the 76-77 canadiens were the greatest hockey team, ever, in fact, they were the greatest professional sports team for one season-ever. the rcaord: 60-8-12... led in goals scored, least goals against, 1st team, only team to score more than twice as many as allowed...lost just 1 game at home... 33-1-6... had vezina winner, dryden... had leading scorer, lafleur... leading goal scorer,shutt... led league in power plays... led league in penalty killing... won 12 of 14 playoffs, swept finals.........
NYR would not have beaten Bos in 1979. NYR did Habs a HUGE favor by beating Isles in playoffs. Habs were in last stages of their dynasty and needed late power play to save this series. Winning 4 consecutive Cups is not easy even for teams with talent to do it (see 1986 Oilers and 1993 Pens). If Montreal had to play NYI AND Bos in postseason, they would have won Cup by a whisker in 1978 and had no chance in 1979, but either Bos or Mon would beat NYR. Rangers did Habs a big favor again in 1986.
Exactly right. This Boston-Montreal series was the really the finals. Very few people believe the Rangers would have beaten Boston. A final against the Islanders would have been a much more difficult series for the Habs.
@industrialsun in 1986 is was steve smith of edmonton putting the puck in his own net that did the Habs the big favour. edmonton would have won 5 in a row if it weren't for that.
NYI nearly lost in 1982 opening round to pittsburgh. 2 late NYI goals tied the deciding game, then NYI won in OT.
@lakeerie90s True, 1982 1st round Isles/Pens series did go to Game 5 but only an odd kinda flukey Pitt goal in OT of Game 3 prevented a sweep. There is also a clip of that goal somewhere on Youtube. Smith's error in 1986 was an earthshaking moment in NHL history but Habs also benefitted from NYR upending Flyers & Caps in other division & from Whalers taking out division leader Quebec. As a result, Habs got to play 2nd & 3rd playoff rounds on homeice which was an enormous advantage.
Judging by your username, your a leafs fan, its awesome that you would be cool enough to post this great goal regardless of your personal favorite team.
PS: If your username means something else, props anyways haha.
Are you kidding me? Boston would have destroyed the Rangers had they made it past this game to the finals! Noway the Rangers would have won the cup that year!
@graciemaemarie11 I would have bet my life savings on it! There was no way the 79 Rangers would have taken out Cherry and the Big Bad Bruins that season!
im not sure u can call the 79 bruins the Big Bad Bruins. this team did not have cheif, orr, espo, cheevers, etc. it was a totally different bruins than they were 9 years earlier
Look at the timing of the pass back! Just beauty! I'm a week shy of 37 and I can remember that series as one of the first times that I watched hockey! Talk about 'hooked on hockey'! It'd be a few years before I found my team in the North Stars, they looked so good until falling prey to the Islanders in 81'. But a Stars fan I am today, I've had my reward, but it has been oh so long! Can't the boys of Big D bring another cup to their faithful?!? A few former 'Canadiens' will try to answer!
@mnoormo1, you will quickly toss me aside, but I've always enjoyed the call of Chris Cuthbert. His call on Langenbrunners' 98' semi-final game 5 goal against the Wings at 46 seconds of O.T from virtual centre ice will always enthrall me! Don't know it I can find on Y.T, but I will try, and I will upload it if successful. I'll never take anything away from Danny, but this was one of my fav calls of all time!
No, because Esposito was on the decline after that trade. In fact, many observers feel the Bruins won that trade because they got a really good forward in Ratelle, and more importantly, an all-star defenceman in Brad Park.
@leafyutube Dick Irvin said that near the end of the 1979-80 season Guy took a really bad hit from behind by Pat Boutette ; he was never the same again . This goal may have been his last 'flashy' one of his career .
This goal cost the Rangers the Cup. After beating the Reg. season champ NYI in six games, there was no way they would have lost to the Bruins in the Finals. Espo was still pissed about being traded to the Rangers and would have made sure they got even. The Habs were the only team that could the Rangers that year and did in the finals.
Not a chance! Most observers agree that the Stanley Cup final was this series between Montreal and Boston. You are definitely in the minority if you think the Rangers would have beaten Boston.
@leafyutube The Islanders came into their own in 79 when they won the Reg season., With Don Maloney coming up after the AS game and the way the team was playing under Shero , Rangers kicked ass the rest of the season... Destroyed the Flyers in the Qtr finals. When he was In Phila,. Shero beat the B's in 1974 with Orr and knew their system. B's had a very good team in the late 70's. But If the Rangers could beat the NYI with Potvin, Trottier and Bossy, they could have beaten the B's.
No, because the Islanders were a good regular season back then, not yet a real playoff time like their dynasty years. They even lost to the average Leafs in 78, did they not?
I was around back then. I'm not some 20 year old talking nonsense. Once the Rangers beat the Isles, the consensus was that the Rangers would have no chance against Montreal or Boston.
The Islanders had only had one playoff disappointment prior to 79, & that was 78. In 75,76 & 77 they made the semis & lost to teams that were definitely better than them. I was 7 at the time but I know a lot about these seasons. The Rangers had beaten an Islander team which had the goals leader in Bossy, the points leader & Hart Trophy winner in Trottier & the Norris Trophy winner in Potvin. I'm not a biased Ranger fan, but considering what they'd already accomplished it's not unreasonable
to believe the Rangers could've (not would've) beaten Boston, and I know that was an excellent Bruin team. Nevermind the semi-final win versus the Isles, the Rangers had gotten past the Kings and Philly in the first two rounds with real ease. They had only lost once & had won 4 or 5 games by 4 goals or more prior to the semis. They were blossoming at the right time. I don't think it was as flukey as many people think. The Rangers had some talented players & a good mix of youth & experience.
@mmcckkgg i remember watching this game and rooting for montreal because i felt the rangers matched up better with the canadiens than the bruins. what i didn't consider was the heart of a champion because their play level improved against the rangers and easily dismantled them. Lesson: don't root for your next opponet because you might just get them!!
