It is as if their destinies are intertwined. For most of this century each has brought out the very best in the other. Each has spurred the other on to many of its greatest achievements. Each has at different times, epitomized the Canadian spirit.The Toronto/Montreal hockey rivalry predates the formation of the Leafs in 1927: ancestors of the Leafs, the Toronto Blue Shirts, the Toronto Arenas, and the Toronto St. Patricks won Stanley Cups in 1914, 1918, and 1922 respectively. The Canadiens won Cups in 1916 and 1924. The Rivalry analyzes the evolution of the two national institutions: the Habs and the Leafs.From the birth of the Canadiens in 1909, and that of the Leafs in 1927, to the last epic Montreal/Toronto Stanley Cup encounter in 1967 and beyond, The Rivalry highlights the great players, the great teams, the great games, and the great moments, as well as the rise and fall of the individuals, the teams and the dynasties.Rich with on-ice anecdotes, The Rivalry also goes behind the cheering into the boardroom maneuverings, the hirings and firings, and the off-ice stickfights for control of the teams.From, Vezina, Morenz, Joliat, and Richard to Plante, Beliveau, Harvey, and Lafleur; from Conacher, Clancy, Apps and Broda to Barilko, Mahovlich, Keon, and Bower, many of the game's most brilliant stars have carried the banners of le bleu, blanc et rouge, and the royal-blue and white, proudly into the Stanley Cup play.The definitive chronicle of the most ancient and storied rivalry in hockey history.