1957-58
The Canadians had won two Cups in a row, and now wanted to tie the Leaf's record of 3 Stanley Cups in a row. The Canadians were still a powerhouse despite the aging Maurice Richard slipping into a lower gear.
Richard even admitted that he had trouble keeping up with his line mates Dickie Moore and Henri Richard.
Moore was at the time considered to be the greatest Canadians. He wasn't flashy like the Rocket of Geoffrion. Nor was he natural like Jean Beliveau. But Moore was a great combination of tenacity and skill and had lead the NHL in scoring for the next two seasons.
During the Habs record run of 5 straight cups. from 1956 through 1960 Moore was the engine of the Canadians, if Beliveau or Geoffrion or Richard were injured it didn't matter because they had Moore. As Harvey and Richard faded Moore lead the way.
Moore was also underrated tough. He feuded with "Terrible" Ted Lindsay which is like fighting a Tiger.
Up until 1956 Moore was a disappointment until he finally played a 70 game schedule and took off. But his personal mission was to win the scoring title in 1957-58 when he was locked in a 3 way battle with Henri Richard and Andy Bathgate of the Rangers. Then Moore broke his wrist and the Habs feared they would lose him for the season. But Moore had other ideas, he had a custom cast made and then took care of the rest.
Moore managed to play in every game with a bulky cast that took away his ability to stick handle and shoot the puck but he still scored 36 goals and 84 points.
The Canadians finished the season 19 points ahead of the 2nd place Rangers. Then the Habs blew out the Wings in the first round and the flew past the Bruins in the finals with Moore leading the way as the Habs won their 3rd straight cup.
Trivia
- After two terrible years with the Bruins, Terry Sawchuk is traded back to the Wings for Jonny Bucyk.
- The Red Wings trade Glenn Hall and Ted Lindsay to Chicago for Johnny Wilson, Hank Bassen, Forbes Kennedy and Bill Preston.
- Johnny Wilson takes the Left Wing spot on the production line.
- Willie O'ree the first black man to play in the NHL is signed for the Bruins and plays 2 games.
- Maurice Richard scores his 500th goal on Oct 19, 1957 against Chicago.
- Detroit replaces Johnny Skinner with Sid Abel.
- The Hawks are revitalized with Glenn Hall and rookie Left Winger Bobby Hull, but they still miss the playoffs for the 11th time in 12 years.
- Dickie Moore wins the scoring Championship with 84 points.
- During a practice mid season Boom Boom Geoffrion collides with a team mate and ruptures his bowel. He is given last rights, but survives his injury after major surgery.
- Jacques Plante leads all goalies with 9 shutouts and a 2.11 gaa.
- Dickie Moore leads the league with 36 goals and 84 points.
- The Rangers climb to second place despite the team feuding with coach Phil Watson.
- Ranger's Bill Gadsby leads all defensemen with 46 points.
- New York's Lou Fontinato leads the league with 152 penalty minutes.
- The playoffs feature Montreal vs Detroit and New York vs Boston.
- The Bruins beat the Rangers in a lopsided 6 game series.
- Montreal blows the doors off of Detroit in 4 games.
- Montreal outclasses the Bruins in 5 games to win their 3rd straight Cup.
- Gordie Howe wins his fourth Hart Trophy.
- Jacques Plante claims his third straight Vezina.
- Camile "The Eel" Henry wins the Lady Byng Trophy.
- Frank Mahovlich of the Leafs wins the Calder Trophy.
- Montreal's Dough Harvey wins his 4th straight Norris Trophy.
- Denver University beats North Dakota in the NCAA finals.
- Ottawa-Hull Junior Canadians win the Memorial Cup.
Debuts
- Willie O'Ree, Boston Bruins (first-ever black player to play in the NHL)
Last Games