What’s new with the Montreal Canadiens? That’s what this page is all about.
The Team Spirit Line Change website begins where the Team Spirit books end.
That’s because hockey never stands still … And I can never squeeze everything I want into 48 pages!
Take a look at some of the Canadiens collectibles I have in my home.
Enjoy this site, check back whenever you like, and contact me with any questions or comments.
Updates
2021-22 Season
Season Recap: After reaching the Stanley Cup Finals last season, the Canadiens sank to the bottom of the league with just 22 wins. The last time the Habs finished last was 1940, when several players left to fight in World War II. The good news for Montreal fans is that they get the #1 pick in the 2022 draft. Another encouraging sign is that the club’s top two players—Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield—are both in their early 20s.
October 13, 2022: Juraj Slafkovski, the first pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, suited up for the Canadiens for the first time. The 18-year-old forward was thrilled to beat the Toronto Maple Leafs and play against one of his boyhood heroes, Auston Matthews.
Season Preview: Montreal fans were thrilled with the team’s run to the finals in 2021, but it may take a miracle to make a return trip. Captain Shea Weber is recovering from a serious injury and Jesperi Kotkaniemi, a rising star, signed a deal with Carolina. All eyes will be on 5’7” rookie Cole Caufield, who showed flashes of stardom after joining the Habs in the final days of the 2020–21 season. He may be just the kind of player to help the team carry last spring’s energy into this winter.
2020-21 Season
Season Recap: The Canadiens finished 4th in the North Division but upset the Maple Leafs in the opening round of the playoffs. From there they made an exciting run to the finals, but lost to the Tampa Bay Lightning 4 games to 1. The “Habs” featured a balanced scoring attack led by centers Nick Suzuki and Tyler Toffoli, and defenseman Jeff Petry. Veteran Corey Perry and 20-year-old Cole Caulfield raised their games in the postseason, as did goalie Carey Price in his 14th season with the club.
June 24, 2021: Montreal defeated the Vegas Golden Knights 3–2 in overtime to reach the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since 1993. Artturi Lehkonen netted the game winner to close out the exciting series in six games.
Season Preview: What the Canadiens lack in star power, they make up for in depth. They have four lines that can score and a solid defense led by Shea Weber and Jeff Petry. To make a deep run in the playoffs, they will need to see big years from Brandan Gallagher and Tomas Tatar, continued improvement from Nick Suzuki and Jesperi Kotkaniemi—and goalie Carey Price will have to play like he did during his MVP season.
2019-20 Season
Season Recap: The Canadiens snuck into the playoffs with the 12th and final seed and then upset the powerhouse Penguins. It was Montreal’s first trip to the postseason since 2016–17, but their run ended in the next round against the Flyers. Veteran left wing Tomas Tatar was the team’s top scorer, while Phillip Danault distinguished himself as one of the NHL’s best centers. Carey Price had a brilliant year in goal.
Season Preview: Goalie Carey Price and a solid defense set the stage for a talented group of young players who will be looking to improve on last year’s near-miss of the playoffs. The “Habs” were Hab-nots on the power play last season, which cost them a handful of victories. Max Domi, Brendan Gallagher, Phillip Danault, and Tomas Tatar will be among the players to watch in 2019–20.
2018-19 Season
Season Recap: The Canadiens did a lot of things right in 2018–19, but fell short of the playoffs despite a 44–30–8 record. No team has ever finished with more than Montreal’s 96 points and fail to reach the postseason. Brendan Gallagher led the club with 33 goals, while Max Domi and Philip Danault each topped 40 assists. Veteran defenseman Jeff Petry had his best season as a pro with 33 assists. Goalie Carey Price was sixth the NHL with 35 wins.
December 15, 2018: The Canadiens beat the Ottawa Senators to give coach Claude Julien his 600th career victory.
Season Preview: A great goalie can turn a so-so team into a winner. In Carey Price, Montreal has a net-minder who could make a huge difference this season. The Canadiens are also expecting a lot from young center Jesperi Kotkaniemi, as well as right wing Brendan Gallagher, who topped 30 goals last year. The team will miss Max Pacioretty and Alex Galchenyuk, who were traded away, but they still have Jeff Petry to run a good power play unit.
2017-18 Season
Season Recap: After a 47-win season in 2016–17, the Canadiens fell short of the playoffs, with just 29 victories. Brendan Gallagher was the team’s top scorer, with 30 goals and 23 assists. In the second half the season, Montreal traded several players for draft picks, making the future look bright for the club.
Season Preview: After a first-round loss to the Rangers in the playoffs, Montreal fans are expecting their team to bounce back with a 50-win season. Newcomer Jonathan Drouin should help pep up the scoring; he is one of the league’s top young talents. Carey Price gives the Canadiens an ace goalie to back up a so-so defense.
