The 100 Best Stanley Cup Final Photos

SI Staff | Jun 4, 2014

The 100 Best Stanley Cup Final Photos /

The 100 Best Stanley Cup Final Photos

Bobby Orr (1970)

It is, without doubt, the most iconic image in hockey history: Bobby Orr of the Boston Bruins sailing through the air after being tripped by Noel Picard of the St. Louis Blues. Orr had just put the puck past goalie Glenn Hall in overtime of Game 4, giving Boston a 4-3 win, a series sweep, and its first Stanley Cup since 1941.

Dominik Hasek and Brett Hull (1999)

Buffalo's dream of winning the Cup was crushed by this infamous disputed goal in triple overtime of Game 6. Though the Sabres argued that Brett Hull's left foot was illegally in the crease when he shoveled the puck past their prone goalie, the NHL's supervisor of officials stated that the goal was good because the Stars' sniper had maintained control of the puck. The controversy raged on for years.

Bill Barilko (1951)

The image of Toronto's Bill Barilko scoring the Cup-winning goal against Montreal's Gerry McNeil in overtime of Game 5 is arguably the most iconic ever captured on Canadian ice. It was preserved in the 1951-52 Parkhurst hockey card series after Barilko died in an offseason plane crash that year, the tragedy deeply affecting generations of fans. Among them: Gord Downie of The Tragically Hip, who wrote the band's classic song "50 Mission Cap" in Barilko's honor.

Jean Beliveau (1965)

Pouring champagne into the Cup was a familiar custom for Jean Beliveau, but 1965 brought him an extra prize. The Canadiens' captain became the first recipient of a new award created to honor the most outstanding performer of the playoffs -- the Conn Smythe Trophy — after he scored eight goals and 16 points in 13 postseason games.

Walt Tkaczuk and Don Awrey (1972)

You have to be willing to take a hit to make a play in hockey, and Boston defenseman Don Awrey paid the price in Game 1, a wild 6-5 win by his Bruins.

Bob Nystrom (1980)

Gritty Islanders winger Bob Nystrom unleashed a tidal wave of joy in Nassau Coliseum after scoring the Islanders' first Stanley Cup-winning goal in overtime of Game 6. The vanquished Flyers are Mel Bridgman and Bob Dailey.

Dave Bolland (2013)

Blackhawks winger Dave Bolland scored the series-clinching goal with less than a minute remaining in Game 6 in Boston. His tally came only 17 seconds after teammate Bryan Bickell had tied the game at 2-2, flipping Chicago's fortunes in an instant. With the win, the Hawks earned their second Stanley Cup in four years.

Pavel Bure and Mike Richter (1994)

Vancouver's dangerous "Russian Rocket" was thwarted on this Game 4 penalty shot by Rangers netminder Mike Richter, who played brilliantly in the seven-game series. New York prevailed in this match, 4-2

Lanny McDonald (1989)

A nice way to go out: The Flames' venerable winger concluded his 16-year NHL career by cuddling the Cup after Calgary knocked off the Canadiens in six games.

Bob Gainey (1979)

Conn Smythe winner Bob Gainey hoisted the Cup while being carried by his teammates after the Canadiens defeated the New York Rangers in Game 5. The championship was the fourth and final of Montreal's last dynasty, and it marked the end of the careers of Hall of Famers Ken Dryden, Jacques Lemaire and Yvan Cournoyer.

Denis Potvin (1980)

In a scene that was to be repeated during each of the next three years, Islanders captain Denis Potvin lifted the Stanley Cup in triumph. Behind him is center Butch Goring, who is regarded as the final piece and catalyst of the talent-laden team's quest for a championship.

Mark Messier (1994)

The Rangers' captain exulted after scoring a second-period goal in Game 7 against the Vancouver Canucks at New York's Madison Square Garden. Messier's tally put the Broadway Blueshirts up by a score of 3-1 and was decisive in the 3-2 win that brought them their first Stanley Cup in 54 years.

