1979 Stanley Cup Final Game 5 vs Boston
The Canadiens clinched their fourth consecutive title in Boston, sealing a dynasty that defined an era.
The fifth and final game of the 1979 Stanley Cup Final stands as one of the most pivotal moments in Montreal Canadiens history, marking the culmination of a dynasty that would come to define an era. In this decisive contest at the Boston Garden, the Canadiens faced their arch-rivals, the Boston Bruins, for the championship title. The victory secured Montreal's 17th Stanley Cup, cementing their status as the most successful franchise in NHL history and completing a remarkable four-year streak of championships under coach Scotty Bowman.
- Final Score
- Montreal Canadiens 4, Boston Bruins 2
- Series Result
- Canadiens win 4-1
- Venue
- Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
- Key Goalie
- Ken Dryden (Montreal)
- Championship Count
- 17th Stanley Cup for Montreal
Lore & Background
Game 5 became the stage where the Canadiens' resilience was fully tested. Despite playing in the hostile atmosphere of the Boston Garden, known for its deafening noise and intimidating proximity to the ice, the Canadiens maintained their composure. Ken Dryden stood as an impenetrable wall between the pipes, while players like Guy Lafleur, Larry Robinson, and Serge Savard executed a masterclass in team hockey. The victory was not just about stopping Boston's attack; it was about asserting Montreal's supremacy on the national stage, proving that their system could withstand any pressure.
In Their Own Story
The air inside the Boston Garden was thick with tension, a palpable mix of hope and desperation hanging over the home crowd. As the final minutes ticked away, the scoreline reflected the Canadiens' control: 4-2. Ken Dryden crouched low in his crease, his stick poised to deflect any desperate shot from the Bruins' forwards. The roar of the Boston faithful was a constant drumbeat, but on the ice, the Montreal players moved with a serene, practiced rhythm. Guy Lafleur skated through the neutral zone, eyes locked on the net, knowing that one more shift could seal history. When the final horn sounded, the silence from the Canadiens' bench gave way to an eruption of pure elation. Four in a row. The dynasty was not just alive; it was immortalized.
Reader's Guide
The occasion for this historic match was Game 5 of the 1979 Stanley Cup Final, held on May 23, 1979. The Montreal Canadiens entered the series seeking their fourth consecutive championship, a feat never before accomplished in the modern era. Facing the Boston Bruins, who were desperate to stop the streak and bring glory back to Massachusetts, the series had already seen intense physical battles and high-scoring affairs.
In this decisive game, the Canadiens dominated from the opening faceoff. Ken Dryden was exceptional in net, making crucial saves that kept Montreal ahead while the team's offense capitalized on Boston's defensive lapses. Larry Robinson and Serge Savard anchored a defense that neutralized the Bruins' star power, while Guy Lafleur added his signature flair to the scoring column. The game ended with a 4-2 victory for Montreal, securing the Stanley Cup in Boston itself.
This match is remembered not only for the final score but for what it represented: the crowning of perhaps the greatest team in NHL history. It marked the end of an unprecedented four-year run and solidified the Canadiens' reputation as a dynasty that could win anywhere, even on enemy ice. The victory validated Scotty Bowman's system and highlighted the depth of talent that defined the late 1970s Canadiens, leaving a legacy that future generations would strive to match.
Did You Know?
- This was the first time since 1945-46 that the Montreal Canadiens won four consecutive Stanley Cups.
- Ken Dryden was named the Conn Smythe Trophy winner for his outstanding performance throughout the playoffs, including this final game.
- The victory at Boston Garden meant the Canadiens became the last team to win a Cup in the 'Original Six' era's most iconic arena before expansion.
- Guy Lafleur scored two goals in Game 5, further cementing his legacy as one of the greatest players in franchise history.