On This Date in Sports April 9, 1946: Rocket to the Cup

In collaboration with the Sportsecyclopedia.com

The Montreal Canadiens won the Stanley Cup for the second time in three seasons and the sixth time overall, as they closed out the Boston Bruins in five games with a 6-3 win. The Canadiens had been on the verge of a sweep before Boston won Game 4 in overtime on Terry Reardon's goal. Game 5 at the Montreal Forum was tied 3-3 after two periods before Montreal scored three goals to clinch the cup. 

It was the era of Maurice "Rocket" Richard and the "Punch Line." After a lean decade, the Montreal Canadiens won the Stanley Cup in 1944 after posting a record of 38-5-7 in the regular season. A year later, they appeared poised to make another cup run as Maurice Richard became the NHL's first 50-goal scorer, doing it in 50 games. However, after a record of 38-8-4, the Canadiens were upset by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the semifinals. 

The Canadiens finished first overall in the regular season again in 1946, with a record of 28-17-5 coached by Dick Irvin. After his 50-goal season, Maurice Richard had 27 goals, as he was outshined by Toe Blake's 29. Elmer Lach rounded out the famous punch line and led the team with 34 assists. In the playoffs, the Canadiens swept the Chicago Blackhawks. The Boston Bruins beat the Detroit Red Wings 4-1 to set up a matchup of the two top teams. 

The opener in Montreal was a terrific back-and-forth battle, with Murph Chamberlain tying the game for Montreal with just over four minutes left. In overtime, the Rocket led the Habs to victory, scoring at 9:08 to give Montreal a 4-3 win. Elmer Lach gave the Canadiens an early lead in Game 2, but Boston fought back and held a 2-1 lead after two periods. However, a goal by Butch Bouchard tied the game, as the Habs again won in overtime 3-2 on a goal by Jimmy Peters. After a 4-2 win in Game 3 in Boston, the Canadiens had a chance to sweep the series, but Boston, with a Terry Reardon goal, won 3-2.