@DonQwantsyou Guy LAFLEUR is what he's called anywhere else... "IF NOT for this, IF NOT for that.... Pfff. Those BOSTON MFers DID have too many men on the ice (Don "Dinosaur" Cherry admitted it) and those glorious 70's Habs won fair and square on their way TO THEIR 22ND CUP. Dans vos dents, maudits Bostonnais! ;-)
@DonQwantsyou hmmm....why ?? If I wanna speak french, just for the kick of it... nothing serious.... I'll speak french.
But I did speak to you in english for the most part, the part that mattered. The last sentence just meant "in your teeth, damn bostonians" :-) Just a little Les Canadiens from La Belle Province comeback, since you started it with your " MFers ". Cheers!
@DonQwantsyou BTW Cherry always said when you played in Momtreal the refs always called the first penalty on the visiteur, plus stoneface Bowman was on the NHL Rules Commitee so Les Canadienne always got the calls when they needed them like in game 7, 3 PP in 3rd period. Eat dogshit!
@DonQwantsyou This goal cost the Rangers the Cup. After beating the Reg. season champ NYI in six games, there was no way they would have lost to the Bruins in the Finals. Espo was still pissed about being traded to the Rangers and would have made sure they got even. The Habs were the only team that could beat the Rangers that year and did in the finals.
"La but des Canadiens, compte par le numero dix, Canadiens goal scored by number 10, GUY LAFLEUR!"
The immortal call as made by Legendary Forum PA Announcer, the late great Claude Mouton!!! He was the one who gave all of us a lesson in French every time the Habs played my L.A. Kings in Montreal until his passing in 1993.
May he, Roger Doucet and the rest of The Ghosts Of The Forum rest assured that they also contributed to the 1970s Dynasty that was the Hallowed Montreal Canadiens!
@AK47Music -- I am a Bruins fan and obviously I have known much pain. The Canadiens have cause most of it. However, hearing the regal voice of M. Mouton was extraordinary and Roger Doucet was simply the best ever when it came to the anthem. No one else close. The atmosphere at the Forum for games was magnifique.
Offside? Bullshit! The puck was in over the blueline before Lemaire went in,
Therefore, the play is officially onside and perfectly legal, and as much as I hated (and as a Los Angeles Kings fan since 1975, and believe me, they beat OUR asses almost every single time we played them back then) the Habs back then (but always respected them and still do), and also to see that happen, you have to admit, that Stan Jonathan is the one to blame for the eventual end result of this great series.
@leafyutube Correct, it's not offside, anyone with eyes can see it, which dfbhcf apparently is not blessed with. Lamiere receives the puck as :50 turns to :51 (in the replay here) and he is clearly onsides.
I come back to this video every couple of months to remind myself of....I don't know, of human potential. Of glory, maybe. I know Lafleur and his family have had many problems over the years, but still, I keep coming back here, to see this golden moment. I have this weird romantic notion that the single coolest moment to be alive on Planet Earth in the 20th century is shown in the face of Guy LaFleur at 0:21 of this video (blurry, here) when Larry Robinson comes over to say, "Extraordinaire!"
Its true Gilbert was a big reason why it went 7games....Lafleur scored a lot of goals from that spot on the ice and to the far post...Lafleur,Leach,Martin,McDonald all had wicked shots from the right side...but the flower seemed to be the most accurate of them all. I do remember Leach twice in row making Dryden look like scarecrow with shots from the top of the face-off circle in the 76 finals...he scored on the flyers first shot on goal in game 4 in the spectrum
The scintillating voice of Danny Gallivan...the sound of the Forum organ...the roar of the crowd...Frenchie the trumpeter playing from high in the stands....these are the sounds of my youth.
idhorricks, goodness, I thought I was the only one who remembered Frenchie the trumpeter! Yes, the voice of Mr. Gallivan, the sound of the Forum, Frenchie the trumpeter, and let's not forget there was some guy in the crowd who often started the "Go Habs Go!" chants (could that be Frenchie?)...yes, those were great memories of my youth!
i know most of my friends dont remember him either but all you have to do is watch a few youtube clips or game dvds from those days and he's there trumpeting away every game...I remember while studing in california I was at a game in the Los Angeles Forum when the habs came to town... I yelled out go habs go from the stands and Guy Lafleur and Serge Savard both looked up at me and laughed...
@Orrscore Agreed. After 31 years it's still the worst night in my life too. the really sad part is that this game was the ninth anniversary of Bobby Orr's Cup-winning goal in 1970, so May 10 always gives me conflicting feelings.
I dont know if they easily would have won but they certainly would have a good shot at it...I reckon the would have won in 6 though...Rangers would've likely taken two a home. Dryden played a terrible game that game...flopping all over th ice and out of position...Habs defense were clearing rebounds from the crease all night.
@longballsteeve It was not S. Jonathan, I heard Cherry say it was that goon shithead M. Milbury, and Park touched the puck as well. Milbury was in tears at end of game, the fag
@DonQwantsyou lolll Milbury..... hahahaha, what an overall idiot -- a poor player, a retarded gm (chose RICK DIPIETRO over Dany Heatley, Zach Parise, Roberto Luongo and Jason Spezza) and now a dumb commentator... sheesh...
@CrosbySid87 It's always the coach who's ultimately responsible for the mix up on a too many men on the ice penalty and Cherry admitted this. I saw a Bruin video which explained this happened because they had Marcotte on LaFleur and he just kept following him when he should have come off during a change. Cherry should have spotted this as well as the others before they came on.
goaltending was just as good back at this time if not better. The equipment was smaller and the action just as intense. Gilbert, as someone said earlier was amazing in this series. And to remember those greats including Dryden Tretiak, Parent, Cheevers....I mean c'mon....what a couple of decades the 70's and 80's were for hockey.
I've been following my beloved Habs since the playoffs in 1975 and this has to be the most important Habs playoff goal that I've seen as a Habs fan! And it took none other than the Flower to score the tying goal.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
The biggest Bullshit penalty of all time (too many men on the ice) let Lafleur tie it up for those damb Canadiens. I bet you Wally Harris wasn't the ref that night, he never would have called such an idiotic penalty with a little more than 2 min. left in the game. I'll never forget this one, the year we Bruins fans got screwed out of beating-up the Rangers for Lord Stanley's punchbowl!
