Bruins–Canadiens rivalry - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

Boston Bruins–Montreal Canadiens rivalry

History
1st Meeting	December 8, 1924
Last Meeting	April 27, 2011
Next Meeting	October 27, 2011
Number of Meetings	711
All-Time Series	343–259–103 Montreal
Post Season History
Post Season Meetings	33
Post Season Series	24–9 Montreal
1929 SF	Bruins won, 3–0
Final	Canadiens won, 2–0
1931 SF	Canadiens won, 3–2
1943 SF 1942–43 NHL season -NHL awards:-All-Star teams:-Scoring leaders:Note: GP = Games played, G = Goals, A = Assists, PTS = Points, PIM = Penalties in minutes-Leading goaltenders:...	Bruins won, 4–1
Final	Canadiens won, 4–1
1947 SF	Canadiens won, 4–1
1952 SF	Canadiens won, 4–3
Final	Canadiens won, 4–1
1954 SF	Canadiens won, 4–0
1955 SF	Canadiens won, 4–1
Final	Canadiens won, 4–1
Final	Canadiens won, 4–2
1968 QF 1968 Stanley Cup playoffs The 1968 Stanley Cup playoffs, to decide the 1968 championship of the National Hockey League was the first after the expansion from six to twelve teams. The defending champion Toronto Maple Leafs did not qualify and a new champion would be crowned. The Montreal Canadiens would defeat the St...	Canadiens won, 4–0
1969 SF	Canadiens won, 4–2
1971 QF	Canadiens won, 4–3
Final	Canadiens won, 4–0
Final	Canadiens won, 4–2
1979 SF	Canadiens won, 4–3
1984 DSF	Canadiens won, 3–0
1985 DSF	Canadiens won, 3–2
1986 DSF 1986 Stanley Cup playoffs The 1986 Stanley Cup playoffs, the championship of the National Hockey League began on April 9, after the conclusion of the 1985–86 NHL season...	Canadiens won, 3–0
1987 DSF 1987 Stanley Cup playoffs The 1987 Stanley Cup playoffs, the championship of the National Hockey League , began with sixteen teams on April 8, 1987. It concluded on May 31, with the Edmonton Oilers defeating the Philadelphia Flyers to win the Stanley Cup.-Series:...	Canadiens won, 4–0
1988 DF 1988 Stanley Cup playoffs The 1988 Stanley Cup playoffs, the championship of the National Hockey League , began with sixteen teams on April 6, 1988. It concluded on May 26, with the Edmonton Oilers defeating the Boston Bruins to win the Stanley Cup.-Series:...	Bruins won, 4–1
1989 DF 1989 Stanley Cup playoffs The 1989 Stanley Cup playoffs, the championship of the National Hockey League began on April 5, after the conclusion of the 1988–89 NHL season...	Canadiens won, 4–1
1990 DF 1990 Stanley Cup playoffs The 1990 Stanley Cup Playoffs for the National Hockey League championship began on April 5, 1990, following the 1989–90 regular season. The sixteen teams that qualified, from the top four teams of the four divisions, played best-of-seven series with re-seeding after the division finals...	Bruins won, 4–1
1991 DSF 1991 Stanley Cup playoffs The 1991 Stanley Cup playoffs for the National Hockey League championship began on April 3, 1991, following the 1990–91 regular season. The sixteen teams that qualified, from the top four teams of the four divisions, played best-of-seven series with re-seeding after the division finals...	Bruins won, 4–3
1992 DF 1992 Stanley Cup playoffs The 1992 Stanley Cup playoffs, the championship of the National Hockey League began on April 18, after the conclusion of the 1991–92 NHL season...	Bruins won, 4–0
1994 CQF 1994 Stanley Cup Playoffs The 1994 Stanley Cup playoffs, the championship of the National Hockey League , began after the conclusion of the 1993–94 NHL season. The sixteen teams that qualified, eight from each conference, played best-of-7 series for conference quarterfinals, semifinals and championships, and then the...	Bruins won, 4–3
2002 CQF 2002 Stanley Cup Playoffs The 2002 Stanley Cup playoffs, the championships of the National Hockey League, was played from April until June. The Detroit Red Wings defeated the Carolina Hurricanes four games to one to clinch the 10th championship in their history. It was the Hurricanes first ever appearance in the...	Canadiens won, 4–2
2004 CQF 2004 Stanley Cup Playoffs The 2004 Stanley Cup playoffs for the National Hockey League began on April 7, 2004, following the 2003–04 regular season. The playoffs ended with the Tampa Bay Lightning securing the Stanley Cup with a seven-game series win over the Calgary Flames on June 7. It was Tampa Bay's first Stanley Cup...	Canadiens won, 4–3
2008 CQF 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs The 2008 Stanley Cup playoffs of the National Hockey League began on April 9, 2008, after the 2007–08 regular season. The sixteen teams that qualified, eight from each conference, played best-of-7 series for conference quarterfinals, semifinals and championships, and then the conference champions...	Canadiens won, 4–3
2009 CQF 2009 Stanley Cup playoffs The 2009 Stanley Cup playoffs of the National Hockey League began on April 15, 2009, after the 2008–09 regular season. The sixteen teams that qualified, eight from each conference , play a best-of-seven series for the conference quarterfinals, semifinals and championships, and...	Bruins won, 4–0
2011 CQF 2011 Stanley Cup playoffs The 2011 Stanley Cup playoffs of the National Hockey League began on April 13, 2011, after the conclusion of the 2010–11 NHL regular season. Game 1 of the Finals was held on June 1, while Game 7 was held on June 15...	Bruins won, 4-3

