80 Years Later: The Montreal Canadiens Record That Still Belongs to The Rocket

Over 80 years later, one record still stands tall in Montreal Canadiens history: the night Maurice “Rocket” Richard racked up eight points in a single game. It happened on December 28, 1944, during a dominant 9-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings at the Montreal Forum, and no Canadiens player has surpassed it since.

That 1944–45 season was already legendary for the Rocket, he became the first NHL player to score 50 goals in one season. But on that December night, he set a different kind of milestone. Richard scored five goals and added three assists, becoming the first player in NHL history to record eight points in a single game.

All nine Montreal goals came against Detroit goalie Harry Lumley, and Richard even took a minor penalty in the second period, just to make sure his name appeared everywhere on the scoresheet. His five goals were numbers 20 through 24 of the season, one of four hat tricks he recorded that year.

Richard’s linemates Elmer Lach and Toe Blake also had monster nights. Lach posted two goals and three assists, while Blake had one goal and three helpers. Together, they formed the iconic “Punch Line,” one of the most dominant trios in NHL history. Lach went on to lead the league in scoring with 80 points, followed by Richard (73) and Blake (67).

Although the Canadiens were eliminated by Toronto in the playoffs, Richard’s explosive scoring continued with six goals in six games, including four in one night during a 10-3 win over the Maple Leafs.

A decade later, on January 9, 1954, Bert Olmstead tied Richard’s single-game record with four goals and four assists in a 12-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. Fittingly, the Rocket was part of the action again, this time setting up five of Olmstead’s points.

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NHL Hockey Trivia: Maurice “Rocket” Richard

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

1. In which season did Maurice “Rocket” Richard become the first NHL player to score 50 goals in 50 games?

1943–44
1944–45
1945–46
1946–47

2. How many times did Maurice Richard lead the NHL in goal scoring during his career?

5
8
9
10

3. Which famous linemates formed the “Punch Line” with Maurice Richard on the Montreal Canadiens?

Jean Béliveau and Bernie Geoffrion
Elmer Lach and Toe Blake
Henri Richard and Dickie Moore
Doug Harvey and Bert Olmstead

4. How many Stanley Cups did Maurice Richard win during his career with the Montreal Canadiens?

5
6
7
8

5. What major NHL trophy was introduced in 1999 to honour Maurice Richard’s legacy?

The Art Ross Trophy
The Rocket Richard Trophy
The Hart Memorial Trophy
The Conn Smythe Trophy

The Canadiens Game Where Roles Reversed: Richard the Playmaker, Olmstead the Sniper

On January 9, 1954, the Montreal Forum witnessed one of the most remarkable role reversals in NHL history. Maurice "Rocket" Richard, usually the goal-scoring machine, became the playmaker, while Bert Olmstead, best known as a setup man, lit up the scoreboard.

Olmstead, whose career-high in goals came as a rookie with 20 for the Chicago Blackhawks, was typically among the league’s leaders in assists. Richard, on the other hand, was almost exclusively a finisher, his career defined by relentless goal-scoring. But on this night against the struggling Blackhawks, the script was flipped.

Olmstead tied Richard’s franchise record by recording eight points on four goals and four assists in Montreal’s 12-1 blowout victory. Richard, though goal-less, piled up five assists in the win. Jean Béliveau added to the fireworks with a five-point performance of his own (two goals and three assists).

The game was over early, as Chicago entered with just eight wins in 40 games and went on to win only 12 all season, finishing a distant last, 37 points behind the next team. Olmstead’s game-winning tally came at 10:20 of the first period, assisted by Richard and Béliveau. He followed with two second-period powerplay goals and capped off his night with a fourth in the third, plus a final assist on Ken Mosdell’s hat trick marker.

About Bert Olmstead

Bert Olmstead played 848 regular season and 115 playoff games in the National Hockey League between 1948-49 and 1961-62 with the Chicago Blackhawks, Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs. His time in Chicago was limited to one full season, 1949-50. That year, he scored 20 goals and added 29 assists for 49 points while finishing third in voting for the Calder Trophy as NHL rookie of the year.

In December 1950, Olmstead was part of a trade with the Detroit Red Wings that sent Vic Stasiuk to the Wings in exchange for Lee Fogolin and Steve Black. Without playing a game for Detroit, Bert was then traded to the Canadiens for Leo Gravelle. With Montreal, he was an important part of four Stanley Cup championships. He won a fifth with the Maple Leafs in 1961-62.