I love when Gallivan pronounces Shutt "Shuuuuuuuuuuuuuuttt" in his game 4 1977 finals vs. boston. Shutty should have scored that goal not Lafleur. look where shutty was right on the doorstep for a rebound(if there was one). go number 22, retired steve shutt's number he went from 8 to 15 to 30 to 45 to 60 goals from 72-73 through 76-77. only player who ever climbed into the stratosphere like that. best habs sniper ever, better than flower in my opinion. he was the best shot on left wing.
Shutt used to get a lot of flak for scoring garbage goals but in truth was very good at finding open ice and being where the puck was...just as Bossy was...or Esposito. All had great puck sense.
Awful goal let in by Gilbert. Basically beaten by a snap shot from just inside the blue line. Todays goalies would have deflected that shot into the stands.
easy fella...I grew up a loyal true Blueshirt fan but always had the utmost respect for those Habs teams...I even had a replica red Habs jersey when I was groing up...
Ya, and if LaFleur was using a 1/2 lb composite stick he would have rifled it upstairs....LOL. Habs win..on to the Cup..chalk another one up for the Habs..best of all time..PERIOD.
There's a new book out called "Lets Talk Hockey 50 Wonderful Debates" that I picked up at Chapters the other day while it's an amazing read tailor made for the hockey fan I think Canadiens fans would be impressed the most in one of the chapters that discusses the greatest dynasty of all time. At the top of the list is the '70s Canadiens. Amen.
The classic LaFleur goal! An amazing player. Notice how humble he was after scoring this huge goal - no gloating, no "in your face" crap. Just business-like focus.
that was when the NHL and its players and coaches had class...now its the NBA or NFL on skates. Far more hype than there is content. Back then it was men playing a mans game with the younger players being mentored and looking up to the vets...now its 19 yr olds making 6mil a year and beating up taxi drivers.
@frozenboards - Lafleur had the most ACCURATE slap shot I ever saw, that's what made him so great in his day...most players would just try to hit the net with a slapper, but, Lafleur could pick any corner or the 5 hole as if it were a wrister.
dude is that the same announcer that we still have...i mean in the arena it sounds like the same guy...can you imagine watching all those teams...wow.
No, that's Danny Gallivan. He called the Montreal games for many years and retired in the early 80's. He passed away along time ago. You are lucky if your announcer sounds like him.
habs would have won because of Ken Dryden. Oilers can have Gretzky, Messier,Kurri......they would not have scored with Robinson on defense or Dryden in Goal...Heck, 1979 bruins could beat oilers because of their physical play.
I thought I was only person who thought Habs could take 80's oilers. Thanks landrykkb.
Lafleur was, still and will always be my hero! He brought me so much joy to my life as a young teenager! God bless Mr. Lafleur! You'll always be the very best for me and countless others!
I had the pleasure of meeting the man back in either 2001 or 2002 as he completed an autograph session in Ottawa. I thanked him for the memories! One of the greatest moments in my life!
Lafleur knew exactly where to put the damn bleeping puck in the net: about 6 inches above the ice and just inside the post! He could skate like the wind, could zing the puck like nobody else and could mess up the other team's defensive play like no other! He played in the minds of many of his opponents including the poor goaltender!
does anyone know what bruin actually got charged with the penalty? somebody must have been on the ice who obviously was the odd man out as far as line shifts go. does anyone know who it was?
I was 20 years old when all this went down.Needless to say as a huge Hab fan it was quite a moment for me,I thought we were dead meat.I could live to be 105 years old but I will never forget that goal and that moment
What does the plaque say in the Habs dressing room: "To you, from failing hands, we throw the torch...be yours to hold it high". It was a different era back then...the game itself (not just the Habs) had a lot more integrity in general. There aren't many players with the character that players back then possessed...a few but not many. Maybe Lecavalier will suit up next year...He's born to be a Hab and where the "C". Gainey/Carbo should know how to put together a team heart and skill!
Looking at vintage games like this really shows how goaltending evolved for the last 30 years. With all the training on goalies, we don't see blasts from the side going into the net like that again.
You're right but I think Don Marcotte of the Bruins might have changed the trajectory of the shot a little or disturbed Gilbert a little. When Lafleur follows through the shaft of his stick hits Marcotte's shaft and maybe that surprised him and cost him some concentration. In fact it might have accelerated the shot a bit. I think you know what I'm trying to say, but in any event the shot was FANTASTIC.
maybe training, but let's not froget about the equipment. They're wearing full cotton underwear, which holds moisture, heavy equipment with less protection that soaks up moisture and less advanced treatment for injury and well being, and yet greats managed to keep playing season after season. Any great player is a legend, regardless of equpiment and time.
I think Gilbert played pretty well. Loved the outcome but felt for the Bruins too. I don't agree with your last comment unless you're suggesting that refs in Boston don't have an eye for the obvious.
funny how you forget to mention how don cherry had his goons try to take out lafleur all game long. they where wacking him with his sticks on his body and his head to the point where he was bloodied and bandaged.
Standup goaltending is BOSS
abortbort 1 week ago
im a bruins fan so this hurts a little. but Lafleur from the circle, very few players were as deadly
beatleboy9020001 2 months ago
Nobody could call a game like Danny.
Gladman 3 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Did they win the cup
12395294 4 months ago
Did they win?
