1976–77 Montreal Canadiens season
NHL hockey team season (won 20th Stanley Cup)
The 1976–77 Montreal Canadiens season was the Canadiens' 68th season . The team is regarded to be the greatest NHL team ever composed. The Canadiens won their 20th Stanley Cup in 1976–77, taking the NHL championship. Montreal set new records for most wins (60) and points (132) in a season.[ 1] Those records were not broken until the re-introduction of regular season overtime [ a] and the extension of the schedule to 82 games. The 1976–77 Canadiens continue to hold the all-time records for regulation wins[ b] as well as points per game (1.650).[ c] They outscored their opponents by 216 goals (also a league record), a differential average of 2.7 goals per game.[ 1]
Of the 24 players on the roster, 14 were drafted by the Canadiens: Pierre Bouchard , Rick Chartraw , Brian Engblom , Bob Gainey , Réjean Houle , Guy Lafleur , Michel Larocque , Pierre Mondou , Bill Nyrop , Doug Risebrough , Larry Robinson , Steve Shutt , Mario Tremblay , and Murray Wilson . The only player on the roster not developed by the Canadiens was Peter Mahovlich .[ 1]
Montreal lost only eight games, a modern-era record that has never been tied or broken even when counting only regulation losses and including lockout and pandemic-shortened seasons. They earned at least a point in 72 games, which also still stands as an all-time record.[ d]
The Canadiens earned their 100th point in the 62nd game of the season with a victory over the Atlanta Flames on February 23, 1977. This was an NHL record for fastest team to 100 points for 45 seasons .[ 2] [ 3]
Regular season
Final standings
[ 4] Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against Note: Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold.
Record vs. opponents
Norris Division record vs. opponents
Vs. Wales Conference
Vs. Campbell Conference
Vs. Norris Division
Vs. Adams Division
Vs. Patrick Division
Vs. Smythe Division
Schedule and results
Regular season schedule
No.
R
Date
Score
Opponent
Record
1
W
October 7, 1976
10–1
Pittsburgh Penguins (1976–77 )
1–0–0
2
W
October 9, 1976
3–0
Vancouver Canucks (1976–77 )
2–0–0
3
L
October 10, 1976
1–3
@ Buffalo Sabres (1976–77 )
2–1–0
4
W
October 12, 1976
4–2
@ Detroit Red Wings (1976–77 )
3–1–0
5
W
October 14, 1976
7–1
@ Philadelphia Flyers (1976–77 )
4–1–0
6
W
October 16, 1976
7–4
New York Rangers (1976–77 )
5–1–0
7
L
October 17, 1976
3–5
@ Boston Bruins (1976–77 )
5–2–0
8
W
October 19, 1976
6–0
@ Washington Capitals (1976–77 )
6–2–0
9
W
October 21, 1976
5–3
Toronto Maple Leafs (1976–77 )
7–2–0
10
W
October 23, 1976
9–1
@ Pittsburgh Penguins (1976–77 )
8–2–0
11
W
October 25, 1976
4–1
New York Islanders (1976–77 )
9–2–0
12
T
October 27, 1976
4–4
@ Chicago Black Hawks (1976–77 )
9–2–1
13
L
October 30, 1976
3–4
Boston Bruins (1976–77 )
9–3–1
14
W
November 1, 1976
3–2
Buffalo Sabres (1976–77 )
10–3–1
15
W
November 3, 1976
5–2
@ Minnesota North Stars (1976–77 )
11–3–1
16
W
November 6, 1976
11–3
Chicago Black Hawks (1976–77 )
12–3–1
17
W
November 9, 1976
8–1
@ St. Louis Blues (1976–77 )
13–3–1
18
T
November 10, 1976
2–2
@ Atlanta Flames (1976–77 )
13–3–2
19
T
November 13, 1976
3–3
Colorado Rockies (1976–77 )
13–3–3
20
W
November 15, 1976
4–2
St. Louis Blues (1976–77 )
14–3–3
21
L
November 17, 1976
0–1
@ Toronto Maple Leafs (1976–77 )
14–4–3
22
W
November 19, 1976
6–3
Minnesota North Stars (1976–77 )
15–4–3
23
W
November 21, 1976
9–5
Toronto Maple Leafs (1976–77 )
16–4–3
24
W
November 23, 1976
5–1
@ New York Islanders (1976–77 )
17–4–3
25
W
November 24, 1976
8–1
@ Cleveland Barons (1976–77 )
18–4–3
26
W
November 27, 1976
4–3
