Marc Tardif Scores in Every Period for His First NHL Hat Trick

Marc Tardif needed just one night in Philadelphia to match his entire goal total from his first NHL season. On December 27, 1970, the Montreal Canadiens winger scored once in each period at the Spectrum, recording his first NHL hat trick and leading the Canadiens to a 4–2 victory over the Flyers.

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Highlights

• Marc Tardif recorded his first NHL hat trick on December 27, 1970.

• He scored once in each period of Montreal’s 4–2 victory at the Spectrum.

• His second goal, at 4:34 of the middle period, stood as the game winner.

• Yvan Cournoyer assisted on all three goals; Jean Béliveau helped on two.

• Tardif scored three times on just four shots against Doug Favell.

• Phil Myre made 25 saves for the Canadiens.

• Tardif finished his first full NHL season with 19 goals in 76 games.

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Tardif had made his NHL debut the previous season, scoring three goals in 18 appearances with Montreal. Now playing his first full NHL campaign, he opened the scoring against Philadelphia at 7:47 of the first period. Yvan Cournoyer and Terry Harper assisted as Tardif put his seventh goal of the season past Doug Favell. Bill Collins added another Montreal goal later in the period, giving the visitors a 2–0 lead.

At 4:34 of the second period, Tardif struck again. This time, Jean Béliveau and Cournoyer supplied the assists on the goal that extended Montreal’s lead to 3–0 and ultimately stood as the winner. Philadelphia made the game considerably tighter before the intermission, with Jim Johnson and Jean-Guy Gendron scoring just 34 seconds apart to cut the deficit to one.

Tardif restored Montreal’s two-goal cushion at 5:51 of the third period, completing his hat trick with the only goal of the final frame. Béliveau and Cournoyer again assisted, giving Cournoyer a hand in all three Tardif goals. Marc finished with three goals on four shots, leading the Canadiens in shots on goal. Philadelphia’s Gendron, Larry Hillman and André Lacroix also had four shots apiece, while Phil Myre stopped 25 of the Flyers’ 27 attempts.

Tardif finished the 1970–71 season with 19 goals in 76 games and increased that total to 31 the following year. His best NHL season for goals came with the Quebec Nordiques in 1981–82, when he scored 39. His greatest scoring totals, however, came during six seasons in the World Hockey Association. Tardif reached at least 40 goals in every WHA campaign, leading the league with 71 in 1975–76 and 65 in 1977–78.

Hockey’s Best Team Ever: A Chronicle of the 1976-77 Montreal Canadiens' Record-Breaking Season

Relive the legendary 1976-77 Montreal Canadiens season, when a powerhouse roster led by Guy Lafleur, Ken Dryden, and Larry Robinson set an NHL record with 60 regular season wins before capturing the Stanley Cup.

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Mickey Redmond’s Overtime Goal Gives Montreal a 2–0 Series Lead in 1969

Mickey Redmond scored just two playoff goals during his NHL career, but his last helped put the Montreal Canadiens in control of their 1969 semifinal series against the Boston Bruins. On April 13 at the Montreal Forum, the future two-time 50-goal scorer delivered a power-play goal at 4:55 of overtime to give the Canadiens a 4–3 victory and a 2–0 series lead.

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Highlights

• Montreal defeated Boston 4–3 in overtime on April 13, 1969.

• The victory gave the Canadiens a 2–0 semifinal series lead.

• Serge Savard tied the game with 1:09 left in regulation.

• Redmond scored the power-play winner at 4:55 of overtime.

• Savard and John Ferguson assisted on the deciding goal.

• Yvan Cournoyer led Montreal with three points.

• The winner was the second and final playoff goal of Redmond’s NHL career.

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The teams had already played one overtime game to open the series. Ralph Backstrom settled Game 1 just 42 seconds into the extra period, giving Montreal a 3–2 win. Three nights later, the Bruins and Canadiens again needed more than 60 minutes to find a winner.

Following a scoreless first period in Game 2, the teams traded four goals in the second. Yvan Cournoyer and Jean Beliveau scored for Montreal, while John McKenzie and Ron Murphy answered for Boston. John Bucyk then put the Bruins ahead at 14:12 of the third, leaving the Canadiens facing a late deficit. Serge Savard tied the game with just 1:09 remaining in regulation.

Boston’s Ted Green received a hooking minor at 3:31 of overtime, giving Montreal an opportunity to finish the game on the power play. Redmond took advantage at 4:55, beating Ed Johnston with assists going to Savard and John Ferguson. It was Redmond’s only point of the night.

Cournoyer led Montreal with a goal and two assists. Beliveau, Dick Duff and Savard each contributed two points, while Bucyk and McKenzie had two apiece for Boston. Redmond supplied the deciding moment, turning his second career playoff goal into a significant win for the Canadiens.

