1919–20 Montreal Canadiens season explained

League:NHL
Season:1919–20
Year:1919
Leaguerank:2nd (1st half), 3rd (2nd half)
Record:8–4–0 (1st half), 5–7–0 (2nd half)
Generalmanager:George Kennedy
Arena:Mount Royal Arena
Winsleader:Georges Vezina (13)
Gaaleader:Georges Vezina (4.66)
Goalsleader:Newsy Lalonde (37)
Assistsleader:Didier Pitre (7)
Louis Berlinquette (7)
Pointsleader:Newsy Lalonde (42)
Pimleader:Bert Corbeau (59)
Goalsfor:129
Goalsagainst:113
Coach:Newsy Lalonde
Captain:Newsy Lalonde
Team:Montreal Canadiens

The 1919–20 Montreal Canadiens season was the team's 11th season and third as a member of the National Hockey League (NHL). The Canadiens opened their new Mount Royal Arena built to replace burnt-down Jubilee Rink.

The Toronto NHL franchise was now operated by a new group and known as the Toronto St. Patricks. A Quebec team was active this season, meaning a four-team league operated, and players from the Quebec NHA team were 'returned' to the new Quebec Bulldogs NHL team. The Canadiens lost Joe Malone and Jack McDonald to the Bulldogs.

Harry Cameron joined the Canadiens from Ottawa and Howard McNamara re-joined the Canadiens after not playing since 1917 with the Toronto 228th Battalion, and serving in the Canadian army. Don Smith, who had last played for the Canadiens in 1914–15, returned after serving in the army, last playing for the Montreal Wanderers in 1915–16.

Regular season

The Mount Royal Arena was not ready for the start of the season, and the Canadiens started their season on the road. The home opener was held January 10, and Newsy Lalonde used the occasion to celebrate with six goals in a 14–7 drubbing of the Toronto St. Patricks.

On March 3, the Montreal Canadiens pummeled the Quebec Bulldogs 16–3, setting an all-timerecord for goals by one team.

Georges Vezina came third in the league in goals against average of 4.66 per game. Newsy Lalonde led the Canadiens in offence, scoring 37 goals and 9 assists to place second in league scoring to Joe Malone.

The Canadiens picked up their scoring from the previous season, but gave up more goals on defence and failed to make the playoffs for the first time since the 1914–15 season.

Record vs. opponents

Schedule and results

Date Opponent ScoreRecord
December
25 at Quebec Bulldogs 12–5 1–0
27 Ottawa Senators 0–2 1–1
31 at Toronto St. Pats 1–5 1–2
January
7 at Ottawa Senators 3–4 1–3
10 Toronto St. Pats 14–7 2–3
12 Quebec Bulldogs 7–3 3–3
14 at Toronto St. Pats 4–3 4–3
17 Ottawa Senators 3–2 5–3
21 Toronto St. Pats 3–2 6–3
24 at Quebec Bulldogs 8–4 7–3
28 Quebec Bulldogs 4–3 8–3
31 at Ottawa Senators 3–11 8–4
Second half
Date Opponent ScoreRecord
February
4 at Toronto St. Pats 6–5 1–0
7 Quebec Bulldogs 6–2 2–0
11 at Ottawa Senators 3–4 2–1
14 Ottawa Senators 2–3 2–2
18 Toronto St. Pats 2–8 2–3
21 at Quebec Bulldogs 7–8 2–4
25 at Ottawa Senators 3–6 2–5
28 Quebec Bulldogs 8–6 3–5
March
3 at Quebec Bulldogs 16–3 4–5
6 Ottawa Senators 3–4 4–6
10 Toronto St. Pats 7–2 5–6
13 at Toronto St. Pats 4–115–7

Playoffs

There was no playoffs as the Ottawa Senators won both halves of the season.

Player statistics

Skaters

Note: GP = Games played, G = Goals, A = Assists, Pts = Points, PIM = Penalties in minutes

  Regular season Playoffs
PlayerGPGAPtsPIMGPGAPtsPIM
Newsy Lalonde4 233794634-----
Amos Arbour10 222152613-----
Didier Pitre5 231412266-----
Odie Cleghorn6212042430-----
Harry Cameron11 161251736-----
Bert Corbeau2 241161765-----
Louis Berlinguette8 24891736-----
Billy Coutu9 2040467-----
Don Smith7 121016-----
Howard McNamara3 121016-----
Jack Coughlin12 30000-----

†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining Montreal. Stats reflect time with the Canadiens only.

Goaltenders

Note: GP = Games played; TOI = Time on ice (minutes); W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GA = Goals against; SO = Shutouts; GAA = Goals against average

Transactions

Source:

References

See also