1974–75 Montreal Canadiens season

The 1974–75 Montreal Canadiens season was the 66th season in team history. The Canadiens finished 1st in the Norris Division and lost in the Semi-finals to the Buffalo Sabres 4 games to 2.
==Off-season==
Frank Mahovlich left the Canadiens, signing with the Toronto Toros of the World Hockey Association (WHA). Jacques Laperriere retired, he and Scotty Bowman unable to get along.Jenish(2008), p. 220. Ken Dryden returned to the club after his law articling.Jenish(2008), p. 221.
==Regular Season==
Henri Richard 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.
===Final Standings===
===Game Log===
Regular Season Results	Regular Season Results	Regular Season Results	Regular Season Results	Regular Season Results 	Regular Season Results
No. 	R 	Date 	Score 	Opponent 	Record
1 	T 	October 9, 1974 	5–5 	New York Islanders (1974–75) 	0–0–1
2 	T 	October 12, 1974 	4–4 	Los Angeles Kings (1974–75) 	0–0–2
3 	L 	October 15, 1974 	3–6 	@ New York Islanders (1974–75) 	0–1–2
4 	L 	October 17, 1974 	2–3 	@ St. Louis Blues (1974–75) 	0–2–2
5 	W 	October 19, 1974 	5–1 	California Golden Seals (1974–75) 	1–2–2
6 	T 	October 20, 1974 	2–2 	@ Philadelphia Flyers (1974–75) 	1–2–3
7 	W 	October 23, 1974 	3–2 	@ Toronto Maple Leafs (1974–75) 	2–2–3
8 	W 	October 26, 1974 	4–2 	Detroit Red Wings (1974–75) 	3–2–3
9 	L 	October 27, 1974 	2–3 	@ Buffalo Sabres (1974–75) 	3–3–3
10 	T 	October 30, 1974 	4–4 	Chicago Black Hawks (1974–75) 	3–3–4
11 	W 	October 31, 1974 	3–0 	@ Washington Capitals (1974–75) 	4–3–4
12 	L 	November 2, 1974 	0–3 	Philadelphia Flyers (1974–75) 	4–4–4
13 	W 	November 4, 1974 	6–1 	Minnesota North Stars (1974–75) 	5–4–4
14 	T 	November 6, 1974 	4–4 	@ Detroit Red Wings (1974–75) 	5–4–5
15 	W 	November 9, 1974 	4–3 	Vancouver Canucks (1974–75) 	6–4–5
16 	W 	November 10, 1974 	11–1 	@ Washington Capitals (1974–75) 	7–4–5
17 	L 	November 13, 1974 	6–8 	Buffalo Sabres (1974–75) 	7–5–5
18 	W 	November 14, 1974 	4–1 	@ Boston Bruins (1974–75) 	8–5–5
19 	T 	November 16, 1974 	4–4 	New York Rangers (1974–75) 	8–5–6
20 	W 	November 18, 1974 	9–4 	Minnesota North Stars (1974–75) 	9–5–6
21 	T 	November 20, 1974 	3–3 	@ Los Angeles Kings (1974–75) 	9–5–7
22 	W 	November 22, 1974 	7–6 	@ Kansas City Scouts (1974–75) 	10–5–7
23 	L 	November 24, 1974 	4–6 	@ Buffalo Sabres (1974–75) 	10–6–7
24 	W 	November 27, 1974 	3–2 	@ Pittsburgh Penguins (1974–75) 	11–6–7
25 	W 	November 30, 1974 	7–1 	St. Louis Blues (1974–75) 	12–6–7
26 	W 	December 2, 1974 	2–0 	Atlanta Flames (1974–75) 	13–6–7
27 	T 	December 4, 1974 	4–4 	Boston Bruins (1974–75) 	13–6–8
28 	W 	December 7, 1974 	5–2 	Pittsburgh Penguins (1974–75) 	14–6–8
29 	T 	December 8, 1974 	3–3 	@ New York Rangers (1974–75) 	14–6–9
30 	W 	December 10, 1974 	5–3 	@ Minnesota North Stars (1974–75) 	15–6–9
31 	T 	December 12, 1974 	3–3 	@ Pittsburgh Penguins (1974–75) 	15–6–10
32 	W 	December 14, 1974 	5–3 	California Golden Seals (1974–75) 	16–6–10
33 	W 	December 18, 1974 	4–3 	@ California Golden Seals (1974–75)	17–6–10
34 	W 	December 20, 1974 	6–1 	@ Vancouver Canucks (1974–75) 	18–6–10
35 	T 	December 21, 1974 	2–2 	@ Los Angeles Kings (1974–75) 	18–6–11
