1947: Montreal's rookie defenseman Doug Harvey played in his first NHL game, a 2-1 Canadiens' loss to the New York Rangers.


1952: Elmer Lach scored twice in 43 seconds in the third period to lead the Canadiens to a 3-1 win over the Rangers in Montreal

1958: Henri Richard picked up four assists as the Canadiens won 4-3 over the Toronto Maple Leafs, at the Forum

1982: Doug Wickenheiser scored his first career hat trick as the Canadiens won 8-2 against the visiting Rangers.

1996: Scott Thornton, Martin Rucinsky and Marc Bureau scored shorthanded goals as the Canadiens won 4-2 over the visiting Calgary Flames. The three shorthanded goals in one game tied a Montreal record set in March 1948 against Chicago.

On the ex-Habs front

1963: Goalie Jacques Plante played his first game in New York as a Ranger, and led the team to a 3-0 shutout over the Detroit Red Wings. Plante was given a tremendous ovation by the 15,240 fans in earning his 59th career shutout.

Then 25 years later: Guy Lafleur scored his first goal in three years, 11 months, and 22 days. It was his first goal as a NY Ranger. He also added an assist, and led the Rangers to a 3-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks, at MSG.

Habs born on this Day: Gary Fleming (1967),