The
1944 Stanley Cup Finals was a best-of-seven series between the
Montreal Canadiens and the
Chicago Blackhawks. The Canadiens were the defending champions and had won the Stanley Cup the previous year. The Canadiens won the series 4–0, with Maurice Richard scoring the series-clinching goal in the final game. The Canadiens' victory was their fifth consecutive Stanley Cup championship, a record that still stands today. The Blackhawks were outmatched in the series, as the Canadiens outscored them 22–5. The Canadiens were led by their "Punch Line" of Richard, Elmer Lach, and Toe Blake, who combined for 19 points in the series. The Canadiens' goaltender Bill Durnan was also key to the team's success, as he allowed only five goals in the four games. The Canadiens' victory was a testament to their dominance of the
NHL during the
1940s.
The
1944 World Series was a best-of-seven playoff between the St. Louis Cardinals and St. Louis Browns. The Cardinals had the home-field advantage, and the series began on October 4th at Sportsman’s Park in St. Louis. The Cardinals quickly took control of the series, winning the first two games. They then won the next two games in St. Louis, giving them a 4-0 lead in the series. The Browns were able to win the fifth game in St. Louis, but the Cardinals closed out the series in the sixth game, winning 4-2 and taking the championship. The Cardinals’ Marty Marion was named the World Series MVP, batting .412 with 9 hits in 22 at-bats. It was the first time a St. Louis team had won the World Series since
1926.