History of Bruins–Canadiens rivalry in Timeline

The Bruins–Canadiens rivalry is a fierce and historic NHL rivalry, considered among the greatest in all of sports. These two teams have faced each other more than any other pair in NHL history, combining both regular season and Stanley Cup playoff games. The intensity and long history of the rivalry make it a significant part of hockey lore.

December 1, 1924: Bruins inaugural NHL regular season game

On December 1, 1924, the Boston Bruins played their inaugural NHL regular season game as one of two NHL expansion teams, facing the Montreal Maroons at Boston Arena. The Bruins won 2-1, with Smokey Harris scoring the first-ever Bruins goal.

December 1924: Bruins Founding

During the 2020–21 NHL season it was noted that due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Bruins and Canadiens would not face each other for the first time since the Bruins were founded in December 1924, showing how deeply rooted and old this rivarly is.

1929: Bruins Win Stanley Cup, First Time Beating Canadiens

In 2011, the Bruins made it all the way to the Final, beating the Vancouver Canucks to bring the sixth Stanley Cup victory in Bruins' history to Boston. It was the first time that Boston had beaten Montreal en route to winning the championship, since the Bruins' first Stanley Cup victory in 1929.

1938: Demise of the Montreal Maroons

In 1938, the financially troubled Montreal Maroons, who had acquired the Canadiens, contracted their original franchise. The Maroons' demise left the Canadiens without a crosstown rival, leading to a league realignment into a single division and intensifying the Boston-Montreal rivalry.

1941: Bruins win Stanley Cup

In 1941, the Bruins won their first Stanley Cup.

April 8, 1952: Maurice "Rocket" Richard scores series-winning goal

On April 8, 1952, Maurice "Rocket" Richard, despite an earlier concussion and bleeding from his face, scored the series-winning goal of the 1952 Stanley Cup semifinals against the Boston Bruins. He scored past Bruins goaltender Sugar Jim Henry. A photograph of Henry shaking hands with Richard after the goal is considered one of the most famous images in sports.

1954: Richard's suspension costs him the scoring title

In 1954-55, Maurice Richard's suspension cost him the 1954–55 scoring title and first place for the Canadiens. Richard's teammate Bernie Geoffrion surpassed Richard in scoring on the last day of the regular season.

March 13, 1955: Violent Confrontation and Suspension of Maurice Richard

On March 13, 1955, a violent confrontation occurred during a game between the Canadiens and Bruins. Bruins defenceman Hal Laycoe high-sticked Maurice Richard, leading to Richard retaliating with his stick, hitting Laycoe and punching linesman Cliff Thompson. Richard received a match penalty and a $100 fine, while Laycoe received a five-minute major penalty and a ten-minute misconduct, which called for an automatic $25 fine, for the high stick. The incident sparked one of the worst instances of hockey-related violence in history.

1965: Start of Bruins and Canadiens dominance

From 1965 to 1979, the Bruins and Canadiens combined for 16 of the possible 30 Stanley Cup Final appearances.

1967: Toronto Maple Leafs win Stanley Cup

In 1967, the Toronto Maple Leafs won the Stanley Cup, interrupting the Bruins' and Canadiens' exclusive reign as Stanley Cup champions from 1965 to 1979.

1967: St. Louis Blues enter NHL

In the 1967–68 season, the St. Louis Blues entered play as an expansion team in the NHL.

1968: Canadiens win Stanley Cup against St. Louis Blues

In 1968, the Montreal Canadiens won the Stanley Cup against the St. Louis Blues in a four-game sweep.

1969: Canadiens defeat Bruins in Semifinals

In 1969, the Canadiens defeated the Bruins in six games in the east semifinals, with Jean Beliveau scoring the winning goal in the second overtime period at Boston Garden.

1970: Bruins win Stanley Cup

In the 1969–70 season, the Bruins won their first Stanley Cup since 1941 on the famous overtime goal by Bobby Orr.

1970: Bruins Finish First in League

In the 1970–71 NHL season, the Boston Bruins finished first in the league with Phil Esposito and Bobby Orr setting scoring records.

