1957 Stanley Cup Final
Canadiens defeat Bruins 4–1 for second straight Cup.
The 1957 Stanley Cup Final decided the NHL champion for the 1956–57 season. The defending champion Montreal Canadiens faced the Boston Bruins. Montreal was appearing in its seventh straight Final, while Boston had not been there since losing to Montreal in 1953. The Canadiens took the series four games to one, earning their second Cup in a row.
Montreal reached the Final by beating the New York Rangers four games to one. Boston got there by defeating the Detroit Red Wings, also four games to one.
In game one, Maurice Richard scored four goals—three of them in the second period—tying Ted Lindsay’s 1955 record for a winning Detroit team, and Montreal took a 1–0 series lead. In game two, Jean Beliveau netted the game-winner early in the second period, and Jacques Plante made 24 saves in a 1–0 Montreal win. Bernie Geoffrion scored twice in game three in Boston, and the Canadiens won 4–2 to go up 3–0 in the series. In game four, Fleming MacKell scored both Boston goals, and Don Simmons stopped all 21 shots he faced for his second shutout of the playoffs, forcing a game five back in Montreal. In game five, Jean Beliveau scored the game-winner early in the second period, Plante made 27 saves, and Montreal won 5–1 to claim their second straight Stanley Cup.
NHL President Clarence Campbell presented the Cup to Canadiens captain Maurice Richard after the 5–1 win in game five. The names of the following Canadiens players and staff were engraved on the trophy: 1956–57 Montreal Canadiens.
- Series winner
- Montreal Canadiens
- Series loser
- Boston Bruins
- Games played
- 5
- Montreal path
- Defeated New York Rangers 4–1
- Boston path
- Defeated Detroit Red Wings 4–1
- Conn smythe trophy
- Not awarded until 1965
Lore & Background
The Montreal Canadiens entered the 1957 Final as the defending champions, making their seventh consecutive Final appearance. The Boston Bruins, by contrast, were making their first Final appearance since 1953, when they also lost to Montreal. The Canadiens reached the Final by defeating the New York Rangers 4–1, while the Bruins eliminated the Detroit Red Wings by the same margin.
Game one saw Maurice Richard score four goals, including three in the second period, tying Ted Lindsay's 1955 record. Jean Beliveau scored the game-winner in game two, and Jacques Plante made 24 saves in a 1–0 shutout. Bernie Geoffrion scored twice in game three as Montreal took a 3–0 series lead.
Boston forced a game five with a shutout by Don Simmons in game four, but Montreal won the decisive game 5–1. Jean Beliveau scored the game-winner, and Plante made 27 saves. The Stanley Cup was presented to Canadiens captain Maurice Richard by NHL President Clarence Campbell.
Reader's Guide
The 1957 Stanley Cup Final marked the second consecutive championship for the Montreal Canadiens, a team that dominated the NHL in the late 1950s. The series highlighted the offensive prowess of Maurice Richard, who tied a record with four goals in game one, and the goaltending of Jacques Plante, who recorded a shutout in game two and made 27 saves in the clinching game five. The Bruins, making their first Final appearance in four years, were led by Fleming MacKell's two goals in game four and goaltender Don Simmons' shutout, but could not overcome Montreal's depth. The series underscored the Canadiens' dynasty, as they would go on to win five consecutive Stanley Cups from 1956 to 1960. The engraving of the Cup included the names of the Canadiens players and staff, with Maurice Richard receiving the trophy from NHL President Clarence Campbell.
Did You Know?
- Maurice Richard scored four goals in game one, including three in the second period, tying Ted Lindsay's 1955 record.
- Don Simmons stopped all 21 shots he faced in game four for his second shutout of the postseason.
- Jean Beliveau scored the game-winning goal in game five, and Plante made 27 saves.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 1957 Stanley Cup Final and what was the series score?
The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Boston Bruins four games to one to claim the 1956–57 NHL championship. It was Montreal's second consecutive Cup title.
How did the Canadiens reach the 1957 Stanley Cup Final?
Montreal eliminated the New York Rangers in the previous round, winning that series four games to one. They then entered the Final as the defending champions.
What was the standout performance in Game 1 of the 1957 Final?
Maurice Richard scored four goals for Montreal, three of them coming in the second period alone. That total tied Ted Lindsay's record for most goals by a single player in one Final game.
Why is the 1957 Stanley Cup Final considered a milestone for Montreal?
It marked the Canadiens' seventh consecutive appearance in the Stanley Cup Final, a streak that underscored their dynasty-era dominance. Winning it also secured their second back-to-back championship.
How did the Boston Bruins get to the 1957 Stanley Cup Final?
Boston defeated the Detroit Red Wings four games to one in the prior round. It was the Bruins' first trip to the championship since their loss to Montreal in 1953.
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