# 1980–81 Montreal Canadiens season

The 1980–81 Montreal Canadiens season was the National Hockey League (NHL)'s Montreal Canadiens' 72nd season of play. The Canadiens lost just once in their last twenty-seven home games. The Canadiens earned at least 100 regular season points for the seventh consecutive season. Montreal qualified for the 1981 Stanley Cup playoffs and were eliminated in the NHL's preliminary round by the Edmonton Oilers three games to none, in what was considered a major upset. Four days after the Canadiens were eliminated, head coach Claude Ruel resigned.

## Regular season

* Guy Lafleur, as a result of recovery from a car accident, appeared in only 51 games and scored 27 goals. It was the first time since the 1973–74 season that he failed to score 50 goals or more in a season.

### Final standings

Norris Division :
| | GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | Pts |
| Montreal Canadiens | 80 | 45 | 22 | 13 | 332 | 232 | 103 |
| Los Angeles Kings | 80 | 43 | 24 | 13 | 337 | 290 | 99 |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | 80 | 30 | 37 | 13 | 302 | 345 | 73 |
| Hartford Whalers | 80 | 21 | 41 | 18 | 292 | 372 | 60 |
| Detroit Red Wings | 80 | 19 | 43 | 18 | 252 | 339 | 56 |
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against Note: Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold.
League standings :
| R | | Div | GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | Pts |
| 1 | p – New York Islanders | PTK | 80 | 48 | 18 | 14 | 355 | 260 | 110 |
| 2 | x – St. Louis Blues | SMY | 80 | 45 | 18 | 17 | 352 | 281 | 107 |
| 3 | y – Montreal Canadiens | NRS | 80 | 45 | 22 | 13 | 332 | 232 | 103 |
| 4 | Los Angeles Kings | NRS | 80 | 43 | 24 | 13 | 337 | 290 | 99 |
| 5 | x – Buffalo Sabres | ADM | 80 | 39 | 20 | 21 | 327 | 250 | 99 |
| 6 | Philadelphia Flyers | PTK | 80 | 41 | 24 | 15 | 313 | 249 | 97 |
| 7 | Calgary Flames | PTK | 80 | 39 | 27 | 14 | 329 | 298 | 92 |
| 8 | Boston Bruins | ADM | 80 | 37 | 30 | 13 | 316 | 272 | 87 |
| 9 | Minnesota North Stars | ADM | 80 | 35 | 28 | 17 | 291 | 263 | 87 |
| 10 | Chicago Black Hawks | SMY | 80 | 31 | 33 | 16 | 304 | 315 | 78 |
| 11 | Quebec Nordiques | ADM | 80 | 30 | 32 | 18 | 314 | 318 | 78 |
| 12 | Vancouver Canucks | SMY | 80 | 28 | 32 | 20 | 289 | 301 | 76 |
| 13 | New York Rangers | PTK | 80 | 30 | 36 | 14 | 312 | 317 | 74 |
| 14 | Edmonton Oilers | SMY | 80 | 29 | 35 | 16 | 328 | 327 | 74 |
| 15 | Pittsburgh Penguins | NRS | 80 | 30 | 37 | 13 | 302 | 345 | 73 |
| 16 | Toronto Maple Leafs | ADM | 80 | 28 | 37 | 15 | 322 | 367 | 71 |
| 17 | Washington Capitals | PTK | 80 | 26 | 36 | 18 | 286 | 317 | 70 |
| 18 | Hartford Whalers | NRS | 80 | 21 | 41 | 18 | 292 | 372 | 60 |
| 19 | Colorado Rockies | SMY | 80 | 22 | 45 | 13 | 258 | 344 | 57 |
| 20 | Detroit Red Wings | NRS | 80 | 19 | 43 | 18 | 252 | 339 | 56 |
| 21 | Winnipeg Jets | SMY | 80 | 9 | 57 | 14 | 246 | 400 | 32 |
Divisions: ADM – Adams, NRS – Norris, PTK – Patrick, SMY – Smythe
bold – The top 16 teams in the league qualified for the playoffs, regardless of division or conference. x – Won division; y – Won Conference (and division); p – Won Presidents' Trophy (and conference and division)

