1973–74 Montreal Canadiens season

The 1973–74 Montreal Canadiens season was the 65th season in team history. The Canadiens finished 2nd in the East Division and lost in the Quarter-finals to the New York Rangers 4 games to 2.
==Off-season==
Ken Dryden shocked the hockey world as he sat out the entire 1973–74 season. He had won a Vezina Trophy and helped lead Canada past Russia in the dramatic Hockey Summit of 1972. Despite his bargaining power, most players in Dryden's position would have simply accepted what the Canadiens were giving him. Dryden bolted training camp, while general manager Sam Pollock fumed. http://www.athletics.mcgill.ca/alumni_news_details.ch2?article_id=454 Wayne Thomas replaced Dryden as the starting goaltender and appeared in 42 games.http://habsgoalies.blogspot.com/2007/06/wayne-thomas-1972-74.html
==Regular Season==
On March 23, 1974, the Boston Bruins played the Canadiens at home. After falling behind 2-0 in the first period, Gregg Sheppard and Wayne Cashman set up goals by Dave Forbes and Carol Vadnais. After an Andre Savard slapshot beat Montreal goalie Michel Plasse, Sheppard won a face-off back to Bobby Orr. Plasse kicked out Orr's slapshot to Sheppard who fired it in to cap off a Bruins four goal second period. Jimmy Roberts made it close in the third period, banking in a Murray Wilson centering pass before Phil Esposito scored on a breakaway. Sheppard won another face-off which lead to a Bobby Schmautz tip-in goal, putting the game out of reach for Montreal. Sheppard's four points powered the Bruins to a 6-3 victory.
===Final Standings===
===Game Log===
Regular Season Schedule	Regular Season Schedule	Regular Season Schedule	Regular Season Schedule	Regular Season Schedule 	Regular Season Schedule
No. 	R 	Date 	Score 	Opponent 	Record
1 	W 	October 10, 1973 	5–2 	@ Minnesota North Stars (1973–74) 	1–0–0
2 	W 	October 13, 1973 	4–3 	Vancouver Canucks (1973–74) 	2–0–0
3 	L 	October 17, 1973 	3–5 	Toronto Maple Leafs (1973–74) 	2–1–0
4 	L 	October 20, 1973 	2–4 	Atlanta Flames (1973–74) 	2–2–0
5 	W 	October 21, 1973 	3–2 	@ New York Rangers (1973–74) 	3–2–0
6 	W 	October 24, 1973 	3–2 	@ Pittsburgh Penguins (1973–74) 	4–2–0
7 	W 	October 25, 1973 	4–0 	@ Philadelphia Flyers (1973–74) 	5–2–0
8 	W 	October 27, 1973 	4–2 	Minnesota North Stars (1973–74) 	6–2–0
9 	T 	October 31, 1973 	1–1 	Pittsburgh Penguins (1973–74) 	6–2–1
10 	W 	November 3, 1973 	6–2 	California Golden Seals (1973–74) 	7–2–1
