1944 Stanley Cup Final Game 6 vs Chicago Black Hawks
A flawless sweep ends a fourteen-year drought as Montreal dominates Chicago to hoist their fourth Cup.
The sixth and deciding game of the 1944 Stanley Cup Final stands as a defining moment in Montreal Canadiens history, finally breaking a fourteen-year championship drought. Facing the Chicago Black Hawks at the Montreal Forum, this match capped a flawless playoff run where the 'Habs' surrendered not a single victory throughout the postseason. It was a night where the city's hopes were realized through an overwhelming 7-2 rout, securing the franchise's fourth Stanley Cup and establishing a new standard of excellence.
- Series Result
- Montreal Canadiens won 4-0 (Sweep)
- Final Score Game 6
- 7-2
- Venue
- Montreal Forum
- Date
- April 18, 1944
- Head Coach
- Dick Irvin
- Key Goalkeeper
- Bill Durnan
Lore & Background
Inside the Forum, the air grew thick with anticipation on that April night; fans had waited since 1930 for this specific coronation. As the scoreline ballooned into a rout, nervous energy transmuted into raucous jubilation. When the final horn sounded, the celebration wasn't merely about winning a game—it was the reclamation of glory. This victory branded the 1943-44 squad as an anomaly in NHL history, laying the groundwork for the dynasty that would define the following decade.
In Their Own Story
The Montreal Forum buzzed with a tension that only fourteen years of waiting could build. Bill Durnan anchored the defense, turning away any late Chicago threats while his teammates pushed relentlessly forward. By the third period, the Black Hawks were reeling from a 7-2 deficit, yet the Canadiens played with the intensity of a tied match. The arena shook under the weight of the crowd's roar as Montreal sealed the victory. When the clock hit zero, players erupted in chaos, hoisting captain Buddy O'Connor and coach Dick Irvin skyward while the silver chalice awaited its new owners.
Reader's Guide
This match concluded a best-of-seven series where Montreal held an insurmountable 3-0 lead. Closing out the championship on home ice meant ending the longest title drought in franchise history at that time. The Black Hawks, severely depleted by World War II military service, lacked the depth to challenge the Habs' speed and skill. The final 7-2 scoreline underscored Montreal's supremacy, validating Dick Irvin's system and Bill Durnan's Vezina-caliber season. Beyond the sweep, this series is unique: it was played entirely at the Forum due to wartime restrictions on Chicago's travel and arena availability.
Did You Know?
- The 1944 Canadiens are one of only two teams in NHL history to sweep both the semi-finals and the finals in the same postseason (the other being Detroit in 1950).
- Bill Durnan won the Vezina Trophy for the second consecutive season, allowing an average of just 2.63 goals per game during the regular season.
- This was the first Stanley Cup championship for the Canadiens since 1930, ending a fourteen-year gap between titles.
- The series took place entirely at the Montreal Forum because Chicago's arena was not available due to wartime restrictions and scheduling conflicts.