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The last time the Canadiens got off to a 4-0 start was 1977-78, when they went on to win the Stanley Cup.

Those were the days of the Flying Frenchmen, with forwards Guy Lafleur, Jacques Lemaire, Yvan Cournoyer, Pierre Larouche, Pierre Mondou and Réjean Houle. There was also the Big Three on defence — Guy Lapointe, Serge Savard and Larry Robinson — with Ken Dryden in goal and Scotty Bowman behind the bench.

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The only Frenchman on this year’s roster is David Desharnais, but the Canadiens are flying again.

“It’s crucial,” coach Michel Therrien said when asked about the importance of speed in today’s NHL following an optional practice Wednesday in Brossard.

“Team toughness always needs to be there,” the coach added. “You need to play hard. But I always believe you need speed. If you don’t have speed, it’s tough to play the game these days. We picked up Paul (Byron on waivers from Calgary) because he brings energy and speed. But with the success that we’ve got right now, it’s tough to take somebody out of the lineup. And I think that the guys that aren’t playing understand the situation. Eventually they’re going to have their chance … I don’t know when. It’s not going to be tomorrow.”