The rivalry between the Boston Bruins

Boston Bruins

The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the...

and Montreal Canadiens

Montreal Canadiens

The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...

of the National Hockey League

National Hockey League

The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...

is considered "one of the greatest rivalries in sports," along with the Yankees – Red Sox and Bears–Packers rivalries. The two teams have played each other more times, in both regular season play and the playoffs combined, than any other two teams in NHL history, though the Blackhawks and Red Wings have played against each other in more regular season games.

Through the season, the Bruins have won 259 of these matches, scoring a total of 1,885 goals against the Canadiens, with the Canadiens winning 343 of them, scoring a total of 2,160 goals against the Bruins, with 103 other games between the two teams ending in ties, all before the 2004–05 NHL lockout's rule changes mandated the "shootout" format to break such tie games, going back all the way to the Bruins' first NHL season of . In the playoffs, the two teams have met in 33 series for a total of 170 games, 10 series and some 53 more games than two other Original Six

Original Six

The Original Six is a term for the group of six teams that composed the National Hockey League for the 25 seasons between the 1942–43 season and the 1967 NHL Expansion. These six teams are the Boston Bruins, Chicago Black Hawks, Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers, and the...

teams, the Detroit Red Wings

Detroit Red Wings

The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...

and Toronto Maple Leafs

Toronto Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...

. The two teams have faced each other 8 times in Game seven

Game seven

A game seven is the final game of a best of seven series. This game can occur in the postseasons for Major League Baseball , the National Basketball Association , and the National Hockey League .The game is traditionally played at the site of team holding the home...

NHL playoff situations, more times than any other pair of opponents in NHL history.

1950s: Canadiens dominance

On April 8, 1952, Maurice "Rocket" Richard

Maurice Richard

Joseph Henri Maurice "the Rocket" Richard, Sr., was a French-Canadian professional ice hockey player who played for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League from 1942 to 1960. The "Rocket" was the most prolific goal-scorer of his era, the first to achieve the feat of 50 goals in 50...

scored one of the most famous goals of all time, described variously as "the greatest in the history of the game" and "most beautiful in the history of the world." As blood dripped down his face after an earlier injury that saw him suffer a concussion, he scored the series-winning goal of the 1952 Stanley Cup Semifinals. Richard had left the game, but returned to the bench in the third period, wearing a bandage. Richard, although somewhat dazed, jumped off the bench and drove to the net to score past a surprised Sugar Jim Henry

Jim Henry

Jim Henry may refer to:*Jim Henry , one of the leaders of the Mason Henry Gang in California in the American Civil War 1864-1865*Jim Henry , former Major League Baseball player*Jim Henry , former American Olympic diver...

, the Boston Bruins

Boston Bruins

' goaltender

Goaltender

In ice hockey, the goaltender is the player who defends his team's goal net by stopping shots of the puck from entering his team's net, thus preventing the opposing team from scoring...

. After the goal, showing tremendous respect and sportsmanship a photograph was taken of Henry shaking hands with the bandaged Richard. It is considered to be one of the most famous images ever to be captured in sports.

1955: Violence leads to Richard Riot

On March 13, 1955 an on-ice episode sparked one of the worst incidents of hockey-related violence in history. Rocket Richard was part of a violent confrontation in a game against the Bruins. The Bruins' Hal Laycoe

Hal Laycoe

Harold Richardson Laycoe was a Canadian ice hockey defenceman.Laycoe started his National Hockey League career with the New York Rangers. He would also play with the Montreal Canadiens and Boston Bruins. His playing career lasted from 1945 to 1956...

, who had played defense for the Canadiens previously, high-sticked

High-Sticking

High-sticking is the name of two infractions in the sport of ice hockey that may occur when a player intentionally or inadvertently plays with his or her stick above the height of the shoulders or above the cross bar of a hockey goal. This can result in a stoppage of play or in a penalty...

Richard in the head during a Montreal power play

Power play (sport)

"Power play" is a sporting term used in various games.*In ice hockey, a team is said to be on a power play when at least one opposing player is serving a penalty, and the team has a numerical advantage on the ice...

