Despite Canadiens captain Jean Beliveau on crutches, the Canadiens swept the Blues in 1968 (photo: HHOF)
1968: In Toe Blake's final game as Montreal's coach, the Canadiens beat the St. Louis Blues 3-2 to sweep the best-of-seven final series and win their 15th Stanley Cup championship, and the eight under Blake’s guidance. J.C. Tremblay had a goal and an assist in the deciding game.
It was the first Cup Final for an expansion team. The Blues roster had some familiar faces to Montreal fans with the likes of Dickie Moore, Doug Harvey, Red Berenson and Jean-Guy Talbot on their roster.
Behind St. Louis’ bench was Scotty Bowman, who had inherited the team after Lynn Patrick resigned. Bowman took the Blues from a 4-10-2 start and got them playing above .500 hockey, while leading them to third place in the Expansion Six West Division.
St. Louis goaltender Glenn Hall was named the Conn Smythe Trophy winner. Yvan Cournoyer led the Canadiens in scoring with 14 points in the playoffs.
Below is a 24-minute short film via YouTube, entitled Red, White and Blues, depicting the four-game series.
Also on this day..
1940: The Canadian Arena Company assumes full ownership of the Canadiens, Senator Donat Raymond serves as President, William Northey as Vice President.
The Canadiens also acquire Bill MacKenzie from the Chicago Black Hawks for cash.
1971: Jean Beliveau scored his final Stanley Cup Playoff goal during a 5-2 win over Chicago, in Game Four of the Finals. It was his 79th goal in playoffs, second highest in history at the time and only three shy of Maurice Richard's record 82.
Habs Born on This Day: Dutch Hiller (1915), George Robertson (1928)
Sources: