Guy Lafleur Opens the 1977 Playoffs With a Six-Point Night

The Montreal Canadiens began their 1977 Stanley Cup playoff run with a convincing win, and Guy Lafleur led the way. On April 11 at the Montreal Forum, the Flower scored three goals and added three assists in a 7-2 victory over the St. Louis Blues. It was an impressive opening act for a team that would finish the postseason with a 12-2 record and capture its second of four consecutive championships.

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Highlights

• Lafleur recorded three goals and three assists on April 11, 1977.

• Montreal defeated St. Louis 7-2 at the Montreal Forum.

• Lafleur opened the scoring just 51 seconds into the game.

• He completed his hat trick at 11:27 of the second period.

• The Canadiens swept the Blues, outscoring them 19-4.

• Lafleur finished the series with five goals and 12 points.

• His 26-point postseason earned him the Conn Smythe Trophy.

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Lafleur needed just 51 seconds to open the scoring in Game 1 of the quarter-final series. With assists from Larry Robinson and Serge Savard, he beat Blues goaltender Ed Staniowski to give Montreal an early lead. By the first intermission, Lafleur already had two goals and an assist, and the Canadiens were ahead 4-1.

The second period brought more of the same. Lafleur completed his hat trick at 11:27, then assisted on Guy Lapointe’s goal at 14:33. Montreal carried a 6-1 lead into the second intermission, ending Staniowski’s night. Veteran Ed Johnston took over in the St. Louis net for the third period.

Johnston stopped nine of the ten shots he faced, with Bill Nyrop scoring Montreal’s final goal on assists from Jacques Lemaire and Lafleur. That helper gave Guy a point on six of the Canadiens’ seven goals. Brian Sutter later scored for the Blues, assisted by Bernie Federko, who finished the loss with a goal and an assist.

Montreal swept the series in four games, outscoring St. Louis 19-4. Lafleur was involved in 12 of those 19 goals, collecting five goals and seven assists. Two of his goals were game winners, and he assisted on another deciding goal during the sweep.

The opening-night performance set the tone for a memorable spring. In 14 playoff games, Lafleur scored nine goals and finished with 26 points, earning the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. His six-point effort against the Blues had provided an early glimpse of the player who would help carry Montreal to another Stanley Cup.

Guy Lafleur: Autobiography

The story of the legendary Canadiens superstar — speed, scoring, and stardom in Montreal.

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NHL Playoff Hat Tricks Of The 1960s

Relive the NHL playoff hat tricks of the 1960s with the stories, stars, and memorable performances behind some of the decade’s biggest postseason scoring nights.

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Yvan Cournoyer Clinches 1973 Stanley Cup For Montreal Canadiens

The 1972-73 Montreal Canadiens were a powerhouse, losing just ten games during the regular season and storming through the playoffs. After dispatching the Buffalo Sabres and Philadelphia Flyers, the Habs faced the Chicago Blackhawks in the Stanley Cup Final.

Chicago battled hard, scoring 15 goals in their two wins, but Montreal’s speed and depth ultimately proved too much. The series ended in six games with Yvan Cournoyer at the center of the celebration.

On May 10, 1973, Cournoyer capped off a brilliant postseason by scoring the Cup-clinching goal in Game Six. With the teams tied 4-4 heading into the third, he beat Tony Esposito at 8:13, his 15th goal of the playoffs, on a setup from Jacques Lemaire to give Montreal the lead for good. The Canadiens went on to win 6-4, securing another championship.

Cournoyer added assists on goals by Frank Mahovlich and Marc Tardif, finishing the playoffs with 25 points in 17 games. His 15 goals set a new playoff record at the time, surpassing Mahovlich’s 14 from 1971. Though the record has since been topped by Reggie Leach and Jari Kurri (19 each), Cournoyer’s performance remains one of the great playoff runs in Canadiens history.

The Conn Smythe Trophy was the only major individual award of his career, but it was a fitting tribute to the “Roadrunner’s” speed, leadership, and clutch scoring. In total, Yvan Cournoyer captured eight Stanley Cups, all with Montreal, before earning induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1982.

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NHL Hockey Trivia: Yvan Cournoyer

Much more NHL hockey trivia can be found at our website: World's Best Hockey Trivia

1. What nickname was Yvan Cournoyer best known by during his NHL career?

The Rocket
The Roadrunner
The Pocket Rocket
The Flying Frenchman

2. How many Stanley Cups did Yvan Cournoyer win with the Montreal Canadiens?

6
7
8
9

3. In which year did Cournoyer win the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP?

1971
1973
1975
1977

4. What was Cournoyer’s career-high goal total in a single NHL season?

36
40
47
50

5. Yvan Cournoyer was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in which year?

1979
1980
1982
1984

Patrick Roy’s First NHL Shutout: The Quiet Start to a Legendary Career

Patrick Roy is remembered as one of the greatest goaltenders in NHL history, a fiery competitor who backstopped his teams to four Stanley Cups and redefined the position. Over his career, he piled up 66 regular season shutouts and 23 more in the playoffs, but the very first one came quietly on a cold night in Montreal.