. Richard required five stitches to close a cut that resulted from the high-stick. Referee Frank Udvari

Frank Udvari

Frank Joseph Udvari in Yugoslavia was a NHL referee during the 1950s and 60s. He was the presiding referee during the game which initially sparked the Richard Riot. He was elected into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1973.-External links:*...

signaled a delayed penalty, but allowed play to continue because the Canadiens had possession of the puck. When the play ended, Richard skated up to Laycoe, who had dropped his stick and gloves in anticipation of a fight, and struck him in the face and shoulders with his stick. The linesmen attempted to restrain Richard, who repeatedly broke away from them to continue his attack on Laycoe, eventually breaking a stick over his opponent's body before linesman Cliff Thompson

Cliff Thompson

Cliff Thompson was an American professional ice hockey player. He played defense in the Boston Bruins organization from 1939 until 1950, playing for the NHL Bruins in 1941–42 and 1948–49.-Playing career:...

corralled him. Richard broke loose again and punched Thompson twice in the face, knocking him unconscious. Richard then left the ice with the Canadiens' trainer. According to Montreal Herald writer Vince Lunny, Richard's face looked like a "smashed tomato." Richard was given a match penalty and an automatic $100 fine, while Laycoe got a five-minute major penalty plus a 10-minute misconduct, which called for an automatic $25 fine, for the high stick.

Boston police

Boston Police Department

The Boston Police Department , created in 1838, holds the primary responsibility for law enforcement and investigation within the city of Boston, Massachusetts. It is one of the oldest police departments in the United States...

attempted to arrest Richard in the dressing room after the game ended, but were turned back by Canadiens players who barred the door, preventing any arrest. Bruins management finally persuaded the officers to leave with a promise that the NHL would handle the issue. Richard was never arrested for the incident. He was instead sent to the hospital by team doctors after complaining of headaches and stomach pains.

It was Richard's second incident with an official that season. He had slapped a linesman in the face in Toronto the previous December and was fined $250. Upon hearing the referee's report, league president Clarence Campbell

Clarence Campbell

Clarence Sutherland Campbell OBE, QC was the third president of the National Hockey League from 1946 to 1977.-Early life and career:...

ordered all parties to appear at a March 16 hearing at his office in Montreal.

The March 16 hearing was attended by the on-ice officials, Richard, Laycoe, Montreal assistant GM Ken Reardon

Ken Reardon

Kenneth Joseph "Kenny" Reardon was a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played for the Montreal Canadiens in the National Hockey League. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1966....

, Boston GM Lynn Patrick

Lynn Patrick

Joseph Lynn Patrick was a Canadian professional ice hockey player and executive. As a player, Patrick played for the New York Rangers in the National Hockey League. Lynn was an important member of one Stanley Cup title the Rangers won in 1940. After his playing career, he went on to be the general...

, Montreal coach Dick Irvin

Dick Irvin

James Dickinson Irvin, Sr. was a Canadian ice hockey player and coach in the National Hockey League.Born in Hamilton, Ontario, Irvin was one of the greatest players of his day, balancing a torrid slapshot and tough style with gentlemanly play...

and NHL referee-in-chief Carl Voss

Carl Voss

Carl Potter Voss was an American ice hockey forward in the National Hockey League.-Playing career:...

. In his defense, Richard contended that he was dazed and thought Thompson was one of Boston's players. He did not deny punching or attacking Laycoe. After the hearing, Campbell issued a 1200-word statement to the press and said that "Richard will be suspended from all games both league and playoff for the balance of the current season."

The suspension—the longest for an on-ice incident ever issued by Campbell in his 31 years as league president—was considered by many in Montreal to be unjust and severe. No sooner had the judgment been handed out than the NHL office (then in Montreal) was deluged with hundreds of calls from enraged fans, many of whom made death threats against Campbell. However, Campbell stood firm, and moreover announced that he would be attending the Canadiens' next home game against the Red Wings on March 17.

Midway into the first period, Campbell arrived with his fiancée. Outraged Canadiens fans immediately began pelting them with eggs, vegetables, and various debris, with more being thrown at him each time the Red Wings scored, building up a 4-1 lead on Montreal. The continuous pelting of various objects stopped when a tear gas bomb was set off inside the Forum not far from where Campbell was sitting. The Forum was ordered evacuated and Campbell ruled the game forfeited to the Red Wings. That was the last straw, as a riot ensued outside the Forum, causing $500,000 in damage to the neighbourhood and the Forum itself. Hundreds of stores were looted and vandalized within a 15-block radius of the Forum. Twelve policemen and 25 civilians were injured. The riot continued well into the night, with police arresting people by the truckload. Local radio stations, which carried live coverage of the riot for over seven hours, had to be forced off the air. The riot was eventually over at 3 am, and left Montreal's Rue Ste-Catherine a mess.

The suspension came when Richard was leading the NHL in scoring and the Canadiens were battling the Detroit Red Wings

Detroit Red Wings

for first place

Prince of Wales Trophy

The Prince of Wales Trophy, also known as the Wales Trophy, is an award presented by the National Hockey League to the Eastern Conference playoff champions, prior to the final series of games for the Stanley Cup...

. Richard's suspension cost him the 1954-55 scoring title

Art Ross Trophy

The Art Ross Trophy is awarded to the National Hockey League player who leads the league in scoring points at the end of the regular season. It was presented to the NHL by former player, general manager, and head coach Art Ross. The trophy has been awarded 61 times to 25 players since its inception...

