LaFleur started his major league-level hockey career in 1971 with the once dominant Montreal Canadiens. During the 1970s, he was a part of five Stanley Cup championship teams, scored a Canadiens franchise record 1,246 points (518 goals and 728 assists), and lead the NHL in scoring in 1976, 1977, and 1978 (Art Ross Trophy). In some regards, LaFleur was the predecessor to the rise of hockey superstar Wayne Gretzky during the 1980s and 1990s.
Overall, LaFleur won three Art Ross Trophies, two Hart Memorial Trophies (most valuable to his team), two Lester B. Pearson Awards (NHL outstanding player), and one Conn Smythe Trophy (most valuable player in the playoffs).