1971: Canadiens defeat Bruins in first round

In 1971, despite the Bruins finishing first in the League, the Canadiens defeated the Bruins in seven games in the first round of the playoffs and went on to win the Stanley Cup. Rookie goaltender Ken Dryden played a key role for the Canadiens.

1974: Philadelphia Flyers win Stanley Cup

In 1974, the Philadelphia Flyers won the Stanley Cup, interrupting the Bruins' and Canadiens' exclusive reign as Stanley Cup champions from 1965 to 1979.

1975: Stanley Cup Final without Bruins or Canadiens

In 1975, the Stanley Cup Final was played between the Philadelphia Flyers and Buffalo Sabres, marking the only Final during the 1965-1979 period in which neither the Bruins nor the Canadiens appeared.

1976: Rise of the Montreal Canadiens Dynasty

In the mid-1970s, the Montreal Canadiens, coached by Scotty Bowman, became one of the most dominant NHL dynasties of all time. Guy Lafleur succeeded Bobby Orr as the game's preeminent superstar.

1977: Canadiens Sweep Bruins in Stanley Cup Final

In 1977, the Montreal Canadiens swept the Boston Bruins in four games in the Stanley Cup Final.

1978: Canadiens win the Stanley Cup Final

In 1978, the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Boston Bruins in six games to win the Stanley Cup Final.

1978: Canadiens Defeat Bruins in Stanley Cup Final

In 1978, the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Boston Bruins in six games to win the Stanley Cup Final. Rough tactics were used against Guy Lafleur during the series.

1979: End of Bruins and Canadiens dominance

From 1965 to 1979, the Bruins and Canadiens combined for 16 of the possible 30 Stanley Cup Final appearances.

1979: Canadiens Win Semifinals Against Bruins

In 1979, the Montreal Canadiens won a rough-and-tumble semifinals series against the Boston Bruins. After a too many men on the ice penalty called on the Bruins, Guy Lafleur scored the tying goal on the ensuing power play, and Montreal's Yvon Lambert scored in overtime to win the series. Bruins general manager Harry Sinden dismissed head coach Don Cherry.

1981: Realignment to Adams Division

In 1981, the Canadiens were realigned to the Bruins' Adams Division, as the league revamped its scheduling and playoff format to better account for geography, conferences and divisions.

1981: Toronto Maple Leafs placed in opposite conference

In 1981, the Toronto Maple Leafs were placed in the opposite conference, limiting the number of Montreal–Toronto games per season compared to Boston–Montreal.

1984: Canadiens Sweep Bruins in Division Semifinals

In 1984, despite the Bruins winning the Adams Division with a 49–25–6 record and 104 points, the Canadiens, who finished 35–40–5 with 75 points, swept the Bruins in the division semifinals.

1985: Canadiens Defeat Bruins in Division Semifinals

In 1985, the Canadiens, after winning the Adams Division with a 41–27–12 record for 94 points, defeated the Bruins, who finished 36–34–10 with 82 points, in the division semifinals in five games.

1986: Canadiens win Stanley Cup

In 1986, the Canadiens beat the Calgary Flames to win their 23rd Stanley Cup, marking the only time either the Bruins or the Canadiens won during the 1981-1993 division-oriented playoff format era.

1986: Canadiens Sweep Bruins en route to Stanley Cup

In 1986, the Canadiens, who finished second in the Adams Division with a 40–33–7 record for 87 points, swept the Bruins in the division semifinals on their way to winning the Stanley Cup. The Bruins finished one point behind with a record of 37–31–12 for 86 points.

1987: Canadiens Sweep Bruins in Division Semifinals for Second Year

In 1987, the Canadiens, who finished second in the Adams Division with a 41–29–10 record for 92 points, swept the Bruins in the division semifinals for the second consecutive year. The Bruins finished with a record of 39–34–7 for 85 points.