On January 15, 1986, the Montreal Canadiens hosted the struggling Winnipeg Jets at the old Montreal Forum. The Habs entered the game with a solid 23-15 record, while Winnipeg sat well below .500 at 14-26. Few could have guessed that this would become a milestone night for the rookie goalie from Quebec City.

Roy stopped all 19 shots he faced as the Canadiens cruised to a 4-0 victory. Guy Carbonneau opened the scoring just 1:05 into the game, and Stéphane Richer added two more, while Mats Näslund rounded out the offense. At the other end, Winnipeg’s Dan Bouchard faced 23 shots and gave up all four goals, as Scott Arniel led the Jets with five shots on net.

That lone regular season shutout in 1985-86 would be joined by another during the playoffs and it came in an even bigger moment. In Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Calgary Flames, Roy turned aside 15 shots in a 1-0 victory, helping the Canadiens take a 3-1 series lead. Montreal went on to win the Cup in five games, giving Roy his first of four championships and setting the tone for an incredible career.

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NHL Hockey Trivia: Patrick Roy

Much more NHL hockey trivia can be found at our website: World's Best Hockey Trivia

1. In what year did Patrick Roy make his NHL debut with the Montreal Canadiens?

1983
1984
1985
1986

2. Patrick Roy won his first Stanley Cup and Conn Smythe Trophy during which NHL season?

1984-85
1985-86
1986-87
1988-89

3. Which team did Patrick Roy join after his famous trade from the Montreal Canadiens in 1995?

Detroit Red Wings
Colorado Avalanche
St. Louis Blues
Chicago Blackhawks

4. How many Stanley Cups did Patrick Roy win as a player in his NHL career?

2
3
4
5

5. After retiring, Patrick Roy later became head coach and vice president of hockey operations for which NHL team?

Montreal Canadiens
Quebec Nordiques
Colorado Avalanche
Ottawa Senators

Ken Dryden Shines in NHL Debut With 35 Saves Against Penguins

When Ken Dryden made his NHL debut on March 14, 1971, few could have predicted the legendary career that was about to unfold. Called up late in the season from the AHL’s Montreal Voyageurs, the 23-year-old goaltender wasted no time making an impact for the Montreal Canadiens.

His first start came on the road at the Pittsburgh Civic Arena against the Penguins. Despite Pittsburgh being one of the weaker teams in the league, they peppered Dryden with 36 shots. The rookie stood tall, turning aside 35 of them. Syl Apps, Jean Pronovost, and Bob Woytowich each fired five shots on goal, but it was John Stewart who scored the lone tally for Pittsburgh. Montreal’s offense ensured Dryden’s night ended comfortably, with goals from Pete Mahovlich, J.C. Tremblay, Henri Richard, Marc Tardif, and Frank Mahovlich in a 5-1 Canadiens victory.

At the other end, Pittsburgh netminder Al Smith also faced 36 shots, with Henri Richard leading the charge with seven attempts.

Dryden’s stint in the 1970-71 regular season was short but dominant. Sharing duties with Rogie Vachon and Phil Myre, he appeared in just six games, posting a dazzling 1.65 goals-against average and a remarkable .957 save percentage.

The real magic came in the playoffs. Dryden backstopped Montreal through all 20 postseason games, guiding the Canadiens to the Stanley Cup. His brilliance earned him the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.

NHL Hockey Trivia: Ken Dryden

Much more NHL hockey trivia can be found at our website: World's Best Hockey Trivia

1. In which year did Ken Dryden make his NHL debut for the Montreal Canadiens?
   1969
   1970
   1971
   1972
   
2. How many regular season games did Dryden play before backstopping the Canadiens to the 1971 Stanley Cup?
   82
   6
   20
   12
   
3. Which trophy did Ken Dryden win as the 1971 playoff MVP?
   Vezina Trophy
   Conn Smythe Trophy
   Hart Trophy
   Calder Trophy
   
4. How many Stanley Cups did Dryden win with the Canadiens during his career?
   4
   6
   3
   5
   
5. After retiring from hockey, which profession did Ken Dryden famously pursue?
   Actor
   Lawyer & Politician
   Sports Broadcaster
   Business Executive