| TEAM |
GP
Games played - Number of games the team has played
|
W
Wins - Games the team has won, either in regulation or in overtime
|
L
Losses - Games the team has lost in regulation
|
T
Ties - Games that have ended in a tie
|
PTS
Points - Team points, calculated from W, L, T, OTL and SOL; used to determine standings
|
GF
Goals for - Number of goals the team has scored
|
GA
Goals against - Number of goals scored against the team
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montreal Canadiens | 44 | 26 | 10 | 8 | 60 | 129 | 89 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | 44 | 22 | 13 | 9 | 53 | 118 | 99 |
| Montreal Maroons | 44 | 20 | 18 | 6 | 46 | 105 | 106 |
| New York Americans | 44 | 18 | 16 | 10 | 46 | 76 | 74 |
| Ottawa Senators | 44 | 10 | 30 | 4 | 24 | 91 | 142 |
| # | SKATERS |
GP
Games played - Number of games the player has set foot on the ice
|
G
Goals - Number of goals the player has scored
|
A
Assists - Number of goals the player has assisted in
|
PTS
Points - Scoring points, calculated as the sum of G and A
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Howie Morenz | 39 | 28 | 23 | 51 |
| 4 | Aurèle Joliat | 43 | 13 | 22 | 35 |
| 14 | Johnny Gagnon | 41 | 18 | 7 | 25 |
| 9 | Alfred Lepine | 44 | 17 | 7 | 24 |
| 6 | Georges Mantha | 44 | 11 | 6 | 17 |
| # | #1 GOALIE |
GP
Games played - Number of games the player has set foot on the ice
|
RECORD
Record - Goalie record (W-L-T)
|
SO
Shutouts - Number of games where the goaltender has not allowed a goal
|
GAA
Goals against average - Mean goals-per-game scored on the goaltender
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | George Hainsworth | 44 | 26-10-8 | 8 | 1.95 |
| DATE | AWAY | HOME |
|---|
THE REGULAR SEASON
For the third time in team history, the Canadiens begin the regular season as defending Stanley Cup Champions. Already facing the hardships brought about by the Great Depression, Canadiens fans are able to enjoy some uplifting moments brought about by the exploits of speedy Howie Morenz.
After getting off to an erratic start, coach Cecil Hart’s team goes on a run and puts together a six-game winning streak at the beginning of December, before falling into a funk over the next couple of weeks.
The Canadiens finally get it in gear on January 8 and dominate the rest of the regular season, maintaining a 17-4-5 record through March 21.
The team finishes atop the Canadian Division, only two points behind the Boston Bruins for the NHL’s best overall record.
Flanked by linemates Aurele Joliat and rookie Johnny Gagnon, Morenz continues to draw crowds wherever he goes. In large part thanks to a wicked shot that leaves unmasked goalies fearing for their lives, Morenz scores 28 goals in 39 games and records 51 points to win the scoring race. He becomes the first player in league history to post a 50 point season.
Morenz is awarded the Hart Trophy for the second time in his career and also claims a spot on the All-Star Team along with Joliat and Montreal’s captain, defenseman Sylvio Mantha.
THE PLAYOFFS
As a result of finishing first in their division, the Canadiens enjoy a bye directly to the semifinals. They ultimately face the powerful Boston Bruins, who Montreal struggled against during the regular season with a 1-2-1 record.
After a 5-4 overtime loss in the series opener, the Habs even the score with a 1-0 win in Game 2 before the series shifts to the Forum. The third game is also decided in overtime, this time in Montreal’s favor. Boston wins Game 4 to force a fifth and deciding game.
In keeping with the previous games in the series, the deciding game is hotly contested and Wildor Larochelle advances the Canadiens to the final with the overtime winner in a 3-2 victory.
The Habs face the Chicago Blackhawks, who advanced to the final after a tough semifinal win over the New York Rangers.
After a 2-1 win in the opener, the Canadiens find themselves with their backs to the wall when their opponents bounce back with two straight overtime victories.
Trailing 2-1 with four minutes remaining, and champagne bottles on ice, waiting to be opened in the Blackhawks’ dressing room, Gagnon scores his second goal of the game to tie it. Pit Lepine adds two quick goals to take the wind out of Chicago’s sails, giving the Canadiens a 4-2 win to force a decisive Game 5.
With their enthusiastic fans spurring them on, the Canadiens get the best of their rivals with a 2-0 win thanks to goals by Gagnon and Morenz. It is the team’s fourth Stanley Cup and second in a row, a first in franchise history.
Gagnon is the team’s scoring leader with 8 points, including 6 goals, in 10 games.
| Semi-finals - Boston Bruins | ||||
| Date | AWAY | HOME | ||
| March 24th, 1931 | MTL 4 | BOS 5 | ||
| March 26th, 1931 | MTL 1 | BOS 0 | ||
| March 28th, 1931 | BOS 3 | MTL 4 | ||
| March 30th, 1931 | BOS 3 | MTL 1 | ||
| April 1st, 1931 | BOS 2 | MTL 3 | ||
| Canadiens won best-of-five series 3-2 | ||||
| Stanley Cup Finals - Chicago Blackhawks | ||||
| Date | AWAY | HOME | ||
| April 3rd, 1931 | MTL 2 | CHI 1 | ||
| April 5th, 1931 | MTL 1 | CHI 2 | ||
| April 9th, 1931 | CHI 3 | MTL 2 | ||
| April 11th, 1931 | CHI 2 | MTL 4 | ||
| April 14th, 1931 | CHI 0 | MTL 2 | ||
| Canadiens won best-of-five series 3-2 | ||||
On April 14, 1931, Montreal’s attempt to repeat as Stanley Cup Champions came down to the [...]
More
The Red Wings joined the NHL ranks at the start of the 1926-27 season.Named the Cougars from [...]
More
The intensity permeating a match-up between Boston and Montreal is derived from a lifetime of [...]
More