1987: Flyers vs. Oilers in the Wales Conference final

In 1987, the Philadelphia Flyers and the Edmonton Oilers faced off in the Wales Conference final, marking the only final from 1986 to 1990 that neither the Bruins nor the Canadiens appeared in.

1988: Bruins Win Playoff Series Against Canadiens After 45 Years

In 1988, the Bruins won their first playoff series against the Canadiens in 45 years and after 19 attempts in the Montreal Forum, advancing to the Stanley Cup Final, where they lost to the Edmonton Oilers.

1990: Bruins Defeat Canadiens at Boston Garden for First Time Since 1943

In 1990, the Bruins, after winning the Presidents' Trophy, defeated the Canadiens at Boston Garden for the first time since 1943, before advancing to the Stanley Cup Final where they lost to the Edmonton Oilers.

1992: Teams meet in playoffs for the last time in a while.

1992 marked the last of nine consecutive years (1984-1992) that the Bruins and Canadiens met in the playoffs.

1992: Bruins Sweep Canadiens in Playoffs

In 1992, the Bruins swept the Canadiens in the playoffs for the first time since 1929. Seldom-used winger Peter Douris contributed an overtime winner in game two and the clinching empty-netter in Game Four; and first-year head coach Rick Bowness, got the Bruins to play a team game after captain Ray Bourque was lost during game two to an injury.

1993: Canadiens Make Stanley Cup Final

After playoff series wins, the Canadiens made it to their first Stanley Cup Final since 1993, in the 2021 Stanley Cup Final, which also coincided with the Bruins not playing the Canadiens in the regular season.

1993: Bruins Eliminate Canadiens in Playoffs

In 1993, following the NHL's realignment for the 1993–94 season, the Bruins, seeded fourth in the Eastern Conference, knocked out the fifth-seeded Canadiens in the first round in seven games. Patrick Roy of the Canadiens, after missing Game 3 due to appendicitis, returned for Game 4, making 39 saves in a 5–2 victory.

1993: Bruins Swept by Sabres, Canadiens Win Stanley Cup

In 1993, the Bruins, after winning the Adams Division, were swept by the Buffalo Sabres in the opening round of the playoffs due to "May Day" goal. The Canadiens then won their 24th Stanley Cup, benefiting from the Bruins' and Pittsburgh Penguins' early eliminations.

1997: Andy Moog Signs with Canadiens

In 1997, goaltender Andy Moog, known as a "Habs Killer", signed with the Canadiens for the 1997–98 season and helped the Habs to their first playoff series win since their championship season of 1993.

1998: NHL Realignment

In 1998, the NHL realigned again, splitting each conference into three divisions of five teams each due to expansion.

1998: Continued placement of Toronto Maple Leafs in opposite conference

The Toronto Maple Leafs remained in the opposite conference in 1998, which continued to limit the number of Montreal–Toronto games per season compared to that of Boston–Montreal.

2000: Both Teams Miss Playoffs

In 2000, both the Canadiens and the Bruins missed the playoffs.

2000: NHL Expansion

The NHL continues to expand into new markets such as the Nashville Predators, Atlanta Thrashers (today's Winnipeg Jets), Columbus Blue Jackets and Minnesota Wild between the 1998–99 and 2000–01 seasons.

2001: Both Teams Miss Playoffs Again

In 2001, for the second consecutive year, both the Canadiens and the Bruins missed the playoffs.

2002: Canadiens Defeat Bruins in Playoffs

In 2002, the Canadiens defeated the Bruins in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, despite the Bruins being seeded higher. This marked the Canadiens' first playoff series victory since 1998.

2003: Canadiens' Heritage Classic Appearance

In 2003, the Canadiens participated in the Heritage Classic, marking their history with outdoor games before their 2016 Winter Classic matchup against the Bruins.

2004: Canadiens Win Series After Trailing 3-1

In 2004, the Canadiens defeated the Bruins in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, despite the Bruins being seeded higher. The Bruins lost their first playoff series after having a 3–1 series lead, and it was the first time that the Canadiens had won a series in seven games after trailing 3–1.