Overtime would also decide the series finale. In Game 6 at Boston Garden, Beliveau scored at 11:28 of the second extra period to give Montreal a 2–1 victory and a berth in the Stanley Cup Final. Backstrom, Redmond and Beliveau had each provided an overtime winner in a series the Canadiens took in six games.

Hockey’s Best Team Ever: A Chronicle of the 1976-77 Montreal Canadiens' Record-Breaking Season

Relive the legendary 1976-77 Montreal Canadiens season, when a powerhouse roster led by Guy Lafleur, Ken Dryden, and Larry Robinson set an NHL record with 60 regular season wins before capturing the Stanley Cup.

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Jacques Lemaire’s Only NHL Penalty Shot Goal Opens Four-Point Night Against Rangers

Jacques Lemaire scored 366 regular-season goals during his NHL career, but only one came on a penalty shot. That goal opened the scoring at the Montreal Forum on March 31, 1973, as Lemaire collected four points to lead the Canadiens to a 5-1 victory over the New York Rangers.

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Highlights

• Montreal defeated the Rangers 5-1 at the Forum on March 31, 1973.

• Jacques Lemaire opened the scoring on a penalty shot at 1:33.

• The goal against Ed Giacomin was his only successful NHL penalty shot in three attempts.

• Lemaire added three assists for a four-point night.

• Larry Robinson, Chuck Lefley, Murray Wilson and Marc Tardif also scored for Montreal.

• Steve Vickers scored the lone Rangers goal.

• Lemaire finished 1972-73 with career highs of 44 goals and 95 points, then added 20 playoff points during Montreal’s Stanley Cup run.

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Just 1:33 into the first period, Lemaire beat Rangers goaltender Ed Giacomin on a penalty shot for his 43rd goal of the 1972-73 season. It was the second of three penalty shot attempts during his NHL career and the only one he converted.

Lemaire quickly followed that goal with a pair of assists. At 5:11, he and Marc Tardif helped set up Larry Robinson’s second goal of the season. Later in the opening period, Lemaire and Yvan Cournoyer assisted on a Chuck Lefley goal, sending Montreal into the first intermission with a 3-0 lead.

At 12:30 of the second period, Lemaire earned his third assist and fourth point on a goal by Murray Wilson. Tardif added another Montreal goal late in the period to make it 5-0. Steve Vickers supplied New York’s only answer at 11:21 of the third, completing the scoring in a convincing Canadiens win.

The performance came near the end of Lemaire’s most productive offensive season. He finished 1972-73 with career highs of 44 goals and 95 points, along with 51 assists. His goal total ranked fourth in the NHL, 11 behind league leader Phil Esposito, while his 95 points placed fifth in the Art Ross Trophy race, 35 behind Esposito. Lemaire followed that regular season with 20 points in 17 playoff games as Montreal captured the Stanley Cup.

Hockey’s Best Team Ever: A Chronicle of the 1976-77 Montreal Canadiens' Record-Breaking Season

Relive the legendary 1976-77 Montreal Canadiens season, when a powerhouse roster led by Guy Lafleur, Ken Dryden, and Larry Robinson set an NHL record with 60 regular season wins before capturing the Stanley Cup.

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Mark Messier Scores Four as Oilers Beat Canadiens in 1982

Wayne Gretzky finished with one assist and Jari Kurri was held off the scoresheet, but the Montreal Canadiens still couldn’t contain Edmonton’s offence on December 19, 1982. Mark Messier scored four times to lead the Oilers to a 5-2 victory at Northlands Coliseum. It was his fourth regular-season NHL hat trick and his first four-goal game.

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Highlights

• Messier scored four goals in Edmonton’s 5-2 win on December 19, 1982.

• It was his first NHL four-goal game.

• He opened the scoring on a second-period power play.

• Two of his goals were unassisted, including the winner.

• His hat trick goal came at 7:30 of the third period.

• Gretzky and Anderson finished with one assist each.

• Lumley contributed two assists; Fuhr made 29 saves.

• Boschman scored Edmonton’s only other goal.

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Montreal entered the matchup with the better record, and neither team scored through the opening half of the game. Messier finally broke through at 11:59 of the second period, just 19 seconds after Steve Shutt received a tripping penalty. The unassisted power-play goal beat Richard Sévigny and opened what would become a memorable night for the Edmonton forward.

Less than two minutes later, Messier struck again. His 19th goal of the 1982-83 season gave the Oilers a 2-0 lead, with Gretzky and Glenn Anderson collecting the assists. That would be the only point of the game for either player. Montreal responded with goals from Ryan Walter and Gilbert Delorme, erasing Edmonton’s advantage and setting up a third-period battle.

