On April 18, 1959, the Canadiens had a chance to write a new chapter of the NHL record book when they hosted the Maple Leafs at the Forum . After taking a 3-1 lead in the Stanley Cup Finals two days earlier in Toronto, Toe Blake’s team needed just one more win to become the only team in league history to capture four straight Stanley Cups.

Despite taking to the ice without Jean Béliveau or captain Maurice Richard, the Habs sent a message that this would be the final game of that spring. Ralph Backstrom got the ball rolling when he opened the scoring with a power-play goal at the 4:13 mark of the opening period, his first of four points on the night. He picked up two more points by the end of the first 20 minutes, assisting on goals by Bernard Geoffrion and Tom Johnson.

A Toronto goal early in the middle frame proved to be a minor inconvenience as both Geoffrion and Marcel Bonin beat Johnny Bower before time ran out. Bonin’s goal, his team-leading 10th of the postseason.

Holding a four-goal lead, Montreal cruised to a 5-3 victory, earning the 11th Stanley Cup in team history and keeping the coveted trophy in its possession for an unprecedented fourth consecutive year.