October 25, 2026
October 25, 2026
1964-1965 Montreal Canadiens: Still the Best
The 1960s turned out to be another successful decade in the storied history of the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League. However, times were changing toward the end of the decade. With the NHL looking to expand into other markets, the era of the Original Six was nearing its end, and by 1964-1965 the six active teams knew that changes were on the horizon.
The 1964-1965 Montreal Canadiens went 36-23-11 during the NHL regular season, finishing 2nd among the Original Six teams in the standings. The Canadiens finished just 4 points behind the Detroit Red Wings, a team that had Montreal’s number this season. In head-to-head play, the Canadiens went only 4-8-2 against the Red Wings. However, the Canadiens played very well against the other four teams, going 10-2-2 against the New York Rangers, 10-3-1 against the Boston Bruins, and 6-5-3 against both the Chicago Black Hawks and the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Right winger Claude Provost had 27 goals and 37 assists for 64 points, with 11 power play goals and 5 game-winning goals. Center Ralph Backstrom had 25 goals and 30 assists for 55 points, with 7 power play goals and 2 game-winning goals. Center Henri Richard had 23 goals and 29 assists for 52 points, with 5 power play goals and 5 game-winning goals. Right winger Claude Larose had 21 goals and 16 assists for 37 points, with 4 power play goals and 4 game-winning goals.
Center Jean Beliveau was the captain of the Canadiens, and he led the team on the ice with dignity and class. Beliveau had 20 goals and 23 assists for 43 points, with 9 power play goals and 1 game-winning goal. Left winger Dave Balon had 18 goals and 23 assists for 41 points, with 1 power play goal and 5 game-winning goals. Left winger John Ferguson had 17 goals and 27 assists for 44 points, with 6 power play goals and 2 game-winning goals. Right winger and center Bobby Rousseau had 12 goals and 35 assists for 47 points, with 5 power play goals, 1 short-handed goal, and 2 game-winning goals.
Left winger Dick Duff had 9 goals and 7 assists with 3 game-winning goals. Left winger Gilles Tremblay had 9 goals and 7 assists with 4 power play goals, 1 short-handed goal, and 1 game-winning goal. Defenseman Jean-Guy Talbot had 8 goals and 14 assists with 1 short-handed goal and 3 game-winning goals. Right winger Yvan Cournoyer had 7 goals and 10 assists with 4 power play goals. Defenseman Jacques Laperriere had 5 goals and 22 assists. Full season statistics for the roster are available at Hockey-Reference.
Goaltender Charlie Hodge was the main option the Canadiens relied on to protect their net. Hodge went 26-16-10, allowing 135 goals and recording a 2.55 goals against average and 3 shutouts in 3,180 minutes. Gump Worsley proved a worthy backup goaltender, answering the call whenever Montreal needed him. Worsley went 10-7-1, allowing 50 goals and recording a 2.94 goals against average and 1 shutout in 1,020 minutes.
In the NHL Semifinals, the Canadiens took on the Toronto Maple Leafs. In Game 1 on April 1 at the Montreal Forum, the Canadiens won 3-2. In Game 2 on April 3, the Canadiens won again by a score of 3-1. The Maple Leafs fought back into the series, starting with a 3-2 overtime victory in Game 3 on April 6 at Maple Leaf Gardens. The Canadiens lost to the Maple Leafs again in Game 4 on April 8 by a score of 4-2. Returning home to the Montreal Forum for Game 5 on April 10, the Canadiens won 3-1. In Game 6 on April 13 at Maple Leaf Gardens, the Canadiens beat the Maple Leafs 4-3 in overtime to knock out their Canadian rivals.
The 1965 Stanley Cup Finals would be a tough seven-game battle between the Montreal Canadiens and the Chicago Black Hawks. For Gump Worsley, it marked his first appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals after 12 years in the NHL.
The Canadiens won Game 1 by a score of 3-2 on April 17 at the Montreal Forum. The Canadiens then took a two-games-to-none lead with a 2-0 shutout victory in Game 2 on April 20. In Game 3 on April 22 at Chicago Stadium, the Black Hawks won 3-1. Chicago then downed Montreal more convincingly in Game 4 on April 25 by a score of 5-1. Returning home to the Montreal Forum for Game 5 on April 27, the Canadiens crushed the Black Hawks in a 6-0 shutout. Back at Chicago Stadium for Game 6 on April 29, the Black Hawks evened the series at three games apiece with a 2-1 win.
The deciding Game 7 on May 1 at the Montreal Forum was a reaffirmation of the greatness of the Montreal Canadiens franchise, as they easily handled the Black Hawks, defeating Chicago in a 4-0 shutout to win the 13th Stanley Cup Championship in franchise history.
For the playoffs, Jean Beliveau led the charge with 8 goals and 8 assists. As the team’s captain, it was only fitting that Beliveau was named the first-ever recipient of the Conn Smythe Trophy, an honor given to the player with the best overall performance in the playoffs. Bobby Rousseau had 5 goals and 8 assists in the playoffs, while Henri Richard had 7 goals and 4 assists.
Still the best team in hockey, the 1964-1965 Montreal Canadiens set the stage for the franchise to be right back in position to win yet another Stanley Cup the following year, continuing to add to the great success of the hockey franchise.
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