Messier supplied the deciding goal at 7:30 of the third. Once again, he scored without an assist, completing his hat trick and putting Edmonton ahead for good. Laurie Boschman supplied the Oilers’ only goal that didn’t belong to Messier, while Moose finished his four-goal performance by hitting the empty net with 33 seconds remaining. Dave Lumley and Charlie Huddy assisted on the final goal.

Lumley finished with two assists, making him the only Oiler besides Messier to record more than one point. Walter figured in both Montreal goals, scoring once and assisting on Delorme’s marker. Grant Fuhr stopped 29 of 31 shots for Edmonton, while Sévigny made 47 saves on 51 shots before Messier’s empty-net finish. On a team loaded with scoring talent, this night belonged to Moose.

The Battle of Alberta: The Historic Rivalry Between the Edmonton Oilers and the Calgary Flames

A deep dive into one of hockey’s most intense rivalries — the Edmonton Oilers vs. the Calgary Flames, featuring unforgettable games, personalities, and playoff clashes.

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Bobby Orr’s Historic Playoff Hat Trick Lifts Bruins Over Canadiens in 1971

Bobby Orr found another way to make hockey history on April 11, 1971. Playing at the Montreal Forum in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup quarter-finals, the Boston Bruins defenseman scored three goals in a 5-2 victory over the Montreal Canadiens. It was the first playoff hat trick by a defenseman in nearly half a century, and it pulled Boston even at two games apiece in a series that would bring its remarkable season to an unexpectedly early end.

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Highlights

• Orr scored three goals at the Montreal Forum on April 11, 1971.

• Boston defeated Montreal 5-2 in Game 4 of their quarter-final series.

• The victory tied the series at two games apiece.

• Mike Walton’s power-play goal gave Boston a 2-1 second-period lead.

• Orr’s second goal, 37 seconds into the third period, was the winner.

• His shorthanded empty-net goal completed the hat trick with three seconds remaining.

• Esposito and Hodge each had three assists; Cheevers made 26 saves.

• Montreal ultimately won the series in seven games and captured the Stanley Cup.

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The Canadiens entered the game holding a 2-1 series lead, and Frank Mahovlich gave them another advantage by scoring the only goal of the first period. Montreal remained ahead beyond the halfway point of the game before Orr finally beat Ken Dryden at 11:01 of the second period. Wayne Cashman and Ken Hodge assisted on the tying goal, Orr’s third of the series. Mike Walton then scored on the power play at 18:26, sending Boston into the second intermission with a 2-1 lead.

Orr wasted little time extending that advantage. Just 37 seconds into the third period, he scored again, with Hodge and Phil Esposito drawing the assists. That goal gave Boston a 3-1 lead and ultimately stood as the winner. Yvan Cournoyer brought Montreal within one at 6:13, but Fred Stanfield restored the Bruins’ two-goal cushion at 17:21.

The Canadiens received a late opportunity when Boston defenseman Don Awrey took a hooking penalty at 18:25. Montreal pulled Dryden for an extra attacker, creating a six-on-four advantage, but Orr supplied the final blow. With just three seconds remaining, he scored into the empty net to complete his hat trick and seal the 5-2 victory. The shorthanded goal was his fifth of the series.

Orr led all players with seven shots on goal, while Esposito and Hodge each contributed three assists. Gerry Cheevers stopped 26 shots to help Boston reclaim some momentum. The Bruins would push the series to seven games, but Montreal prevailed and went on to win the Stanley Cup. For Boston, a brilliant regular season ended in the opening round. For Orr, Game 4 remained another memorable entry in a career filled with extraordinary achievements.

Bobby: My Story in Pictures

A visual celebration of Bobby Orr’s groundbreaking career — through photos and memorable moments.

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Ralph Backstrom’s Five-Point Night Powers Canadiens to 7-0 Win in Chicago

Ralph Backstrom had a hand in five of Montreal’s seven goals on November 23, 1967, scoring a hat trick and adding two assists in a 7-0 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks at Chicago Stadium. The Kirkland Lake, Ontario native also fired ten shots at Denis DeJordy, accounting for nearly a third of the Canadiens’ 32 shots on goal.

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Highlights

• Montreal defeated Chicago 7-0 at Chicago Stadium on November 23, 1967.

• Ralph Backstrom scored three goals and added two assists.

• His first two goals came in the opening period.

• He completed the hat trick on a second-period power play.

• Backstrom recorded ten of Montreal’s 32 shots on goal.

• Gump Worsley made 15 saves for his 31st career NHL shutout.

• Backstrom and Denis DeJordy later became Los Angeles Kings teammates.

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Backstrom entered the game with just four goals through Montreal’s first 18 games of the 1967-68 season. He scored his fifth at 5:47 of the opening period, beating DeJordy with help from Claude Larose. Before the intermission, he struck again, this time assisted by J.C. Tremblay and Dick Duff, to give the Canadiens a 3-0 lead.

