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THE REGULAR SEASON

For the first time since 1926-27, the Canadiens begin their season with someone other than George Hainsworth as their starting goalie. Just weeks before the season opener, the three-time Vezina Trophy winner is traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs for goalie Lorne Chabot.

Resulting from captain Hainsworth’s departure, former captain Sylvio Mantha once again sees the “C” stitched to his sweater.

The Habs get off to a respectable start, alternating between wins and losses. The team runs into trouble during a stretch of games from November 26 through January 2 when they win only three times in 14 games, dropping eight contests over that span.

After appearing in his 400th game with the Canadiens a month earlier, Howie Morenz reaches a remarkable milestone at the Forum on December 23 in a 3-0 win over Detroit. The Stratford Streak scores his 249th career goal to overtake former Ottawa Senators star Cy Denneny as the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer.

Five days later, Morenz becomes the first player to notch 250 goals. The rest of the schedule proves difficult as he finishes the season with eight goals, his worst output since joining the team in 1923. A heel injury he suffers in January sidelines him for a month.

Aurele Joliat leads the Habs in scoring with 22 goals and 15 assists for a total of 37 points. Despite finishing just eighth overall in the league scoring race, Joliat wins the Hart Trophy for the only time in his career.

On February 8, in a game at the Forum against the Montreal Maroons, a celebration is held in honor of Joliat’s upcoming 500th game (regular season and playoffs) with the Canadiens. He officially reaches the milestone two games later in Chicago.

The Habs come together in the second half of the season and give their fans winning performances on a consistent basis. Thanks to a record of 22-20-6 record, they finish second in the Canadian Division, 11 points behind Toronto.