2006: Bruins miss playoffs

In the 2014-15 season, the Bruins missed the playoffs for the first time since the 2006-07 season, which added to the disappointment of the season where they were swept by Montreal.

June 22, 2007: Claude Julien Named Head Coach of Bruins

On June 22, 2007, former Canadiens coach Claude Julien was named the head coach of the Bruins.

2008: Canadiens Win Playoff Series Against Bruins

In 2008, the Canadiens, with the best regular season record in the Eastern Conference, defeated the Bruins in seven games in the first round of the playoffs. Goaltender Carey Price recorded a shutout in Game 7.

2008: Mention of previous season series sweep

Reference to the fact that the 2014-15 season was the first time since the 2008-09 season that Montreal swept the season series against the Bruins in regulation, showing the history of the rivalry.

2008: Bruins Dominate Regular Season Games

The 2008–09 regular season saw a reversal of the previous year's results, with the Boston Bruins gaining 11 of 12 total points in six games against the Canadiens.

December 4, 2009: Canadiens Celebrate 100th Anniversary with Victory

On December 4, 2009, the Canadiens celebrated their 100th anniversary as a hockey team with a 5–1 home victory against the Bruins at the Bell Centre. The Canadiens won five of six games against the Bruins during the regular season.

2009: Bruins Sweep Canadiens in Playoffs for First Time Since 1992

In 2009, the Bruins, who finished the regular season with the best record in the Eastern Conference, swept the Canadiens in the first round of the playoffs for the first time since 1992 and for the first time in franchise history.

2009: Steve Begin plays with the Bruins

Steve Begin, who cross-checked Marc Savard in the past, would later become a Bruin himself in the 2009–10 season.

2010: Bruins' First Outdoor Game

In 2010, the Bruins had their first-ever outdoor game, setting the stage for their future appearance in the 2016 Winter Classic against the Canadiens.

2011: Bruins Advance Past Canadiens in Seven Games

In 2011, the Bruins and Canadiens met for the 33rd time in the postseason, the most frequent playoff series in NHL history. The Bruins dropped their first two games at home but managed to win the next two away to tie the series, finally advancing in seven games after Nathan Horton's second overtime goal of the series. The Bruins became the first team to win a seven-game playoff series without scoring a power play goal. Bruins defenceman Andrew Ference was fined $2,500 for an obscene gesture in Game 4, and Milan Lucic received a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct for boarding in Game 6.

2011: Canadiens' Heritage Classic Appearance

In 2011, the Canadiens participated in the Heritage Classic, marking their history with outdoor games before their 2016 Winter Classic matchup against the Bruins.

2011: Bruins Win Northeast Division Title

In the 2010-2011 season, the Bruins and Canadiens met for the final time on March 24, with Bruins David Krejci, Zdeno Chara, and Milan Lucic each scoring three assists in a 7–0 blowout of the Canadiens. Boston won the Northeast Division title on April 2. Montreal finished the season seeded sixth following a 4–1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on April 9 and faced the Bruins in the first round of the 2011 Stanley Cup playoffs.

2011: Bruins Win Season Series Against Canadiens

In the 2011–12 season, the Bruins won the Northeast Division as the Canadiens failed to qualify for the postseason. The Bruins won the season series, winning the final four games after losing the first two in a home-and-home series in the final week of October, outscoring them 13–11.

September 6, 2012: Bruins Sign Malcolm Subban

On September 6, 2012, the Bruins signed goaltender Malcolm Subban, the younger brother of Canadiens defenceman P. K. Subban, to a three-year, entry-level contract.

September 16, 2013: Malcolm Subban Debuts Against Canadiens

On September 16, 2013, Malcolm Subban made his debut against the Canadiens in a pre-season match at Montreal's Bell Centre, stopping every shot in 31:49 of play in a 6–3 Bruins victory.

2013: Realignment of Bruins, Canadiens and Maple Leafs in the Atlantic Division

In 2013, the NHL realignment placed the Bruins, Canadiens, and Maple Leafs in the same division, the Atlantic Division, maintaining their historic rivalry. The Detroit Red Wings also joined the division. The Bruins and Canadiens met four times, with Montreal winning three of those games.

