2021–22 Montreal Canadiens season
The 2021–22 Montreal Canadiens season was the 113th for the club that was established on December 4, 1909, and their 105th season as a franchise in the National Hockey League.
| 2021–22 Montreal Canadiens | |
|---|---|
| Division | 8th Atlantic |
| Conference | 16th Eastern |
| 2021–22 record | 22–49–11 |
| Home record | 11–26–4 |
| Road record | 11–23–7 |
| Goals for | 221 |
| Goals against | 319 |
| Team information | |
| General manager | Marc Bergevin (Oct. 13 – Nov. 28) Kent Hughes (Jan. 18 – Apr. 29) |
| Coach | Dominique Ducharme (Oct. 13 – Feb. 9) Martin St. Louis (interim, Feb. 9 – Apr. 29) |
| Captain | Shea Weber |
| Alternate captains | Paul Byron Ben Chiarot (Oct. 13 – Mar. 16) Brendan Gallagher Jeff Petry Nick Suzuki Tyler Toffoli (Oct. 13 – Feb. 14) |
| Arena | Bell Centre |
| Average attendance | 17,170 |
| Minor league affiliate(s) | Laval Rocket (AHL) Trois-Rivières Lions (ECHL) |
| Team leaders | |
| Goals | Cole Caufield (23) |
| Assists | Nick Suzuki (40) |
| Points | Nick Suzuki (61) |
| Penalty minutes | Michael Pezzetta (81) |
| Plus/minus | Jordan Harris Sami Niku (+3) |
| Wins | Jake Allen (9) |
| Goals against average | Andrew Hammond (2.40) |
The Canadiens were unable to replicate their success from the prior season that saw them reach the Stanley Cup Finals, whereas on March 25, 2022, they became the first team to be eliminated from playoff contention following the Washington Capitals' 4–3 shootout victory over the Buffalo Sabres.
Ultimately, the Canadiens finished last in the league for the first time since the 1939–40 NHL season and the first time in the NHL's expansion era, in what was one of the worst seasons in the team's history. Collectively, they set team records for most regulation losses (49), most goals against (319), fewest wins (22), and fewest points (55), while its .335 point percentage was the team's third-worst ever, after only both the 1925–26 (.319) and 1939–40 (.260) campaigns. As a result of this, Montreal won the draft lottery to select first overall in the NHL Entry Draft for the first time in 42 years. The Canadiens also became the first team since the 2002–03 Carolina Hurricanes to finish in last place in the NHL a year after making the Stanley Cup Finals.