@ Los Angeles Kings (1976–77 )
19–4–3
27
T
December 2, 1976
3–3
Los Angeles Kings (1976–77 )
19–4–4
28
W
December 4, 1976
3–1
Pittsburgh Penguins (1976–77 )
20–4–4
29
W
December 6, 1976
1–0
Cleveland Barons (1976–77 )
21–4–4
30
W
December 8, 1976
4–3
@ Chicago Black Hawks (1976–77 )
22–4–4
31
W
December 11, 1976
5–0
Detroit Red Wings (1976–77 )
23–4–4
32
L
December 12, 1976
2–5
@ New York Rangers (1976–77 )
23–5–4
33
W
December 15, 1976
8–2
@ Colorado Rockies (1976–77 )
24–5–4
34
W
December 18, 1976
2–0
@ Los Angeles Kings (1976–77 )
25–5–4
35
W
December 20, 1976
5–4
@ Vancouver Canucks (1976–77 )
26–5–4
36
W
December 27, 1976
4–2
Cleveland Barons (1976–77 )
27–5–4
37
T
December 29, 1976
3–3
@ Pittsburgh Penguins (1976–77 )
27–5–5
38
T
December 30, 1976
5–5
Minnesota North Stars (1976–77 )
27–5–6
39
W
January 2, 1977
7–0
Atlanta Flames (1976–77 )
28–5–6
40
W
January 3, 1977
6–4
Philadelphia Flyers (1976–77 )
29–5–6
41
W
January 6, 1977
9–2
@ Buffalo Sabres (1976–77 )
30–5–6
42
W
January 8, 1977
7–2
Washington Capitals (1976–77 )
31–5–6
43
W
January 11, 1977
6–0
@ Colorado Rockies (1976–77 )
32–5–6
44
L
January 12, 1977
2–7
@ St. Louis Blues (1976–77 )
32–6–6
45
W
January 15, 1977
6–0
Los Angeles Kings (1976–77 )
33–6–6
46
L
January 17, 1977
3–7
@ Boston Bruins (1976–77 )
33–7–6
47
W
January 18, 1977
3–0
@ Washington Capitals (1976–77 )
34–7–6
48
W
January 20, 1977
6–2
@ Philadelphia Flyers (1976–77 )
35–7–6
49
W
January 22, 1977
5–2
Washington Capitals (1976–77 )
36–7–6
50
T
January 23, 1977
2–2
Detroit Red Wings (1976–77 )
36–7–7
51
T
January 29, 1977
3–3
Buffalo Sabres (1976–77 )
36–7–8
52
W
January 30, 1977
2–1
New York Islanders (1976–77 )
37–7–8
53
W
February 1, 1977
7–3
@ Cleveland Barons (1976–77 )
38–7–8
54
W
February 3, 1977
6–4
@ Vancouver Canucks (1976–77 )
39–7–8
55
T
February 5, 1977
3–3
@ Los Angeles Kings (1976–77 )
39–7–9
56
W
February 9, 1977
6–0
Vancouver Canucks (1976–77 )
40–7–9
57
W
February 12, 1977
8–3
Boston Bruins (1976–77 )
41–7–9
58
W
February 13, 1977
5–3
@ Detroit Red Wings (1976–77 )
42–7–9
59
T
February 16, 1977
4–4
@ Pittsburgh Penguins (1976–77 )
42–7–10
60
W
February 19, 1977
5–2
Philadelphia Flyers (1976–77 )
43–7–10
61
W
February 21, 1977
3–2
Atlanta Flames (1976–77 )
44–7–10
62
W
February 23, 1977
4–2
@ Atlanta Flames (1976–77 )
45–7–10
63
W
February 26, 1977
5–3
Cleveland Barons (1976–77 )
46–7–10
64
W
February 27, 1977
8–1
@ New York Rangers (1976–77 )
47–7–10
65
W
March 1, 1977
5–4
@ New York Islanders (1976–77 )
48–7–10
66
W
March 3, 1977
5–1
Pittsburgh Penguins (1976–77 )
49–7–10
67
W
March 5, 1977
7–2
New York Rangers (1976–77 )
50–7–10
68
L
March 6, 1977
1–4
@ Buffalo Sabres (1976–77 )
50–8–10
69
T
March 9, 1977
2–2
@ Toronto Maple Leafs (1976–77 )
50–8–11
70
W
March 10, 1977
7–1
Colorado Rockies (1976–77 )
51–8–11
71
W
March 12, 1977
5–1
Chicago Black Hawks (1976–77 )
52–8–11
72
W
March 14, 1977
3–0
Los Angeles Kings (1976–77 )
53–8–11
73
W
March 16, 1977
5–2
@ Minnesota North Stars (1976–77 )
54–8–11
74
W
March 21, 1977
5–1
@ Boston Bruins (1976–77 )
55–8–11
75
W
March 24, 1977
6–1
St. Louis Blues (1976–77 )
56–8–11
76
W
March 26, 1977
4–0
Detroit Red Wings (1976–77 )
57–8–11
77
W
March 27, 1977
6–0
@ Detroit Red Wings (1976–77 )
58–8–11
78
T
March 30, 1977
3–3
Toronto Maple Leafs (1976–77 )
58–8–12
79
W
April 2, 1977
11–0
Washington Capitals (1976–77 )
59–8–12
80
W
April 3, 1977
2–1
@ Washington Capitals (1976–77 )
60–8–12
[ 6]
Playoffs
Stanley Cup Finals
Jacques Lemaire scored three game-winning goals, including the Cup winner in overtime. Guy Lafleur won the Conn Smythe Trophy for scoring 9 goals and 17 assists during the playoffs.
Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Canadiens
Date
Visitors
Score
Home
Score
Notes
May 7
Boston
3
Montreal
7
May 10
Boston
0
Montreal
3
May 12
Montreal
4
Boston
2
May 14
Montreal
2
Boston
1
OT
Montreal wins the series 4–0. Guy Lafleur won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.
Player statistics
Regular season
Scoring
Goaltending
Player
MIN
GP
W
L
T
GA
GAA
SO
Ken Dryden
3275
56
41
6
8
117
2.14
10
Michel Larocque
1525
26
19
2
4
53
2.09
4
Team:
4800
80
60
8
12
170
2.12
14
Playoffs
Scoring
Goaltending
Player
MIN
GP
W
L
GA
GAA
SO
Ken Dryden
849
14
12
2
22
1.55
4
Team:
849
14
12
2
22
1.55
4
[ 7]
Awards and records
Prince of Wales Trophy
Ken Dryden and Michel Larocque , Vezina Trophy
Ken Dryden, Goaltender, NHL First Team All-Star
Guy Lafleur , Art Ross Trophy
Guy Lafleur, Conn Smythe Trophy
Guy Lafleur, Hart Memorial Trophy
Guy Lafleur, Lou Marsh Trophy
Guy Lafleur, right wing, NHL First Team All-Star
Guy Lafleur, NHL leader, assists (80)[ 8]
Guy Lafleur, NHL leader, points (136)[ 8]
Guy Lapointe , defence, NHL Second Team All-Star
Larry Robinson , defence, NHL First Team All-Star
Steve Shutt , left wing, NHL First Team All-Star
Steve Shutt, NHL leader, goals (60)[ 8]
132 points, NHL record for most points in a season by a team
+216 goal differential, NHL record for highest team differential
Draft picks
Round
#
Player
Nationality
College/junior/club team
1
12
Peter Lee
United Kingdom
Ottawa 67's (OHA)
1
13
Rod Schutt
Canada
Sudbury Wolves (OMJHL)
1
18
Bruce Baker
Canada
Ottawa 67's (OMJHL)
2
36
Barry Melrose
Canada
Kamloops Chiefs (WCHL)
3
54
Bill Baker
United States
University of Minnesota (WCHA)
4
72
Ed Clarey
Canada
Cornwall Royals (QMJHL)
5
90
Maurice Barrette
Canada
Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)
6
108
Pierre Brassard
Canada
Cornwall Royals (QMJHL)
7
118
Rich Gosselin
Canada
Flin Flon Bombers (WCHL)
8
123
John Gregory
Canada
University of Wisconsin (WCHA)
9
125
Bruce Horsch
United States
Michigan Tech University (WCHA)
10
127
John Tavella
Canada
Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OMJHL)
11
129
Mark Davidson
Canada
Flin Flon Bombers (WCHL)
12
131
Bill Wells
Canada
Cornwall Royals (QMJHL)
13
133
Ron Wilson
Canada
St. Catharines Black Hawks (OMJHL)
Notes
^ Whereas the 1976–77 Canadiens recorded twelve points for games that ended tied after the third period, under current rules a team earns one point for losses incurred in overtime or a shootout. Notably, the 2022–23 Boston Bruins , who are the current NHL record holders with 65 wins and 135 points, won only 54 games in regulation, winning an additional eleven games and thus recording an additional 11 points in overtime and shootouts.
^ Prior to the 2022–23 Bruins, two other teams had won more than sixty games under an 82-game schedule, these being the 1995–96 Detroit Red Wings (62 wins, 59 in regulation) and the 2018–19 Tampa Bay Lightning (62 wins, 49 in regulation).
^ The closest any team has come to the 1976–77 Canadiens' 1.650 PpG is the 2022–23 Bruins, who recorded 1.646 PpG.
^ The closest any teams have come to this record are the 2022–23 Bruins (who earned a point in 70 games) and the 1995–96 Red Wings (who earned a point in 69 games and also lost one game in overtime, which would have earned a point under current rules.)
Citations
^ a b c Campbell, Ken (January 3, 2014). "GREATEST TEAMS OF ALL-TIME: 1976-77 MONTREAL CANADIENS" . The Hockey News . Retrieved April 9, 2023 .
^ "Bruins rout Sabres 7-1, become fastest team to 100 points" . Associated Press. March 2, 2023. Retrieved March 2, 2023 .
^ Russo, Eric. "Bruins Make History, Become Fastest Team to 100 Points" . NHL.com . Retrieved June 13, 2023 .
^ Dinger, Ralph, ed. (2011). The National Hockey League Official Guide & Record Book 2012 . Dan Diamond & Associates. p. 151. ISBN 9781894801225 .
^ "All-Time NHL Results" . NHL.com . Retrieved August 25, 2023 .
^ "1976–77 Montreal Canadiens Games" . Hockey-reference.com. Retrieved July 14, 2009 .
^ "1976-77 Montreal Canadiens Statistics - Hockey-Reference.com" . hockey-reference.com. Retrieved May 28, 2009 .
^ a b c National Hockey League Official Guide and Record Book 2006, p. 204, Dan Diamond & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, ISBN 0-920445-98-5 .
References
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