Brad Park and Jacques Lemaire (1978)

Parking a carcass: Boston defenseman Brad Park sent Montreal's Jacques Lemaire tumbling to the ice with this hard hit in Game 6. Park was one of a record-setting 11 Bruins who scored at least 20 goals that season, but Lemaire's Habs came away with a 4-1 Cup-clinching win at Boston Garden.

Chris Osgood and Marian Hossa (2008)

With his team trailing by two goals and its net empty late in Game 6, Marian Hossa (left) of the Penguins cut Detroit's lead to 3-2 with a power play goal with just 1:27 left in regulation at Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh. The Pens took two more shots on Red Wings goalie Chris Osgood in the waning seconds, including this one, but neither went in and Detroit took home its fourth Cup in 11 years.

Ted Lindsay (1956)

Detroit's Ted Lindsay (jumping) and Gordie Howe crowded the crease of Montreal goalie Jacques Plante while defenseman Doug Harvey (back left) and Claude Provost battled to hold the fort. Plante held Detroit to just 10 goals in that series as the Canadiens closed out Detroit in five games and launched a five-year dynasty.

Jarome Iginla and Vincent Lecavalier (2004)

Though the Tampa Bay star lost this memorable bout against Calgary's captain in Game 3, and his team lost the game 3-0, falling behind in the series two games to one, the Lightning were sparked by his courage and went on to win the series in seven.

Evgeni Malkin and Henrik Zetterberg (2009)

Penguins center Evgeni Malkin, who is not known for dropping his gloves, threw down with Detroit's equally pacifist center Henrik Zetterberg in the waning seconds of Game 2, a 3-1 win for the Red Wings. Malkin earned a 10-minute misconduct.

Brian Leetch and Kirk McLean (1994)

New York defenseman Brian Leetch, the Conn Smythe Trophy winner, opened the scoring in an epic Game 7 by beating Canucks netminder Kirk McLean. The Rangers went on to a 3-2 win that left Madison Square Garden in a frenzy.

Florida's Rat Trick (1996)

After Panthers forward Scott Mellanby killed a rat with his stick and then tallied two goals in the team's 1995-96 home opener, a tradition was born. Fans in Florida began tossing the plastic variety of the rodent onto the ice whenever a Panther scored. Alas, the team was treated to only two such showers in the Cup final, where it was swept by the Colorado Avalanche.

Canucks fans (2011)

After narrowly winning Game 5 at home, 1-0, the Canucks were one win away from the franchise's first Stanley Cup. And their fans, known as a colorful and passionate bunch, showed their support, with one throwing a decapitated stuffed bear onto the ice as the defeated Bruins departed.

Vancouver riot (2011)

While the Boston Bruins celebrated their championship inside Rogers Arena, a riot broke out in the normally peaceful city of Vancouver after fans left the building. While police patrolled and tried to contain the commotion, an amorous couple kissed in the street.

Justin Williams (2006)

The Hurricanes' winger gave Carolina its first Stanley Cup with a series-sealing empty net goal in the final minute of its 3-1 Game 7 win over the Edmonton Oilers at RBC Center in Raleigh, NC.

Martin Brodeur (2000)

Goalie Martin Brodeur was feeling sky high as his Devils dusted Dallas in double overtime of Game 6, ending the Stars' hopes of winning a second consecutive Stanley Cup. The championship was the second of the netminder's career.

Jonathan Quick and Drew Doughty (2012)

L.A.'s Conn Smythe-winning goalie was greeted by the Kings' All-Star defenseman after handily putting away the New Jersey Devils, 6-1, in Game 6, giving Los Angeles its first Stanley Cup since the franchise entered the NHL in 1967.

Mike Bossy (1982)

The Hall of Fame sniper, who racked up 64 goals during the regular season and 17 more in the playoffs, terrorized the Canucks with seven in the Islanders' sweep of the series. Here, the 1982 playoff MVP exults after beating Vancouver goalie Richard Brodeur for one of his two power play tallies in the Isles' 3-1 win in Game 4 that made them the first U.S.-based team to win three consecutive Stanley Cups.