36 	W 	December 27, 1974 	7–1 	Detroit Red Wings (1974–75) 	19–6–11
37 	W 	December 28, 1974 	7–2 	Kansas City Scouts (1974–75) 	20–6–11
38 	T 	January 2, 1975 	1–1 	@ Atlanta Flames (1974–75) 	20–6–12
39 	W 	January 4, 1975 	10–0 	Washington Capitals (1974–75) 	21–6–12
40 	W 	January 5, 1975 	6–4 	@ Chicago Black Hawks (1974–75) 	22–6–12
41 	T 	January 8, 1975 	4–4 	@ Detroit Red Wings (1974–75) 	22–6–13
42 	W 	January 11, 1975 	6–0 	Philadelphia Flyers (1974–75) 	23–6–13
43 	W 	January 12, 1975 	7–2 	@ Washington Capitals (1974–75) 	24–6–13
44 	W 	January 15, 1975 	5–3 	Boston Bruins (1974–75) 	25–6–13
45 	L 	January 18, 1975 	3–5 	Toronto Maple Leafs (1974–75) 	25–7–13
46 	L 	January 19, 1975 	3–6 	Los Angeles Kings (1974–75) 	25–8–13
47 	W 	January 23, 1975 	7–0 	@ Minnesota North Stars (1974–75) 	26–8–13
48 	L 	January 25, 1975 	6–7 	Buffalo Sabres (1974–75) 	26–9–13
49 	W 	January 26, 1975 	7–2 	Pittsburgh Penguins (1974–75) 	27–9–13
50 	W 	January 28, 1975 	3–1 	@ Vancouver Canucks (1974–75) 	28–9–13
51 	W 	February 1, 1975 	5–3 	@ Los Angeles Kings (1974–75) 	29–9–13
52 	W 	February 2, 1975 	5–1 	@ California Golden Seals (1974–75)	30–9–13
53 	W 	February 5, 1975 	8–5 	Detroit Red Wings (1974–75) 	31–9–13
54 	W 	February 8, 1975 	7–1 	New York Rangers (1974–75) 	32–9–13
55 	T 	February 9, 1975 	4–4 	@ Buffalo Sabres (1974–75) 	32–9–14
56 	T 	February 12, 1975 	2–2 	@ Toronto Maple Leafs (1974–75) 	32–9–15
57 	W 	February 15, 1975 	12–3 	Chicago Black Hawks (1974–75) 	33–9–15
58 	W 	February 16, 1975 	6–3 	@ Chicago Black Hawks (1974–75) 	34–9–15
59 	T 	February 18, 1975 	4–4 	@ St. Louis Blues (1974–75) 	34–9–16
60 	W 	February 20, 1975 	6–3 	@ Kansas City Scouts (1974–75) 	35–9–16
61 	L 	February 22, 1975 	6–7 	New York Islanders (1974–75) 	35–10–16
62 	W 	February 26, 1975 	4–3 	Vancouver Canucks (1974–75) 	36–10–16
63 	L 	March 1, 1975 	3–4 	St. Louis Blues (1974–75) 	36–11–16
64 	W 	March 3, 1975 	4–2 	California Golden Seals (1974–75) 	37–11–16
65 	W 	March 5, 1975 	4–3 	@ Atlanta Flames (1974–75) 	38–11–16
66 	W 	March 7, 1975 	8–4 	Washington Capitals (1974–75) 	39–11–16
67 	W 	March 9, 1975 	5–3 	@ New York Rangers (1974–75) 	40–11–16
68 	T 	March 12, 1975 	3–3 	@ Toronto Maple Leafs (1974–75) 	40–11–17
69 	W 	March 15, 1975 	3–0 	Los Angeles Kings (1974–75) 	41–11–17
70 	W 	March 17, 1975 	5–1 	Atlanta Flames (1974–75) 	42–11–17
71 	W 	March 19, 1975 	2–1 	Boston Bruins (1974–75) 	43–11–17
72 	L 	March 22, 1975 	4–6 	Toronto Maple Leafs (1974–75) 	43–12–17
73 	L 	March 23, 1975 	1–2 	@ Philadelphia Flyers (1974–75) 	43–13–17
74 	T 	March 25, 1975 	3–3 	@ New York Islanders (1974–75) 	43–13–18
75 	L 	March 26, 1975 	4–6 	@ Pittsburgh Penguins (1974–75) 	43–14–18
76 	W 	March 29, 1975 	4–1 	Kansas City Scouts (1974–75) 	44–14–18
77 	T 	March 30, 1975 	2–2 	@ Boston Bruins (1974–75) 	44–14–19
78 	W 	April 2, 1975 	6–0 	Pittsburgh Penguins (1974–75) 	45–14–19
79 	W 	April 5, 1975 	10–2 	Washington Capitals (1974–75) 	46–14–19
80 	W 	April 6, 1975 	4–2 	@ Detroit Red Wings (1974–75) 	47–14–19
==Playoffs==
===Montreal Canadiens 4, Vancouver Canucks 1===
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. 