### Record vs. opponents

Norris Division record vs. opponents :
Vs. Wales Conference
Vs. Norris Division
1980–81 NHL records
Team
DET
HFD
LAK
MTL
PIT
Total
Detroit
—0−2−21−31−31−2−13−10−3
Hartford
2−0−2—0−3−11−32−25−8−3
Los Angeles
3−13−0−1—1−30−2−27−6−3
Montreal
3−13−13−1—2−211−5−0
Pittsburgh
2−1−12−22−0−22−2—8−5−3
Vs. Adams Division
1980–81 NHL records
Team
BOS
BUF
MIN
QUE
TOR
Total
Detroit
0−2−20−3−10−2−20−3−13−13−11−6
Hartford
1−1−21−2−11−32−21−1−26−9−5
Los Angeles
2−21−2−14−03−13−0−113−5−2
Montreal
3−13−11−2−11−1−23−111−6−3
Pittsburgh
0−3−10−3−11−32−1−11−2−14−12−4
Vs. Campbell Conference
Vs. Patrick Division
1980–81 NHL records
Team
CGY
NYI
NYR
PHI
WSH
Total
Detroit
1−2−10−42−1−11−31−2−15−12−3
Hartford
1−30−2−21−30−3−11−33−14−3
Los Angeles
1−32−23−10−42−1−18−11−1
Montreal
2−1−11−2−12−1−12−1−12−0−29−5−6
Pittsburgh
1−2−12−1−12−1−10−42−1−17−9−4
Vs. Smythe Division
1980–81 NHL records
Team
CHI
COL
EDM
STL
VAN
WIN
Total
Detroit
1−1−22−1−11−2−10−41−2−13−0−18−10−6
Hartford
0−3−12−1−11−2−10−3−11−1−23−0−17−10−7
Los Angeles
2−0−23−0−12−0−20−2−24−04−015−2−7
Montreal
2−24−02−21−1−22−0−23−114−6−4
Pittsburgh
1−33−11−2−12−20−3−14−011−11−2 :