2015-16 Season
Season Recap: No team from Canada made the playoffs in 2015–16, and the biggest surprise may have been the absence of the Canadiens. They finished just 38–38–6, with almost all of their key players performing below expectations. Young center Alex Galchenyuk was the major exception, continuing his development into a star talent. Defensive leader P.K. Subban was traded after the season for Shea Weber in hope of shaking things up heading in 2016–17.
Season Preview: Montreal has had many great goalies, but none was more valuable that Carey Price will be to the club this season. Teamed with a very good defense, Price will give the Canadiens a chance to win every game they play. With established stars P.K. Subban and Max Pacioretty still getting better, the team has a real chance to win the Stanley Cup.
2014-15 Season
Recap: The Canadiens finished atop the Atlantic Division with 50 wins and 110 points. They were especially tough on their home ice, losing just 9 games in Montreal. Max Pacioretty led the team with 37 goals and P.K. Subban was tops with 45 assists. Goalie Carey Price had the best season of his career, with 44 victories and a goals-against average under 2.00. Montreal’s quest for another Stanley Cup ended in the second round of the playoffs, with a 6-game loss to the Lightning.
Season Preview: Younger players will be given more responsibility with the Canadiens in 2014–15. The question is, will those players equal more victories? Brendan Gallagher, Alex Galchenyuk and Nathan Beaulieu will be expected to raise their games after the team let several veteran stars leave during the off-season. If all else fails, Montreal has defenseman P.K. Subban and Olympic champion goalie Carey Price to save the day.
2013-14 Season
April 13, 2014: Max Pacioretty finished the season with 11 game-winning goals—the most in the NHL.
February 23, 2014: Montreal goalie Carey Price shut out Sweden in the Olympic finals to lead Canada to a gold medal.
Season Preview: The Canadiens won their division last season, but they did not rest on their success. Montreal welcomes veteran scorer Daniel Briere to the team for his added scoring, and George Parros for his two-fisted toughness. With an improving defense and better play from goalie Carey Price, the Canadiens could be tough come playoff time.
More Go-To Guys
More Fun Facts
League Leaders
In the NHL Finals
SEASON | OPPONENT | RESULT |
---|---|---|
1917–18 | Toronto Arenas | Lost 1–1 (7–10 total goals*) |
1918–19 | Ottawa Senators | Won 4–1 |
1922–23 | Ottawa Senators | Lost 1–1 (2–3 total goals*) |
1923–24 | Ottawa Senators | Won 1–1 (5–2 total goals*) |
1924–25 | Hamilton Tigers | Won 0–0** |
* In the early days of hockey, championship series often lasted two games; in the event of a 1–1 tie, the team with the most goals in those games was declared the champion.
** A players strike by the Hamilton players cancelled the NHL Finals and the Canadiens were awarded the championship
In the Stanley Cup Finals
SEASON | OPPONENT | RESULT |
---|---|---|
1915–16* | Portland Rosebuds | Won 3–2 |
1916–17* | Seattle Metropolitans | Lost 3–1 |
1918–19 | Seattle Metropolitans | Finals cancelled due to influenza epidemic |
1923–24 | Calgary Tigers | Won 2–0 |
1924–25 | Victoria Cougars | Lost 3–1 |
1929–30 | Boston Bruins | Won 2–0 |
1930–31 | Chicago Blackhawks | Won 3–2 |
1943–44 | Chicago Blackhawks | Won 4–0 |
1945–46 | Boston Bruins | Won 4–1 |
1946–47 | Toronto Maple Leafs | Lost 2–4 |
1950–51 | Toronto Maple Leafs | Lost 1–4 |
1951–52 | Detroit Red Wonings | Lost 0–4 |
1952–53 | Boston Bruins | Won 4–1 |
1953–54 | Detroit Red Wings | Lost 3–4 |
1954–55 | Detroit Red Wings | Lost 3–4 |
1955–56 | Detroit Red Wings | Won 4–1 |
1956–57 | Boston Bruins | Won 4–1 |
1957–58 | Boston Bruins | Won 4–2 |
1958–59 | Toronto Maple Leafs | Won 4–1 |
1959–60 | Toronto Maple Leafs | Won 4–0 |
1964–65 | Chicago Blackhawks | Won 4–3 |
1965–66 | Detroit Red Wings | Won 4–2 |
1966–67 | Toronto Maple Leafs | Lost 2–4 |
1967–68 | St. Louis Blues | Won 4–0 |
1968–69 | St. Louis Blues | Won 4–0 |
1970–71 | Chicago Blackhawks | Won 4 –3 |
1972–73 | Chicago Blackhawks | Won 4–2 |
1975–76 | Philadelphia Flyers | Won 4–0 |
1976–77 | Boston Bruins | Won 4–0 |
1977–78 | Boston Bruins | Won 4–2 |
1978–79 | New York Rangers | Won 4–1 |
1985–86 | Calgary Flames | Won 4–1 |
1988–89 | Calgary Flames | Lost 2–4 |
1992–93 | Los Angeles Kings | Won 4–1 |
* The Canadiens played as National Hockey Association champions |