Dominique Ducharme took over as interim Canadiens head coach on February 24, 2021, replacing Claude Julien, and led the club to an underdog Stanley Cup Final appearance that spring — sweeping the Presidents' Trophy-winning Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round after trailing 3-1 and advancing all the way to the 2021 Final against Tampa Bay before losing in five games. That playoff run earned him the permanent title on July 13, 2021, making him the 31st head coach in franchise history. His tenure faltered the following season as the injury-depleted Canadiens fell to the bottom of the standings, and he was fired on February 9, 2022, with Martin St-Louis taking over. He later joined the Vegas Golden Knights as an assistant coach.