![]() ![]() ▪ Nashville’s Roman Josi had 89 points though Thursday, and though he might fall short of being the first 100-point defenseman since Brian Leetch (1991-92), he might become the first 91-point defenseman since Ray Bourque (1993-94). ▪ The Panthers set a cap-era record for goals: 322 as of Friday, more than any team since 1995-96. Michael Farber wrote in a recollection years later that the ice “became as crowded as Route 3 heading to Cape Cod on a summer weekend.” How long he waited to blow his whistle is a matter of debate - the Globe’s accounting had it as 12 seconds - and the actual number of extra skaters was in some debate. The Bruins had to accept the call of linesman John D’Amico. The Bruins had been seething at referee Bob Myers, whom they felt gave the Canadiens some friendly calls in that third period (cue Harry Sinden: “Death, taxes, and the first penalty in the Forum”). With 2:34 to go, confusion on the bench, a pair of skates planted on the ice at the wrong time. Middleton’s go-ahead goal, the Globe’s Leigh Montville wrote in the aftermath, was merely “the final tease, the final prelude to heartbreak.” They were doomed, as they always were in Montreal. Pollock celebrated Montreal’s Cup victory by selecting Lafleur as heir to the retiring Beliveau.Īt long last, were the Bruins going to stop that misery? He protected his trade asset by sending aging, six-time All-Star Ralph Backstrom to the Kings, ensuring they’d stay out of the basement. He scored at least 50 times in six straight campaigns from 1974-75 to 1979-80.Months before the rookie Dryden stunned the Big, Bad Bruins to win the Cup in 1971, Montreal general manager Sam Pollock cajoled the new-on-the-block Oakland Seals into coughing up the No. ![]() He holds the Canadiens’ all-time record for assists and points. Named one of the NHL’s 100 greatest players of all-time in 2017, Lafleur finished with 560 goals and 793 assists in 1,126 games in his 17 seasons. “As distinctively stylish as he was remarkably talented, Lafleur cut a dashing and unmistakable figure whenever he blazed down the ice of the Montreal Forum.” “You didn’t need to see Guy Lafleur’s name and number on his sweater when ‘The Flower’ had the puck on his stick,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement. But he made a comeback later that year with the Rangers and then played two more seasons with the Quebec Nordiques before hanging up his skates for good in 1991. Lafleur, who retired from the NHL in 1985 after Montreal denied his request for a trade, was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1988. “Guy, he was a fighter,” Cournoyer said with a tremble in his voice. Yvan Cournoyer, who played alongside Lafleur, had difficulty containing his emotions. “It’s the chemotherapy that really hurts you badly,” Lafleur said in an interview with The Canadian Press in November. Lafleur went under the knife again to remove both the upper lobe of his lung and lymph nodes a few months later, but learned in October 2020 the cancer was back. Nicknamed “The Flower,” LaFleur was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2019 when tumors were discovered by doctors performing emergency quadruple bypass heart surgery. “My thoughts and prayers are with their families.” “An honor to play with both,” Wayne Gretzky posted on his social media channels. Lafleur’s death came as the hockey world continues to mourn Mike Bossy after the former Islanders forward and fellow Quebecer died last week at age 65 following his own battle with cancer. “I remember meeting him as a kid and being overwhelmed in a way that meeting presidents and queens didn’t necessarily overwhelm me.” “A hero to so many of us,” Trudeau said in Winnipeg. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, a noted Canadiens fan, also glowingly remembered Lafleur. He was one of the greatest players in our organization while becoming an extraordinary ambassador for our sport.” “Throughout his career, he allowed us to experience great moments of collective pride. “Guy Lafleur had an exceptional career and always remained simple, accessible, and close to the Habs and hockey fans in Quebec, Canada and around the world,“ Molson said in a statement. With the flashy forward leading the way, the Canadiens won it all in 1973, and then four more times from 1976 to 1979.Ĭanadiens President Geoff Molson said the organization was devastated. Lafleur registered 518 goals and 728 assists in 14 seasons with Montreal. ![]() “We’re really proud to wear this Montreal Canadiens logo in large part because of individuals like Guy Lafleur.” “A special person,” Canadiens alternate captain Brendan Gallagher told reporters in Brossard. ![]() Lafleur, a Hall of Fame forward who helped Montreal win five Stanley Cup titles in the 1970s, has died at age 70 following a battle with lung cancer. ![]()
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