Chicago Blackhawks
Original Six titans clashing in a century-long battle for hockey supremacy.
Few matchups ignite a Montreal fan like the sight of the black-and-red crest. This Original Six rivalry transcends statistics; it is the collision of two distinct hockey philosophies forged in fire. From Chicago Stadium’s rough edges to the Forum’s grandeur, these meetings defined eras where every shift mattered.
- League Status
- Original Six Franchise
- First Meeting Era
- 1920s-1940s (Regular Season & Playoffs)
- Key Rivalry Peak
- 1970s Stanley Cup Playoffs
- Notable Connection
- Shared history of multiple Stanley Cup championships
Lore & Background
The roots of this rivalry run deep into the foundation of the National Hockey League. Both teams were charter members of the Original Six era, a period from 1942 to 1967 when only six franchises comprised the league. This exclusivity meant that every game carried immense weight, and playoff matchups between Montreal and Chicago became annual tests of survival. The Canadiens, often viewed as the establishment with their grandeur and record-breaking success, frequently faced the Blackhawks as a formidable obstacle defined by toughness and unexpected brilliance.
The intensity peaked during the 1970s, particularly in the 1973 Stanley Cup Final, where Montreal defeated Chicago in six games. That series is remembered for its physicality and the emergence of stars like Guy Lafleur against a Blackhawks team led by Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita. The contrast in styles—Montreal's fluid, skillful offense versus Chicago's hard-hitting defensive structure—created a dramatic narrative that captivated fans across North America. Even as the league expanded, the memory of these Original Six duels remained the gold standard for playoff hockey.
In Their Own Story
The air in Chicago Stadium hung heavy with fresh ice and anticipation. It was Game 6, 1973. The scoreboard flickered, showing a tight contest that had drained both teams to their cores. Guy Lafleur skated toward the net, his stick handling the puck with a rhythm only he could hear, while across the blue line, the Chicago defensemen stood like an impenetrable wall of black and red jerseys. A roar erupted from the stands as a shot was released, the sound of the puck striking wood echoing through the arena. For a moment, time suspended itself between the two cities, bound by the white lines of the rink and the unbreakable thread of their shared history.
Reader's Guide
For new fans, the defining chapter of this feud remains the 1973 Stanley Cup Final. While they met often during the Original Six era due to league exclusivity, that specific series cemented their legacy: a physical six-game war where Montreal’s fluid offense finally dismantled Chicago's gritty defense.
Did You Know?
- Both franchises belonged to the exclusive 'Original Six' group from 1942 to 1967.
- The 1973 Stanley Cup Final remains one of the most physically intense series in NHL history between these two teams.
- Bobby Hull, a Chicago icon, famously battled the Canadiens before his later move to the Winnipeg Jets.
- Stanley Cup victories for both teams often occurred during eras where they were frequent playoff adversaries.