1949–50 Montreal Canadiens season



The 1949–50 Montreal Canadiens season was the 41st season in club history. The Canadiens finished 2nd in the league and lost in the Semi-finals against New York Rangers 4 games to 1.

New York Rangers 4, Montreal Canadiens 1
Unlike in the previous season, the Montreal Canadiens were favorites as they entered the Semi-finals against the New York Rangers. Right from the start, New York served notice that the series will not be an easy victory. The Rangers win the first two games in Montreal to take a 2-0 series lead. As the series shifted to Madison Square Garden, the Rangers claimed a 4-1 win in the third game to put the Canadiens in a huge hole. To shake up his team, Montreal coach Dick Irvin pulled Bill Durnan from the net after the loss and replaced him with Gerry McNeil. The move worked as the Canadiens won 3-2 win in overtime in the fourth game as Elmer Lach delivered the winning goal. The Rangers completed their upset in five games with a 3-0 victory in the next game. Center Norm Dussault shone in the series with three goals after scoring only 13 during the regular season.

Regular Season

 * Scoring
 * Goaltending

Playoffs

 * Scoring
 * Goaltending

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

 * Vezina Trophy: Bill Durnan
 * Maurice Richard, Right Wing, NHL First Team All-Star
 * Ken Reardon, Defense, NHL First Team All-Star
 * Bill Durnan, Goaltender, NHL First Team All-Star

Farm Teams

 * Buffalo Bisons, American Hockey League
 * Cincinnati Mohawks, American Hockey League

Video
Over 30 minutes of game footage from the Semi-finals and Finals including the presentation of the Stanley Cup.