Montreal Canadiens, also known as Le Club de Hockey Canadien or the Habs, is a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal. The team has existed since 1909 and has had some of the greatest moments in ice hockey.
The Montreal Canadiens have become a favourite for online casinos, providing some of the best odds for bettors. It’s also very popular with online casinos. This is where the excitement happens at this Canadian online casino, as the sports betting section provides some of the best options for bettors. Below are moments in and out of the rink for any bettor, fan, or sports lover to be proud to be a supporter of Montreal Canadiens.
Without a doubt, Montreal has shown fans some of the best moments in ice hockey. They have created moments that can never be replaced, as they are still relevant today. With great moments on and off the rink, Montreal Canadiens are truly one of the greatest teams in ice hockey.
- 1993 Stanley Cup Final Series
The 1993 Stanley Cup Final is considered one of the best finals in Montreal Canadiens’ history. They played against the Los Angeles Kings in the final series, and Patrick Roy had the most stunning performance, which earned him the Con Smith Trophy for playoff MVP. The Kings won the initial game 4-1. The Canadiens then played four games consecutively, scoring 3-2, 4-3, 3-2, and 4-1. They managed to beat the Kings, which meant they were awarded their 24th Stanley Cup.
Montreal was appearing for the 34th time, while Los Angeles was appearing for the first time. This was a moment to remember.
- Koivu’s Return from Cancer
This was a moment off the Ice Rink when Saku Koivu was diagnosed with Burkitt’s lymphoma. This paused his hockey career. He was also captain of the Montreal Canadiens then, and struggled with surviving the disease.
He was determined to win against the sickness, and at some point, it seemed like he would never return to ice hockey. He underwent treatment, and Koivo was back in the rink sooner than everyone thought. On April 9, 2002, Koivu was part of the Canadiens’ lineup. He beat the disease in seven months. Habs fans have kept the moment alive as they remember the warrior who fought against cancer.
- The Soviet Red Army Game
According to the Montreal Canadiens’ site, this was the most exciting game in the history of hockey. It was in 1975 when the Habs were one of the best teams in the NHL at the time. A Russian squad played Philadelphia Red Fliers a few days before the Habs played the New York Rangers.
The match was a tie, but Habs still felt it was a special night. This may have been their lucky charm, as they won the Stanley Cup for four straight times from 1976 to 1979.
- Jaroslav Halak’s Playoff Heroics in 2010
Halak became a hero in the 2010 playoffs after he scored a goal early in the playoffs. The Habs were in eighth place and played against first-place Washington in the first round. The Habs pushed the caps in seven games, and Halak provided the heroics that won them the series, earning them a place in the second round. They then played against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Once again, Halak’s performance beat the Penguins in seven games, which took them off to the conference finals.
The Penguins, who had previously won the cup, were left stunned by the Habs’ amazing defense, goaltending, and timely goals. Unfortunately, despite their stellar performance, the Habs were out in the final when the Philadelphia Flyers took the cup. The first two rounds are considered the most memorable.
- Maurice Richard- 49 Goals
Maurice Richard scored 49 goals in 49 games in the 1944 to 1945 season. No player in the NHL had ever scored as many goals in a single season.
- Straight Stanley Cups
The Habs entered the 1960 playoffs with a chance to do what no other team had ever done before in the NHL- winning the fifth straight Stanley Cup. The Canadiens opened this series with four straight wins on April 14th, 1960 and beat the Maple Leafs 4-0. They managed to win the Stanley Cup for the fifth time and Maurice Richard retired later that spring. Chicago put an end to the Habs dominance in the following year.
- Final Game at the Montreal Forum
The Montreal Forum was first opened on November 29th, 1924, and it became an iconic Arena in the history of hockey. It played host to several great players and teams in the game. After more than 1,500 wins, 22 Stanley Cups, and a 4-1 win against the Dallas Stars, the forum closed its doors on March 11th, 1996. The closing ceremony was also something to remember.
The former captain of the Montreal Canadiens led the “Pass the Torch” ceremony to symbolize the move to a new building for the team. The ceremony started with Emile Bouchard, who brought the torch to the ice arena from the dressing room. It was then passed on to legends such as John Beliveau, Yvan Cournoyer, and Maurice Richard.