1977 Stanley Cup Finals

1977 Stanley Cup Finals. The championship series of the 1976–77 NHL season saw the Montreal Canadiens defeat the Boston Bruins in a four-game sweep. The Stanley Cup victory was the second of four consecutive titles for the Canadiens dynasty of the late 1970s, cementing their dominance under coach Scotty Bowman. The series is also remembered for the controversial coaching decisions of Boston's Don Cherry and the stellar goaltending of Montreal's Conn Smythe Trophy winner, Jacques Lemaire.

Background

The Montreal Canadiens entered the 1977 Stanley Cup playoffs as the defending champions, having won the 1976 Stanley Cup Finals against the Philadelphia Flyers. Coached by the legendary Scotty Bowman, the team featured a formidable roster including future Hockey Hall of Fame members like Guy Lafleur, Larry Robinson, and Ken Dryden. They finished the regular season with an outstanding record of 60 wins, powered by the league's best offense and defense. Their opponents, the Boston Bruins, were led by the colorful Don Cherry and captained by Wayne Cashman. The Bruins relied on a physical, grinding style often termed "Lunchpail A.C." and were backstopped by veteran goaltender Gerry Cheevers. The two teams had a storied rivalry dating back to the Original Six era, with previous playoff meetings including the 1971 Stanley Cup Finals and the 1974 Stanley Cup semifinals.

Series summary

The series was a swift demonstration of Montreal's superiority, ending in a four-game sweep. Game 1 at the Montreal Forum was a high-scoring affair won decisively by the Canadiens. Game 2 featured a shutout performance by Ken Dryden. The series shifted to Boston Garden for Game 3, where the Bruins mounted a stronger challenge but ultimately fell short. Game 4 was a tight, low-scoring contest that ended with Montreal capturing the Stanley Cup on Boston's home ice. The Conn Smythe Trophy was awarded to Montreal center Jacques Lemaire for his consistent offensive production and two-way play throughout the entire 1977 Stanley Cup playoffs.

Game summaries

In Game 1 on May 14 at the Montreal Forum, the Montreal Canadiens' offense overwhelmed Gerry Cheevers, with Guy Lafleur and Steve Shutt leading a 7-3 victory. Game 2 on May 17 saw Ken Dryden post a 2-0 shutout, with goals from Yvan Cournoyer and Pierre Mondou. The action moved to Boston Garden for Game 3 on May 19. Despite goals from Bruins stars like Bobby Schmautz and Jean Ratelle, the Canadiens prevailed 4-2, with Jacques Lemaire scoring the game-winner. The clinching Game 4 on May 24 was a tense, defensive battle. Mario Tremblay scored early for Montreal, and after Rick Middleton tied it for Boston, Jacques Lemaire scored the iconic series-winning goal, a long slap shot that beat Gerry Cheevers, to secure a 2-1 win and the championship.

Team rosters

The champion Montreal Canadiens roster was a collection of all-time greats. Forwards included the prolific "The Flower" on the famed "Triple Crown Line" with Steve Shutt and Jacques Lemaire, along with captains Yvan Cournoyer and Serge Savard. The defense was anchored by the "Big Three" of Larry Robinson, Guy Lapointe, and Serge Savard. In goal was the towering Ken Dryden. The Boston Bruins were built around a core of veterans and hard-nosed players. Key forwards included captain Wayne Cashman, Jean Ratelle, and Johnny Bucyk. The defense featured Brad Park and Dallas Smith. In net, Gerry Cheevers shared duties with Gilles Gilbert. Notable Bruins rookies included Peter McNab and Mike Milbury.

Aftermath and legacy

The sweep cemented the Montreal Canadiens dynasty, which would win the next two Stanley Cup championships in 1978 and 1979. For the Boston Bruins, the loss intensified criticism of Don Cherry, particularly for his decision not to pull Gerry Cheevers for an extra attacker late in Game 4, a strategy he later admitted was a mistake. The series victory was the tenth Stanley Cup for Canadiens general manager Sam Pollock. Key players like Guy Lafleur and Ken Dryden further solidified their Hockey Hall of Fame legacies. The 1977 championship is often highlighted in documentaries about the NHL's history, such as those produced by Hockey Night in Canada, as a prime example of a perfectly constructed team at its peak.

Category:Stanley Cup Finals Category:1977 in ice hockey Category:Montreal Canadiens Category:Boston Bruins