2005 Montreal Canadiens

The long-awaited return to the ice in 2005-06 has been a tough one for the Montreal Canadiens. The Canadiens wrapped up the regular NHL season with a record of 42 wins to 31 regulation-time losses and 9 overtime losses, for a total of 93 points. That ranked them in the middle of the Northeast Division, but that was enough for a toehold in the bracket for the National Hockey League Playoffs.

Seeded #7 among the eight Western Conference hockey teams in the 2005-06 NHL Playoffs, the Montreal Canadiens had an incredible accumulation of postseason experience. The franchise had made it into the tournament 75 previous times, dating back to 1916. They have won possession of the Stanley Cup 24 times! They were not to win this time, though, as the Carolina Hurricanes eliminated them in the first round.

The Canadiens are without argument the greatest team in NHL History. As a franchise they have won a record 23 Stanley Cups, but unfortunately none since 1993. From the game's greatest goal-tender Patrick Roy to Guy Lafleur and even Coach Toe Blake a look at Montreal's all-time roster reads like a who's who of the Hall of Fame. The ghosts of those great players that seemed to spook opposing players have not found their way from the old Montreal Forum to the gleaming new Bell Centre, which opened in 1996. The Canadiens have struggled a bit in recent years since moving to the brand new Bell Centre. The fans have supported them though, almost 850,000 of them a year come to cheer on their beloved Habs.

Montreal is one of the most beautiful cities in North America. Established by French Settlers in 1642 Montreal has grown as cultural and sports Mecca in Eastern Canada. Having hosted the summer Olympics in 1976 and now home to both the Canadiens and Expos (Olympic Stadium), sports are an important part of life in Montreal. If the sporting life is to much for you be sure to check out one of Montreal's many festivals including their world famous Festival International de Jazz or their Just For Laughs Festival.