The hat trick was complete at 10:28 of the second period. With Chicago defenceman Doug Jarrett serving a tripping penalty, Backstrom scored on the power play with assists from Tremblay and Yvan Cournoyer. After arriving in Chicago with four goals on the season, he had increased his total to seven before the game was halfway through.

Backstrom then turned playmaker. Later in the second period, he helped Larose score his first goal of the season. At 6:44 of the third, he picked up another assist on a Cournoyer goal to complete his five-point performance. DeJordy, the goaltender on the receiving end of that outburst, would later become his teammate with the Los Angeles Kings.

At the other end, Gump Worsley stopped all 15 Chicago shots for his second shutout of the season and the 31st of his NHL career. His first shutout that season had also required just 15 saves, against the Toronto Maple Leafs. This would be the first of two times Worsley blanked the Blackhawks during the 1967-68 campaign.

Hockey’s Best Team Ever: A Chronicle of the 1976-77 Montreal Canadiens' Record-Breaking Season

Relive the legendary 1976-77 Montreal Canadiens season, when a powerhouse roster led by Guy Lafleur, Ken Dryden, and Larry Robinson set an NHL record with 60 regular season wins before capturing the Stanley Cup.

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Ken Dryden Makes 46 Saves, but Flyers Beat Canadiens in 1975 Showdown

Ken Dryden stopped nearly everything Philadelphia threw at him on November 16, 1975. He even contributed an assist. Still, the Montreal Canadiens left the Spectrum with a 3-1 loss in an early-season showdown between two teams that would meet again in the 1976 Stanley Cup Final.

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Highlights

• Philadelphia defeated Montreal 3-1 on November 16, 1975.

• Dryden stopped 46 of the 48 shots he faced.

• He also assisted on Guy Lafleur’s opening goal.

• Rick MacLeish recorded ten shots and scored the winner.

• Wayne Stephenson made 26 saves for Philadelphia.

• Gary Dornhoefer sealed the victory with an empty-net goal.

• Dryden followed the loss with a 17-save shutout in Minnesota.

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Montreal struck first when Guy Lafleur beat Wayne Stephenson at 5:02 of the opening period. Pete Mahovlich and Dryden collected the assists, giving the Canadiens’ goaltender a hand in the only goal his team would score all night. At the other end, Philadelphia kept Dryden busy, forcing him to stop 46 of the 48 shots he faced.

Bob Kelly tied the game at 11:05 of the second period before Rick MacLeish put the Flyers ahead at 16:31. Gary Dornhoefer and Ross Lonsberry assisted on MacLeish’s seventh goal of the season, which held up as the winner. MacLeish alone fired ten shots at Dryden, with Montreal’s number 29 stopping nine of them.

Stephenson handled the lighter workload effectively, turning aside 26 of Montreal’s 27 shots. With Dryden on the bench for an extra attacker, Dornhoefer scored into the empty net with six seconds remaining. His goal and earlier assist made him the game’s only player with two points.

Dryden rebounded three nights later in Minnesota, stopping all 17 shots in a 6-0 victory over the North Stars. Remarkably, he had blanked Minnesota by the same score just eight days earlier, making 14 saves in Montreal on November 11. Against Philadelphia, however, even 46 saves and an assist had not been enough.

Hockey’s Best Team Ever: A Chronicle of the 1976-77 Montreal Canadiens' Record-Breaking Season

Relive the legendary 1976-77 Montreal Canadiens season, when a powerhouse roster led by Guy Lafleur, Ken Dryden, and Larry Robinson set an NHL record with 60 regular season wins before capturing the Stanley Cup.

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Yvan Cournoyer’s Hat Trick Evens Canadiens–Rangers Series in 1974

The New York Rangers struck first in their 1974 Stanley Cup quarter-final series against the Montreal Canadiens, winning the opener 4–1 at the Montreal Forum. When the teams returned for Game 2 on April 11, the final score was identical, but the winning side changed. Yvan Cournoyer scored three consecutive goals to give the Canadiens a 4–1 victory and even the best-of-seven series.

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Highlights

• Montreal won Game 2 on April 11, 1974, at the Montreal Forum.

• Cournoyer scored three consecutive goals for a natural hat trick.

• His first goal, at 18:11 of the second period, was the game winner.

• Goaltender Michel Larocque assisted on the winning goal.

• Jacques Lemaire assisted on both third-period goals.

• Cournoyer and Lemaire combined for 14 of Montreal’s 31 shots.

• The Rangers ultimately won the series in six games.

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New York again grabbed the early advantage. Bruce MacGregor scored the only goal of the first period, with assists going to Pete Stemkowski and Brad Park. Montreal answered at 5:03 of the second when Steve Shutt beat Rangers goaltender Ed Giacomin, taking a setup from Henri Richard to tie the game.