12395294 4 months ago
the 76-77 canadiens were the greatest hockey team, ever, in fact, they were the greatest professional sports team for one season-ever. the rcaord: 60-8-12... led in goals scored, least goals against, 1st team, only team to score more than twice as many as allowed...lost just 1 game at home... 33-1-6... had vezina winner, dryden... had leading scorer, lafleur... leading goal scorer,shutt... led league in power plays... led league in penalty killing... won 12 of 14 playoffs, swept finals.........
graciemaemarie11 5 months ago
Looked so easy !!!
luckyluc1970 5 months ago
GUY!, GUY!, GUY!..he was so good...all that with a pack of smokes between periods
IDFrules 5 months ago
Lafleur, coming out rather gingerly on the right side.....classic Danny Gallivan call
IDFrules 5 months ago
NYR would not have beaten Bos in 1979. NYR did Habs a HUGE favor by beating Isles in playoffs. Habs were in last stages of their dynasty and needed late power play to save this series. Winning 4 consecutive Cups is not easy even for teams with talent to do it (see 1986 Oilers and 1993 Pens). If Montreal had to play NYI AND Bos in postseason, they would have won Cup by a whisker in 1978 and had no chance in 1979, but either Bos or Mon would beat NYR. Rangers did Habs a big favor again in 1986.
industrialsun 8 months ago
@industrialsun
Exactly right. This Boston-Montreal series was the really the finals. Very few people believe the Rangers would have beaten Boston. A final against the Islanders would have been a much more difficult series for the Habs.
leafyutube 8 months ago
@industrialsun in 1986 is was steve smith of edmonton putting the puck in his own net that did the Habs the big favour. edmonton would have won 5 in a row if it weren't for that.
NYI nearly lost in 1982 opening round to pittsburgh. 2 late NYI goals tied the deciding game, then NYI won in OT.
lakeerie90s 1 month ago
@lakeerie90s True, 1982 1st round Isles/Pens series did go to Game 5 but only an odd kinda flukey Pitt goal in OT of Game 3 prevented a sweep. There is also a clip of that goal somewhere on Youtube. Smith's error in 1986 was an earthshaking moment in NHL history but Habs also benefitted from NYR upending Flyers & Caps in other division & from Whalers taking out division leader Quebec. As a result, Habs got to play 2nd & 3rd playoff rounds on homeice which was an enormous advantage.
industrialsun 1 month ago
In Boston Guy LaFluer was known as Guy THE SEWER!
DonQwantsyou 8 months ago
@DonQwantsyou in montreal boston was known for losing
Hardrockrules1122 8 months ago
Judging by your username, your a leafs fan, its awesome that you would be cool enough to post this great goal regardless of your personal favorite team.
PS: If your username means something else, props anyways haha.
NZLeduc 9 months ago
@NZLeduc
I'm a Leafs fan, but I post non-partisan stuff. I just like hockey in general, especially classic hockey games.
leafyutube 9 months ago
ça m'inspire pour ce soir!!! :)))
jadranqc 10 months ago
@jadranqc oups . . .
tarzan694 10 months ago
Comment removed
ankiel43 11 months ago
if he doesnt score , cherry never goes on CC
MrScullion44 11 months ago
The ultimate claim of fan of Don Cherry!! not being able to count to 5
francbiss 11 months ago
As if he even scored from that far away. FUCK THE BRUINS SUCK.
fuckcalgarysucks 1 year ago
the bruins definitely got the better of the trade.
MrStones64 1 year ago
Are you kidding me? Boston would have destroyed the Rangers had they made it past this game to the finals! Noway the Rangers would have won the cup that year!
TheGeorgecostanza 1 year ago
@TheGeorgecostanza baloney
graciemaemarie11 5 months ago
@graciemaemarie11 I would have bet my life savings on it! There was no way the 79 Rangers would have taken out Cherry and the Big Bad Bruins that season!
TheGeorgecostanza 5 months ago
@TheGeorgecostanza
im not sure u can call the 79 bruins the Big Bad Bruins. this team did not have cheif, orr, espo, cheevers, etc. it was a totally different bruins than they were 9 years earlier
beatleboy9020001 2 months ago
Glory beyond belief.
Novaboing 1 year ago
Gilles Gilbert looked like he'd been shot.
abc1000001 1 year ago
Don Cherry is a cock sucker he always hated the canadians and the francophones players...kind of stupid jealousy
Chrono831 1 year ago
As Don Cherry put it: "That damn Lafleur!"
Love it.
Loved Lafleur, one of the all-time greats!
craigandjolene 1 year ago
Isn't there a legend that says that the Bruins coach saw the ghost of a former Montreal Canadiens player and sent a extra player out to check him?
dolphinsneu 1 year ago
Look at the timing of the pass back! Just beauty! I'm a week shy of 37 and I can remember that series as one of the first times that I watched hockey! Talk about 'hooked on hockey'! It'd be a few years before I found my team in the North Stars, they looked so good until falling prey to the Islanders in 81'. But a Stars fan I am today, I've had my reward, but it has been oh so long! Can't the boys of Big D bring another cup to their faithful?!? A few former 'Canadiens' will try to answer!
cockshe 1 year ago
the voice of danny gallivan was gold....I remember this great goal.
phil31422 1 year ago 2
don cherry still holds a grudge to this day LOL racist clown
MikeTupperTheKiller 1 year ago 2
1:32 anyone know what he's eating or putting in his mouth???
meds613 1 year ago
@meds613 Ice cubes. The coach Scotty Bowman like to chomp on ice during the games and the habit spread to some players.
bluehaven100 1 year ago
@bluehaven100 cheers
meds613 1 year ago
Play by play from the late Danny Gallivan. Outstanding!!!! None of the play by play commentators of today come close to Danny Gallivan.
mnoormo1 1 year ago
@mnoormo1, you will quickly toss me aside, but I've always enjoyed the call of Chris Cuthbert. His call on Langenbrunners' 98' semi-final game 5 goal against the Wings at 46 seconds of O.T from virtual centre ice will always enthrall me! Don't know it I can find on Y.T, but I will try, and I will upload it if successful. I'll never take anything away from Danny, but this was one of my fav calls of all time!
cockshe 1 year ago
This will always br remembered as a classic game.
