The Montreal Canadiens are undeniably the greatest franchise in the history of the National Hockey League.
There is no question the Canadiens dynasties of the 1970's and late 1950's are the two greatest of all time. The only question is how high their dynasty that happened in between, in the 1960's, ranks among the best all time.
While their team in the 70's featured superstars like Ken Dryden, Larry Robinson, Serge Savard, Guy Lapointe, Guy Lafleur, Steve Shutt and Jacques Lemaire. In the 50's they had Rocket Richard, Doug Harvey, Jean Beliveau, and Boom Boom Geoffrion.
Beliveau was still around in the 60's when the team won four Stanley Cups in five years. A young Yvan Cournoyer and Lemaire arrived at that time while a veteran Henri Richard was still around. Yet, that dynasty is kind of forgotten in between the Habs two greatest.
Meanwhile, the 1967-68 Canadiens held a record for over 50 years. Their 12 game winning streak was the longest streak ever by a Canadian franchise. That is, until the Edmonton Oilers beat the Calgary Flames on Saturday night to win their 13th consecutive game.
Fittingly, this streak included wins over the Flames, Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, and Ottawa Senators. The Canadiens could have stopped it at nine consecutive wins but an Evan Bouchard blast in overtime extended the Oilers winning ways.
Of course, the Canadiens still hold countless records in the history books, none more important than their 24 Stanley Cup titles. The Oilers won a few of their own Stanley Cups, but are a long way from every catching the Canadiens for that record.
Also, not to nitpick, but the Oilers won three of their games in overtime, which did not exist back in 1968 when the Canadiens ran off their 12 game winning streak without the help of overtime or shootout victories.