Cournoyer then took control. At 18:11 of the second period, the Roadrunner scored his first goal of the playoffs to put Montreal ahead 2–1. Defenceman Pierre Bouchard and goaltender Michel Larocque earned the assists on what proved to be the winning goal.

The third period belonged to Cournoyer as well. He scored at 11:53 and completed his natural hat trick at 14:51, turning a one-goal lead into a comfortable three-goal cushion. Jacques Lemaire assisted on both third-period goals, while Chuck Lefley also picked up a helper on the hat-trick goal.

Cournoyer and Lemaire each fired seven shots at Giacomin, combining for 14 of Montreal’s 31 shots. At the other end, Larocque stopped 18 of the Rangers’ 19 attempts, contributing both a strong performance in goal and an assist on the deciding tally.

Montreal carried that momentum into Game 3, winning 4–2 at Madison Square Garden on April 13 to take a 2–1 series lead. The Rangers responded with three straight victories to eliminate the Canadiens in six games. New York then pushed the Philadelphia Flyers to seven games in the semi-finals before its playoff run ended.

Hockey’s Best Team Ever: A Chronicle of the 1976-77 Montreal Canadiens' Record-Breaking Season

Relive the legendary 1976-77 Montreal Canadiens season, when a powerhouse roster led by Guy Lafleur, Ken Dryden, and Larry Robinson set an NHL record with 60 regular season wins before capturing the Stanley Cup.

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The Only Goalie to Shut Out the 1976-77 Canadiens? Mike Palmateer

The Montreal Canadiens were a daunting opponent in 1976-77, but a Toronto rookie managed something no other NHL goaltender accomplished against them that regular season. On November 17, 1976, Mike Palmateer stopped all 39 shots he faced at Maple Leaf Gardens, giving the Maple Leafs a 1-0 victory. The goalie known as the “Popcorn Kid” was playing just his ninth NHL game.

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Highlights

• Montreal’s only shutout loss of the 1976-77 regular season.

• Palmateer was playing just his ninth NHL game.

• Toronto won 1-0 at Maple Leaf Gardens on November 17, 1976.

• Lanny McDonald scored at 8:26 of the first period.

• Palmateer stopped 39 shots; Ken Dryden made 29 saves.

• Steve Shutt and Brian Glennie fought in the second period.

• Palmateer had also shut out Vancouver in his previous appearance.

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Lanny McDonald supplied all the offence Toronto needed at 8:26 of the first period. His 14th goal of the season, assisted by Darryl Sittler and Ian Turnbull, beat Ken Dryden and stood as the game winner. Dryden was nearly unbeatable himself, stopping 29 of Toronto’s 30 shots.

Montreal kept Palmateer busy throughout the night, including a 16-shot third period as the Canadiens searched for the equalizer. Guy Lapointe led the visitors with six shots, while Steve Shutt and Réjean Houle contributed five apiece. At the other end, defenceman Börje Salming paced the Maple Leafs with six shots on Dryden.

There was also a second-period confrontation between two former Toronto Marlboros. Shutt and Toronto defenceman Brian Glennie dropped the gloves, receiving fighting majors at 3:41. With the only goal already on the scoreboard, the rest of the evening belonged to the goaltenders.

Remarkably, Palmateer’s performance against Montreal was his second consecutive shutout. Four nights earlier, on November 13, he had stopped all 30 shots in a 3-0 road victory over the Vancouver Canucks at the Pacific Coliseum. Bob Neely, Pat Boutette and Inge Hammarström each scored against Cesare Maniago. Just nine games into his NHL career, Palmateer already had back-to-back shutouts and one came against a Canadiens team nobody else would blank during the regular season.

Top Shelf Trivia: The Toronto Maple Leafs

Test your knowledge of one of hockey’s most storied franchises with this collection of challenging and fun Toronto Maple Leafs trivia covering players, games, and unforgettable moments.

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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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Number 23 Scores No. 23: Bob Gainey’s Career-Best Goal Total

Bob Gainey built his reputation as one of the NHL’s finest defensive forwards, but Montreal’s number 23 could contribute at the other end of the ice, too. The Peterborough, Ontario native scored 239 regular-season goals during his career and reached the 20-goal mark four times. His personal best came in 1980-81, when he scored 23 times. Fittingly, goal number 23 was a game-winner against the New York Islanders.

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Highlights

• Gainey scored a career-high 23 goals in 1980-81.

• His 23rd came against the Islanders on March 31, 1981.

• Rod Langway and Doug Jarvis assisted on the milestone goal.

• The second-period tally was the winner in Montreal’s 3-1 victory.

• Gainey’s 47 points that season also represented a career high.

• Montreal retired his number 23 on February 23, 2008.

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On March 31, 1981, the Canadiens hosted the Islanders at the Montreal Forum. The teams exchanged first-period goals, then remained tied at 1-1 through much of the second. With two of the league’s top clubs locked in a tight contest, Gainey supplied the breakthrough.