Novaboing 1 year ago
if esposito didnt get traded to the rangers the bruins would have won the cup like 5 more times.
connorrulz 1 year ago
@connorrulz
No, because Esposito was on the decline after that trade. In fact, many observers feel the Bruins won that trade because they got a really good forward in Ratelle, and more importantly, an all-star defenceman in Brad Park.
leafyutube 1 year ago 13
@leafyutube all-star? shoot, Brad Park would have won a few Norris trophies if not for some guy named Orr....
howlincoyote2k1 1 year ago
@leafyutube Dick Irvin said that near the end of the 1979-80 season Guy took a really bad hit from behind by Pat Boutette ; he was never the same again . This goal may have been his last 'flashy' one of his career .
dunett70 10 months ago
This goal cost the Rangers the Cup. After beating the Reg. season champ NYI in six games, there was no way they would have lost to the Bruins in the Finals. Espo was still pissed about being traded to the Rangers and would have made sure they got even. The Habs were the only team that could the Rangers that year and did in the finals.
mmcckkgg 1 year ago
@mmcckkgg
Not a chance! Most observers agree that the Stanley Cup final was this series between Montreal and Boston. You are definitely in the minority if you think the Rangers would have beaten Boston.
leafyutube 1 year ago
@leafyutube The Islanders came into their own in 79 when they won the Reg season., With Don Maloney coming up after the AS game and the way the team was playing under Shero , Rangers kicked ass the rest of the season... Destroyed the Flyers in the Qtr finals. When he was In Phila,. Shero beat the B's in 1974 with Orr and knew their system. B's had a very good team in the late 70's. But If the Rangers could beat the NYI with Potvin, Trottier and Bossy, they could have beaten the B's.
mmcckkgg 1 year ago
@mmcckkgg
No, because the Islanders were a good regular season back then, not yet a real playoff time like their dynasty years. They even lost to the average Leafs in 78, did they not?
I was around back then. I'm not some 20 year old talking nonsense. Once the Rangers beat the Isles, the consensus was that the Rangers would have no chance against Montreal or Boston.
Only a biased Rangers fan would think otherwise.
leafyutube 1 year ago
The Islanders had only had one playoff disappointment prior to 79, & that was 78. In 75,76 & 77 they made the semis & lost to teams that were definitely better than them. I was 7 at the time but I know a lot about these seasons. The Rangers had beaten an Islander team which had the goals leader in Bossy, the points leader & Hart Trophy winner in Trottier & the Norris Trophy winner in Potvin. I'm not a biased Ranger fan, but considering what they'd already accomplished it's not unreasonable
dzanier 11 months ago
to believe the Rangers could've (not would've) beaten Boston, and I know that was an excellent Bruin team. Nevermind the semi-final win versus the Isles, the Rangers had gotten past the Kings and Philly in the first two rounds with real ease. They had only lost once & had won 4 or 5 games by 4 goals or more prior to the semis. They were blossoming at the right time. I don't think it was as flukey as many people think. The Rangers had some talented players & a good mix of youth & experience.
dzanier 11 months ago
@mmcckkgg
Well they didn't and the Habs won, so start arguing about coulda shoulda woulda
SFFOOL76 1 year ago
@mmcckkgg i remember watching this game and rooting for montreal because i felt the rangers matched up better with the canadiens than the bruins. what i didn't consider was the heart of a champion because their play level improved against the rangers and easily dismantled them. Lesson: don't root for your next opponet because you might just get them!!
TheTzdope 11 months ago
Comment removed
rockdCasbah 1 year ago
Greatest goal ever scored!!
midaszone 1 year ago
Gotta love Lafleur..is he eating peanuts on the bench? lol
IDFrules 1 year ago
Epic. And now its Mike Cammalleri's turn !
CrosbySid87 1 year ago
Deja vu??? Lol
adam5487 1 year ago
Too Many Men on the Ice.
RetepAdam 1 year ago
Guy THE SEWER, is what he's called in Boston. If not for BS too many men on ice penalty, B's had these MFers beaten, and well on way to Cup.
DonQwantsyou 1 year ago
@DonQwantsyou Guy LAFLEUR is what he's called anywhere else... "IF NOT for this, IF NOT for that.... Pfff. Those BOSTON MFers DID have too many men on the ice (Don "Dinosaur" Cherry admitted it) and those glorious 70's Habs won fair and square on their way TO THEIR 22ND CUP. Dans vos dents, maudits Bostonnais! ;-)
chuckcrap 1 year ago
@chuckcrap Please at LEAST have the guts to speak to me in ENGLISH!
DonQwantsyou 1 year ago
@DonQwantsyou hmmm....why ?? If I wanna speak french, just for the kick of it... nothing serious.... I'll speak french.
But I did speak to you in english for the most part, the part that mattered. The last sentence just meant "in your teeth, damn bostonians" :-) Just a little Les Canadiens from La Belle Province comeback, since you started it with your " MFers ". Cheers!
chuckcrap 1 year ago
@DonQwantsyou BTW Cherry always said when you played in Momtreal the refs always called the first penalty on the visiteur, plus stoneface Bowman was on the NHL Rules Commitee so Les Canadienne always got the calls when they needed them like in game 7, 3 PP in 3rd period. Eat dogshit!
DonQwantsyou 1 year ago
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@DonQwantsyou This goal cost the Rangers the Cup. After beating the Reg. season champ NYI in six games, there was no way they would have lost to the Bruins in the Finals. Espo was still pissed about being traded to the Rangers and would have made sure they got even. The Habs were the only team that could beat the Rangers that year and did in the finals.
mmcckkgg 3 minutes ago
mmcckkgg 1 year ago
LOL @ Don Cherry...Looooooooooser.
boskinator 1 year ago
LOL - Boston!!
bluesgurugod 1 year ago
"La but des Canadiens, compte par le numero dix, Canadiens goal scored by number 10, GUY LAFLEUR!"
The immortal call as made by Legendary Forum PA Announcer, the late great Claude Mouton!!! He was the one who gave all of us a lesson in French every time the Habs played my L.A. Kings in Montreal until his passing in 1993.
May he, Roger Doucet and the rest of The Ghosts Of The Forum rest assured that they also contributed to the 1970s Dynasty that was the Hallowed Montreal Canadiens!