## Schedule and results

Regular season results :
| No. | R | Date | Score | Opponent | Record |
| 1 | L | October 11, 1980 | 4–5 | Chicago Black Hawks (1980–81) | 0–1–0 |
| 2 | L | October 12, 1980 | 2–3 | @ Boston Bruins (1980–81) | 0–2–0 |
| 3 | T | October 15, 1980 | 3–3 | @ Washington Capitals (1980–81) | 0–2–1 |
| 4 | W | October 18, 1980 | 4–1 | Vancouver Canucks (1980–81) | 1–2–1 |
| 5 | L | October 19, 1980 | 1–2 | @ Philadelphia Flyers (1980–81) | 1–3–1 |
| 6 | L | October 21, 1980 | 3–4 | @ St. Louis Blues (1980–81) | 1–4–1 |
| 7 | W | October 23, 1980 | 7–2 | @ Chicago Black Hawks (1980–81) | 2–4–1 |
| 8 | L | October 25, 1980 | 2–5 | Buffalo Sabres (1980–81) | 2–5–1 |
| 9 | L | October 28, 1980 | 4–6 | @ New York Islanders (1980–81) | 2–6–1 |
| 10 | W | October 30, 1980 | 8–2 | Hartford Whalers (1980–81) | 3–6–1 |
| 11 | W | November 1, 1980 | 7–4 | New York Rangers (1980–81) | 4–6–1 |
| 12 | W | November 4, 1980 | 5–4 | Quebec Nordiques (1980–81) | 5–6–1 |
| 13 | L | November 6, 1980 | 2–3 | @ Detroit Red Wings (1980–81) | 5–7–1 |
| 14 | W | November 8, 1980 | 3–0 | Los Angeles Kings (1980–81) | 6–7–1 |
| 15 | W | November 11, 1980 | 8–2 | @ Colorado Rockies (1980–81) | 7–7–1 |
| 16 | W | November 12, 1980 | 8–4 | @ Los Angeles Kings (1980–81) | 8–7–1 |
| 17 | T | November 14, 1980 | 3–3 | @ Vancouver Canucks (1980–81) | 8–7–2 |
| 18 | W | November 16, 1980 | 5–1 | @ Winnipeg Jets (1980–81) | 9–7–2 |
| 19 | W | November 19, 1980 | 5–4 | @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1980–81) | 10–7–2 |
| 20 | W | November 20, 1980 | 7–3 | Detroit Red Wings (1980–81) | 11–7–2 |
| 21 | W | November 22, 1980 | 7–3 | Philadelphia Flyers (1980–81) | 12–7–2 |
| 22 | L | November 25, 1980 | 4–5 | Calgary Flames (1980–81) | 12–8–2 |
| 23 | L | November 27, 1980 | 3–4 | New York Islanders (1980–81) | 12–9–2 |
| 24 | L | November 29, 1980 | 2–4 | Minnesota North Stars (1980–81) | 12–10–2 |
| 25 | W | December 3, 1980 | 6–5 | @ Buffalo Sabres (1980–81) | 13–10–2 |
| 26 | L | December 4, 1980 | 2–3 | Pittsburgh Penguins (1980–81) | 13–11–2 |
| 27 | W | December 6, 1980 | 4–1 | Boston Bruins (1980–81) | 14–11–2 |
| 28 | L | December 10, 1980 | 3–4 | @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1980–81) | 14–12–2 |
| 29 | W | December 11, 1980 | 5–2 | Toronto Maple Leafs (1980–81) | 15–12–2 |
| 30 | W | December 13, 1980 | 4–1 | Edmonton Oilers (1980–81) | 16–12–2 |
| 31 | T | December 17, 1980 | 4–4 | @ Vancouver Canucks (1980–81) | 16–12–3 |
| 32 | W | December 18, 1980 | 4–0 | @ Calgary Flames (1980–81) | 17–12–3 |
| 33 | L | December 20, 1980 | 3–4 | @ Edmonton Oilers (1980–81) | 17–13–3 |
| 34 | T | December 23, 1980 | 2–2 | @ Quebec Nordiques (1980–81) | 17–13–4 |
| 35 | W | December 27, 1980 | 7–4 | Washington Capitals (1980–81) | 18–13–4 |
| 36 | W | December 28, 1980 | 5–2 | @ New York Rangers (1980–81) | 19–13–4 |
| 37 | W | December 30, 1980 | 4–0 | Los Angeles Kings (1980–81) | 20–13–4 |
| 38 | W | January 2, 1981 | 3–1 | @ Hartford Whalers (1980–81) | 21–13–4 |
| 39 | W | January 3, 1981 | 2–1 | Chicago Black Hawks (1980–81) | 22–13–4 |
| 40 | W | January 6, 1981 | 6–2 | @ Detroit Red Wings (1980–81) | 23–13–4 |
| 41 | W | January 8, 1981 | 4–2 | Pittsburgh Penguins (1980–81) | 24–13–4 |
| 42 | T | January 10, 1981 | 5–5 | Quebec Nordiques (1980–81) | 24–13–5 |
| 43 | W | January 12, 1981 | 5–0 | Edmonton Oilers (1980–81) | 25–13–5 |
| 44 | W | January 15, 1981 | 7–3 | Winnipeg Jets (1980–81) | 26–13–5 |
| 45 | L | January 17, 1981 | 5–6 | @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1980–81) | 26–14–5 |
| 46 | L | January 19, 1981 | 3–6 | @ Minnesota North Stars (1980–81) | 26–15–5 |
| 47 | L | January 21, 1981 | 2–4 | @ Chicago Black Hawks (1980–81) | 26–16–5 |
| 48 | W | January 24, 1981 | 6–3 | Philadelphia Flyers (1980–81) | 27–16–5 |
| 49 | L | January 28, 1981 | 1–9 | @ Edmonton Oilers (1980–81) | 27–17–5 |
| 50 | T | January 29, 1981 | 4–4 | @ Calgary Flames (1980–81) | 27–17–6 |
| 51 | L | January 31, 1981 | 1–4 | @ Los Angeles Kings (1980–81) | 27–18–6 |
| 52 | W | February 3, 1981 | 5–2 | @ Colorado Rockies (1980–81) | 28–18–6 |
| 53 | W | February 5, 1981 | 7–0 | Minnesota North Stars (1980–81) | 29–18–6 |
| 54 | W | February 7, 1981 | 6–2 | Boston Bruins (1980–81) | 30–18–6 |
| 55 | T | February 12, 1981 | 3–3 | St. Louis Blues (1980–81) | 30–18–7 |
| 56 | W | February 14, 1981 | 6–1 | Washington Capitals (1980–81) | 31–18–7 |
| 57 | T | February 15, 1981 | 5–5 | @ Philadelphia Flyers (1980–81) | 31–18–8 |
| 58 | W | February 19, 1981 | 5–2 | Buffalo Sabres (1980–81) | 32–18–8 |
| 59 | W | February 21, 1981 | 4–1 | Detroit Red Wings (1980–81) | 33–18–8 |
| 60 | W | February 22, 1981 | 4–2 | @ Buffalo Sabres (1980–81) | 34–18–8 |
| 61 | T | February 24, 1981 | 2–2 | @ St. Louis Blues (1980–81) | 34–18–9 |
| 62 | W | February 26, 1981 | 6–0 | Colorado Rockies (1980–81) | 35–18–9 |
| 63 | W | February 28, 1981 | 5–3 | Toronto Maple Leafs (1980–81) | 36–18–9 |
| 64 | T | March 1, 1981 | 4–4 | @ New York Rangers (1980–81) | 36–18–10 |
| 65 | W | March 4, 1981 | 9–3 | Winnipeg Jets (1980–81) | 37–18–10 |
| 66 | L | March 7, 1981 | 2–4 | @ Winnipeg Jets (1980–81) | 37–19–10 |
| 67 | T | March 9, 1981 | 1–1 | @ Minnesota North Stars (1980–81) | 37–19–11 |
| 68 | W | March 11, 1981 | 2–1 | @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1980–81) | 38–19–11 |
| 69 | W | March 12, 1981 | 4–3 | St. Louis Blues (1980–81) | 39–19–11 |
| 70 | W | March 14, 1981 | 2–1 | Colorado Rockies (1980–81) | 40–19–11 |
| 71 | T | March 17, 1981 | 3–3 | @ New York Islanders (1980–81) | 40–19–12 |
| 72 | L | March 18, 1981 | 3–9 | @ Hartford Whalers (1980–81) | 40–20–12 |
| 73 | W | March 21, 1981 | 5–3 | Vancouver Canucks (1980–81) | 41–20–12 |
| 74 | T | March 22, 1981 | 2–2 | @ Washington Capitals (1980–81) | 41–20–13 |
| 75 | W | March 26, 1981 | 8–2 | Calgary Flames (1980–81) | 42–20–13 |
| 76 | L | March 28, 1981 | 2–6 | New York Rangers (1980–81) | 42–21–13 |
| 77 | L | March 29, 1981 | 0–4 | @ Quebec Nordiques (1980–81) | 42–22–13 |
| 78 | W | March 31, 1981 | 3–1 | New York Islanders (1980–81) | 43–22–13 |
| 79 | W | April 3, 1981 | 6–1 | Hartford Whalers (1980–81) | 44–22–13 |
| 80 | W | April 5, 1981 | 4–2 | @ Boston Bruins (1980–81) | 45–22–13 |

