The Montreal Canadiens are one of the most storied franchises in NHL history. Nicknamed the “Habs”, they have won more Stanley Cup championships than any other team. Determining exactly how many wins the Canadiens have over their long history requires delving into the statistical record books.
Regular Season Wins
In the regular season, the Montreal Canadiens have accumulated 3455 wins over their existence. This includes wins in the NHL and its predecessor leagues like the NHA and WHA. Their first recorded win came on January 19, 1910 against the Cobalt Silver Kings. Since then, the Habs have amassed decades worth of regular season victories against rival NHL teams.
As of the end of the 2021-22 season, the Canadiens’ all-time regular season record stood at 3455-1560-1234. This gives them an all-time points percentage of .572 across 6249 games. They have the most wins of any franchise in NHL history, ahead of bitter rivals like the Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins.
The Habs enjoyed their greatest regular season success during the 1970s, when they were undoubtedly the league’s strongest team. Between the 1970-71 and 1979-80 seasons, Montreal won 653 games, the most by any team over a single decade. This 10-year stretch included six 100+ point seasons and five Stanley Cups.
Regular Season Wins by Decade
| Decade | Wins |
| 1910s | 187 |
| 1920s | 407 |
| 1930s | 473 |
| 1940s | 490 |
| 1950s | 477 |
| 1960s | 536 |
| 1970s | 653 |
| 1980s | 488 |
| 1990s | 341 |
| 2000s | 358 |
| 2010s | 370 |
| 2020s | 35 |
As the table shows, Montreal’s period of dominance in the 1970s stands out clearly, with their 653 wins nearly 200 more than their next best decade. The 23 years between 1968–69 and 1991–92 stand as their greatest era of regular season success.
Playoff Series Wins
In addition to regular season success, the Canadiens have triumphed in many playoff series over their history. As of 2022, they have won 170 playoff series all-time.
From their first playoff appearance in the 1918–19 season through the 2021–22 season, Montreal has qualified for the postseason 83 times. They have won at least one playoff series in 65 of those appearances.
The Canadiens’ illustrious playoff history includes ten Stanley Cup victories between 1965 and 1993. During this dominant stretch, they won a remarkable 37 playoff series.
Montreal’s 23 consecutive playoff series victories between 1968 and 1986 stands as the longest such streak in NHL history. This run of playoff dominance further cemented the Canadiens as the league’s premier franchise during the 1970s and 80s.
Stanley Cup Final Appearances
The Canadiens have reached the Stanley Cup Finals 35 times, winning the Cup on 24 of those occasions. The only NHL teams with more Stanley Cup wins are the Toronto Maple Leafs with 13 and the Detroit Red Wings with 11.
However, Montreal has appeared in 10 more Finals than Detroit and 15 more than Toronto. Their consistent excellence across the decades in reaching championship series is unmatched.
Between 1951 and 1993, the Habs incredibly appeared in the Finals 22 times over 42 seasons. They faced off against fellow legends like the Maple Leafs, Red Wings, Bruins, and Oilers in these championship series, establishing countless rivalries.
The Canadiens last reached the Stanley Cup Final in 1993, when they defeated Wayne Gretzky’s Los Angeles Kings to capture their 24th Cup. Montreal fans have anticipated a return to glory ever since.
Stanley Cup Championships
The Canadiens have won 24 Stanley Cup titles, more than any other franchise. The next closest team is the Toronto Maple Leafs with 13 championships. Montreal dominated the NHL’s early days, winning six Cups between 1924 and 1931.
| Decade | Stanley Cup Wins |
| 1910s | 0 |
| 1920s | 3 |
| 1930s | 3 |
| 1940s | 2 |
| 1950s | 6 |
| 1960s | 4 |
| 1970s | 6 |
| 1980s | 2 |
| 1990s | 1 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
Montreal’s dynasties in the 1950s (five straight Cups) and 1970s (four straight Cups) stand out as the team’s most dominant championship runs.
Legends like Jean Beliveau, Henri Richard, Guy Lafleur, and Patrick Roy led the Habs to the majority of these Cup triumphs. Goaltender Ken Dryden won six championships in just eight NHL seasons between 1971 and 1979.
Conclusion
Analyzing all levels of competition, the Montreal Canadiens have accumulated 3455 regular season wins, 170 playoff series victories, 35 Stanley Cup Finals appearances, and 24 NHL championships. Their nearly unparalleled history of sustained success has made them the league’s marquee franchise.
Despite going nearly three decades without a Cup, the Canadiens’ overall win total and championship haul is unlikely to be matched by any NHL team past or present. Their dominant eras in the 1950s and 1970s in particular stand out as peaks of hockey excellence.
Although the Habs have struggled in recent seasons, their overwhelmingly triumphant history is cause for optimism. Montreal faithful hope the club can experience a renaissance and add to their profound win totals across the regular season, playoffs, and Stanley Cup Finals.
