The Montreal Canadiens are one of the most successful franchises in NHL history. As an Original Six team, they have a long and storied past filled with championship seasons. In terms of Stanley Cup wins, the Canadiens have lifted Lord Stanley’s mug more than any other team.
Quick Summary
The Montreal Canadiens have won the Stanley Cup 24 times, more than any other NHL franchise. Their first championship came in 1916, when they defeated the Portland Rosebuds. Their most recent championship was in 1993, when they defeated the Los Angeles Kings. The Canadiens dominated the league in the 1950s and 1960s, winning the Cup 6 times in the 50s and another 5 times in the 60s.
Early Championships (1916-1939)
The Montreal Canadiens were founded in 1909 as one of the original NHL franchises. It didn’t take them long to find success, winning their first Stanley Cup in 1916 by defeating the Portland Rosebuds of the Pacific Coast Hockey Association. This inaugural championship for the Habs came just 7 years after the team’s founding.
After winning again in 1924, the Canadiens went through a bit of a drought, not winning again until 1930 when they defeated the Boston Bruins. This began a run of dominance, as Montreal won 5 Cups in a 7 year span in the 1930s. Their championships came in 1930, 1931, 1944, 1946, and 1947. This established the Canadiens as one of the premier franchises in the early NHL.
Stanley Cup Wins (1916-1939)
- 1916: Defeated Portland Rosebuds 3-2
- 1924: Defeated Calgary Tigers 2-0
- 1930: Defeated Boston Bruins 2-0
- 1931: Defeated Chicago Black Hawks 3-2
- 1944: Defeated Chicago Black Hawks 4-0
- 1946: Defeated Boston Bruins 4-1
- 1947: Defeated Boston Bruins 4-1
Dominance in the 1950s
After a Cup drought in the 1940s, the Canadiens came back with a vengeance in the 1950s, establishing themselves as the dominant NHL franchise of the decade. Montreal won an incredible 6 Stanley Cups during the 1950s.
It started with championships in 1953 and 1956 where they bested rivals like the Boston Bruins and Detroit Red Wings. The legendary Maurice “Rocket” Richard was a key contributor, being an offensive force for those cup-winning teams.
The Habs concluded the decade with 4 straight championships from 1957 to 1960, a feat that has not been matched since. Led by Jean Beliveau and Jacques Plante, they were able to fend off the Maple Leafs and Red Wings during their run of crowns.
Stanley Cup Wins in the 1950s
- 1953: Defeated Boston Bruins 4-1
- 1956: Defeated Detroit Red Wings 4-1
- 1957: Defeated Boston Bruins 4-1
- 1958: Defeated Boston Bruins 4-2
- 1959: Defeated Toronto Maple Leafs 4-1
- 1960: Defeated Toronto Maple Leafs 4-0
Continued Dominance in the 1960s
The Canadiens continued their dominant play in the 1960s, winning the Stanley Cup 5 more times that decade. The one year they didn’t win it all was 1966 when they lost to the rival Toronto Maple Leafs.
In 1965, they bested the Chicago Blackhawks and Bobby Hull in the Finals to take home the championship. Goaltender Gump Worsley helped lead the charge that season.
Near the end of the decade, Montreal won it all in 1968 and 1969, defeating established teams like the St. Louis Blues and Boston Bruins along the way. Those back to back Cups were the last that Hall of Famer Jean Beliveau would win as a player.
Stanley Cup Wins in the 1960s
- 1965: Defeated Chicago Blackhawks 4-3
- 1966: Lost to Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2
- 1968: Defeated St. Louis Blues 4-0
- 1969: Defeated St. Louis Blues 4-0
The 1970s Dynasty
While the Canadiens took a small step back in the 1970s, they were still the class of the NHL, winning 6 Stanley Cups over the course of the decade.
Right off the bat in 1971, they defeated the Chicago Blackhawks in a thrilling 7 game series to take home the Cup. Rookie goaltender Ken Dryden emerged as a star during that championship run.
