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The 2020–21 Montreal Canadiens season was the 112th for the club that was established on December 4, 1909, and their 104th season as a franchise in the National Hockey League.
| 2020–21 Montreal Canadiens | |
|---|---|
| Division | 4th North |
| 2020–21 record | 24–21–11 |
| Home record | 13–11–4 |
| Road record | 11–10–7 |
| Goals for | 159 |
| Goals against | 168 |
| Team information | |
| General manager | Marc Bergevin |
| Coach | Claude Julien (Jan. 13 – Feb. 24)[1] Dominique Ducharme (interim, Feb. 24 – Jul. 7)[1] |
| Captain | Shea Weber |
| Alternate captains | Paul Byron Brendan Gallagher |
| Arena | Bell Centre |
| Minor league affiliate(s) | Laval Rocket (AHL) |
| Team leaders | |
| Goals | Tyler Toffoli (28) |
| Assists | Jeff Petry (30) |
| Points | Tyler Toffoli (44) |
| Penalty minutes | Ben Chiarot (50) |
| Plus/minus | Joel Edmundson (+28) |
| Wins | Carey Price (12) |
| Goals against average | Carey Price (2.64) |
Due to the Canada–U.S. border restrictions brought in as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Canadiens were re-aligned with the other six Canadian franchises into the newly formed North Division. The league's 56 game season was played entirely within the new divisions, meaning that Montreal and the other Canadian teams played an all-Canadian schedule for the 2020–21 regular season as well as the first two rounds of the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs.
On May 10, 2021, the Canadiens clinched a playoff berth after a 4–3 overtime loss to the Edmonton Oilers.[2] In the first round, the Canadiens successfully overcame a 3–1 series deficit to defeat the Toronto Maple Leafs in seven games.[3] In the second round, the Canadiens swept the Winnipeg Jets in four games.[4] Since they were the lowest-remaining team from the second round, they played against the Vegas Golden Knights in the Stanley Cup semifinals,[5][6] defeating them in six games. The Canadiens won the Clarence S. Campbell Bowl and advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since 1993,[7] subsequently ending a 10-year Canadian team Finals appearance drought, the Vancouver Canucks (in 2011) being the previous team to reach such juncture.[8] In the 2021 Stanley Cup Finals against the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Canadiens lost the first three games of the series, finally earning a win in game four. However, the Canadiens were defeated in five games.[9]
Divisional standings
| Pos | Team | GP | W | L | OTL | RW | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | y – Toronto Maple Leafs | 56 | 35 | 14 | 7 | 29 | 187 | 148 | +39 | 77 |
| 2 | x – Edmonton Oilers | 56 | 35 | 19 | 2 | 31 | 183 | 154 | +29 | 72 |
| 3 | x – Winnipeg Jets | 56 | 30 | 23 | 3 | 24 | 170 | 154 | +16 | 63 |
| 4 | x – Montreal Canadiens | 56 | 24 | 21 | 11 | 20 | 159 | 168 | −9 | 59 |
| 5 | e – Calgary Flames | 56 | 26 | 27 | 3 | 22 | 156 | 161 | −5 | 55 |
| 6 | e – Ottawa Senators | 56 | 23 | 28 | 5 | 18 | 157 | 190 | −33 | 51 |
| 7 | e – Vancouver Canucks | 56 | 23 | 29 | 4 | 17 | 151 | 188 | −37 | 50 |
Source: National Hockey League[10]
Rules for classification: 1) Fewer number of games played (GP, only during regular season); 2) Greater number of regulation wins (RW); 3) Greater number of wins in regulation and overtime, excluding shootout wins (ROW); 4) Greater number of total wins, including shootouts (W); 5) Greater number of points earned in head-to-head play; if teams played an uneven number of head-to-head games, the result of the first game on the home ice of the team with the extra home game is discarded; 6) Greater goal differential (GD); 7) Greater number of goals scored (GF)
e – Eliminated from playoff contention; x – Clinched playoff spot; y – Clinched division
Rules for classification: 1) Fewer number of games played (GP, only during regular season); 2) Greater number of regulation wins (RW); 3) Greater number of wins in regulation and overtime, excluding shootout wins (ROW); 4) Greater number of total wins, including shootouts (W); 5) Greater number of points earned in head-to-head play; if teams played an uneven number of head-to-head games, the result of the first game on the home ice of the team with the extra home game is discarded; 6) Greater goal differential (GD); 7) Greater number of goals scored (GF)