NHL Hockey Trivia: Bert Olmstead

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

1. Which team did Bert Olmstead begin his NHL career with?

Montreal Canadiens
Chicago Blackhawks
Toronto Maple Leafs
Detroit Red Wings

2. In the 1950s, Olmstead led the NHL in assists. What was his single-season career-high total?

42
50
56
61

3. How many Stanley Cups did Bert Olmstead win during his career?

3
4
5
6

4. Which superstar center was often paired with Olmstead in Montreal, forming one of hockey’s most effective lines?

Jean Béliveau
Henri Richard
Doug Harvey
Elmer Lach

5. In what year was Bert Olmstead inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame?

1972
1975
1985
1988

The Last NHL Player to Score 4 Goals in a Stanley Cup Final Game: Maurice Richard’s Historic Night

Scoring four goals in a single Stanley Cup Final game is a rare feat, only five players in NHL history have ever done it. The most recent? None other than the legendary Maurice "Rocket" Richard, who accomplished this 67 years ago.

On April 6, 1957, the Montreal Canadiens faced off against the Boston Bruins in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final at the iconic Montreal Forum. The Canadiens had just dispatched the New York Rangers, while Boston earned their spot by eliminating the Detroit Red Wings, despite not making the playoffs the season before.

Boston struck first with a goal from Fleming Mackell midway through the second period. But it didn’t take long for Rocket Richard to take over. He scored two quick goals, with the second becoming the game-winner. Before the period ended, Richard completed his hat trick, pushing Montreal’s lead to 4-1. He capped off the night with his fourth goal in the third period, assisted by his brother, Henri Richard.

All five Canadiens goals were scored on Bruins goalie Don Simmons in a dominant 5-1 victory. Richard’s four-goal explosion made up half of his total goals during the 1956-57 playoffs. Defenseman Doug Harvey added three assists, while Henri Richard contributed two.

Montreal went on to win the series in five games, capturing their second of five straight Stanley Cup championships. Maurice Richard’s four-goal performance remains one of the most iconic individual efforts in Stanley Cup Final history.

1957 Stanley Cup Playoffs

In the six team NHL, the Detroit Red Wing finished first overall with 88 points over 70 games. The Montreal Canadiens were next, six points behind the Wings. The Boston Bruins were just two points behind the Habs for third and the New York Rangers rounded out the playoff qualifiers with 66 pionts in 70 games. The Toronto Maple Leafs and Chicago Blackhawks missed the post season.

Montreal vs. New York (Semi-Final)

Despite the large gap in points between the Canadiens and Rangers, their semi-final series was the tightest. It took Montreal just five games to advance but overtime was needed in games 2 and 5. After the Canadiens won game one, it was the Rangers winning tying up the series with a 4-3 overtime win. In that match at Madison Square Garden, Andy Hebenton scored the game winner on Jacques Plante at 13:38 of the extra frame.

In game 5, New York fell 3-0 after two periods but came back with goals by Parker MacDonald, Red Sullivan and Harry Howell in the third to force the extra frame. Rocket Richard clinched the series with a goal 1:11 into OT on Gump Worsley, assisted by Henri Richard and Dickie Moore.

Boston vs. Detroit (Semi-Final)

This series lacked overtime but was close nonetheless, regardless of the Bruins dispatching the Red Wings in five games. Over the five, Boston outscored the Wings by just a single goal. Like the other semi-final series, the teams were tied after two games. Boston the won three straight and the series.

Game 4 featured a 20 save shutout by Don Simmons with Real Chevrefils scoring the game winner at the 6:00 mark of the first period. Boston eliminated the Red Wings on April 4, 1957 at Detroit Olympia in a tight 4-3 win. Ted Lindsay gave Detroit a 2-1 lead just 36 seconds into the third period but Boston scored three straight with Cal Gardner putting in the game winner. Wings goalie Glenn Hall allowed the four goals on just 15 shots on net.

Montreal vs. Boston (Stanley Cup Final)

Again, the final series went five games before the Montreal Canadiens were crowned Stanley Cup champions. The series featured a shutout for each team. In game 2, Plante stopped all 24 shots put his way while Boston goalie Simmons allowed just one on 23 shots in the 1-0 Habs win. Jean Beliveau scored the lone goal at 2:27 of the second, assisted by Dollard St. Laurent and Bernie Geoffrion.

Simmons got his second blank of the playoffs in game 4, turning away all 21 shots. Plante stopped 27 of 28 with one going into the empty net in the 2-0 Boston win. Fleming Mackell scored both goals for the Bruins in the game.

In the 5-1 Cup clinching win on April 16, 1957 at the Montreal Forum, it was Dickie Moore's goal 14 seconds into the second period that would stand as the game winner. Moore had a three point game, also assisting on third period goals by Don Marshall and Floyd Curry.

Version Française

Marquer quatre buts lors d’un match de finale de la Coupe Stanley est un exploit rare, seuls cinq joueurs dans l’histoire de la LNH y sont parvenus. Le plus récent? Nul autre que la légende Maurice "Rocket" Richard, qui a accompli cet exploit il y a 67 ans.

