Conn Smythe Trophy: History, Montreal Canadiens Past Winners
By Nate Duffett
1977 - Guy Lafleur
Lafleur won his first Conn Smythe Trophy in 1977, his third of five Stanley Cups. The legend had some all-time playoff performances, but none were better than his run in 1977. He had 26 points in 14 games, a career-high after recording his career-high in points during the regular season with 136. Lafleur's performance kickstarted a run of three straight Stanley Cups for the 1970s Habs dynasty.
1978 - Larry Robinson
Robinson won the Conn Smythe thanks to an unprecedented run through the playoffs that saw him share the lead league in points with 21. He was No. 1 among all players with 17 assists, the second-most by a defenseman in a single postseason behind Bobby Orr's 19 in 1972. Robinson had points in 13 of 15 games and had a franchise-record nine-game point streak to begin the playoffs.
1979 - Bob Gainey
The Canadiens would need a strong defensive effort to overcome two of the highest-scoring teams from the regular season. Enter Bob Gainey, who held the Bruins to two or fewer goals in four of seven games and let Phil Esposito and Don Maloney record just three points each in the five-game Stanley Cup Final. Gainey wasn't just a one-trick pony, recording a point per game with six goals and ten assists in 16 games.