, the closest he ever came to winning it and the Canadiens first place. On the final day of the season, the Canadiens lost to the Red Wings, 6–0. When Richard's teammate Bernie Geoffrion

Bernie Geoffrion

Joseph André Bernard Geoffrion , nicknamed Boom Boom, was a Canadian professional ice hockey player and coach. Generally considered as one of the innovators of the slapshot, he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1972 following a 16-year career with the Montreal Canadiens and New York...

surpassed Richard in scoring on the last day of the regular season, the Canadiens' fans booed him.

Laycoe was booed by Canadiens' fans when the two teams met again in the Stanley Cup semifinals a few days afterward. A teammate, Ed Sandford

Ed Sandford

Ed Sandford is a retired Canadian ice hockey forward, most notably for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League.-Playing career:...

recalled: "I drew Laycoe as my taxi teammate. When we got to the Forum, the police were waiting for us, and they escorted us into the building and to the dressing room past a bunch of angry fans. Then every time Laycoe came on the ice, the crowd booed him."

1965 through 1970s: Dominance by both teams

The Bruins and Canadiens made up 16 of the possible 30 Stanley Cup Finals

Stanley Cup Finals

The Stanley Cup Finals is the championship series to determine the winner of the Stanley Cup, emblematic of the professional club championship of ice hockey. Although the Cup itself has existed since 1893, an annual championship series between professional teams was not established until 1913...

appearances between and . The Bruins went 2–3 and Canadiens went 10–1 in Finals appearances. The two teams went head-to-head in the and 1978 Stanley Cup Finals

1978 Stanley Cup Finals

The 1978 Stanley Cup Final championship series was contested by the Boston Bruins and the defending champion Montreal Canadiens, making their third-straight appearance. The series was a rematch of the 1977 final...

. The only final that neither team appeared during this period was in , which was a showdown between the Philadelphia Flyers

Philadelphia Flyers

The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...

and Buffalo Sabres

Buffalo Sabres

The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:...

. During this period, the Bruins and Canadiens reigned exclusively as Stanley Cup champions, except in , when it was won by the Toronto Maple Leafs

Toronto Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...

, Central Canada rival

Maple Leafs–Canadiens rivalry

The rivalry between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens is the oldest rivalry in the history of the National Hockey League. From 1944 to 1978, the two teams met each other in the playoffs 15 times, and faced off in five Stanley Cup Finals...

s of the Canadiens, and in and 1975, both times the Cup was won by the Flyers.

The Canadiens appeared in every final from 1965 to and won each of them, except for 1967.

Both teams won Stanley Cups between and against the St. Louis Blues

St. Louis Blues

The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team is named after the famous W. C. Handy song "St. Louis Blues", and plays in the 19,150-seat Scottrade...

, who entered play as an expansion team in the season. The Canadiens beat the Blues in 1968 and . The Bruins won their first Stanley Cup since in 1970 on the famous overtime goal by Bobby Orr

Bobby Orr

Robert Gordon "Bobby" Orr, OC is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. Orr played in the National Hockey League for his entire career, the first ten seasons with the Boston Bruins, joining the Chicago Black Hawks for two more. Orr is widely acknowledged to be one of the greatest...

. In 1971, despite the Bruins finishing first in the league they lost in the first round to the Canadiens, who went on to win the Stanley Cup

1971 Stanley Cup Finals

-References:...

, in seven games. The turning point of the series came in Game 2, when the Bruins blew a 5–1 lead and lost 7–5. This ended a potential Bruins dynasty, though the Bruins would win the Stanley Cup the following year

1972 Stanley Cup Finals

-Boston Bruins 1972 Stanley Cup champions:-See also:* List of Stanley Cup champions* 1971–72 Boston Bruins season* 1971–72 NHL season* 1971–72 New York Rangers season-References:...

.

Don Cherry

Don Cherry

Don Cherry may refer to:* Don Cherry hockey player, coach, and commentator* Don Cherry , trumpeter* Don Cherry...

's "Lunch Pail Athletic Club" lost both times in the 1970s the two teams went head-to-head in the Stanley Cup Finals. During the 1978 series, rough tactics were used against Guy Lafleur

Guy Lafleur

Guy Damien "The Flower" / "Le Démon Blond" Lafleur, OC, CQ is a former Canadian professional ice hockey player who is widely regarded as one of the most naturally gifted and popular players ever to play professional ice hockey...

, whose head was swathed in bandages at the end of the 1978 series after repeated high-sticking from Bruins players.

1979 Semifinals: Too many men penalty

After a rough and tumble series which saw both sides win at home through the first six games, the Bruins took a lead in the closing four minutes of game seven in Montreal, on a goal by Rick Middleton

Rick Middleton

Richard David "Nifty" Middleton is a former professional ice hockey player for the New York Rangers and Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League.-Playing career:...

. The Bruins were charged with a minor penalty for having seven players on the ice

Too Many Men

Too many men is a penalty that may be called in various team sports when the team has more players on the field or other playing area than are allowed by the rules...