e – Eliminated from playoff contention; x – Clinched playoff spot; y – Clinched division
Regular season
The regular season schedule was published on December 23, 2020.[11]
| 2020–21 game log | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Legend: Win (2 points) Loss (0 points) Overtime/shootout loss (1 point) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playoffs
| 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Legend: Win Loss | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Skaters
Goaltenders
| Player | GP | GS | TOI | W | L | OT | GA | GAA | SA | SV% | SO | G | A | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carey Price | 25 | 25 | 1,478:45 | 12 | 7 | 5 | 65 | 2.64 | 659 | .901 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jake Allen | 29 | 27 | 1,702:36 | 11 | 12 | 5 | 76 | 2.68 | 817 | .907 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Cayden Primeau | 4 | 4 | 201:54 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 14 | 4.16 | 93 | .849 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Player | GP | GS | TOI | W | L | GA | GAA | SA | SV% | SO | G | A | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carey Price | 22 | 22 | 1,341:38 | 13 | 9 | 51 | 2.28 | 673 | .924 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining the Canadiens. Stats reflect time with the Canadiens only.
‡Denotes player was traded mid-season. Stats reflect time with the Canadiens only.
Bold/italics denotes franchise record.
| Player | Explanation | Length | Salary | Date issued | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joel Edmundson | Dangerous trip against Leafs forward John Tavares | N/A | $1,000.00 | May 9, 2021 | [97] |
| Shea Weber | Cross-checking Leafs forward Wayne Simmonds | N/A | $5,000.00 | May 23, 2021 | [98] |
| Shea Weber | Slashing Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov | N/A | $5,000.00 | June 29, 2021 | [99] |
Awards
| Player | Award | Awarded | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tyler Toffoli | NHL First Star of the Week | January 25, 2021 | [100] |
| Jeff Petry | NHL Third Star of the Week | February 8, 2021 | [101] |
Milestones
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The Canadiens had been involved in the following transactions during the 2020–21 season.
Trades
| Date | Details | Ref | |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 6, 2020 | To Columbus Blue Jackets Max Domi 3rd-round pick in 2020 |
To Montreal Canadiens Josh Anderson |
[123] |
| October 7, 2020 | To Tampa Bay Lightning STL 2nd-round pick in 20201 |
To Montreal Canadiens 4th-round pick in 2020 2nd-round pick in 2021 |
[124] |
| October 7, 2020 | To San Jose Sharks ANA 4th-round pick in 20202 |
To Montreal Canadiens WSH 3rd-round pick in 20213 |
[125] |
| October 7, 2020 | To Chicago Blackhawks OTT 7th-round pick in 20204 |
To Montreal Canadiens MTL 7th-round pick in 20215 |
[126] |
| March 26, 2021 | To Buffalo Sabres 3rd-round pick in 2021 5th-round pick in 2021 |
To Montreal Canadiens Eric Staal6 |
[127] |
| April 11, 2021 | To Detroit Red Wings Hayden Verbeek 5th-round pick in 2021 |
To Montreal Canadiens Jon Merrill |
[128] |
| April 12, 2021 | To Philadelphia Flyers 7th-round pick in 2022 |
To Montreal Canadiens Erik Gustafsson7 |
[129] |
Notes
- The St. Louis Blues' second-round pick went to the Tampa Bay Lightning as the result of a trade on October 7, 2020, that sent a fourth-round pick in 2020 (124th overall) and a second-round pick in 2021 to Montreal in exchange for this pick.[130]
- Montreal previously acquired this pick as the result of a trade on February 18, 2020, that sent Marco Scandella to St. Louis in exchange for a conditional fourth-round pick in 2021 and this pick.[131]
- The Anaheim Ducks' fourth-round pick went to the San Jose Sharks as the result of a trade on October 7, 2020, that sent Washington's third-round pick in 2021 to Montreal in exchange for this pick.
