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THE PLAYOFFS

At the outset of the playoffs, few observers believe the Canadiens stand a chance against the Bruins. That is, before accounting for rookie Steve Penney’s startling emergence in goal. The Habs’ eighth round choice in the 1980 draft, Penney has appeared in only four regular season games and is still searching for his first NHL win.

Unhappy with the erratic play of goalies Richard Sevigny and Rick Wamsley, Lemaire names Penney his starter at the outset of the playoffs. Facing the Bruins’ formidable offense led by Barry Pederson, Rick Middleton and Raymond Bourque, Penney is sensational. He holds the Bruins to two goals in the first two games of the series before posting a shutout in the third game in Montreal. Penney is the primary force behind the Canadiens’ stunning upset over the Bruins and he becomes an immediate fan favorite at the Forum.

For the second time in three years, the team faces the Nordiques in the playoffs. Despite the burgeoning rivalry between the two teams, nobody could have predicted what would follow.

With the series tied 2-2, the two teams return to Quebec for Game 5. Penney delivers another stellar performance and posts his second playoff shutout in a 4-0 win.

On April 20, 1984, tension is at a fever pitch for Game 6. At the end of the second period, chaos ensues. Chris Nilan delivers a vicious blow to the Nordiques’ Randy Moller, and Mario Tremblay does the same to Peter Stastny. Louis Sleigher comes to his teammates’ defense and goes after Canadiens blue-liner, Jean Hamel.

Both benches empty and the Forum crowd witnesses one of the most notorious displays in NHL history. In all, no less than 198 penalty minutes are doled out by referee Bruce Hood, who completely loses control of the game. The Canadiens overcome a 2-0 deficit and win 5-3 in a game that is renowned as the “Good Friday Brawl.”

Once again, Penney continues his miraculous play in the conference final. Facing the New York Islanders, who are trying to win a fifth straight Stanley Cup, Penney helps catapult the Canadiens to a 2-0 series lead. The Islanders regroup, however, and win the next four games to advance to the Final.