Chuck Lefley’s Shorthanded Game-Winner Caps Canadiens Rout of Red Wings in 1974

On February 15, 1974, the Montreal Canadiens wasted no time electrifying the crowd at the Montreal Forum, jumping on the Detroit Red Wings almost immediately. Just ten seconds into the game, Yvan Cournoyer lit the lamp, beating Detroit goaltender Doug Grant with assists from Chuck Lefley and Guy Lapointe. It was another lightning-fast strike for Cournoyer, who had tied the Canadiens’ franchise record earlier that season with a goal just nine seconds into a game.

Montreal kept the pressure on throughout the opening period, building a commanding lead with a relentless offensive surge. By the late stages of the first, the Canadiens had already piled up four goals, overwhelming Detroit with their speed and precision. Then, in an unusual twist, Cournoyer found himself in the penalty box for a hooking minor at 18:55.

What followed only added to Montreal’s dominance. Just 20 seconds into the penalty kill, Lefley struck shorthanded for his 15th goal of the 1973-74 season, finishing a play set up by Pete Mahovlich. The goal pushed the score to 5-0 and ultimately stood as the game-winner in a wide-open 9-4 Canadiens victory.

The chemistry between Lefley and Cournoyer resurfaced early in the third period. Cournoyer netted his 33rd goal of the season, this time with assists from Lefley and goaltender Wayne Thomas. It was part of a remarkable night for Montreal’s offense, with six players recording three-point performances, including Guy Lafleur, Lapointe, Frank Mahovlich, Pete Mahovlich, and Henri Richard.

Selected sixth overall in the 1970 NHL Amateur Draft, Lefley carved out a solid NHL career spanning over a decade. He appeared in 407 regular season games and added 29 playoff contests between 1970-71 and 1980-81 with the Canadiens and the St. Louis Blues. A two-time Stanley Cup champion, Lefley recorded four 20-goal seasons, highlighted by a career-best 43 goals and 85 points with St. Louis in 1975-76.

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Pete Mahovlich Scores Two Goals in Five Seconds for Canadiens Record in 1971

On February 20, 1971, Pete Mahovlich etched his name into the NHL record book with one of the fastest scoring bursts the league had ever seen.

Before that night, the record for the fastest two goals by the same player belonged to Nels Stewart, who scored twice in just four seconds during a 1931 game between the Montreal Maroons and Boston Bruins. The next fastest belonged to Howie Meeker, who scored two goals six seconds apart in 1952.

Mahovlich didn’t quite break Stewart’s record, but he came incredibly close. During a matchup between the Montreal Canadiens and Chicago Blackhawks at the Montreal Forum, Mahovlich scored twice in five seconds, placing himself between Stewart and Meeker in the NHL record books.

The game itself offered little suspense for the Montreal crowd. The Canadiens dominated early, jumping out to a 3-0 lead in the first period before the frame was halfway finished. They extended the lead to 4-0 early in the second period and carried a 5-1 advantage into the third.

Rejean Houle got Montreal rolling with the first two goals of the game. Phil Roberto followed with three consecutive tallies, with Jean Béliveau assisting on all three.

Then came Mahovlich’s historic moment.

At 12:16 of the third period, Mahovlich beat Blackhawks goaltender Tony Esposito for his 26th goal of the 1970-71 season, assisted by John Ferguson. Just five seconds later, at 12:21, Mahovlich struck again, once more with Ferguson setting him up, for his 27th goal of the season.

While it fell just short of the NHL record, Mahovlich’s rapid-fire scoring remains the fastest two goals in Montreal Canadiens franchise history. Remarkably, those two goals were also Mahovlich’s only shots on net in the entire game.

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The Roadrunner Runs Wild: Three Power Play Goals vs. Toronto

During the 1966-67 NHL season, Yvan Cournoyer established himself as the league’s most dangerous weapon on the power play. The speedy Montreal Canadiens winger scored 20 of his 25 goals with the man advantage and finished tied for the NHL lead with seven game-winning goals.

On December 21, 1966, at the historic Montreal Forum, Cournoyer delivered one of his finest performances against the Toronto Maple Leafs. He scored three power play goals, his 8th, 9th, and 10th of the season, in a 6-2 Montreal victory. His second tally, assisted by Dick Duff and Henri Richard, stood as the game winner.

