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. Ken Dryden returned to the club after his law articling.

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.

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.

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

 * Guy Lafleur, Right Wing, NHL First Team All-Star
 * Guy Lapointe, Defense, NHL Second Team All-Star