On This Date in Sports May 18, 1971: The Pre-Rookie MVP
In collaboration with the Sportsecyclopedia.com
The Montreal Canadiens resume their dynasty beating the Chicago Black Hawks 3-2 in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals at Chicago Stadium. The Black Hawks had a 2-0 lead in the second period, but the Canadiens rallied with two goals by Henri Richard as Ken Dryden shutdown Chicago over the final two periods. Dryden made his debut late in the regular season and won the Conn Smythe for the Playoff MVP. The following season, Ken Dryden won the Calder Trophy as Rookie of the Year.
The Montreal Canadiens closed the 1960s with back-to-back Stanley Cup Championships and four in a five-year stretch. They missed the playoffs in 1970, finishing fifth in the Eastern Division with a better record than any team in the all-expansion Western Division. This led to change, as the Black Hawks were moved into the West, while two expansion teams were added to the East. The Canadiens began the season with Claude Ruel as their coach, but he was replaced by Al MacNeil in December. They finished the season 42-23-13, good for third in the East.
The Chicago Black Hawks dominated the West, posting a record of 49-20-9 for coach Bobby Reay. The Black Hawks swept the Philadelphia Flyers in the quarterfinals and survived a tough seven-game series with the New York Rangers to reach the Stanley Cup Finals. Chicago beat New York 4-2 to reach their first Stanley Cup Final in six years.
The Canadiens got bad news before the playoffs as goalie Rogie Vachon was injured. This opened the door for Ken Dryden, who played just six games after making his debut in March. With Dryden in net, the Canadiens shocked the Boston Bruins in seven games. Boston was the reigning champions and a heavy favorite to repeat. They moved on to beat the Minnesota North Stars in six to reach the Stanley Cup Finals.
Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals was a duel of goalies, as Tony Esposito and Ken Dryden. Tied 1-1 in overtime, the Black Hawks won the opener at home thanks to a goal by Jim Pappin. The Black Hawks rolled over Montreal in Game 2, winning 5-2 as Lou Angotti scored twice and added an assist.
Down 2-0, the Canadiens got back in the series with a 4-2 win at the Montreal Forum in Game 3. The Black Hawks held a 2-0 lead after the first period, but the Canadiens rallied behind the Mahovlich Brothers as Pete started the comeback, while Frank netted a pair of gals in the Canadiens' comeback. The Canadiens evened the series with a 5-2 win in Game 4, as Yvan Cournoyer had two goals an assist.
Back in Chicago for Game 5, the Black Hawks kept the home fires burning with a 2-0 win as Esposito made 22 saves in a shutout. The Canadiens responded with a 4-3 win in Game 6 as the Maholvich brothers again led the way. Pete tied the game, while Frank won the game as Montreal rallied from a 3-2 deficit in the third period.
In Game 7, at Chicago, the Black Hawks took an early 2-0 lead on goals by Dennis Hull and Danny O'Shea. The Canadiens rallied to tie the goal late in the second period with goals by Jacques Lemaire and Henri Richard. Richard scored early in the third period to give the Canadiens a 3-2 lead. Ken Dryden did the rest as the Canadiens won the Stanley Cup again for the 17th time. Ken Dryden was still a rookie the following season after winning the Playoff MVP and won the Rookie of the Year.