At 16:52 of the second period, Gainey beat Islanders goaltender Roland Melanson for his 23rd goal of the season. Rod Langway and Doug Jarvis earned the assists as Montreal moved ahead 2-1. The Canadiens went on to win 3-1, leaving Gainey’s milestone goal as the deciding tally.

Gainey also established a career high with 47 points that season. Montreal finished first in the Norris Division and third in the NHL’s overall standings, behind the Islanders and St. Louis Blues. That regular-season success did not carry into the playoffs, however. The Edmonton Oilers swept the Canadiens in their opening-round series.

From 1973-74 through 1988-89, Gainey played 1,160 regular-season games and another 182 playoff contests, all with Montreal. His career included five Stanley Cup championships and four Selke Trophy wins, followed by induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1992. The Canadiens retired his number 23 on February 23, 2008, another fitting numerical connection for a player whose best goal-scoring season peaked at 23.

A Great Game: The Forgotten Leafs & the Rise of Professional Hockey

Explore the fascinating early history of professional hockey, including the forgotten Toronto teams, personalities, and events that helped shape the game into Canada's national winter obsession.

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Bunny Larocque Was The Only Hab Without A Point In This 12-0 Blowout In 1979

On February 22, 1979, the Pittsburgh Penguins visited the Montreal Forum and ran headfirst into the powerhouse Canadiens near the end of their 1970s dynasty. Montreal dominated from start to finish, rolling to a 12-0 victory in a game that showcased just how deep that championship roster really was.

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Highlights

• Montreal defeated Pittsburgh 12-0 on February 22, 1979.

• All 17 Canadiens skaters recorded at least one point.

• Guy Lafleur scored the game-winning goal just 2:05 into the game.

• Guy Lapointe led Montreal with four assists.

• Yvon Lambert, Doug Risebrough and Mario Tremblay each had two goals and one assist.

• Montreal scored 12 times on 37 shots.

• Michel Larocque stopped 25 shots for the shutout.

• The Canadiens went on to win their fourth consecutive Stanley Cup.

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Guy Lafleur got things started just 2:05 into the opening period, beating Denis Herron for what technically stood as the game-winning goal. Interestingly, despite Montreal scoring another 11 times, Lafleur did not record another point. On most nights, keeping Lafleur to a single point would have been considered a major accomplishment. On this night, it meant absolutely nothing.

The Canadiens dressed 17 skaters and every one of them recorded at least one point. Guy Lapointe led the way with four assists, while Yvon Lambert, Doug Risebrough and Mario Tremblay each scored twice and added an assist. Réjean Houle also finished with three points, all assists. It was a remarkably balanced attack in which virtually everyone got involved.

Perhaps even more surprising was that Montreal didn't need an overwhelming number of shots to reach a dozen goals. Herron faced 24 shots over the first two periods and surrendered seven goals. Greg Millen took over for the third and allowed another five goals on just 13 shots. In total, the Canadiens scored 12 times on 37 shots.

At the other end, Michel "Bunny" Larocque quietly took care of business. He stopped all 25 Pittsburgh shots to record the shutout, making him the only Montreal player who dressed that night without a point. It was Larocque's second of three shutouts during the 1978-79 season. His first came with a 14-save performance against the Atlanta Flames, while his third would also require 25 saves against the New York Rangers.

For a Canadiens team headed toward its fourth consecutive Stanley Cup championship, the 12-0 demolition of Pittsburgh was a striking display of roster depth. Lafleur scored the winner, every Montreal skater found the scoresheet, and Larocque was the lone Hab without a point but came away with the shutout.

Stories From The Epic History Of NHL Hockey (Volume IV)

Dive into unforgettable tales from NHL history — the biggest moments, legendary players, and classic rivalries.

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Richard Brothers Combine for 10 Points as Canadiens Rout Maple Leafs 9-3

The Montreal Canadiens wasted little time reminding the NHL why they were the league's powerhouse during the 1950s. On October 17, 1957, they welcomed the Toronto Maple Leafs to the Montreal Forum and handed their Original Six rivals a decisive 9-3 defeat. The night's biggest story belonged to brothers Maurice "Rocket" Richard and Henri "Pocket Rocket" Richard, who combined for an incredible 10 points while accounting for five of Montreal's nine goals.

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Highlights

• Maurice and Henri Richard combined for 10 points against Toronto.

• Henri Richard recorded a hat trick and three assists for a six-point game.

• Maurice Richard finished with two goals and two assists.

• The Richard brothers scored five of Montreal's nine goals.

• Dickie Moore and Doug Harvey each added three-point performances.

• Claude Provost scored the game-winning goal in the second period.

• Toronto fell to 0-3 before rebounding with a 7-0 win over Boston two nights later.