Bryan Trottier (1983)

The Islanders' Hall of Fame center celebrated with the Nassau Coliseum crowd as New York closed out its four-game sweep of Wayne Gretzky's Edmonton Oilers.

Mark Messier (1994)

Linda Cataffo/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images

He was brought to New York to end a 54-year Cup drought and he delivered. The moment Messier received the silverware in a delirious Madison Square Garden after the Rangers' Game 7 triumph is the stuff of legend in New York.

Ken Daneyko and Martin Lapointe (1995)

Bone-jarring defense has been a hallmark of New Jersey's three Stanley Cup championship teams, the first of which swept the Red Wings in the '95 final, thanks to hits like the one Devils blueliner Ken Daneyko delivered to Detroit's Martin Lapointe in Game 3.

Mario Lemieux and Jon Casey (1991)

In Game 2, Super Mario, in the immortal words of Penguins' broadcaster Mike Lange, "beat Casey like a rented mule" with one of most dazzling goals in Stanley Cup history. Pittsburgh avenged its loss in the series opener and went on to win its first Stanley Cup, four games to two. Lemieux was named playoff MVP.

Montreal Canadiens (1971)

John F. Jaqua/Time Life Pictures/Getty Images

After the Canadiens defeated the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 7, the career of their legendary captain Jean Beliveau came to an end as he was presented the Stanley Cup by NHL president Clarence Campbell while teammates (left to right) Henri Richard, Ken Dryden, Jean-Claude Tremblay and Guy Lapointe looked on.

Wayne Gretzky (1985)

The Great One, who earned the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP, was joined in the jubilant Oilers' locker room by his father, Walter (right) after downing the Philadelphia Flyers in Game 5 at Northlands Coliseum in Edmonton. The Cup was the Oilers' second in a row.

Valtteri Filppula (2008)

The Red Wings center dangled and dazzled, scoring at 8:48 of the third period in Game 2 of the 2008 Final. His goal gave Detroit a 3-0 lead and 2-0 series advantage over Pittsburgh and goalie Marc-Andre Fleury.

Los Angeles Kings (2014)

New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist was despondent after the Kings' Alec Martinez s cored the Stanley-Cup clinching goal in double overtime of Game 5 in Los Angeles.

Bobby Hull (1961)

After splitting the first four games of the series, Bobby Hull and the Blackhawks routed the Red Wings in Games 5 and 6 to capture their first Cup in 23 years. Hull, seen here shouting to a fan at Detroit's Olympia in the final moments of Chicago's series-clinching victory, tallied twice in the series.

Claude Lemieux (1986)

After the Canadiens snuffed the Calgary Flames in Game 5, winger Claude Lemieux — one of the great clutch players and biggest villains in NHL postseason history — emotionally raised the first of the four Stanley Cups he won during his 22-year NHL career.

Vladimir Konstantinov (1998)

In a deeply moving moment, the Red Wings presented the Cup to their former defenseman who had been severely injured in a limousine crash after helping them win the championship in 1997. Confined to a wheelchair, Konstantinov was taken on the team's first celebratory trip around the ice at Washington's MCI Center after the Wings completed their sweep of the Capitals.

Maxime Giguere (2007)

140521234419-2007-jean-sebastien-giguere-son-maxime-stanley-cup-single-image-cut.jpg — Dave Sandford/Getty Images

Goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere planted his infant son in the Stanley Cup after the Ducks thumped the Ottawa Senators 6-2 in Game 5 at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., becoming the first California-based NHL team to capture the chalice.

Bobby Orr (1970)

The Bruins had finished dead last in seven of the previous eight seasons before Bobby Orr joined them in 1966. Three years later, he was sipping champagne out of the Stanley Cup after Boston's 4-3 overtime victory over St. Louis in Game 4. The win capped an incredible season for the fleet defenseman, who became the first player ever to win the Norris, Art Ross and Hart trophies in the same year.

