Geoffrion led the NHL in playoff goals twice, with six in 1954 and 11 in 1957, and led in assists with 10 in 1960.
Only once from 1951-52, when he joined the Canadiens full-time and won the Calder Trophy as the League's top rookie, through 1959-60 did Geoffrion play a full 70-game schedule. But with guts and bandages, he was good to go in every playoff game.
If 53 straight Stanley Cup Final games is impressive, consider that Geoffrion played 109 consecutive playoff games. The streak ended March 28, 1961, when he tore knee ligaments during Game 3 of Montreal's loss to Chicago in the semifinals. He missed Games 4 and 5, his leg in a cast.
But with the Canadiens trailing 3-2 in the best-of-7 series, Geoffrion took matters into his own hands. Riding an overnight train to Chicago for Game 6, he and Canadiens captain Doug Harvey retreated to the women's washroom and sawed off the cast with a knife borrowed from the train's kitchen.
In his 1997 autobiography, "Boom-Boom," Geoffrion wrote that the removal "seemed to take hours."
"I didn't do it in record time," Harvey said. "But you have to take into consideration the rolling train."
Blake, who was furious with the do-it-yourself treatment, gave Geoffrion limited power-play time in Game 6, the pain-seared joint frozen numb. The Canadiens lost 3-0.
Montreal's title reign was over, and general manager Frank Selke stayed good to his word that he would make major changes to the roster.
Harvey, who during the past decade had played one fewer Stanley Cup Final game than Geoffrion, was traded to the Rangers. During his time with the Canadiens, he won the Norris Trophy as the League's best defenseman six times, won the Cup six times and had a brief surgical career.