, Lafleur scored the tying goal on the ensuing power play, and Montreal's Yvon Lambert

Yvon Lambert

Yvon Pierre Lambert is a retired Canadian ice hockey forward.Yvon started his National Hockey League career with the Montreal Canadiens in 1973. He would spend nine years in Montreal before being traded to the Buffalo Sabres...

scored in overtime

Overtime (sports)

Overtime or extra time is an additional period of play specified under the rules of a sport to bring a game to a decision and avoid declaring the match a tie or draw. In most sports, this extra period is only played if the game is required to have a clear winner, as in single-elimination...

to win the series. The win allowed Montreal to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals

1979 Stanley Cup Finals

The 1979 Stanley Cup Final NHL championship series was contested by the New York Rangers and the defending champion Montreal Canadiens, making their fourth straight appearance. It was New York's first appearance since . The Canadiens would win the best-of-seven series four games to one, to win...

, which they won for the fourth consecutive year.

Still reeling from the penalty and the loss, the Bruins fired coach Don Cherry. Cherry said that he had blamed himself for the too many men penalty, saying, "It was my fault. The guy couldn't have heard me yell. I grabbed two other guys trying to go over the boards. That would have made eight on the ice. Might as well have let them go."

1980s and 1990s: Division Playoffs

The rivalry continued throughout the 1980s, mainly due to a division-oriented playoff format that seemed to pair the teams every year. Some memorable brawls took place, including one which continued into the tunnel between players who had been sent off.

During the period of the division-oriented playoff format ( to ), each Wales Conference

Eastern Conference (NHL)

The Eastern Conference is one of two conferences in the National Hockey League used to divide teams. Its counterpart is the Western Conference....

Final except in , which featured the New York Islanders

New York Islanders

The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...

and the Quebec Nordiques

Quebec Nordiques

The Quebec Nordiques were a professional ice hockey team based in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. The Nordiques played in the World Hockey Association and the National Hockey League...

, in-province rival

Battle of Quebec (ice hockey)

The Battle of Quebec is the nickname for a former National Hockey League rivalry between the Montreal Canadiens and Quebec Nordiques. The rivalry lasted from the 1979–80 to 1994–95 seasons. The teams played against each other five times in the NHL playoffs, and the Canadiens won three of the series...

s of the Canadiens, and , which featured the Philadelphia Flyers

Philadelphia Flyers

The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...

and the Nordiques) would feature either the Bruins or the Canadiens. Both teams made up 4 of the possible 10 Finals appearances from to . The only final that neither team appeared during that time was , which was a showdown between the Philadelphia Flyers

Philadelphia Flyers

The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...

and the Edmonton Oilers

Edmonton Oilers

The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....

. However, the only time either team won during that period was in 1986, when the Canadiens beat the Calgary Flames

Calgary Flames

The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the...

to win their 23rd Stanley Cup.

Playoff meetings

From 1984 to 1992, the teams would meet in the playoffs each year. In , the Bruins had won the Adams Division with a 49–25–6 record, for 104 points, while the Canadiens, finished 35–40–5, for 75 points. However, the Canadiens swept the Bruins in the division semifinals.

In 1988

1988 Stanley Cup playoffs

The 1988 Stanley Cup playoffs, the championship of the National Hockey League , began with sixteen teams on April 6, 1988. It concluded on May 26, with the Edmonton Oilers defeating the Boston Bruins to win the Stanley Cup.-Series:...

, the Bruins won their first playoff series against the Canadiens in 45 years in the latter's Montreal Forum

Montreal Forum

The Montreal Forum was an indoor arena located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Called "the most storied building in hockey history" by Sporting News, it was home of the National Hockey League's Montreal Maroons from 1924 to 1938 and the Montreal Canadiens from 1926 to 1996...

on the way to advancing to the Stanley Cup Final

1988 Stanley Cup Finals

The 1988 Stanley Cup Finals was between the Edmonton Oilers and Boston Bruins. The Oilers would win the series 4–0 in five games; game four was abandoned due to a power failure at the Boston Garden with the score tied 3–3 and replayed.-Paths to the Final:...

s. However, they lost to the defending champion

1987 Stanley Cup Finals

The 1987 Stanley Cup Final was played between the Edmonton Oilers and the Philadelphia Flyers. The Oilers would win the series 4–3, for their third Stanley Cup victory.-Paths to the Final:...

s, Edmonton Oilers

Edmonton Oilers

The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....

in the Finals.

The next year, the Canadiens beat the Bruins on their way to the final

1989 Stanley Cup Finals

The 1989 Stanley Cup Final was between the Calgary Flames and the Montreal Canadiens, the top two teams during the 1988–89 NHL regular season. , this is the most recent time that the first two seeds met in the Stanley Cup Final, as the New Jersey Devils had one win less than the Detroit Red Wings...

s, where they lost to the Calgary Flames

Calgary Flames

. In 1990

1990 Stanley Cup playoffs

The 1990 Stanley Cup Playoffs for the National Hockey League championship began on April 5, 1990, following the 1989–90 regular season. The sixteen teams that qualified, from the top four teams of the four divisions, played best-of-seven series with re-seeding after the division finals...

