As the Canadiens strive for their 25th Stanley Cup, here are 25 interesting facts about the historic franchise.
1: They have the most Stanley Cups in NHL history with 24.
2: They are the last Canadian team to win a Stanley Cup, winning it in 1993 against the LA Kings.
3: In 1945, Maurice Richard became the first player to score 50 goals in a single season.
4: Jean Beliveau scored 176 playoff points in his career, which is a franchise record.
5: In 1959, Jaques Plante became the first goalie to wear a mask.
6: The Canadiens established a farm team in Peterborough in 1956. The team is now known as the Peterborough Petes of the OHL. Petes’ alumni include legends such as Bob Gainey, Steve Yzerman, and Wayne Gretzky.
7: In 1970, the Canadiens and the Leafs both missed out on the playoffs, making it the first and only time that the post-season didn’t include a Canadian team.
8: In the 1976-77 season, the Canadiens lost only eight out of 80 games, setting an NHL record.
9: On March 11 1996, the forum hosted it’s final game. The Canadiens won that game, beating the Dallas Stars 4-1.
10: The team’s all-time point leader is Guy Lafleur, with 1,246 points as a Hab.
11: Henri Richard played 1256 games with the club, the most of any player.
12: Maurice Richard is the Habs’ franchise goal leader, with 544.
13: Chris Nilan has the most penalty minutes in franchise history with 2248.
14: Rookie head coach Jean Perron won the Stanley Cup with the Canadiens in 1986.
15: In 1960, the Montreal Canadiens won their fifth consecutive Stanley Cup, setting an NHL record.
16: With 16 Stanley Cup rings, Henri Richard has won the Cup as a player more than any other in NHL history.
17: George Hainsworth holds the franchise record for most shutouts, with 75.
18: Saku Koivu was the first non-Canadian captain in franchise history.
19: Dick Irvin is the franchise’s longest-serving head coach.
20: The Habs have retired 13 numbers, more than any other franchise.
21: In 1956, Jean Beliveau landed the cover of Sports Illustrated, becoming the first NHLer to do so.
22: Jean Beliveau won the first ever Conn Smythe trophy in 1965, awarded to the most valuable player in the playoffs.
23: Guy Lapointe scored 28 goals in the 1974-75 season, which is the most in franchise history by a defenceman.
24: Joe Malone scored the first goal in franchise history
25: In 1986, Habs goalie Patrick Roy became the youngest player to ever win the Conn Smythe trophy. He was only 20-years-old.
The Canadiens are set to play the Las Vegas Golden Knights tonight in round 3 of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Go Habs Go!
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