5 2 Dates April 24 – May 5, 1966 Start date April 24, 1966 | 5 3 Champion Montreal Canadiens MVP Roger Crozier | |
Location(s) Montreal (Montreal Forum) (1,2,5)
Detroit (Detroit Olympia) (3,4,6) Coaches Montreal: Toe Blake
Detroit: Sid Abel Captains Montreal: Jean Beliveau
Detroit: Alex Delvecchio Similar 1944 Stanley Cup Finals, 1931 Stanley Cup Finals, 1960 Stanley Cup Finals, 1924 Stanley Cup Finals, 1969 Stanley Cup Finals | ||
The 1966 Stanley Cup Final was contested by the Detroit Red Wings and the defending champion Montreal Canadiens. The Canadiens would win the best-of-seven series four games to two to win the Stanley Cup for the seventh time in eleven years.
Contents
Paths to the final
Montreal defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 4–0 to advance to the finals, and Detroit defeated the Chicago Black Hawks 4–2.
The series
With this series, Toe Blake had coached the Canadiens to seven Cups in eleven years. Henri Richard, a member of all seven championship teams, would score the series winner in game six in overtime. Two minutes into the extra period, Richard broke in on Red Wing goalie Roger Crozier, lost his footing on the newly resurfaced ice as he cut across the goalmouth, and sprawled into Crozier. The puck went in, and even though Crozier and the Wings protested that Richard had pushed the puck in with his hand, the goal stood. His brilliant play in goal, even in defeat, earned Crozier the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player in the playoffs.
Detroit Red Wings vs. Montreal Canadiens
Montreal wins Stanley Cup, four games to two.
Roger Crozier wins Conn Smythe Trophy.