, the Bruins, who won the Presidents' Trophy

Presidents' Trophy

The Presidents' Trophy is an award presented by the National Hockey League to the team that finishes with the most points in the league during the regular season. If two teams tie for the most points, then the trophy goes to the team with the most wins. The winning team is also awarded C$350,000...

, finished off the Canadiens at Boston Garden

Boston Garden

The Boston Garden was an arena in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Designed by boxing promoter Tex Rickard, who also built the third iteration of New York's Madison Square Garden, it opened on November 17, 1928 as "Boston Madison Square Garden" and outlived its original namesake by some 30 years...

on their way to the Stanley Cup Finals

1990 Stanley Cup Finals

In the 1990 Stanley Cup Final, the Edmonton Oilers defeated the Boston Bruins four games to one. For the Oilers, it was their fifth Cup win in seven years, and the only one without Wayne Gretzky...

, but lost to the Edmonton Oilers in 5 games. The Bruins won the 1991

1991 Stanley Cup playoffs

The 1991 Stanley Cup playoffs for the National Hockey League championship began on April 3, 1991, following the 1990–91 regular season. The sixteen teams that qualified, from the top four teams of the four divisions, played best-of-seven series with re-seeding after the division finals...

and 1992

1992 Stanley Cup playoffs

The 1992 Stanley Cup playoffs, the championship of the National Hockey League began on April 18, after the conclusion of the 1991–92 NHL season...

playoff match-ups against the Canadiens. Part of the Bruins' victories over the Canadiens was due to goaltender Andy Moog

Andy Moog

Donald Andrew Moog is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey goaltender. He is currently the goaltending coach for the NHL's Dallas Stars.Moog was previously the Dallas Stars' assistant coach...

who was often referred to as a "Habs Killer." The 1991 series win for the Bruins was the first time they had won a Game 7 against the Canadiens, while the 1992 series was the first time since that the Bruins swept the Canadiens in the playoffs. It was only the second time that the Canadiens were swept in the playoffs; the other time came in the 1952 Stanley Cup Finals

1952 Stanley Cup Finals

The 1952 Stanley Cup Final NHL championship series was contested by the Detroit Red Wings and the Montreal Canadiens in the first of the four Detroit-Montreal Final series of the 1950s. The Canadiens were appearing in their second straight Finals series, while Detroit was returning after winning...

against the Detroit Red Wings

Detroit Red Wings

. Ironically, Moog signed with the Canadiens for the season and helped the Habs to their first playoff series win since their championship season of 1993.

In 1993

1993 Stanley Cup playoffs

The 1993 Stanley Cup playoffs, the championship of the National Hockey League , began at the conclusion of the 1992–93 NHL season on April 18, and ended with the Stanley Cup win on June 9....

, the Bruins won the Adams Division with 109 points, but were swept in the opening round by the Buffalo Sabres

Buffalo Sabres

, which made the Canadiens run to their 24th (and most recent) Stanley Cup

1993 Stanley Cup Finals

The 1993 Stanley Cup Final series was contested by the Los Angeles Kings and the Montreal Canadiens to decide the NHL championship for the 1992–93 season. It was the first appearance in the Final for the Kings, and the 34th for Montreal, their first since the 1989 Final. The Canadiens won the...

much easier, as they would set a record of 10 straight overtime victories.

Realignments

When the NHL realigned for the season, they renamed the conferences and divisions to reflect geography and changed the playoff format. The realignment solidified the rivalry between the Bruins and Canadiens. The Canadiens entered the playoffs

1994 Stanley Cup Playoffs

The 1994 Stanley Cup playoffs, the championship of the National Hockey League , began after the conclusion of the 1993–94 NHL season. The sixteen teams that qualified, eight from each conference, played best-of-7 series for conference quarterfinals, semifinals and championships, and then the...

seeded fifth in the Eastern Conference

Eastern Conference (NHL)

The Eastern Conference is one of two conferences in the National Hockey League used to divide teams. Its counterpart is the Western Conference....

, the Bruins fourth. However, the Canadiens were again knocked out in the first round by the Bruins.

With the NHL expanding to include the Nashville Predators

Nashville Predators

The Nashville Predators are a professional ice hockey team based in Nashville, Tennessee. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...

, Columbus Blue Jackets

Columbus Blue Jackets

The Columbus Blue Jackets are a professional ice hockey team based in Columbus, Ohio, United States. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...

, Minnesota Wild

Minnesota Wild

The Minnesota Wild are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....

, and Atlanta Thrashers

Atlanta Thrashers

The Atlanta Thrashers were a professional ice hockey team based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Atlanta was granted a franchise in the National Hockey League on June 25, 1997, and became the league's 28th franchise when it began play in the 1999–2000 NHL season...

between the and seasons, the NHL realigned again, splitting each conference into three divisions of five teams each in . The realignment re-solidified the rivalry between the Bruins and Canadiens. It also brought the Toronto Maple Leafs

Toronto Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...