After a few years without a title, Montreal won 4 straight from 1976 to 1979, establishing themselves as a dynasty. With stars like Dryden, Guy Lafleur, Larry Robinson, and coach Scotty Bowman, they dominated their opponents like the Boston Bruins and New York Rangers.
Stanley Cup Wins in the 1970s
- 1971: Defeated Chicago Blackhawks 4-3
- 1973: Defeated Chicago Black Hawks 4-2
- 1976: Defeated Philadelphia Flyers 4-0
- 1977: Defeated Boston Bruins 4-0
- 1978: Defeated Boston Bruins 4-2
- 1979: Defeated New York Rangers 4-1
Championship Run in the Late 1980s
The 1980s represented a decade of drought for the storied franchise, as they failed to win any Stanley Cups during that span. It wasn’t until 1986 that they returned to the Final, eventually losing to the Calgary Flames.
In 1986, a young goaltender named Patrick Roy burst onto the scene, helping to backstop the Canadiens to a championship in 1986 over the Flames. Roy cemented his legendary status by winning the Conn Smythe trophy as playoff MVP.
Montreal won again in 1993 with Roy still in net, defeating Wayne Gretzky and the Los Angeles Kings. This ended up being their last championship in franchise history, as the team entered an extended drought after 1993.
Stanley Cup Wins in the Late 1980s
- 1986: Defeated Calgary Flames 4-1
- 1993: Defeated Los Angeles Kings 4-1
Total Stanley Cup Championships
Looking back over their entire history, the Canadiens have won an astounding 24 total Stanley Cups. This is far and away the most in NHL history, with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings trailing far behind with 13 championships each.
Here is the summary of all 24 of the Montreal Canadiens’ Stanley Cup wins:
| Year | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1916 | Portland Rosebuds | Won 3-2 |
| 1924 | Calgary Tigers | Won 2-0 |
| 1930 | Boston Bruins | Won 2-0 |
| 1931 | Chicago Black Hawks | Won 3-2 |
| 1944 | Chicago Black Hawks | Won 4-0 |
| 1946 | Boston Bruins | Won 4-1 |
| 1953 | Boston Bruins | Won 4-1 |
| 1956 | Detroit Red Wings | Won 4-1 |
| 1957 | Boston Bruins | Won 4-1 |
| 1958 | Boston Bruins | Won 4-2 |
| 1959 | Toronto Maple Leafs | Won 4-1 |
| 1960 | Toronto Maple Leafs | Won 4-0 |
| 1965 | Chicago Black Hawks | Won 4-3 |
| 1966 | Toronto Maple Leafs | Lost 4-2 |
| 1968 | St. Louis Blues | Won 4-0 |
| 1969 | St. Louis Blues | Won 4-0 |
| 1971 | Chicago Black Hawks | Won 4-3 |
| 1973 | Chicago Black Hawks | Won 4-2 |
| 1976 | Philadelphia Flyers | Won 4-0 |
| 1977 | Boston Bruins | Won 4-0 |
| 1978 | Boston Bruins | Won 4-2 |
| 1979 | New York Rangers | Won 4-1 |
| 1986 | Calgary Flames | Won 4-1 |
| 1993 | Los Angeles Kings | Won 4-1 |
Conclusion
With 24 Stanley Cup championships, the Montreal Canadiens are the most decorated and successful team in NHL history. Their first title came in 1916, and their most recent in 1993. The bulk of their championships came during dominant runs in the 1950s and 1970s.
Stars like Maurice Richard, Jean Beliveau, Guy Lafleur, Patrick Roy and countless others led the way during these championship seasons. The Canadiens built a tradition of excellence over decades that may never be matched again in the NHL.
While it has been over 25 years since their last Cup victory, the Canadiens are still chasing the championship standard they set throughout their illustrious history. With 24 banners hanging from the rafters, the quest for 25 remains for the storied Montreal franchise.