Tom Barrasso (1992)

Former Calder and Vezina Trophy winner Tom Barrasso was red-hot during Pittsburgh's run to its second consecutive Stanley Cup. The netminder backstopped 11 wins in a row, including a sweep of the Chicago Blackhawks in the final. Here he is in action during the Penguins' 3-1 win in Game 2.

Yvan Cournoyer and Tony Esposito (1973)

Chicago keeper Tony Esposito got the best of Montreal forward Yvan Cournoyer in this Game 1 sequence, but the Habs and the Roadrunner had the last laugh, winning 6-3. In all, Conn Smythe-winner Cournoyer tallied six times, including the clincher in Game 6, and produced 12 points to pace the Canadiens in a high-scoring series that saw the two teams combine for 56 goals.

Tim Thomas (2011)

The Bruins' Vezina Trophy-winning goalie figuratively owned his net during the playoffs, stopping 94 percent of the shots he faced and averaging a 1.98 GAA in 25 games. At 37, Thomas became the oldest player to win the Conn Smythe Trophy and Boston won its first Stanley Cup since 1972.

Elmer Lach and Maurice Richard (1953)

This iconic shot was taken as Montreal's Elmer Lach (left) and linemate Rocket Richard embraced after Lach delivered an overtime, Cup-clinching dagger to the Boston Bruins in Game 5.

Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang (2009)

A warm embrace ensued after Evgeni Malkin opened the scoring in Game 2 by netting a power-play goal late in the first period, but the Red Wings came back to win the game, 3-1, at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit.

The Fog Game (1975)

Goalie Bernie Parent of the Flyers had a good look at the puck early in Game 3, but the view didn't last long. A hot, humid day in Buffalo conspired with a lack of air conditioning in Memorial Auditorium to create a thick fog that enveloped the rink, leading to several delays. The Sabres eventually won on Rene Robert's goal in overtime, but the Flyers persevered to capture the Cup in six games.

Ray Bourque (1988)

The great Bruins defenseman Ray Bourque, pursued by Edmonton's Mike Krushelnyski, skated the puck through a fog created by an overly warm Boston Garden in which the temperature reached 80 degrees. Game 4 was ultimately postponed due to a power failure in the arena midway through the second period.

Serge Savard (1976)

1976-serge-savard-bobby-clarke-larry-robinson-ken-dryden-001350456.jpg — Tony Triolo

Serge Savard of the Canadiens outraced Philadelphia's Bobby Clarke to the puck while Montreal's Larry Robinson and Ken Dryden looked on in Game 3. Savard needn't have hurried. Dryden was at the top of his game, leading the league with a postseason 1.92 GAA while going 12-1 to backstop the Habs to the 19th championship in the franchise's storied history.

Gerry McNeil (1952)

Montreal's goalie Gerry McNeil had no chance on this Game 3 shot by Gordie Howe, one of two goals that Mr. Hockey scored in his first appearance in a Stanley Cup Final. Howe and Terry Sawchuk, who pitched two shutouts and allowed just two goals in the series, guided the Red Wings to a four-game sweep of the Habs and the first undefeated postseason in league history.

Dan Hamhuis and Milan Lucic (2011)

Canucks defenseman Dan Hamhuis upended the Bruins' Milan Lucic in Game 1, not an easy thing to do to the hulking 6'-4", 220-pound forward.

Anze Kopitar and Martin Brodeur (2012)

Three weeks after turning 40, Martin Brodeur, the Devils' franchise goaltender, took his team to the Cup final for the fifth time in his career. But in Game 1 at New Jersey's Prudential Center, Kings center Anze Kopitar got the upper hand, scoring the overtime winner against him. The Kings went on to win the Cup, four games to two.

Bob Nystrom (1980)

A dynasty was born when Islanders winger Bob Nystrom cashed in a feed from linemate John Tonelli and beat goalie Pete Peeters to finish off the Philadelphia Flyers, 5-4, in overtime of Game 6 at Nassau Coliseum. The Isles' Cup was the first of their four consecutive championships.