, Central Canada rival

Maple Leafs–Canadiens rivalry

s of the Canadiens, to the Northeast Division.

2000–2004

In 2000 and 2001, both teams missed the playoffs. The Canadiens defeated the Bruins in the first round of both the 2002

2002 Stanley Cup Playoffs

The 2002 Stanley Cup playoffs, the championships of the National Hockey League, was played from April until June. The Detroit Red Wings defeated the Carolina Hurricanes four games to one to clinch the 10th championship in their history. It was the Hurricanes first ever appearance in the...

and the 2004 Stanley Cup playoffs

2004 Stanley Cup Playoffs

The 2004 Stanley Cup playoffs for the National Hockey League began on April 7, 2004, following the 2003–04 regular season. The playoffs ended with the Tampa Bay Lightning securing the Stanley Cup with a seven-game series win over the Calgary Flames on June 7. It was Tampa Bay's first Stanley Cup...

, despite the Bruins being seeded higher. The Bruins had finished first in the Eastern Conference

Eastern Conference (NHL)

The Eastern Conference is one of two conferences in the National Hockey League used to divide teams. Its counterpart is the Western Conference....

in 2002, and second in 2004. For the Canadiens, the 2002 victory was their first playoff series victory since 1998

1998 Stanley Cup Playoffs

The 1998 Stanley Cup playoffs, the championship of the National Hockey League , began in April, 1998 following the 1997–98 regular season. The sixteen teams that qualified, eight from each conference, played best-of-7 series for conference quarterfinals, semifinals and championships, and then the...

. During that series, the Canadiens used the power play to oust the Bruins. In 2004, the Bruins lost their first playoff series after having a 3–1 series lead, and it was the first time that the Canadiens had won a series in seven games after trailing 3–1.

2007–2010

The Montreal Canadiens for the first time in many years did better than the Bruins in the regular season, winning all match-ups between the two teams. During a regular season game between the two teams, Steve Begin

Steve Bégin

Stéphan Bégin ; born June 14, 1978) is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre who most recently played for the Nashville Predators.-Playing career:...

, who would become a Bruin himself in the 2009-10 Bruins season, cross-checked centre Marc Savard

Marc Savard

Marc Savard is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre currently under contract to the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League , but who has not played since late in the season because of post-concussion syndrome...

from behind, resulting in a broken bone in Savard's back. The Canadiens met the Bruins in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs

2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs

The 2008 Stanley Cup playoffs of the National Hockey League began on April 9, 2008, after the 2007–08 regular season. The sixteen teams that qualified, eight from each conference, played best-of-7 series for conference quarterfinals, semifinals and championships, and then the conference champions...

, which Montreal won in seven games on a shut out by goaltender Carey Price

Carey Price

Carey Price is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League . Price was the Canadiens' first round selection in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft...

in Game 7. Bruins coach Claude Julien

Claude Julien (ice hockey)

Claude Julien is Canadian professional ice hockey head coach of the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League . He previously served as the head coach for the Montreal Canadiens and the New Jersey Devils...

was coach of the Canadiens in 2004.

The regular season, however, resulted in an almost complete reversal of the previous year's results for the two teams, as out of the six meetings of the Bruins and Canadiens the Bruins gained a total of eleven of twelve total points in those six games. The Bruins ended the regular season first in the Eastern Conference standings with 116 points, while Montreal made it into the 2009 Stanley Cup playoffs

2009 Stanley Cup playoffs

The 2009 Stanley Cup playoffs of the National Hockey League began on April 15, 2009, after the 2008–09 regular season. The sixteen teams that qualified, eight from each conference , play a best-of-seven series for the conference quarterfinals, semifinals and championships, and...

with 93 points, the two teams meet for the thirty-second time in their long history. Boston swept the series for first time since 1992 and for the first time in franchise history in the first round.

In the season, the second game between the two teams was played at the Bell Centre

Bell Centre

The Bell Centre , formerly known as the Molson Centre , is a sports and entertainment complex in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It opened on March 16, 1996 after nearly three years under construction...

on December 4, 2009, the very date of the Canadiens' 100th anniversary as a hockey team, which resulted in a 5–1 home victory for the Canadiens. The Canadiens won five of six games from the Bruins during the regular season.

The Bruins finished the season seeded sixth in the Eastern Conference, while the Canadiens finished eighth. However, the two teams didn't meet in the playoffs

2010 Stanley Cup playoffs

The 2010 Stanley Cup playoffs of the National Hockey League began on April 14, 2010, after the 2009–10 NHL regular season. The Finals ended on June 9, 2010, with the Chicago Blackhawks defeating the Philadelphia Flyers four games to two to win their fourth championship and their first since 1961...

. Although the Canadiens upset the defending champion

2009 Stanley Cup Finals

The Red Wings took Game 1, 3–1, as three different Detroit players scored goals off of unusual bounces. The first period featured back and forth action, with each team having a variety of chances...

Pittsburgh Penguins

The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...

in seven games, the Bruins blew a 3-0 series lead against the Philadelphia Flyers

Philadelphia Flyers

The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...

