1974–75 Montreal Canadiens season


The 1974–75 Montreal Canadiens season was the 66th season in team history. The Montreal Canadiens were eliminated in the semi-finals against the Buffalo Sabres four games to two. Henri Richard would play his final season with the club.

Offseason

left the Canadiens, signing with the Toronto Toros of the World Hockey Association. Jacques Laperriere retired, he and Scotty Bowman unable to get along. Ken Dryden returned to the club after his law articling.

Regular season

entered his 20th season with the Canadiens, but his health was failing. He played 16 games before fracturing his left ankle on November 13, 1974, in a game against Buffalo and did not play again until the spring.
Guy Lafleur had a break-out season, breaking the Canadiens' goal-scoring record of 50 goals held by Maurice Richard and Bernie Geoffrion. Lafleur finished with 53 goals and 119 points. Lafleur finally realized his potential despite a slow start to the season and missing 10 games in mid-season with an injury.

Final standings

Schedule and results

Player statistics

Regular season

;Scoring
PlayerPosGPGAPtsPIM+/-PPGSHGGWG
RW705366119375215211
C80358211764411313
C8036569220251208
D8028477588461110
RW7629457432151102
LW8032356774261003
LW773035654040305
D801447617661102
D802040606471712
C6415324719827202
LW732418424413406
RW6321183910823001
LW801720374923102
D/RW79513185218020
LW63610164414010
C163101349000
D7939126524000
D56111125821000
RW81236−2000
LW1812340000
G5603320000
D90220−1000
RW90112−1000
G2501120000
C50002−1000
D/RW120006−4000

;Goaltending
PlayerMINGPWLTGAGAASO
332056309161492.694
1480251753743.003
Team:4800804714192232.797

Playoffs

;Scoring
PlayerPosGPGAPtsPIMPPGSHGGWG
RW111271915404
C116101610101
C1157124100
RW1156114200
D1164104310
C1135837000
D111782000
LW91674000
LW114260200
LW112464001
D1106612000
D/RW112242000
D1104427000
C61234000
LW50334000
LW111124000
D1002210000
RW110117000
G110000000

;Goaltending
PlayerMINGPWLGAGAASO
6881165292.532
Team:6881165292.532

Playoffs

The Canadiens' first round opponent was the Vancouver Canucks and the Canadiens won the series in five games to advance to the semi-finals against the Buffalo Sabres. The Sabres defeated the Canadiens in six games to advance to the Stanley Cup final. The Sabres' checkers were able to shut down the Canadiens' top scorers, while the Canadiens' checkers were not able to contain the Sabres' French Connection line.

Awards and records

Transactions

Following the 1975 playoffs, Henri Richard retired after 20 NHL seasons. Having been the Canadiens captain since 1971, he was succeeded in that post by Yvan Cournoyer.

Roster

Draft picks

NHL Draft

Farm teams