11 	T 	November 4, 1973 	1–1 	@ Buffalo Sabres (1973–74) 	7–2–2
12 	W 	November 7, 1973 	4–1 	@ Toronto Maple Leafs (1973–74) 	8–2–2
13 	L 	November 8, 1973 	1–2 	@ Boston Bruins (1973–74) 	8–3–2
14 	L 	November 10, 1973 	0–5 	St. Louis Blues (1973–74) 	8–4–2
15 	L 	November 14, 1973 	3–4 	Boston Bruins (1973–74) 	8–5–2
16 	W 	November 17, 1973 	8–5 	Buffalo Sabres (1973–74) 	9–5–2
17 	L 	November 18, 1973 	4–6 	@ Detroit Red Wings (1973–74) 	9–6–2
18 	W 	November 21, 1973 	4–3 	@ Minnesota North Stars (1973–74) 	10–6–2
19 	W 	November 24, 1973 	5–2 	@ Pittsburgh Penguins (1973–74) 	11–6–2
20 	W 	November 25, 1973 	6–4 	@ Chicago Black Hawks (1973–74) 	12–6–2
21 	W 	November 28, 1973 	5–3 	Los Angeles Kings (1973–74) 	13–6–2
22 	L 	December 1, 1973 	0–5 	Chicago Black Hawks (1973–74) 	13–7–2
23 	W 	December 2, 1973 	3–1 	@ Atlanta Flames (1973–74) 	14–7–2
24 	W 	December 6, 1973 	4–2 	@ New York Islanders (1973–74) 	15–7–2
25 	W 	December 8, 1973 	3–1 	New York Islanders (1973–74) 	16–7–2
26 	T 	December 11, 1973 	2–2 	@ Vancouver Canucks (1973–74) 	16–7–3
27 	T 	December 14, 1973 	2–2 	@ California Golden Seals (1973–74)	16–7–4
28 	W 	December 15, 1973 	6–2 	@ Los Angeles Kings (1973–74) 	17–7–4
29 	W 	December 18, 1973 	4–1 	California Golden Seals (1973–74) 	18–7–4
30 	T 	December 20, 1973 	2–2 	@ Buffalo Sabres (1973–74) 	18–7–5
31 	W 	December 22, 1973 	7–1 	Buffalo Sabres (1973–74) 	19–7–5
32 	T 	December 23, 1973 	1–1 	@ New York Islanders (1973–74) 	19–7–6
33 	L 	December 26, 1973 	2–9 	@ Toronto Maple Leafs (1973–74) 	19–8–6
34 	W 	December 29, 1973 	7–1 	New York Rangers (1973–74) 	20–8–6
35 	L 	January 2, 1974 	4–8 	@ St. Louis Blues (1973–74) 	20–9–6
36 	W 	January 5, 1974 	5–3 	Vancouver Canucks (1973–74) 	21–9–6
37 	W 	January 7, 1974 	2–1 	Philadelphia Flyers (1973–74) 	22–9–6
38 	W 	January 10, 1974 	8–3 	New York Islanders (1973–74) 	23–9–6
39 	W 	January 12, 1974 	7–3 	@ Boston Bruins (1973–74) 	24–9–6
40 	L 	January 15, 1974 	1–2 	Los Angeles Kings (1973–74) 	24–10–6
41 	W 	January 17, 1974 	6–1 	Minnesota North Stars (1973–74) 	25–10–6
42 	L 	January 19, 1974 	0–8 	Boston Bruins (1973–74) 	25–11–6
43 	W 	January 20, 1974 	3–2 	@ Detroit Red Wings (1973–74) 	26–11–6
44 	W 	January 23, 1974 	4–3 	Toronto Maple Leafs (1973–74) 	27–11–6
45 	W 	January 24, 1974 	4–1 	@ Buffalo Sabres (1973–74) 	28–11–6
46 	W 	January 26, 1974 	4–1 	Chicago Black Hawks (1973–74) 	29–11–6