AK47Music 1 year ago 3
@AK47Music -- I am a Bruins fan and obviously I have known much pain. The Canadiens have cause most of it. However, hearing the regal voice of M. Mouton was extraordinary and Roger Doucet was simply the best ever when it came to the anthem. No one else close. The atmosphere at the Forum for games was magnifique.
Orrscore 1 year ago
Offside? Bullshit! The puck was in over the blueline before Lemaire went in,
Therefore, the play is officially onside and perfectly legal, and as much as I hated (and as a Los Angeles Kings fan since 1975, and believe me, they beat OUR asses almost every single time we played them back then) the Habs back then (but always respected them and still do), and also to see that happen, you have to admit, that Stan Jonathan is the one to blame for the eventual end result of this great series.
AK47Music 1 year ago
0:11 Offside
dfbhcf 1 year ago
No it's not. And this has never been a controversial play.
leafyutube 1 year ago 2
@leafyutube Correct, it's not offside, anyone with eyes can see it, which dfbhcf apparently is not blessed with. Lamiere receives the puck as :50 turns to :51 (in the replay here) and he is clearly onsides.
thishereguitar 1 year ago
Offside my ass.
gyruss73 1 year ago
@dfbhcf at 0:11 seconds, Guy is leaving his zone. I think you are confused with the offside rule.
Thedudeherenow 1 year ago
Back to Lafleur...HE SCORES!
Packerton 1 year ago
I come back to this video every couple of months to remind myself of....I don't know, of human potential. Of glory, maybe. I know Lafleur and his family have had many problems over the years, but still, I keep coming back here, to see this golden moment. I have this weird romantic notion that the single coolest moment to be alive on Planet Earth in the 20th century is shown in the face of Guy LaFleur at 0:21 of this video (blurry, here) when Larry Robinson comes over to say, "Extraordinaire!"
thishereguitar 1 year ago 2
What a great moment in Canadiens history, and what an amazing call by Danny Gallivan.
"Rather gingerly" could anybody today make a historical goal call as great as that one?
veets211 1 year ago 2
@veets211 Nope...nobody.
ldhorricks 1 year ago
Yep, Stan Jonathan. Lafleur said it on Don Cherry's old television show but Cherry quickly changed the subject.
longballsteeve 2 years ago
Its true Gilbert was a big reason why it went 7games....Lafleur scored a lot of goals from that spot on the ice and to the far post...Lafleur,Leach,Martin,McDonald all had wicked shots from the right side...but the flower seemed to be the most accurate of them all. I do remember Leach twice in row making Dryden look like scarecrow with shots from the top of the face-off circle in the 76 finals...he scored on the flyers first shot on goal in game 4 in the spectrum
ldhorricks 2 years ago
The scintillating voice of Danny Gallivan...the sound of the Forum organ...the roar of the crowd...Frenchie the trumpeter playing from high in the stands....these are the sounds of my youth.
ldhorricks 2 years ago 6
idhorricks, goodness, I thought I was the only one who remembered Frenchie the trumpeter! Yes, the voice of Mr. Gallivan, the sound of the Forum, Frenchie the trumpeter, and let's not forget there was some guy in the crowd who often started the "Go Habs Go!" chants (could that be Frenchie?)...yes, those were great memories of my youth!
Habsfan0206 2 years ago
i know most of my friends dont remember him either but all you have to do is watch a few youtube clips or game dvds from those days and he's there trumpeting away every game...I remember while studing in california I was at a game in the Los Angeles Forum when the habs came to town... I yelled out go habs go from the stands and Guy Lafleur and Serge Savard both looked up at me and laughed...
ldhorricks 2 years ago 2
ldhorricks, I met the Flower in 2000 (or 2001) here in Ottawa and man, that made my day!
Habsfan0206 2 years ago
It's still the most painful sports memory I've ever had. Buckner's error was a walkin the park compare to this.
Orrscore 2 years ago
@Orrscore Agreed. After 31 years it's still the worst night in my life too. the really sad part is that this game was the ninth anniversary of Bobby Orr's Cup-winning goal in 1970, so May 10 always gives me conflicting feelings.
Lava1964 1 year ago
@Lava1964 Correction, this game was played on May11.
DonQwantsyou 1 year ago
@DonQwantsyou No, I looked it up just to make sure. This game was played on May 10, 1979. Guaranteed.
Lava1964 1 year ago
Too many men penalty caused by knucklehead Stan Jonathan who jumped on the ice when it wasn't his shift.
Bruins win this game, they easily win the Cup against the Rangers.
longballsteeve 2 years ago
Longballsteeve, so it was Stan Jonathan who jumped the boards!! All this time, Cherry refused to say who it was!
Habsfan0206 2 years ago
I dont know if they easily would have won but they certainly would have a good shot at it...I reckon the would have won in 6 though...Rangers would've likely taken two a home. Dryden played a terrible game that game...flopping all over th ice and out of position...Habs defense were clearing rebounds from the crease all night.
ldhorricks 2 years ago
@ldhorricks Reg Leach ex-Bruin player. Never should have traded him to those damn Flyers
DonQwantsyou 1 year ago
@longballsteeve It was not S. Jonathan, I heard Cherry say it was that goon shithead M. Milbury, and Park touched the puck as well. Milbury was in tears at end of game, the fag
DonQwantsyou 1 year ago
@DonQwantsyou lolll Milbury..... hahahaha, what an overall idiot -- a poor player, a retarded gm (chose RICK DIPIETRO over Dany Heatley, Zach Parise, Roberto Luongo and Jason Spezza) and now a dumb commentator... sheesh...
CrosbySid87 1 year ago
@CrosbySid87 It's always the coach who's ultimately responsible for the mix up on a too many men on the ice penalty and Cherry admitted this. I saw a Bruin video which explained this happened because they had Marcotte on LaFleur and he just kept following him when he should have come off during a change. Cherry should have spotted this as well as the others before they came on.
