This Week in Canadiens History: April 12th to April 17th

April 17th

Extra-Time Magic

On this day, the year of our Lord 1958, the Montreal Canadiens beat the Boston Bruins 3-2 to take a 3-2 lead in their Stanley Cup Final series. Jean Beliveau and Bernie Geoffrion scored in the second period, each assisting on the other’s goals, and Maurice Richard scored the overtime winner 5:45 into the extra period.

That goal was Richard’s 6th overtime playoff goal, which was a record at the time. It was a record that would stand until 2006, when Joe Sakic scored his 7th overtime playoff goal. Sakic retired with 8 overtime markers, a record that still stands.

Today, Richard still remains alone in second, but two active players are just one goal behind him. Corey Perry and Patrick Kane both have 5 overtime playoff goals.

Extra-Extra-Time Magic

On April 17th, the year of our Lord 1973, the Montreal Canadiens beat the Philadelphia Flyers 4-3 in overtime (surprise, surprise) in the second game of their Semifinal playoff series. All four goals scored by Montreal were scored by NHL Hall of Famers: Guy Lafleur, Henri Richard, Yvan Cournoyer, and at 6:45 in overtime Larry Robinson.

It was Robinson’s first playoff goal, and he was the second defenseman to score an overtime playoff goal as a rookie. The Canadiens would go on to win the series in 5 games, and would go on to win the Stanley Cup against the Chicago Blackhawks.

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