## Playoffs

The Canadiens were swept in three games by the Edmonton Oilers. In Game One of the series, Wayne Gretzky had five assists. This was a single game playoff record.

## Player statistics
### Regular season
#### Scoring

| Player | Pos | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | +/- | PPG | SHG | GWG |
| Steve Shutt | LW | 77 | 35 | 38 | 73 | 51 | 30 | 7 | 0 | 3 |
| Mark Napier | RW | 79 | 35 | 36 | 71 | 24 | 34 | 5 | 0 | 6 |
| Guy Lafleur | RW | 51 | 27 | 43 | 70 | 29 | 24 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| Mario Tremblay | RW | 77 | 25 | 38 | 63 | 123 | 16 | 4 | 1 | 4 |
| Rejean Houle | W | 77 | 27 | 31 | 58 | 83 | 20 | 6 | 1 | 3 |
| Yvon Lambert | LW | 73 | 22 | 32 | 54 | 39 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 3 |
| Pierre Larouche | C | 61 | 25 | 28 | 53 | 28 | 13 | 5 | 0 | 2 |
| Larry Robinson | D | 65 | 12 | 38 | 50 | 37 | 46 | 7 | 0 | 2 |
| Bob Gainey | LW | 78 | 23 | 24 | 47 | 36 | 13 | 5 | 3 | 3 |
| Rod Langway | D | 80 | 11 | 34 | 45 | 120 | 53 | 5 | 1 | 2 |
| Pierre Mondou | C | 57 | 17 | 24 | 41 | 16 | 24 | 5 | 0 | 2 |
| Keith Acton | C | 61 | 15 | 24 | 39 | 74 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| Doug Jarvis | C | 80 | 16 | 22 | 38 | 34 | 12 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| Doug Risebrough | C | 48 | 13 | 21 | 34 | 93 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Brian Engblom | D | 80 | 3 | 25 | 28 | 96 | 63 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Gaston Gingras | D | 55 | 5 | 16 | 21 | 22 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| Serge Savard | D | 77 | 4 | 13 | 17 | 30 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Chris Nilan | RW | 57 | 7 | 8 | 15 | 262 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Doug Wickenheiser | C | 41 | 7 | 8 | 15 | 20 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Guy Lapointe | D | 33 | 1 | 9 | 10 | 79 | -6 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Robert Picard | D | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 6 | -1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Denis Herron | G | 25 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Guy Carbonneau | C | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Michel Larocque | G | 28 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bill Baker | D | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 32 | -1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rick Chartraw | D/RW | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | -5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Yvan Joly | RW | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Dave Orleski | LW | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Richard Sevigny | G | 33 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rick Wamsley | G | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |

#### Goaltending

| Player | MIN | GP | W | L | T | GA | GAA | SO |
| Richard Sevigny | 1777 | 33 | 20 | 4 | 3 | 71 | 2.40 | 2 |
| Michel Larocque | 1623 | 28 | 16 | 9 | 3 | 82 | 3.03 | 1 |
| Denis Herron | 1147 | 25 | 6 | 9 | 6 | 67 | 3.50 | 1 |
| Rick Wamsley | 253 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 1.90 | 1 |
| Team: | 4800 | 80 | 45 | 22 | 13 | 228 | 2.85 | 5 |

### Playoffs
#### Scoring

| Player | Pos | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | PPG | SHG | GWG |
| Steve Shutt | LW | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Pierre Larouche | C | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brian Engblom | D | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Gaston Gingras | D | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Rejean Houle | W | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Doug Risebrough | C | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Guy Lafleur | RW | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Pierre Mondou | C | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Larry Robinson | D | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Keith Acton | C | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bob Gainey | LW | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Doug Jarvis | C | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Yvon Lambert | LW | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rod Langway | D | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Guy Lapointe | D | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mark Napier | RW | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Chris Nilan | RW | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Robert Picard | D | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Serge Savard | D | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Richard Sevigny | G | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mario Tremblay | RW | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 |

#### Goaltending

| Player | MIN | GP | W | L | GA | GAA | SO |
| Richard Sevigny | 180 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 13 | 4.33 | 0 |
| Team: | 180 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 13 | 4.33 | 0 |
    Pos = Position; GPI = Games played in; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes; +/- = Plus/minus; PPG = Power-play goals; SHG = Short-handed goals; GWG = Game-winning goals
    Min, TOI = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T,T/OT = Ties; OTL = Overtime losses; GA = Goals-against; GAA = Goals-against average; SO = Shutouts; SA = Shots against; SV = Shots saved; SV% = Save percentage;

## Draft picks

The 1980 NHL entry draft was hosted at the Montreal Forum. It would mark the first time that an NHL arena hosted the event.
| Round | # | Player | Nationality | College/junior/club team |
| 1 | 1 | Doug Wickenheiser | Canada | Regina Pats (WHL) |
| 2 | 27 | Ric Nattress | Canada | Brantford Alexanders (OHA) |
| 2 | 40 | John Chabot | Canada | Hull Olympiques (QMJHL) |
| 3 | 45 | John Newberry | Canada | Nanaimo Clippers (BCJHL) |
| 3 | 61 | Craig Ludwig | United States | University of North Dakota (NCAA) |
| 4 | 82 | Jeff Teal | United States | University of Minnesota (WCHA) |
| 5 | 103 | Remi Gagne | Canada | Chicoutimi Saguenéens (QMJHL) |
| 6 | 124 | Mike McPhee | Canada | Rennssaeler Polytechnic Institute (ECAC) |
| 7 | 145 | Bill Norton | United States | Clarkson University (ECAC) |
| 8 | 166 | Steve Penney | Canada | Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL) |
| 9 | 187 | John Schmidt | United States | University of Notre Dame (WCHA) |
| 10 | 208 | Scott Robinson | Canada | University of Denver (WCHA) |