, following a serious injury to key Bruin center David Krejci

David Krejcí

David Krejčí is a Czech professional ice hockey center currently playing for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...

in game 3 of the series. Like in 1979, the Bruins lost because of a too many men

Too Many Men

Too many men is a penalty that may be called in various team sports when the team has more players on the field or other playing area than are allowed by the rules...

penalty. Had the Bruins won their series, the two teams would have met in the Conference Finals.

2010–present

In the season, Montreal won four of six meetings.

The game on February 9, which the Bruins won 8–6, saw a brawl in which All-Star netminders Carey Price

Carey Price

and Tim Thomas

Tim Thomas (ice hockey)

Timothy James Thomas, Jr. is an American professional ice hockey goaltender with the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League . Raised in Davison, MI, Thomas played college hockey for the University of Vermont for four years, from 1993–1997, during which he was drafted 217th overall by the...

squared off during the second period and it left the penalty boxes overflowing and the ice littered with equipment. The game featured six fights, a goalie fight, and a total of 187 penalty minutes. On March 8, the Canadiens beat the Bruins 4–1, but the game was marred when the Bruins' Zdeno Chara

Zdeno Chára

Zdeno Chára is a Slovak professional ice hockey defenseman. He is the captain of the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League and won the Norris Trophy while playing for them in 2008–09. At 6 ft 9 , he is the tallest player ever to play in the NHL...

checked Habs' Max Pacioretty

Max Pacioretty

Max Pacioretty is an American professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League . He was called up from the American Hockey League for the second time on December 12, 2010...

into the glass between the player's bench areas with 15.8 seconds left in the second period. His head hit one of the metal uprights and he was knocked unconscious. He was taken from the ice on a gurney with his head and neck stabilized. He was taken to hospital for observation, but the Canadiens said he was alert and had full use of his limbs. Chara, who got an interference major and a game misconduct, said of the hit: "I knew we were somewhere close to our bench but obviously that wasn't my intention to push him into the post. It's very unfortunate. In that situation everything's happening fast and even planning to do that, that’s not my style to hurt somebody. I always play hard. I play physical but I never try to hurt anybody so I'm hoping he's OK." Chara wasn't suspended or fined for the hit, however. Canadiens General Manager Pierre Gauthier

Pierre Gauthier

For the Canadian politician see Pierre Gauthier Pierre Gauthier is an ice hockey administrator in the National Hockey League...

said that "the NHL took its decision and it's not for us to express our opinion publicly." However, Pacioretty was "disgusted" that the NHL didn't suspend Chara for the hit. Montreal Police are going to conduct a criminal investigation into the hit. On April 28, Pacioretty said that he had no ill will towards Chara for the injury that ended his season. He said: "I think he regrets what he did and I forgive him because he definitely made an effort to contact me and go out of his way to tell me how he felt. I respect him for that."

The two teams met for the final time during the season on March 24, with Bruins' David Krejci, Chara, and Milan Lucic

Milan Lucic

Milan Lucic is a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger of Serbian origin currently playing for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League . He played major junior with the Vancouver Giants in the Western Hockey League for three seasons and captured a Memorial Cup, while being named...

, each scoring three assists in a 7–0 blowout of the Canadiens. Boston won the Northeast Division

Northeast Division (NHL)

The NHL's Northeast Division was formed in 1993 as part of the Eastern Conference in a league realignment, the predecessor of which was the Adams Division...

title on April 2, while Montreal finished the season seeded sixth following a 4–1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on April 9, and with the win, faced the Bruins in the first round of the 2011 Stanley Cup playoffs

2011 Stanley Cup playoffs

The 2011 Stanley Cup playoffs of the National Hockey League began on April 13, 2011, after the conclusion of the 2010–11 NHL regular season. Game 1 of the Finals was held on June 1, while Game 7 was held on June 15...

.

The series in the playoffs would end up going the full seven games, with the Bruins winning game 7 on Nathan Horton's second overtime goal of the series, and the Bruins became the first team to win a seven-game playoff series without scoring a power play

Power play (sport)

goal. However, in Game 4, Bruins defenseman Andrew Ference

Andrew Ference

Andrew James Stewart Ference is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League...

made an obscene gesture and as a result, was fined $2,500. In Game 6, Milan Lucic

Milan Lucic

of the Bruins got a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct for boarding after hitting Habs defenseman Jaroslav Spacek

Jaroslav Spacek

Jaroslav Spacek is a Czech professional ice hockey defenceman who currently plays for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...

head first into the glass at center ice at 4:37 in the second period. The Bruins made it all the way to the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals

2011 Stanley Cup Finals

The 2011 Stanley Cup Finals was the championship series of the National Hockey League , and the culmination of the 2011 Stanley Cup playoffs. It was the 118th year of the Stanley Cup's presentation. The Eastern Conference Champion Boston Bruins defeated the Western Conference Champion Vancouver...

and beat out the Vancouver Canucks

Vancouver Canucks

The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...

to bring the Stanley cup to Boston.

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