The Montreal Canadiens met the Detroit Red Wings in the 1977-78 quarter-finals and won in five games. Detroit hadn’t qualified for the post season since the 1969-70 season when they were swept in the opening round by the Chicago Blackhawks.
The Canadiens had a bye through the best of three preliminary round while the Red Wings faced off against the Atlanta Flames. Detroit swept Atlanta in two games, their first playoff series win since going to the Stanley Cup final in 1965-66.
The Habs handled the Wings quite easily but Detroit was able to win one. On April 19, 1978 at the Montreal Forum, Detroit erased a 2-0 deficit to win 4-2. Montreal had the lead until less than two minutes left in the second period when Dale McCourt scored a pair of goals to tie the game. Errol Thompson scored what would be the game winner just 22 seconds into the third and Nick Libett rounded out the scoring in the final minute, assisted by goaltender Jim Rutherford.
Detroit’s hopes were truly dashed in an 8-0 beatdown at Detroit Olympia in game 4. Montreal scored two shorthanded goals in a span of 24 seconds to open the scoring. Both were scored while Steve Shutt was in the box for hooking. Guy Lafleur led with five points on two goals and three assists while Ken Dryden made 20 saves for the shutout.
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