The Canadiens received strong support throughout the lineup. Bobby Rousseau added three assists, while Ralph Backstrom contributed two goals of his own. Toronto goals came from Larry Jeffrey and Kent Douglas.

Cournoyer enjoyed tremendous regular season success against Toronto, scoring 11 goals in 14 games versus the Leafs that year. However, the storyline shifted in the 1967 Stanley Cup Finals, where Toronto limited him to two goals and two assists in six games on their way to capturing the Stanley Cup.

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Doug Harvey’s 4-Point Night Powers Canadiens Past Red Wings 7-0 In 1958

On January 30, 1958, Doug Harvey delivered one of the finest performances of his Hall of Fame career, leading the Montreal Canadiens to a dominant 7-0 win over the Detroit Red Wings at the iconic Montreal Forum.

Harvey opened the scoring midway through the first period on the power play, beating Terry Sawchuk for what would stand as the game-winning goal. He added an assist later in the period and finished the night with four points, showcasing the offensive brilliance that made him the NHL’s premier defenseman of the era.

After a quiet second period, Montreal erupted for five third-period goals. Harvey picked up assists on tallies by Jean Beliveau and Don Marshall, while Dickie Moore also recorded four points. In goal, Jacques Plante stopped all 28 shots he faced.

The performance came during a season in which Harvey would capture another James Norris Memorial Trophy and help Montreal secure yet another Stanley Cup. Along with the Norris Trophy win in 1957-58, Doug finished third in voting for the Hart Trophy behind winner Gordie Howe and runner-up Andy Bathgate. In the playoffs, Harvey was outstanding with eleven points in ten games, including a goal and assist in the Stanley Cup clinching game 6 win over the Boston Bruins.

Stole This from a Hockey Card: A Philosophy of Hockey, Doug Harvey, Identity and Booze

A reflective exploration of hockey, life, and the legacy of Doug Harvey — blending philosophy, personal history, and the spirit of the game.

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When Pierre Larouche Punished His Old Team at the Montreal Forum

On November 29, 1977, in what became known as an “all-Pete” trade, Pierre Larouche and Peter Marsh were dealt from the Pittsburgh Penguins to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for Pete Mahovlich and Peter Lee. The Penguins had selected Larouche eighth overall in the 1974 NHL Amateur Draft, and while injuries slowed his early Montreal tenure, everything clicked once again by the 1979-80 season.

That resurgence was on full display on October 25, 1979, when the Canadiens hosted Larouche’s former team at the Montreal Forum. Larouche wasted no time making a statement, kicking off what would become his 50-goal season in emphatic fashion. He scored four goals in Montreal’s 8-5 victory, accounting for half of the Canadiens’ offense.

Larouche struck twice in the opening period, with both goals set up by Steve Shutt. After being held off the scoresheet in the second period, he erupted again in the third, adding two more goals and assisting on another Shutt marker. By night’s end, Larouche had piled up five points, firing seven shots at Pittsburgh goaltender Rob Holland.

Steve Shutt matched Larouche’s five-point performance with a goal and four assists, while Guy Lafleur delivered the decisive blow. Lafleur’s goal stood as the game-winner and was one of two he scored on the night.

Those four tallies represented Larouche’s third through sixth goals of the young 1979-80 season. He would go on to finish with 50 goals, marking the second time in his career he reached the milestone. Larouche nearly did it again in 1983-84, falling just short with 48 goals as a member of the New York Rangers.

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Yvan Cournoyer Erupts for Five Goals as Canadiens Torch Blackhawks in 1975

More than six years passed after Red Berenson’s six-goal night in 1968 before another NHL player reached the five-goal mark in a game. On February 15, 1975, Yvan Cournoyer finally ended that drought in unforgettable fashion at the Montreal Forum.

The Canadiens overwhelmed the Chicago Blackhawks 12-3, with Cournoyer delivering one of the finest offensive performances of his career. His first goal didn’t come until 8:17 of the second period, when he scored Montreal’s fourth goal of the night unassisted on Mike Veisor. From there, the floodgates opened.