47 	L 	February 1, 1974 	3–5 	@ Atlanta Flames (1973–74) 	29–12–6
48 	W 	February 3, 1974 	4–1 	@ Detroit Red Wings (1973–74) 	30–12–6
49 	W 	February 5, 1974 	3–2 	@ St. Louis Blues (1973–74) 	31–12–6
50 	L 	February 6, 1974 	3–4 	@ Minnesota North Stars (1973–74) 	31–13–6
51 	W 	February 9, 1974 	7–2 	New York Rangers (1973–74) 	32–13–6
52 	L 	February 10, 1974 	1–3 	@ Philadelphia Flyers (1973–74) 	32–14–6
53 	L 	February 13, 1974 	2–3 	Atlanta Flames (1973–74) 	32–15–6
54 	W 	February 15, 1974 	9–4 	Detroit Red Wings (1973–74) 	33–15–6
55 	T 	February 17, 1974 	2–2 	Philadelphia Flyers (1973–74) 	33–15–7
56 	L 	February 19, 1974 	3–5 	@ New York Islanders (1973–74) 	33–16–7
57 	W 	February 21, 1974 	5–2 	Vancouver Canucks (1973–74) 	34–16–7
58 	T 	February 23, 1974 	4–4 	Los Angeles Kings (1973–74) 	34–16–8
59 	W 	February 24, 1974 	3–2 	St. Louis Blues (1973–74) 	35–16–8
60 	W 	February 26, 1974 	6–5 	@ Atlanta Flames (1973–74) 	36–16–8
61 	W 	February 28, 1974 	7–1 	Pittsburgh Penguins (1973–74) 	37–16–8
62 	L 	March 2, 1974 	3–4 	California Golden Seals (1973–74) 	37–17–8
63 	L 	March 3, 1974 	0–6 	@ Philadelphia Flyers (1973–74) 	37–18–8
64 	L 	March 6, 1974 	2–9 	@ New York Rangers (1973–74) 	37–19–8
65 	W 	March 9, 1974 	4–2 	New York Rangers (1973–74) 	38–19–8
66 	W 	March 10, 1974 	5–4 	@ Pittsburgh Penguins (1973–74) 	39–19–8
67 	T 	March 13, 1974 	3–3 	@ Chicago Black Hawks (1973–74) 	39–19–9
68 	L 	March 16, 1974 	1–3 	Chicago Black Hawks (1973–74) 	39–20–9
69 	W 	March 17, 1974 	4–2 	New York Islanders (1973–74) 	40–20–9
70 	L 	March 20, 1974 	6–7 	Detroit Red Wings (1973–74) 	40–21–9
71 	W 	March 23, 1974 	7–3 	St. Louis Blues (1973–74) 	41–21–9
72 	L 	March 24, 1974 	3–6 	@ Boston Bruins (1973–74) 	41–22–9
73 	W 	March 26, 1974 	4–3 	@ Vancouver Canucks (1973–74) 	42–22–9
74 	W 	March 29, 1974 	4–3 	@ California Golden Seals (1973–74)	43–22–9
75 	W 	March 30, 1974 	5–2 	@ Los Angeles Kings (1973–74) 	44–22–9
76 	L 	April 3, 1974 	3–5 	Toronto Maple Leafs (1973–74) 	44–23–9
77 	W 	April 6, 1974 	6–2 	Boston Bruins (1973–74) 	45–23–9
78 	L 	April 7, 1974 	4–6 	@ New York Rangers (1973–74) 	45–24–9
==Playoffs==
===New York Rangers 4, Montreal Canadiens 2===
The Canadiens qualified for the playoffs in second place, setting up a match-up with the third-place New York Rangers. The Rangers defeated the Canadiens twice at the Forum to win the series four games to two.
