On this week in Canadiens history: Goaltenders becoming playmakers? Overtime magic, the Bruins are tragic, one of the best and one of the worst head coaches and many birthdays!
April 11th
Canadiens Retire A Pair Of Legendary Rivals
In the 1960’s and 70’s Gordie Howe and Bobby Hull were bitter rivals having battled it out in so many fashions. In 1980 however their rivalry was put aside as they were both members of the Hartford Whalers. Both Howe and Hull had intense battles against the Canadiens, particularly Howe who detested the province of Quebec as a whole and also had legendary games against Maurice “Rocket” Richard.
Theodore the playmaker
On April 11th 2004, Jose Theodore would become only the third goaltender in NHL history to register 2 playoff assists in one game. He would get credited on a pair of goals by Alex Kovalev in the 1st period of Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against their longtime rivals, the Boston Bruins.
Happy Birthday Trevor Linden!
For better or for worse, Trevor Linden spent 2 seasons with the Montreal Canadiens. The man who would never feel comfortable wearing anything else than a Canucks jersey, posted a 30 and 33 point season with the Canadiens. With Vancouver, the Islanders, Montreal, Washington and back to Vancouver, Linden would play 1382 games and registered 375 goals, 492 assists for 867 points. Linden would best be known as one of the greatest captains to ever play for the Canucks.
Happy Birthday, Coach!
April 11th also marks the 41st birthday of Alexander Burrows. In 913 games with the Vancouver Canucks and Ottawa Senators, Burrows would score a total of 205 goals, 204 assists for 409 points. Immediately following his retirement in 2018, Burrows would become assistant coach for the Laval Rocket in the AHL before being promoted to assistant coach at the NHL level with the Canadiens last season.
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