Cournoyer piled up seven points in total, scoring five goals and adding two assists. Three of his five goals came on the power play during the third period, as Montreal completely dismantled Chicago’s penalty kill. His assists came on goals by Jacques Lemaire and Doug Risebrough, rounding out a dominant all-around effort.

The 12-goal explosion marked the first time since 1954 that the Canadiens scored a dozen goals against Chicago. Montreal’s franchise and NHL record of 16 goals in a game still dated back to a 1920 victory over the Quebec Bulldogs.

Adding to the night’s rarity, two Canadiens recorded Gordie Howe Hat Tricks. Larry Robinson finished with a goal and two assists while dropping the gloves with Grant Mulvey in the second period. Doug Risebrough also recorded a goal, an assist, and a fight, squaring off with Darcy Rota.

Despite his five-goal outburst, Cournoyer’s 1974-75 season actually saw a dip in goal production. He finished with 29 goals, eleven fewer than the previous year despite playing nine additional games. Even so, he maintained a remarkable streak of scoring at least 24 goals in 12 consecutive seasons from 1966-67 through 1977-78.

Cournoyer’s career-best season came in 1971-72, when he scored 47 goals, finishing fourth in the NHL. Nights like this one in 1975 served as a reminder of just how explosive the speedy right winger could be when everything clicked.

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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. Which NHL team did Yvan Cournoyer spend his entire career with?

Montreal Canadiens
Toronto Maple Leafs
Chicago Blackhawks
New York Rangers

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

The Rocket
The Pocket Rocket
The Roadrunner
Le Magnifique

3. In which NHL season did Cournoyer score a career-high 47 goals?

1969–70
1971–72
1973–74
1975–76

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

10
6
8
5

5. What honor did Cournoyer receive shortly after retiring from the NHL?

Canadiens captaincy
NHL scoring title
Induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame
Olympic gold medal

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

Former Canadiens Power Rangers to 4-3 Win Over Montreal on December 24, 1966

It was a Christmas Eve clash that felt more like a ghost story for the Montreal Canadiens. On December 24, 1966, the New York Rangers came to the Montreal Forum and stunned the home crowd with a 4-3 victory, led almost entirely by former Habs.

Phil Goyette and Don Marshall had been traded from Montreal to New York before the 1963-64 season. Bernie “Boom Boom” Geoffrion joined the Rangers for the 1966-67 campaign after coming out of retirement. All three had something to prove, and they made their point loud and clear.

Ralph Backstrom got Montreal off to a hot start, scoring just 1:37 into the first period. But it wasn’t long before Bob Nevin tied the game for the Rangers, assisted by Goyette and another ex-Hab, Reg Fleming. Backstrom struck again in the second to give the Canadiens a 2-1 edge. Then the ghosts of Montreal’s past came knocking.

Geoffrion scored twice in the span of six minutes, his first tied the game at 12:16, and his second came on the powerplay, giving the Rangers a 3-2 lead. Goyette and Nevin picked up the assists on both.

Bobby Rousseau, himself a future Ranger, tied it once more midway through the third period. But with just 33 seconds left in regulation, Donnie Marshall delivered the dagger, his 15th of the season, once again set up by Goyette and Nevin.

The trio of ex-Habs finished the night with a combined six points and 14 of New York’s 37 shots on Charlie Hodge. The Rangers may have been the visitors, but on this night, they owned the Forum. Also suiting up for New York that night? Two more former Canadiens: Bill Hicke and Al MacNeil.

The Next Game Didn't Go So Well

The two teams met again on New Year's Eve at the Montreal Forum. This time, the Rangers were blanked 3-0 with Charlie Hodge making 25 saves for the shutout. Marshall led the Rangers with five shots while Geoffrion and Goyette managed just one each. 

Scoring the game winner for the Habs at 14:29 of the first period was Yvan Cournoyer. The Roadrunner put one past Ed Giacomin on the powerplay with help from Dick Duff and J.C. Tremblay. Duff had spent a short time with the Rangers between his time with the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Montreal Canadiens. Over parts of the 1963-64 and 1964-65 seasons, he played 43 games for the Blue Shirts.