DonQwantsyou 1 year ago
goaltending was just as good back at this time if not better. The equipment was smaller and the action just as intense. Gilbert, as someone said earlier was amazing in this series. And to remember those greats including Dryden Tretiak, Parent, Cheevers....I mean c'mon....what a couple of decades the 70's and 80's were for hockey.
suckthemtoes 2 years ago 3
Suckthem(big nipples), I agree, the '70s were absolutely awesome especially with those amazing Habs teams of '75-'76 to '78-79!
Habsfan0206 2 years ago
goaltender better now? How about that Soviet dude Tretiak? He was amazing.
Lafleur was a stupendous player....
jceepf 2 years ago
I was there and still have the ticket stub. It was a great game.
NovusRimor 2 years ago 2
well, you'd be wrong
steve6719 2 years ago
pistolpete111, the puck definitely did NOT go through Gilbert's legs. Pretty clear at 0:55.
leafyutube 2 years ago
I've been following my beloved Habs since the playoffs in 1975 and this has to be the most important Habs playoff goal that I've seen as a Habs fan! And it took none other than the Flower to score the tying goal.
Habsfan0206 2 years ago
deemee2, the puck did not got through the goalie's legs on this goal.
steve6719 2 years ago 6
Love how nonchalant the Habs act, like "Oh yeah we tied it. What did people expect? We never lose at home and gave 3 straight cups. Big whoop!"
journeythruthepast 2 years ago 5
le canadiens c les best dans les années 70, donc ferme donc ta foutu Gueu....imcécile
realfletch 2 years ago 4
i love boston,,i just hate don cherry..BIGGEST LOSER IN THE WORLD
deemee22 2 years ago
go habs go.........a plane would of also gone through his legs,,,,
deemee22 2 years ago
yep,in Feb.1976
ottvalley 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
The biggest Bullshit penalty of all time (too many men on the ice) let Lafleur tie it up for those damb Canadiens. I bet you Wally Harris wasn't the ref that night, he never would have called such an idiotic penalty with a little more than 2 min. left in the game. I'll never forget this one, the year we Bruins fans got screwed out of beating-up the Rangers for Lord Stanley's punchbowl!
5inthehole 2 years ago
Could you please repeat the way you say 'damb'? I'd like to laugh for a few minutes more...
KoivuTheHab 2 years ago
Sure, if the Bruins had had "today's goalies" in net they would have won the series. If only... LOL
(Idiot!)
yulboy2000 2 years ago 3
I love when Gallivan pronounces Shutt "Shuuuuuuuuuuuuuuttt" in his game 4 1977 finals vs. boston. Shutty should have scored that goal not Lafleur. look where shutty was right on the doorstep for a rebound(if there was one). go number 22, retired steve shutt's number he went from 8 to 15 to 30 to 45 to 60 goals from 72-73 through 76-77. only player who ever climbed into the stratosphere like that. best habs sniper ever, better than flower in my opinion. he was the best shot on left wing.
ULTRAPOWER1977Habs 2 years ago
Shutt used to get a lot of flak for scoring garbage goals but in truth was very good at finding open ice and being where the puck was...just as Bossy was...or Esposito. All had great puck sense.
ldhorricks 2 years ago
and its true i loved that Gallivan vibrato...and it would crescendo as the play intensified...he was the Maestro without a doubt.
ldhorricks 2 years ago
Awful goal let in by Gilbert. Basically beaten by a snap shot from just inside the blue line. Todays goalies would have deflected that shot into the stands.
berezin99 2 years ago
100% correct... a totally crappy goal given up by a stiff stand-up goalie....
ekimfloom 2 years ago
..and guess what? It counts. LMAO
gyruss73 2 years ago 2
easy fella...I grew up a loyal true Blueshirt fan but always had the utmost respect for those Habs teams...I even had a replica red Habs jersey when I was groing up...
ekimfloom 2 years ago 2
Ya, and if LaFleur was using a 1/2 lb composite stick he would have rifled it upstairs....LOL. Habs win..on to the Cup..chalk another one up for the Habs..best of all time..PERIOD.
gyruss73 2 years ago 4
There's a new book out called "Lets Talk Hockey 50 Wonderful Debates" that I picked up at Chapters the other day while it's an amazing read tailor made for the hockey fan I think Canadiens fans would be impressed the most in one of the chapters that discusses the greatest dynasty of all time. At the top of the list is the '70s Canadiens. Amen.
bigphil399 2 years ago
The classic LaFleur goal! An amazing player. Notice how humble he was after scoring this huge goal - no gloating, no "in your face" crap. Just business-like focus.
frozenboards 2 years ago 11
that was when the NHL and its players and coaches had class...now its the NBA or NFL on skates. Far more hype than there is content. Back then it was men playing a mans game with the younger players being mentored and looking up to the vets...now its 19 yr olds making 6mil a year and beating up taxi drivers.
ldhorricks 2 years ago
@frozenboards - Lafleur had the most ACCURATE slap shot I ever saw, that's what made him so great in his day...most players would just try to hit the net with a slapper, but, Lafleur could pick any corner or the 5 hole as if it were a wrister.
Shoknifeman 1 year ago
rip danny gallivan
best pbp man he business has ever seen
jgrewal66 2 years ago 4
jgrewal66, you've got that right! RIP Mr. Gallivan. You were the best with all due respect to Dan Kelly and Fred Cusick.
Habsfan0206 2 years ago
Thats old time hockey right there. No glass behind the benches and open stairs leading to the bench.
sportsmania21 2 years ago 3
dude is that the same announcer that we still have...i mean in the arena it sounds like the same guy...can you imagine watching all those teams...wow.
BMWWHEELMAN 2 years ago
No, that's Danny Gallivan. He called the Montreal games for many years and retired in the early 80's. He passed away along time ago. You are lucky if your announcer sounds like him.
kelownajim2 2 years ago 3
HA HA!Don Cherry still never got over this 30 years later.This Habs team would have beat the 80's Oilers easily!
landrykkb 2 years ago
habs would have won because of Ken Dryden. Oilers can have Gretzky, Messier,Kurri......they would not have scored with Robinson on defense or Dryden in Goal...Heck, 1979 bruins could beat oilers because of their physical play.
