Top 5 Players of the 1944 Stanley Cup Finals

Originally published on Sept. 21, 2019

By Zane Miller

On Thursday, April 13th, 1944, the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Chicago Black Hawks (now Chicago Blackhawks) at the Montreal Forum in Montreal to win the 31st Stanley Cup Finals four games to none. It was the fifth Stanley Cup championship for the Canadiens franchise, and the seventh that was won in Quebec. These are the top five players that I felt most stood out during the series.

5. #6 Toe Blake (Canadiens)- F

Blake was second in total goals scored on the series, as he got three goals, including the overtime game-winning goal in game four, as the Canadiens got the series sweep.

4. #11 Ray Getliffe (Canadiens)- F

Getliffe picked up player of the game in game one, as he added a pair of goals as the Canadiens went on to win it 5-1.

3. #16 Elmer Lach (Canadiens)- F

Lach was game four’s player of the game, as he picked up two goals to help the Canadiens to the 5-4 win in overtime to claim the series victory.

2. #9 Maurice Richard (Canadiens)- F

Richard claimed player of the game honors in game two, getting all three of the Canadiens’ goals in the Canadiens’ 3-1 win.

1. #1 Bill Durnan (Canadiens)- G

Durnan scored player of the game honors in game three, allowing just two goals as the Canadiens claimed the 3-2 win to jump ahead further in the series.

Players of the Game Breakdown:

 

Link to stats database: https://www.hockey-reference.com/playoffs/1944-chicago-black-hawks-vs-montreal-canadiens-stanley-cup-final.html