*4/10/1974 New York Rangers 1 - 4
*4/11/1974 New York Rangers 4 - 1
*4/13/1974 at New York Rangers 4 - 2
*4/14/1974 at New York Rangers 4 - 6
*4/16/1974 New York Rangers 2 - 3
*4/18/1974 at New York Rangers 2 - 5
http://www.databasehockey.com/teams/teamscores.htm?tm=MON&yr=1973
==Player Stats==
===Regular Season===
;Scoring
Player	Pos 	GP	G 	A 	Pts	PIM	+/-	PPG	SHG	GWG
 	LW 	71	31	49	80 	47 	16 	8 	2 	3
 	RW 	67	40	33	73 	18 	16 	10 	0 	9
 	C 	78	36	37	73 	122	42 	7 	4 	7
 	C 	66	29	38	67 	10 	4 	10 	0 	7
 	RW 	73	21	35	56 	29 	10 	3 	1 	2
 	C 	75	19	36	55 	28 	7 	1 	0 	3
 	LW 	74	23	31	54 	34 	9 	1 	2 	2
 	D 	71	13	40	53 	63 	12 	5 	1 	2
 	LW 	70	15	20	35 	17 	19 	3 	0 	1
 	LW 	72	17	14	31 	26 	4 	0 	0 	4
 	D 	78	6 	20	26 	66 	32 	0 	0 	1
 	RW 	39	17	7 	24 	52 	11 	1 	0 	1
 	D/RW	67	8 	16	24 	39 	27 	0 	1 	2
 	D 	67	4 	14	18 	49 	20 	1 	0 	1
 	LW 	60	6 	10	16 	42 	5 	0 	0 	0
 	D 	60	1 	14	15 	25 	8 	0 	0 	0
 	D 	42	2 	10	12 	14 	15 	0 	1 	0
 	C 	31	1 	10	11 	2 	4 	0 	0 	0
 	LW 	66	3 	7 	10 	34 	-9 	0 	0 	0
 	D 	20	1 	4 	5 	18 	-3 	1 	0 	0
 	D 	21	0 	2 	2 	6 	8 	0 	0 	0
 	G 	27	0 	2 	2 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0
 	G 	42	0 	2 	2 	6 	0 	0 	0 	0
 	RW 	6 	0 	0 	0 	0 	-1 	0 	0 	0
 	G 	15	0 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0
;Goaltending
Player	MIN 	GP	W 	L 	T	GA 	GAA 	SO
 	2410	42	23	12	5	111	2.76	1
 	1431	27	15	8 	2	69 	2.89	0
 	839 	15	7 	4 	2	57 	4.08	0
Team: 	4680	78	45	24	9	237	3.04	1
===Playoffs===
;Scoring
Player	Pos 	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG
 	LW 	6 	5	3	8 	9 	1 	0 	0
 	RW 	6 	5	2	7 	2 	0 	0 	2
 	C 	6 	2	2	4 	2 	0 	0 	0
 	C 	6 	0	4	4 	2 	0 	0 	0
 	C 	6 	2	1	3 	4 	1 	0 	0
 	LW 	6 	1	2	3 	0 	0 	0 	0
 	D 	6 	1	1	2 	4 	0 	0 	0
 	D 	6 	0	2	2 	4 	0 	0 	0
 	D 	6 	0	2	2 	4 	0 	0 	0
 	G 	6 	0	2	2 	0 	0 	0 	0
 	RW 	5 	0	2	2 	11 	0 	0 	0
 	LW 	5 	1	0	1 	2 	0 	0 	0
 	RW 	6 	0	1	1 	4 	0 	0 	0
 	LW 	6 	0	1	1 	0 	0 	0 	0
 	D 	6 	0	1	1 	26 	0 	0 	0
 	D 	1 	0	0	0 	0 	0 	0 	0
 	LW 	5 	0	0	0 	7 	0 	0 	0
 	D/RW	6 	0	0	0 	4 	0 	0 	0
 	LW 	6 	0	0	0 	6 	0 	0 	0
;Goaltending
Player	MIN	GP	W	L	GA	GAA 	SO
 	364	6 	2	4	18	2.97	0
Team: 	364	6 	2	4	18	2.97	0
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/- = Plus/Minus; PIM = Penalty Minutes; PPG=Power-play goals; SHG=Short-handed goals; GWG=Game-winning goals 
MIN=Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GA = Goals Against; GAA = Goals Against Average; SO = Shutouts 
==Awards and Records==
*Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy: Henri Richard
==Transactions==
==Draft Picks==
Round	#	Player	Position	Nationality	College/junior/club team (league)
==Gallery==
Forbes_from_Orr-8Nov1973.gif|Bobby Orr sets up the winning goal by Dave Forbes, November 8, 1973.
==See Also==
* 1973–74 NHL season
==References==
*Canadiens on Hockey Database
*Canadiens on NHL Reference
Category:Montreal Canadiens seasons
Category:1973 in hockey
Category:1974 in hockey