I thought I was only person who thought Habs could take 80's oilers. Thanks landrykkb.
eaglesyz 2 years ago 3
Hard to imagine that this happened 30 years ago! Seems like yesterday!!!
Habsfan0206 2 years ago 2
Lafleur was, still and will always be my hero! He brought me so much joy to my life as a young teenager! God bless Mr. Lafleur! You'll always be the very best for me and countless others!
I had the pleasure of meeting the man back in either 2001 or 2002 as he completed an autograph session in Ottawa. I thanked him for the memories! One of the greatest moments in my life!
Habsfan0206 2 years ago 2
Lafleur knew exactly where to put the damn bleeping puck in the net: about 6 inches above the ice and just inside the post! He could skate like the wind, could zing the puck like nobody else and could mess up the other team's defensive play like no other! He played in the minds of many of his opponents including the poor goaltender!
Habsfan0206 2 years ago 3
this one is for you Cherry.
jeansbass 2 years ago
30 years ago today! Thanks for the memories Guy.
longballsteeve 2 years ago
I was the same age as my son when I saw this... Lafleur was my Ovechkin back then... I showed him that play and now he's a Lafleur fan too...
rockdCasbah 2 years ago 2
They should play this video to the 2009 CH edition... they would surely learn something about it...
rockdCasbah 2 years ago 2
yep
after they got caught for too many men on the ice... count how many bruins there are on the ice
shtstirrer 2 years ago
This was after the famous too many men penalty right?
AGP12345 2 years ago
Smooth as ice! LaFleur was one of a kind.
redhead5150 2 years ago
Watch how this play starts deep in the Canadiens' end with Lafleur spinning on a dime to avoid the forecheck.
You would never see such grace in today's NHL.
longballsteeve 2 years ago
Stan Jonathan was the guy who jumped on the ice and got called for Too Many Men On The Ice.
longballsteeve 2 years ago
Thank you Stan Jonathan! Only you can miss an assignment in the most important game in your life.
Thank you!!
longballsteeve 2 years ago
does anyone know what bruin actually got charged with the penalty? somebody must have been on the ice who obviously was the odd man out as far as line shifts go. does anyone know who it was?
FriendlyWalrus 2 years ago
THE definition of "Flower Power" in the 70s
AK47Music 3 years ago 2
Ahhh....the scintillating voice of Danny Gallivan...He and Dan Kelly simply unsurpassed...those were the days.
ldhorricks 3 years ago 7
I was 20 years old when all this went down.Needless to say as a huge Hab fan it was quite a moment for me,I thought we were dead meat.I could live to be 105 years old but I will never forget that goal and that moment
wrappindude 3 years ago 4
If only montreal weren't full of pussies now
JimB667 3 years ago
if only montreal weren't full of players that don't understand the meaning of wearing that jersey.
vene777 3 years ago 7
What does the plaque say in the Habs dressing room: "To you, from failing hands, we throw the torch...be yours to hold it high". It was a different era back then...the game itself (not just the Habs) had a lot more integrity in general. There aren't many players with the character that players back then possessed...a few but not many. Maybe Lecavalier will suit up next year...He's born to be a Hab and where the "C". Gainey/Carbo should know how to put together a team heart and skill!
ldhorricks 3 years ago
Dickie Moore said that Saku Koivu could have played in his era he's tough.
JohnnyCashIsGod 2 years ago
so many legends in this video clip! i wish I could've been alive back then to watch games!
KrisMTL 3 years ago
Wow! What a blast by Lafleur!
Looking at vintage games like this really shows how goaltending evolved for the last 30 years. With all the training on goalies, we don't see blasts from the side going into the net like that again.
Beginstheman 3 years ago 2
well the Flyers scored many goals like that in the playoffs last year but that's because Price sucked.
vene777 3 years ago
Bull. a quick release like that would often be a goal today as well. The release is essential thing here.
edurtsnah 3 years ago 2
You're right but I think Don Marcotte of the Bruins might have changed the trajectory of the shot a little or disturbed Gilbert a little. When Lafleur follows through the shaft of his stick hits Marcotte's shaft and maybe that surprised him and cost him some concentration. In fact it might have accelerated the shot a bit. I think you know what I'm trying to say, but in any event the shot was FANTASTIC.
dzanier 2 years ago
maybe training, but let's not froget about the equipment. They're wearing full cotton underwear, which holds moisture, heavy equipment with less protection that soaks up moisture and less advanced treatment for injury and well being, and yet greats managed to keep playing season after season. Any great player is a legend, regardless of equpiment and time.
sobchuk 3 years ago
It's a springtime ritual,snow melting,birds singing,rain falling,flowers blooming and the Habs beating out the Bruins,a springtime ritual
wrappindude 3 years ago 3
the Bruins are such a loser team full of what ifs...let them peak in December.
JohnnyCashIsGod 3 years ago 6
Gilbert stood on his head in this game,
totally outplayed Dryden,but sure he would
like that one back.Should not have even came
to that.Only Montreal at home would get that
call in a Game 7.
2382224 3 years ago
I think Gilbert played pretty well. Loved the outcome but felt for the Bruins too. I don't agree with your last comment unless you're suggesting that refs in Boston don't have an eye for the obvious.
Gweezian 3 years ago
I don't root for either team,back then they
always swallowed the whistle late unless you
tackled a guy on a breakaway,and I think refs
doing games in MTL were affected by the home crowd more so than other cities.Just my opinion.
2382224 3 years ago
funny how you forget to mention how don cherry had his goons try to take out lafleur all game long. they where wacking him with his sticks on his body and his head to the point where he was bloodied and bandaged.
this is just karma
ooder1 3 years ago
classic
NWBHLVideo 3 years ago
thats my grandpa! Danny Gallivan!
brendan3990 3 years ago
really? can you email me sometime? (same name @yahoo) I'd love to talk to you about him!
redwings1951 3 years ago
Luongo would have stopped that one.
NWBHLVideo 3 years ago