- Montreal previously acquired this pick as the result of a trade on June 30, 2019, that sent Nicolas Deslauriers to Anaheim in exchange for this pick.[132]
- The Washington Capitals' third-round pick went to the Montreal Canadiens as the result of a trade on October 7, 2020, that sent Anaheim's fourth-round pick in 2020 (98th overall) to San Jose in exchange for this pick.[133]
- San Jose previously acquired this pick as the result of a trade on February 18, 2020, that sent Brenden Dillon to Washington in exchange for Colorado's second-round pick in 2020 and this pick (being conditional at the time of the trade).[134] The condition—San Jose will receive a third-round pick in 2021 if Washington does not win the Stanley Cup in 2020[134]—was converted when Washington was eliminated from the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs on August 20, 2020.[135]
- The Ottawa Senators' seventh-round pick went to the Chicago Blackhawks as the result of a trade on October 7, 2020, that sent Montreal's seventh-round pick in 2021 to Montreal in exchange for this pick.[136]
- Montreal previously acquired this pick as the result of a trade on February 24, 2020, that sent Matthew Peca to Ottawa in exchange for Aaron Luchuk and this pick.[137]
- The Montreal Canadiens' seventh-round pick went Arizona Coyotes as the result of a trade on July 24, 2021, that sent St. Louis' seventh-round pick in 2022 to Montreal in exchange for this pick.
- Montreal previously re-acquired this pick as the result of a trade on October 7, 2020, that sent Ottawa's seventh-round pick in 2020 to Chicago in exchange for this pick.[136]
- Chicago previously acquired this pick as the result of a trade on June 30, 2019, that sent second and seventh-round picks both in 2020 and a third-round pick in 2021 to Montreal in exchange for Andrew Shaw and this pick.[138]
- The Buffalo Sabres will retain 50% of Staal's salary for the remainder of the 2020–21 season.
- The Philadelphia Flyers will retain 50% of Gustafsson's salary for the remainder of the 2020–21 season.
Contract terminations
| Date | Player | Via | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 6, 2020 | Karl Alzner | Unconditional waivers | [139] |
| December 31, 2020 | Alexandre Alain | Mutual termination | [140] |
Waivers
| Date | Player | Team | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 11, 2021 | Noah Juulsen | to Florida Panthers | [141] |
| April 12, 2021 | Victor Mete | to Ottawa Senators | [142] |
Free agents
| Date | Player | Team | Contract term | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 9, 2020 | Brandon Baddock | from New Jersey Devils | 1-year | [143] |
| October 9, 2020 | Max Friberg | to Frolunda HC (SHL) | 3-year | [144] |
| October 9, 2020 | Keith Kinkaid | to New York Rangers | 2-year | [145] |
| October 12, 2020 | Tyler Toffoli | from Vancouver Canucks | 4-year | [146] |
| November 23, 2020 | Aaron Luchuk | to Orlando Solar Bears (ECHL) | 1-year | [147] |
| November 27, 2020 | Antoine Waked | to Indy Fuel (ECHL) | 1-year | [148] |
| December 23, 2020 | Michael Frolik | from Buffalo Sabres | 1-year | [149] |
| December 28, 2020 | Corey Perry | from Dallas Stars | 1-year | [150] |
| December 30, 2020 | Christian Folin | to Vaxjo Lakers (SHL) | 1-year | [151] |
| January 4, 2021 | Andrew Sturtz | to Rapid City Rush (ECHL) | 1-year | [152] |
