Montreal Canadiens – The 2022/23 NHL season is heating up nicely, and as things stand, the race for the Stanley Cup is going to be a hotly contested affair. The Tempa Bay Lightning is aiming to become the first franchise in almost 40 years to reach four consecutive Stanley Cup Finals, and as things stand, that is a distinct possibility. The Florida-based franchise is currently fourth in the Atlantic Division, with 28 victories and 14 defeats to their name so far this term.
The Lightning was aiming to become the first time since the 1980s New York Islanders to lift three consecutive Stanley Cups last season, however, they were stunned by the Colorado Avalanche. The Avalanche managed to defeat the favorites through six in the championship series. This term, they are once again well positioned, sitting with 22 wins and 20 defeats.
The team to beat however is the Boston Bruins. The TD Garden outfit has amassed 34 wins so far this season and currently holds the best record in the entire league. Online bookmaker Bodog, which allows you to play online blackjack and bet on sports, have made Jim Montgomery’s side the favourites to lift the Stanley Cup this season.
One team that has their work cut out if they wish to qualify for the postseason, however, is the NHL’s most successful ever franchise. The Montreal Canadiens have lost seven of their last ten and currently sit rock bottom of the Eastern Conference’s Atlantic Division with 18 wins and 26 losses to their name. They’re currently a team in transition, but it wasn’t always this way.
A History of Success
The Montreal Canadiens are the longest-running and most successful hockey team in the National Hockey League. The Canadiens have been a part of the NHL since 1917 and have since won a record 24 Stanley Cup championships. And it isn’t even close… their nearest rival for that honor is the Toronto Maple Leafs with 13 trophies, some 11 less than their compatriots.
The Canadiens are truly part of the fabric of Montreal. The team is recognized as one of the world’s premier sports franchises. In 2021, the Canadiens reached the Stanley Cup finals for the first time in 28 years however, the Quebec-based outfit couldn’t add another trophy to their impressive haul. They headed into the championship series as underdogs and they were duly swept aside by the Tempa Bay Lightning, who won the series 4-1 and wrapped up their second consecutive crown.
The Montreal Canadiens have a rich history that includes several legendary teams. The Canadiens of the 1950s and 1960s are one of the strongest in NHL lore. The team was led by Maurice “Rocket” Richard, Jean Beliveau, and Doug Harvey, and they were one of the first teams to dominate the league, claiming five consecutive Stanley Cups championships between 1956 and 1960. The Canadiens remain the only team in history to consecutive lift the trophy on five separate occasions.
Their team of the late 1960s and 1970s were equally impressive. Led by the legendary Guy Lafleur, the team reached another 11 Stanley Cup finals between 1966 and 1979, winning ten of them. Between 1976 and 1979, they won another four championships consecutively, marking the period as the golden age of Montreal hockey and cementing the Canadiens’ place in hockey folklore.
Valuation and Iconic Players
The Montreal Canadiens franchise is currently valued at over $1.2 billion and has become one of the most valuable sports franchises in the world. With a passionate fanbase, the Canadiens are widely regarded as one of the most iconic teams in sports history, despite their current drought, which has extended to 30 years.
The Canadiens’ most recent championship came way back in 1993 when they defeated the Los Angeles Kings. Following that 4-1 series victory, no one could have imagined that it would be another 28 years before their next appearance in the finals, never mind 30 years without lifting the coveted Stanley Cup. Even so, however, no other franchise has managed to get close to Montreal’s trophy haul, and they will be hoping that they are able to add to it in the years to come.
The Montreal Canadiens have had an illustrious roster of players throughout the years, from Maurice Richard to Guy Lafleur to Patrick Roy. While there are too many greats to name, a few stand out as the greatest to ever wear the CH on their chest. Maurice “Rocket” Richard and Jean Beliveau are widely considered to be the two most influential players in the team’s history. Both players are the only Canadiens to have their jerseys retired by the team.
The Montreal Canadiens stand as one of the most iconic hockey teams of all time. With a record 24 Stanley Cup championships and rich history, the Canadiens are a symbol of excellence in the sport of hockey. The team continues to fight for Stanley Cup glory today, and their passionate fanbase can only be reveled by a few. The Canadiens are truly a symbol of greatness and will continue to be so for the foreseeable future.
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