On May 1, 1965, the Canadiens played host to Chicago in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals, an encounter made necessary by a 2-1 Blackhawks victory at Chicago Stadium two days earlier.

As in the six previous contests, the hometown crowd played a major role and the Canadiens were determined not to disappoint the Forum faithful. Toe Blake’s men hit with lightning speed. Jean Béliveau, playing alongside Bobby Rousseau and Dick Duff, beat Glenn Hall only 14 seconds after the puck dropped to begin the game. The momentum from the Béliveau line carried through the entire period. The trio combined for two goals and six assists in the first stanza, as the Habs headed to the dressing room with a 4-0 lead.

Goaltender Lorne Worsley took care of things in the Montreal end, thwarting the efforts of Stan Mikita, Bobby Hull and Phil Esposito to finish the game with 20 saves and his second shutout of the Finals.

After the Canadiens won the 13th Stanley Cup in team history, Jean Béliveau, who notched the winning goal, hoisted the coveted trophy for the first time as captain. Moreover, thanks to his 10-point performance in the Finals, the Canadiens’ No. 4 was voted the inaugural winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy, awarded to the NHL’s playoff MVP.