5 Fascinating Statistics In regards to the Canadiens and Maple Leafs Rivalry

The Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs are two of the unique groups to type the NHL in 1917. All through their 107-year-old histories, a number of the recreation’s greatest names have performed on one facet of the rivalry, whereas others have donned colours on each side.

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Anytime these two golf equipment, irrespective of their place within the standings, get collectively, it’s all the time must-see TV. Whether or not somebody lives in Quebec, Ontario, or anyplace else, these video games all the time add one other layer to a battle that has raged for over a century.

At the moment, we solely start to scratch the floor with fascinating info concerning the Canadiens and Maple Leafs. Some could sound repetitive, whereas others could also be new and insightful.

5 Fascinating Statistics In regards to the Canadiens and Maple Leafs Rivalry

Most head-to-head conferences in NHL historical past

The Canadiens first confronted the Maple Leafs on Dec. 26, 1917. On the time, Toronto was referred to as the Arenas, and through their first encounter, they defeated Montreal 7-5.

Related: Canadiens’ Pregame: Montreal vs. Toronto

Prior to now 107 seasons, the 2 oldest Canadian-based franchises have met an NHL report 768 instances. The Canadiens have an edge within the general matchup with a 366-301-88-13 report.

Apparently, Montreal has dominated the sequence at residence with a 227-108-43-7 report. Nevertheless, Toronto has flipped the script on their residence ice with a 193-139-45-6 report.

Concerning playoff conferences, the Canadiens preserve a slight lead in wins, 9-7, securing their most up-to-date victory within the first spherical of the 2021 post-season.

Canadiens preserve a sizeable lead in hat methods

Due to a number of the recreation’s legendary gamers, corresponding to Man Lafleur, Jean Béliveau, and Newsy Lalonde, the Canadiens have recorded 418 hat methods.

In opposition to the Maple Leafs, Montreal has recorded 50 hat methods, with Newsy Lalonde and Maurice Richard main the pack with seven apiece. The final Canadiens participant to tally three objectives in opposition to Toronto was Ryan Poehling on Apr. 6, 2019.

In the meantime, the Maple Leafs have solely collected 36 hat methods within the rivalry, with Babe Dye main the group with 4, all of which occurred within the Twenties. The final Toronto skater to attain a hat trick in opposition to Montreal was Auston Matthews on Oct. 11, 2023.

Traditionally, Vincent Damphousse stays the one participant to register a hat trick for each groups in opposition to one another, one in 1988 and one in 1993.

Every franchise has retired the identical quantity six instances

Some nice gamers will pull on a sweater when franchises have been round for over a century. Within the case of Montreal and Toronto, they’ve a mixed 37 retired numbers and will construct their Corridor of Fame collectively.

As a result of so many legendary gamers have performed with every membership, they’ve retired the identical quantity six instances.

• No. 1 – Jacques Plante (Montreal) / Turk Broda & Johnny Bower (Toronto)

• No. 4 – Jean Béliveau (Montreal) / Crimson Kelly & Hap Day (Toronto)

• No. 5 – Bernie Geoffiron & Man Lapointe (Montreal) / Invoice Barliko (Toronto)

• No. 7 – Howie Morenz (Montreal) / King Clancy & Tim Horton (Toronto)

• No. 9 – Maurice Richard (Montreal) / Charlie Conacher & Ted Kennedy (Toronto)

• No. 10 – Man Lafleur (Montreal) / George Armstrong & Syl Apps (Toronto)

Solely 112 gamers have skated with each franchises

Based on Hockey Reference, 112 gamers have worn the enduring Maple Leafs and Canadiens jerseys. A number of of them have gone on to be within the Corridor of Fame, together with Plante, who performed 11 seasons in Montreal earlier than spending three with Toronto.

Related: Canadiens Chasing Milestones in 2024-25

Frank Mahovlich received 4 Stanley Cup titles with the Maple Leafs within the Nineteen Sixties earlier than successful two extra with the Canadiens within the early Seventies.

In the meantime, George Hainsworth performed eight years in Montreal earlier than a four-year stint with Toronto within the Twenties and Nineteen Thirties.

Concerning the gamers with essentially the most factors for every franchise to play with the opposite, Mahovlich scored 597 with Toronto earlier than accumulating 310 in Montreal. In the meantime, Tomáš Plekanec had 606 factors with the Canadiens earlier than simply two in 17 video games with the Maple Leafs.

Went 42 years between playoff sequence (1979-2021)

The primary playoff assembly between Montreal and Toronto happened within the NHL Finals in 1917. The Arenas would win the total-goals sequence 10-7 earlier than capturing the Stanley Cup of their subsequent sequence.

Between 1917 and 1979, these two Unique Six franchises would meet 14 extra instances within the post-season, with the Canadiens build up an 8-7 lead.

• 1917 – NHL Finals – Arenas (10-7) Complete Targets

• 1925 – NHL semifinals – Canadiens (5-2) Complete Targets

• 1944 – semifinals – Canadiens (4-1)

• 1945 – semifinals – Maple Leafs (4-2)

• 1947 – Stanley Cup Ultimate – Maple Leafs (4-2)

• 1951 – Stanley Cup Ultimate – Maple Leafs (4-1)

• 1959 – Stanley Cup Ultimate – Canadiens (4-1)

• 1960 – Stanley Cup Ultimate – Canadiens (4-0)

• 1963 – semifinals – Maple Leafs (4-1)

• 1964 – semifinals – Maple Leafs (4-3)

• 1965 – semifinals – Canadiens (4-2)

• 1966 – semifinals – Canadiens (4-0)

• 1967 – Stanley Cup Ultimate – Maple Leafs (4-2)

• 1978 – semifinals – Canadiens (4-0)

• 1979 – semifinals – Canadiens (4-0)

After 42 years, in 2021, the Maple Leafs and Canadiens met within the post-season with the upper seed, Toronto, blowing a 3-1 sequence result in lose in Sport 7.

That sequence marked simply the third time they met within the enlargement period, with Montreal enhancing to an ideal 3-0 report since dropping within the final Unique Six Stanley Cup Ultimate in 1967.

Related: Montreal Canadiens With 100 Point Seasons

As one of the crucial storied rivalries in skilled sports activities, these are simply 5 fascinating statistics concerning the Canadiens and Maple Leafs.

All through the season, we hope to convey you extra tales behind the numbers and gamers who’ve constructed this historic matchup into what it’s at the moment.

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