#1: Patrick Roy
Patrick Roy, somewhat reminiscent of Ken Dryden, burst onto the scene as a rookie. Roy played 47 games in the 1985-86 season, so he was an actual rookie, unlike Dryden who played a handful of regular season games. What they had in common was a tremendous Stanley Cup playoffs in their first opportunity and led their underdog team to a Stanley Cup.
Looking back at the Habs roster in 1986, they had a solid team, but it was nowhere near as deep or talented as the Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames or Philadelphia Flyers. However, a couple of surprises in other series cleared a path and phenomenal play from their 20 year old goaltender paved the way to the team’s 23rd Stanley Cup win.
Roy repeated this feat in 1993, when the Habs once again had a solid team, but their goaltending was the difference on the way to their most recent Stanley Cup title. The team won an incredible ten straight games in overtime en route to that Cup, winning more games in extra time than they did in regulation. You need a goaltender with ice in his veins to win ten playoff overtime games in a row.
Roy was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in 1986 and 1993. In between those two historic playoff performances, he won the Vezina Trophy in 1989, 1990 and 1992. The Habs won the Jennings Trophy for allowing the least number of goals as a team in 1987, 1988, 1989 and 1992.
Roy amassed a record of 289-175-66 in his 11 seasons with the Montreal Canadiens. He played with an unmatched confidence that spread throughout his team at the most important time of year in the postseason. His playoff record with the Habs was 70-42 and his GAA of 2.46 is astounding when you consider his time in Montreal overlapped with the highest scoring era in hockey history.
If not for Roy, the Canadiens would not have won a Stanley Cup since 1979. He carried the team on his back in 1986 and 1993 which resulted in the two most recent banners being hung in the Bell Centre. His regular season record is great, but his postseason play is what makes him the greatest goaltender in the history of the Montreal Canadiens.