| April 2, 2021 | Corey Schueneman | from Laval Rocket (AHL) | 1-year | [153] |
| May 19, 2021 | Vasili Demchenko | to Avangard Omsk (KHL) | 1-year | [154] |
| June 15, 2021 | Otto Leskinen | to Jokerit (KHL) | 2-year | [155] |
Signings
| Date | Player | Contract term | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 30, 2020 | Michael McNiven | 1-year | [156] |
| October 8, 2020 | Noah Juulsen | 1-year | [157] |
| October 8, 2020 | Josh Anderson | 7-year | [158] |
| October 9, 2020 | Victor Mete | 1-year | [159] |
| October 9, 2020 | Xavier Ouellet | 2-year | [160] |
| October 14, 2020 | Jake Allen | 2-year | [161] |
| October 14, 2020 | Brendan Gallagher | 6-year | [162] |
| October 20, 2020 | Kaiden Guhle | 3-year | [163] |
| March 1, 2021 | Gianni Fairbrother | 3-year | [164] |
| March 27, 2021 | Cole Caufield | 3-year | [165] |
| April 6, 2021 | Jan Mysak | 3-year | [166] |
| May 12, 2021 | Rafael Harvey-Pinard | 2-year | [167] |
| June 3, 2021 | Mattias Norlinder | 3-year | [168] |
| June 19, 2021 | Lukas Vejdemo | 1-year | [169] |
| June 21, 2021 | Laurent Dauphin | 1-year | [170] |
| June 27, 2021 | Brandon Baddock | 1-year | [171] |
Below are the Montreal Canadiens' selections at the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, which was held virtually via video conference call from the NHL Network studio in Secaucus, New Jersey on October 6–7, 2020. Originally scheduled for June 26–27, 2020 at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, the draft was subsequently postponed on March 25, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and moved to such format hereafter.
| Round | # | Player | Pos | Nationality | College/Junior/Club team (League) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 16 | Kaiden Guhle | D |  Canada |
Prince Albert Raiders (WHL) |
| 2 | 47 | Luke Tuch | LW |  United States |
U.S. National Team Development Program (USHL) |
| 2 | 481 | Jan Mysak | C |  Czech Republic |
Hamilton Bulldogs (OHL) |
| 4 | 1022 | Jack Smith | C | United States |
St. Cloud Cathedral (USHS-MN) |
| 4 | 109 | Blake Biondi | C | United States |
Hermantown High School (USHS-MN) |
| 4 | 1243 | Sean Farrell | LW | United States |
Chicago Steel (USHL) |
| 5 | 1364 | Jakub Dobes | G | Czech Republic |
Omaha Lancers (USHL) |
| 6 | 171 | Alexander Gordin | RW |  Russia |
SKA-1946 (MHL) |
Notes
- The Chicago Blackhawks' second-round pick will go to the Montreal Canadiens as the result of a trade on June 30, 2019, that sent Andrew Shaw and a seventh-round pick in 2021 to Chicago in exchange for a seventh-round pick in 2020, a third-round pick in 2021, and this pick.[172]
- The Winnipeg Jets' fourth-round pick will go to the Montreal Canadiens as the result of a trade on June 30, 2018, that sent Simon Bourque to Winnipeg in exchange for Steve Mason, Joel Armia, a seventh-round pick in 2019, and this pick.[173]
- The Tampa Bay Lightning's fourth-round pick will go to the Montreal Canadiens as the result of a trade on October 7, 2020, that sent St. Louis' second-round pick in 2020 to Tampa Bay in exchange for a second-round pick in 2021 and this pick.[124]
- The Florida Panthers' fifth-round pick will go to the Montreal Canadiens as the result of a trade on June 22, 2019, that sent Chicago's fifth-round pick in 2019 to Florida in exchange for this pick.[174]
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