Our history - The historical website of the Montreal Canadiens

THE REGULAR SEASON

General manager Bob Gainey brings one of the most reliable defensemen in the NHL into the fold as he agrees to terms with Roman Hamrlik on a four-year deal.

Gainey adds two role players up front in Bryan Smolinski and Tom Kostopoulos. He also repatriates Patrice Brisebois, who has spent the previous two seasons with Colorado.

Rookie goalie Carey Price begins the season with the Canadiens as Cristobal Huet’s backup.

For the second season in a row, the Habs get off to a fast start and lose just twice in October. Alex Kovalev makes huge contributions in that effort with 10 goals in his first 19 games. Kovalev will keep up his strong production and finish the season with 35 goals and 84 points, earning a spot on the NHL’s Second All-Star Team.

After an inconsistent month of November, the Habs get back on track in December. Price takes over in goal from Huet, who is sidelined by a hip injury and Jaroslav Halak is brought in to back him up.

At the end of January, Andrei Markov is elected to the Eastern Conference team’s starting lineup for the NHL All-Star Game in Atlanta. At the All-Star break, the Canadiens are sitting at second overall in the East.

On February 19, in a game against the New York Rangers, the team pulls off an historic accomplishment. Trailing 5-0 late in the second period, the Habs overcome the big deficit with a goal from Mark Streit and two each from Michael Ryder and Alex Kovalev. Team captain Saku Koivu completes the team’s biggest comeback in franchise history by delivering the shootout winner.

One week later, the Canadiens jump to first place in the East, marking the first time they have led the conference since 1993. The team manages the feat without Huet, who was traded to the Washington Capitals on trade deadline day.

On April 6, following the Pittsburgh Penguins’ loss to the Flyers, the Habs claim their first conference title since 1988-89.