

1962 Hart Trophy

Dickie Moore

1951-1963

Boom Boom Geoffrion

1950-1964

1961 Hart Trophy

Jean Beliveau

1956 & 1964 Hart

Charlie Hodge

1954/55, 1957-61, 1963-67

1964 & 1966 Vezina

Dave Balon

1963-1967

Toe Blake

Coach 1955-1968

Gilles Tremblay

1960-1969

Claude Provost

1955-1970

Bobby Rousseau

1960-1970

1962 Calder Trophy

Dick Duff

1964-1970

Gump Worsley

1964-1970

1966 &1968 Vezina

Jean Beliveau

1950/51, 1952-1971

1966 Conn Smythe

Ralph Backstrom

1956-1971

1959 Calder Trophy

Jacques Laperriere

1962-1971

1964 Calder Trophy 1966 Norris Trophy

John Ferguson

1963-1971

Mickey Redmond

1967-1971

J.C. Tremblay

1959-1972

Roggie Vachon

1966-1972

1968 Vezina Trophy

Marc Tardif

1969-1973

Ken Dryden

1971 Conn Smythe 1972 Calder Trophy

Frank Mahovlich

1970-1974

Henri Richard

1955-1975

Claude LaRose

1962-1975

Chuck Lefley

1970-1975

Pete Mahovlich

1969-1978

Yvon Cournoyer

1963-1979

1973 Conn Smythe

Jacques Lemaire

1967-1979

Ken Dryden

1970-1973, 1974-1979

1973, 1976, 1978, 1979 Vezina

Guy LaFleur

1977 & 1978 Hart

1977 Conn Smythe

Larry Robinson

1977 & 1980 Norris

1978 Conn Smythe

Bob Gainey

1978 1979 1980 & 1981 Selke

1979 Conn Smythe

Scotty Bowman

Coach 1971-1979

Serge Savard

1966-1981

1969 Conn Smythe

Yvon Lambert

1972-1981

Bunny Larocque

1973-1981

1977, 1978, 1979, 1981 Vezina

Guy Lapointe

1968-1982

Doug Jarvis

1975-1982

Mark Napier

1978-1984

Richard Sevigny

1979-1984

1981 Vezina Trophy

Keith Acton

1979-1984

Rick Wamsley

1980-1984

Doug WIckenheiser

1980-1984

Guy LaFleur

1971-1985

Steve Shutt

1972-1985

Pierre Mondou

1977-1985

Mario Tremblay

1974-1986

Gaston Gingras

1979-1983, 1985-1988

Kjell Dahlin

1985-1988

Larry Robinson

1972-1989

Bob Gainey

1973-1989

Patrick Roy

1986 & 1993 Conn Smythe

Mats Naslund

1982-1990

Chris Chelios

1983-1990

Claude Lemieux

1983-1990

Brian Hayward

1986-1990

Ryan Walter

1982-1991

Bobby Smith

1983-1991

Stephane Richer

1984-1991, 1996-1998

Mike McPhee

1983-1992

Petr Svoboda

1984-1992

Shayne Corson

1985-1992, 1996-2000

Russ Courtnall

1988-1992

Brent Gilchrist

1988-1992

Brian Skrudland

1985-1993

Denis Savard

1990-1993

Guy Carbonneau

1980-1994

1988, 1989, & 1992 Selke

Mathieu Schneider

1987-1994

Stephan Lebeau

1988-1994

Eric Desjardins

1988-1995

Gilbert Dionne

1990-1995

John LeClair

1990-1995

Kirk Muller

1991-1995

Brian Bellows

1992-1995

Patrick Roy

1984-1996

1989, 1990, 1992 Vezina Trophy

Mike Keane

1988-1996

Lyle Odelein

1989-1996

Pierre Turgeon

1994-1997

Valeri Bure

1994-1998

Vincent Damphousse

1992-1999

Mark Recchi

1994-1999

Jocelyn Thibault

1995-1999

Vladimir Malakhov

1994-2000

Dainius Zubrus

1998-2001

Benoit Brunet

1988-2002

Brian Savage

1993-2002

Martin Rucinsky

1995-2002

Oleg Petrov

1992-1996, 1999-2003

Stephane Quintal

1995-1999, 2001-2004

Yannick Perreault

2001-2004

Jose Theodore

1995-2006

2002 Vezina & Hart

Mike Ribeiro

2000-2006

Richard Zednik

2000-2006

Craig Rivet

1994-2007

Sheldon Souray

1999-2007

Michael Ryder

2003-2008, 2012/13

Cristobal Huet

2005-2008

Patrice Brisebois

1990-2004, 2007-2009

Saku Koivu

1995-2009

Christopher Higgins

2003-2009

Alexei Kovalev

2003-2009

Jaroslav Halak

2006-2010

Roman Hamrlik

2007-2011

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Author

Frank Fleming
Frank Fleming founded the Sports Ecyclopedia in 2001 & is a passionate Devils fan.