Le 6 avril 1957, les Canadiens de Montréal affrontaient les Bruins de Boston lors du premier match de la finale de la Coupe Stanley, au légendaire Forum de Montréal. Les Canadiens venaient tout juste d’éliminer les Rangers de New York, tandis que Boston s’était qualifié en battant les Red Wings de Detroit, malgré leur absence des séries éliminatoires la saison précédente.

Boston a ouvert la marque grâce à un but de Fleming Mackell à mi-chemin en deuxième période. Mais il n’a pas fallu longtemps avant que le Rocket prenne les choses en main. Maurice Richard a inscrit deux buts rapides, dont le deuxième s’est avéré être le but gagnant. Avant la fin de la période, Richard a complété son tour du chapeau, donnant une avance de 4-1 à Montréal. Il a terminé sa soirée avec un quatrième but en troisième période, aidé par son frère Henri Richard.

Les cinq buts des Canadiens ont été inscrits contre le gardien des Bruins Don Simmons dans une victoire dominante de 5-1. L’explosion offensive de quatre buts de Richard représentait la moitié de sa production totale pendant les séries éliminatoires de 1956-1957. Le défenseur Doug Harvey a ajouté trois passes, tandis qu’Henri Richard en a obtenu deux.

Montréal a remporté la série en cinq matchs, décrochant ainsi sa deuxième conquête consécutive dans une séquence de cinq Coupes Stanley de suite. La performance de Maurice Richard reste l’une des plus marquantes de l’histoire des finales de la Coupe Stanley.

Séries éliminatoires de la Coupe Stanley 1957

Dans la LNH à six équipes, les Red Wings de Detroit ont terminé au premier rang avec 88 points en 70 matchs. Les Canadiens de Montréal suivaient à six points, puis les Bruins de Boston à seulement deux points derrière les Habs. Les Rangers de New York ont complété le carré d’as avec 66 points. Les Maple Leafs de Toronto et les Blackhawks de Chicago ont manqué les séries.

Montréal vs New York (demi-finale)

Malgré un écart important au classement, la série entre les Canadiens et les Rangers fut la plus serrée. Montréal a remporté la série en cinq matchs, mais deux d’entre eux se sont rendus en prolongation. Après une victoire du CH dans le premier match, les Rangers ont égalisé la série grâce à une victoire de 4-3 en prolongation. Lors de ce match au Madison Square Garden, Andy Hebenton a marqué le but gagnant contre Jacques Plante à 13:38 de la période supplémentaire.

Lors du cinquième match, New York tirait de l’arrière 3-0 après deux périodes mais est revenu à égalité grâce à des buts de Parker MacDonald, Red Sullivan et Harry Howell. Rocket Richard a ensuite clos le débat avec un but après seulement 1:11 en prolongation, aidé par Henri Richard et Dickie Moore.

Boston vs Detroit (demi-finale)

Même si cette série ne s’est pas rendue en prolongation, elle a été très serrée. Les Bruins ont éliminé les Red Wings en cinq matchs, mais n’ont marqué qu’un but de plus que Detroit au total. Après deux matchs, les équipes étaient à égalité. Boston a ensuite remporté les trois suivants.

Lors du match numéro 4, Don Simmons a obtenu un blanchissage de 20 arrêts, et Real Chevrefils a inscrit le but gagnant à la sixième minute de la première période. Boston a éliminé les Wings le 4 avril 1957 au Detroit Olympia, avec une victoire serrée de 4-3. Ted Lindsay avait donné l’avance 2-1 à Detroit seulement 36 secondes après le début de la troisième période, mais Boston a marqué trois buts consécutifs, dont le but gagnant de Cal Gardner. Le gardien Glenn Hall a accordé quatre buts sur seulement 15 tirs.

Montréal vs Boston (finale de la Coupe Stanley)

Encore une fois, la série finale s’est terminée en cinq matchs, les Canadiens de Montréal étant couronnés champions. La série a été marquée par un blanchissage de chaque côté. Lors du match numéro 2, Plante a bloqué les 24 tirs dirigés contre lui, tandis que Simmons n’a cédé qu’une fois sur 23 tirs dans une victoire de 1-0 du CH. Jean Béliveau a inscrit l’unique but à 2:27 de la deuxième période, aidé par Dollard St. Laurent et Bernie Geoffrion.

Simmons a obtenu son deuxième blanchissage des séries au match 4, repoussant 21 tirs. Plante en a arrêté 27 sur 28, l’un d’eux étant marqué dans un filet désert lors de la victoire de 2-0 de Boston. Fleming Mackell a inscrit les deux buts des Bruins.

Dans la victoire décisive de 5-1 le 16 avril 1957 au Forum de Montréal, c’est le but de Dickie Moore après seulement 14 secondes en deuxième période qui s’est avéré être le but gagnant. Moore a connu un match de trois points, ajoutant des passes sur les buts de Don Marshall et Floyd Curry en troisième période.