===Buffalo Sabres 4, Montreal Canadiens 2===
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. Following the 1975 playoffs, Henri Richard retires after 20 NHL seasons. Having been the Canadiens captain since 1971, he was succeeded by Yvan Cournoyer.
==Player Stats==
===Regular Season===
;Scoring
Player	Pos 	GP	G 	A 	Pts	PIM	+/-	PPG	SHG	GWG
 	RW 	70	53	66	119	37 	52 	15 	2 	11
 	C 	80	35	82	117	64 	41 	13 	1 	3
 	C 	80	36	56	92 	20 	25 	12 	0 	8
 	D 	80	28	47	75 	88 	46 	11 	1 	0
 	RW 	76	29	45	74 	32 	15 	11 	0 	2
 	LW 	80	32	35	67 	74 	26 	10 	0 	3
 	LW 	77	30	35	65 	40 	40 	3 	0 	5
 	D 	80	14	47	61 	76 	61 	1 	0 	2
 	D 	80	20	40	60 	64 	71 	7 	1 	2
 	C 	64	15	32	47 	198	27 	2 	0 	2
 	LW 	73	24	18	42 	44 	13 	4 	0 	6
 	RW 	63	21	18	39 	108	23 	0 	0 	1
 	LW 	80	17	20	37 	49 	23 	1 	0 	2
 	D/RW	79	5 	13	18 	52 	18 	0 	2 	0
 	LW 	63	6 	10	16 	44 	14 	0 	1 	0
 	C 	16	3 	10	13 	4 	9 	0 	0 	0
 	D 	79	3 	9 	12 	65 	24 	0 	0 	0
 	D 	56	1 	11	12 	58 	21 	0 	0 	0
 	RW 	8 	1 	2 	3 	6 	-2 	0 	0 	0
 	LW 	18	1 	2 	3 	4 	0 	0 	0 	0
 	G 	56	0 	3 	3 	2 	0 	0 	0 	0
 	D 	9 	0 	2 	2 	0 	-1 	0 	0 	0
 	RW 	9 	0 	1 	1 	2 	-1 	0 	0 	0
 	G 	25	0 	1 	1 	2 	0 	0 	0 	0
 	C 	5 	0 	0 	0 	2 	-1 	0 	0 	0
 	D/RW	12	0 	0 	0 	6 	-4 	0 	0 	0
;Goaltending
Player	MIN 	GP	W 	L 	T 	GA 	GAA 	SO
 	3320	56	30	9 	16	149	2.69	4
 	1480	25	17	5 	3 	74 	3.00	3
Team: 	4800	80	47	14	19	223	2.79	7
===Playoffs===
;Scoring
Player	Pos 	GP	G 	A 	Pts	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG
 	RW 	11	12	7 	19 	15 	4 	0 	4
 	C 	11	6 	10	16 	10 	1 	0 	1
 	C 	11	5 	7 	12 	4 	1 	0 	0
 	RW 	11	5 	6 	11 	4 	2 	0 	0
 	D 	11	6 	4 	10 	4 	3 	1 	0
 	C 	11	3 	5 	8 	37 	0 	0 	0
 	D 	11	1 	7 	8 	2 	0 	0 	0
 	LW 	9 	1 	6 	7 	4 	0 	0 	0
 	LW 	11	4 	2 	6 	0 	2 	0 	0
 	LW 	11	2 	4 	6 	4 	0 	0 	1
 	D 	11	0 	6 	6 	12 	0 	0 	0
 	D/RW	11	2 	2 	4 	2 	0 	0 	0
 	D 	11	0 	4 	4 	27 	0 	0 	0
 	C 	6 	1 	2 	3 	4 	0 	0 	0
 	LW 	5 	0 	3 	3 	4 	0 	0 	0
 	LW 	11	1 	1 	2 	4 	0 	0 	0
 	D 	10	0 	2 	2 	10 	0 	0 	0
 	RW 	11	0 	1 	1 	7 	0 	0 	0
 	G 	11	0 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0
;Goaltending
Player	MIN	GP	W	L	GA	GAA 	SO
 	688	11	6	5	29	2.53	2
Team: 	688	11	6	5	29	2.53	2
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==
*Guy Lafleur, Right Wing, NHL First Team All-Star
*Guy Lapointe, Defense, NHL Second Team All-Star
==Transactions==
==Draft Picks==
===NHL Draft===
	= NHL All-Star			= Hall of Famer
Round	Pick	Player	Nationality	College/junior/club team
 	 	 	 	
==Farm Teams==
==References==
* 
*Canadiens on Hockey Database
*Canadiens on NHL Reference
Category:Montreal Canadiens seasons
Category:1974 in hockey
Category:1975 in hockey