Short Chronology of Great Canadien Goaltenders

As the oldest and most storied NHL franchise, the Montreal Canadiens have a rich history of exceptional goaltending. From their early days in the NHL to their more recent successes and struggles, the Canadiens have been blessed with some of the greatest goaltenders in the history of the sport. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best goalies to ever don the Canadiens’ iconic jersey.

One name that immediately comes to mind when discussing the best goalies in Canadiens history is Jacques Plante. Plante revolutionized the goaltending position with his innovative use of the mask, becoming the first NHL goalie to regularly wear facial protection. His contributions to the game go far beyond his mask, however. Plante was a six-time Stanley Cup champion with the Canadiens and won the Vezina Trophy seven times, including a remarkable five consecutive wins from 1956 to 1960. Plante’s calm demeanor and exceptional skill between the pipes made him a legend in Montreal and a cornerstone of the Canadiens’ dynasty in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

The next legendary goalie is Ken Dryden. Despite playing only eight full seasons in the NHL, Dryden’s impact on the Canadiens and the game of hockey as a whole cannot be overstated. Dryden burst onto the scene in the 1970s and immediately made an impact, winning the Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie and leading the Canadiens to a Stanley Cup victory in his first season. Dryden went on to win a total of six Stanley Cups with the Canadiens and was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in 1971. His remarkable consistency and ability to perform under pressure make him one of the greatest goalies in Canadiens history.

When he started in goal, he was a good bet to win, just like these Canada sports betting sites.

Patrick Roy is another name that is synonymous with goaltending greatness in Montreal. Roy played the first 10 seasons of his storied career with the Canadiens, winning two Stanley Cups and two Conn Smythe Trophies along the way. Roy’s fiery competitiveness and clutch performances in the playoffs endeared him to Canadiens fans and solidified his place as one of the greatest goalies of all time. His famous “wink” to Tomas Sandstrom in the 1993 Stanley Cup Finals is just one example of Roy’s confidence and swagger on the ice.

More recently, Carey Price emerged as one of the best goalies in Canadiens ever. Price was a mainstay in Montreal after making his debut in 2007 and was consistently one of the top goalies in the NHL. Price won the Vezina Trophy as the league’s top goalie in 2015 and led the Canadiens to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2021. His calm demeanor and ability to make the big save when it matters most have made him a fan favorite in Montreal and have solidified his place among the Canadiens’ all-time greats.

The Montreal Canadiens have been fortunate to have some of the greatest goalies in NHL history don their jerseys. From Jacques Plante and Ken Dryden to Patrick Roy and Carey Price, the Canadiens have a rich history of goaltending excellence. These goalies have not only been great players on the ice but have also been ambassadors for the game of hockey, helping to grow the sport and inspire future generations of players.