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Henri Richard led the offensive explosion with one of the finest games of his career. The Pocket Rocket scored a hat trick and added three assists for a remarkable six-point performance. Two of those assists came on goals by his older brother Maurice, while another set up Jean-Guy Talbot. Maurice answered with two goals and two assists, helping set up Henri's first goal and a tally by Dickie Moore to finish with four points. After just five games of the 1957-58 season, both Richard brothers had already scored six goals.

The Canadiens received plenty of support throughout the lineup. Dickie Moore and Hall of Fame defenseman Doug Harvey each chipped in three-point nights, while Claude Provost scored what proved to be the game-winning goal midway through the second period. Provost beat Toronto goaltender Ed Chadwick at 10:25 of the middle frame, with assists from Phil Goyette and Harvey, giving Montreal a 4-3 lead before the Canadiens pulled away with five unanswered goals.

For Toronto, the loss dropped the club to 0-3 to begin the 1957-58 campaign. Fortunately for the Maple Leafs, the rough start didn't last much longer. Just two nights later, they welcomed the unbeaten Boston Bruins to Maple Leaf Gardens and responded in emphatic fashion with a stunning 7-0 victory. Ed Chadwick earned the shutout, while Brian Cullen and Billy Harris each recorded hat tricks to give Toronto its first win of the season in memorable style.

The October 17 showdown remains one of the greatest family performances in Montreal Canadiens history. Few sibling duos have ever dominated an NHL game the way Maurice and Henri Richard did, combining skill, scoring touch and playmaking brilliance to overwhelm one of hockey's fiercest rivals.

Henri Richard: La légende aux 11 Coupes Stanley

L’histoire autorisée du légendaire numéro 16 du Canadien de Montréal, racontée par son fils Denis Richard, retraçant sa carrière, ses 11 Coupes Stanley et les moments marquants de la vie du « Pocket Rocket ». :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

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81 Shots, 4 Goals: Ken Dryden vs. Dan Bouchard Was a Classic in Atlanta

The 1976-77 Montreal Canadiens are remembered as one of the greatest teams in NHL history. Loaded with talent and seemingly unbeatable on most nights, the Canadiens rolled into Atlanta on November 10, 1976 for a matchup against the Atlanta Flames at The Omni. What followed was not an offensive showcase, but a brilliant display of goaltending from two netminders who refused to give an inch.

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Highlights

• Canadiens and Flames played to a 2-2 tie on November 10, 1976

• Ken Dryden made 41 saves on 43 shots

• Dan Bouchard stopped 36 of 38 Montreal shots

• All four goals were scored within 7:34 of the second period

• Guy Lafleur opened the scoring with his 15th goal of the season

• Combined, the teams fired 81 shots on goal

• The game featured one of the best goalie duels of the 1970s

• Dryden finished 1976-77 with a league-leading .920 save percentage   

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For most of the evening, both Ken Dryden and Dan Bouchard were unbeatable. Outside of a wild stretch in the second period lasting just over seven and a half minutes, neither goalie allowed a puck to get by. The game ended in a 2-2 tie, but the score barely captured how impressive both performances really were.

Bouchard faced a relentless Canadiens attack and turned aside 36 of 38 shots. Dryden was tested even more often, stopping 41 of 43 Atlanta shots. Combined, the two goalies made 77 saves on 81 shots in an era where offense around the NHL was exploding.

The scoring finally began at 4:38 of the second period when Guy Lafleur scored his 15th goal of the season for Montreal with assists from Steve Shutt and Pete Mahovlich. Atlanta answered almost immediately. Just 25 seconds later, Bobby Simpson tied the game with help from Ken Houston and Bill Clement.

The Flames grabbed the lead later in the period when Clement scored his sixth of the season at 8:56, assisted by Larry Carriere. Montreal answered at 12:12 when Serge Savard beat Bouchard with assists from Réjean Houle and Mario Tremblay. That would be the end of the scoring despite both teams continuing to generate chances for the remainder of the night.

Dryden’s performance was another example of the incredible season he was putting together. He finished the 1976-77 campaign leading the NHL with a .920 save percentage while recording ten shutouts. Amazingly, only one of those shutouts came in a game where he faced 30 or more shots. Bouchard’s overall season numbers were more modest, but on this night against the mighty Canadiens, he looked every bit the equal of Dryden.

Stories From The Epic History Of NHL Hockey (Volume IV)

Dive into unforgettable tales from NHL history — the biggest moments, legendary players, and classic rivalries.

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Norm Ullman And Jean Beliveau Traded Hat Tricks In A 14-Goal 1967 Original 6 Shootout

The 1967-68 NHL season featured its share of high-scoring games, but most of them came against the league’s brand new expansion clubs. On December 17, 1967, however, two Original Six rivals combined for 14 goals in a wild showdown at Detroit Olympia. The Detroit Red Wings defeated the Montreal Canadiens 8-6 in a game highlighted by hat tricks from both Norm Ullman and Jean Beliveau.