May 8, 2014: Tuukka Rask's Victory

May 8, 2014 marks the last time Tuukka Rask played in goal for a 1-0 Bruins victory in the Bell Centre before the December 9, 2015 game.

2014: Rick Bowness Remarks on 1992 Sweep

In 2014, Rick Bowness reflected on the Bruins' 1992 playoff sweep of the Canadiens, highlighting its significance for loyal Bruins fans.

2014: Canadiens defeat Bruins in playoffs, Lucic threatens Weise

In 2014, the Canadiens swept the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Bruins beat Detroit in five games, leading to a playoff series where the Canadiens defeated the Presidents' Trophy-winning Bruins in seven games. After the Canadiens' 3-1 victory in game seven, Bruins forward Milan Lucic allegedly threatened Canadiens forward Dale Weise in the handshake-line, sparking controversy.

2014: Montreal sweeps season series against Bruins, Lucic's obscene gesture

In the 2014-15 season, Montreal swept all four games against the Bruins in regulation. During one of the games, Milan Lucic made an obscene gesture at the Bell Centre and was later fined $5,000 by the NHL. This added to the existing rivalry between the teams in 2014.

2014: Bruins last playoff appearance until 2017

The coaching changes in 2017 resulted in the Bruins getting into the playoffs for the first time since 2014.

January 2015: Anticipation for Winter Classic

In January 2015, the anticipation built for the upcoming 2016 Winter Classic, where the Bruins and Canadiens would face each other outdoors at Gillette Stadium. The rivalry would be showcased on a large stage.

December 9, 2015: Bruins break losing streak at Bell Centre

On December 9, 2015, the Bruins defeated the Canadiens 3-1 at the Bell Centre, ending a losing streak dating back to May 8, 2014. Tuukka Rask was in goal, and Landon Ferraro scored the game-winning goal.

2016: Canadiens win Winter Classic at Gillette Stadium

In 2016, the Bruins and Canadiens played in the Winter Classic at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, with the Canadiens winning the game 5-1.

2016: Cassidy's Coaching Changes

In the 2016-17 season, after Bruce Cassidy took over coaching duties from Claude Julien, the Bruins achieved an 18-8-1 record, making a playoff series between the Bruins and their former coach possible, however both teams lost in six games in a best-of-seven series.

February 7, 2017: Bruins fire Claude Julien

On February 7, 2017, the Bruins fired head coach Claude Julien. A week later, on February 14, he was named head coach of the Canadiens.

2017: Bruins win all four games against Canadiens

In the 2017-18 NHL season, the Bruins won all four games against the Canadiens, marking a successful season for the Bruins in the rivalry.

2018: Olivier Galipeau attends Bruins' development camp

Following the 2017-18 NHL season, Olivier Galipeau, a Montreal development camp invitee, attended the Bruins' development camp and eventually signed with the AHL Providence Bruins team. Galipeau was on the "expected" roster due to skate at the Bruins’ 2018–19 training camp at the Warrior Ice Arena.

2020: NHL realignment due to COVID-19

During the 2020-21 NHL season, COVID-19 travel restrictions forced a temporary realignment, placing all seven Canadian teams in one division. This eliminated any games between the Bruins and Canadiens in the regular season, the first time since the Bruins' founding in 1924.

2020: Temporary division realignment due to COVID-19 pandemic

During the 2020-21 season, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a temporary division realignment was made to avoid cross-border travel. Montreal was placed in an all-Canadian "North" division and Boston in an Atlantic-Metro hybrid "East" division, resulting in the first season of play in which the Canadiens and Bruins did not face each other.

2021: Canadiens in Stanley Cup Final, Bruins eliminated

In 2021, the Bruins fell to the New York Islanders in the second round of the playoffs, while the Canadiens reached their first Stanley Cup Final since 1993, ultimately losing to the Tampa Bay Lightning in five games.