The Montreal Canadiens and Calgary Flames rivalry cooled recently, but there was a time in the last century when the teams met for some important matchups. The Canadiens are in the middle of a five-game losing streak against the Flames, which they extended earlier this season with a 3-2 overtime loss. Montreal leads the all-time series, holding a 77-54-15 record.
Connor Zary opened the scoring for the Flames, but Brendan Gallagher and Joel Armia scored goals ten minutes apart to take the lead. Montreal attempted to hold the lead through the third period, but Matt Coronato scored the tying goal with less than three minutes remaining. The Canadiens attempted to outsmart the Flames in Overtime, but it backfired when Coronato scored his second of the game just seven seconds in.
Canadiens-Flames Playoff History
The Canadiens and Flames played twice in the postseason, with their most notable matchup in the 1989 Stanley Cup Final. The Canadiens defeated the Hartford Whalers, Boston Bruins, and Philadelphia Flyers on their way to the finals, while the Flames defeated the Vancouver Canucks, Los Angeles Kings, and Chicago Blackhawks.
The Flames and Canadiens traded victories through the first four games, with the Canadiens winning a double overtime Game 3 at the Forum for their most exciting victory of the run. However, they couldn't capitalize on the momentum, as they didn't win a game after the Ryan Walter winner.
The Flames won 4-2 in Game 4, 3-2 in Game 5, and 4-2 in Game 6 to lift the Stanley Cup for the first time in franchise history. Lanny McDonald famously scored the Flames' second goal in Game 6 to cap his NHL career, as it was the last game he ever played. The Flames also rode some heroics from Al MacInnis, who won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the first defenseman to lead the NHL in postseason scoring with 31 points.
The Flames were the first visiting team to win the Stanley Cup at the Montreal Forum since the New York Rangers defeated the Montreal Maroons in 1928.