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Highlights:

• Norm Ullman recorded a hat trick for Detroit

• Jean Beliveau answered with a hat trick of his own

• The Red Wings defeated the Canadiens 8-6 at Detroit Olympia

• Gordie Howe scored just 34 seconds after Montreal opened the scoring

• Henri Richard scored twice for Montreal in the high-scoring affair

• Montreal scored two goals eight seconds apart in the second period

• Gary Marsh scored the game-winning goal, the only NHL goal of his career

• The game featured 14 total goals between two Original Six rivals

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Montreal opened the scoring on a power play at 6:10 of the first period when Henri Richard converted a setup from Beliveau and Dick Duff. Detroit answered almost immediately, with Gordie Howe tying the game just 34 seconds later. Late in the opening period, Ullman scored his first of the night to give the Red Wings a 2-1 lead heading into intermission.

Beliveau struck only 52 seconds into the second period to even the score again, but Ullman took over from there. The Detroit center scored twice more in the middle frame to complete his hat trick and put the Wings ahead 4-2. Montreal refused to go away, though, as Beliveau and Henri Richard scored eight seconds apart before the period ended to tie the game once more.

The offensive fireworks continued in the third. Gary Jarrett scored early for Detroit, prompting Montreal to pull veteran goalie Gump Worsley in favor of Rogie Vachon. The move did little to slow the Red Wings attack, as Detroit added three more goals in the period. Beliveau completed his own hat trick at 8:18 of the third, but the Canadiens could not keep pace in the 8-6 defeat.

The most unlikely hero of the night ended up being Gary Marsh. The little-known Red Wings forward scored what proved to be the game-winning goal, the only NHL goal of his career. Marsh appeared in just six games for Detroit that season and one more for the Toronto Maple Leafs the following year, finishing with a seven-game NHL career and a permanent place in one of hockey’s wildest Original Six games.

Stories From The Epic History Of NHL Hockey (Volume IV)

Dive into unforgettable tales from NHL history — the biggest moments, legendary players, and classic rivalries.

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6,338 Days Later: Dionne Sets Up Lafleur in a Full-Circle NHL Moment

A Draft Day Connection Years in the Making

At the 1971 NHL Amateur Draft, two future legends began their journeys just one pick apart. Guy Lafleur was selected first overall by the Montreal Canadiens, while Marcel Dionne went second to the Detroit Red Wings.

Both players went on to have incredible individual careers. Lafleur became synonymous with dynastic success in Montreal, winning five Stanley Cups, while Dionne established himself as one of the most prolific scorers in NHL history, despite limited playoff opportunities.

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A Rare Reunion on Broadway

Their careers unexpectedly converged years later in New York. Dionne arrived first, traded from the Los Angeles Kings to the New York Rangers on March 10, 1987.

Lafleur followed ahead of the 1988-89 season, ending a three-year retirement to join the Rangers. It didn’t take long for the former draft rivals to connect.

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6,338 Days Later… A Goal

On October 16, 1988, at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers hosted the Vancouver Canucks.

At 7:22 of the first period, Lafleur scored his first goal as a Ranger and his first since returning to the NHL. The goal came on the power play against goaltender Steve Weeks, with assists from Dionne and Brian Mullen.

A full 6,338 days after being drafted one-two, Dionne was helping Lafleur find the back of the net.

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Flashes of the Old Magic

Lafleur wasn’t done. Just 3:37 later, he picked up an assist on a power-play goal by Brian Leetch, showing glimpses of the brilliance that made him a legend.

But despite the early spark, the Rangers couldn’t hold the lead. Vancouver responded with goals from Normand Rochefort and two from Petri Skriko to secure a 3-2 comeback win.

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History Repeats Against Montreal

Less than a month later, on November 11, 1988, Lafleur faced his former team for the first time at MSG. In a fitting twist, he once again scored the Rangers’ opening goal, again assisted by Dionne.

However, just like their earlier game, the result didn’t go New York’s way, as the Canadiens claimed a 4-2 victory.

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A Unique NHL Full-Circle Moment

Hockey history is full of remarkable connections, but few are as poetic as this one. Two players drafted back-to-back in 1971, each taking vastly different career paths, reunited nearly two decades later to combine on a goal.

For Lafleur and Dionne, it was more than just a point on the scoresheet. It was a full-circle moment that tied together the beginning and twilight of two Hall of Fame careers.

Guy Lafleur: Autobiography

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

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Marcel Dionne's NHL Milestone Goals

A tribute to one of hockey’s greatest scorers, this book highlights Marcel Dionne’s most memorable milestone goals and the moments that defined his remarkable NHL career.

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