Butch Goring and Stefan Persson (1982)

By the look of the welts on their mugs, the Islanders took their lumps en route to four consecutive Stanley Cups, even during relative cakewalks like their 1982 sweep of the Vancouver Canucks.

Islanders vs. Oilers (1984)

New York's dynasty stalwarts (left to right) Denis Potvin, Butch Goring, Greg Gilbert, Billy Smith and Ken Morrow experienced that sinking feeling after giving up a goal against the rising powerhouse Oilers at Northlands Coliseum in Edmonton. Wayne Gretzky's team rolled to the Cup in five games.

Mike Bossy and Wayne Gretzky (1984)

In a passing of the dynastic torch, the glum and weary Islanders sniper gave the Great One a pat on the crest after the Oilers ended New York's four-year run of Stanley Cups with a 5-2 win in Game 5 in Edmonton. Gretzky would lead his team to another three Cups during the next four years.

Janet Jones and Wayne Gretzky (1988)

After beating the Bruins, 6-3, in Game 5, the Great One shared a buss with his bride in the bowels of Edmonton's Northlands Coliseum. The Cup was the fourth, and final, of his career. Less than three months later, he was traded to the Los Angeles Kings.

Ray Bourque and Mark Messier (1990)

With Wayne Gretzky gone to Los Angeles, Mark Messier proved his mettle as a leader by powering the Oilers to their fifth Stanley Cup in seven years. Edmonton bested Ray Bourque's Bruins in five games.

Jaromir Jagr and Mario Lemieux (1992)

At Chicago Stadium, Pittsburgh's dynamic duo grabbed Lord Stanley's old mug for the second year in a row after their finals sweep of the Blackhawks. Lemieux led the playoffs in scoring and was the repeat Conn Smythe winner. Jagr's mullet remains a classic that should be enshrined in the Hockey Hair Hall of Fame.

Sidney Crosby (2009)

At just 21, the Penguins superstar captain joyfully lifted his first Stanley Cup at the end of his fourth NHL season. After leading Pittsburgh to back-to-back trips to the final in 2008 and 2009, Crosby and his team have failed to make a return trip.

Gary Bettman and Zdeno Chara (2011)

The 6'-'9", 255-pound Bruins captain towered over the NHL's commissioner as he accepted the Stanley Cup after Boston defeated Vancouver in Game 7.

Phil Esposito and Walt Tkaczuk (1972)

It's no wonder that Boston's Phil Esposito was targeted by New York Rangers checking forward Walt Tkaczuk during Game 1. The Bruins superstar was following up an Art Ross-winning campaign with a strong postseason that saw him tie for the league lead in goals (9 in 15 games) and points (24). The Bruins captured the opener, 6-5, and went on to win the series in six games.

Walt Tkaczuk and Bobby Orr (1972)

1972-walt-tkaczuk-bobby-orr-gerry-cheevers-079114223.jpg — Neil Leifer

Walt Tkaczuk and the New York Rangers offered Boston a better fight than the Blues did in 1970, but Bobby Orr (center) in his prime was still too much to handle. The Bruins defenseman scored four goals in the final, including the winner in Game 6, and claimed the Conn Smythe Trophy as Boston, with goalie Gerry Cheevers and his iconic mask in net, bagged its second Cup in three seasons.

Patrick Roy and Wayne Gretzky (1993)

Five years after his arrival in Los Angeles, Wayne Gretzky led the Kings to their first Stanley Cup Final appearance. Unfortunately, nonpareil netminder Patrick Roy was waiting. Gretzky was "limited" to two goals and five assists in the series as Roy earned Conn Smythe honors for the second time as Montreal took the Cup in five games.

Bernie Parent (1974)

Boston was the heavy favorite, having won 17 of 19 against Philadelphia during the regular season, but in the final, former Bruin Bernie Parent led an upset for the ages. In this photo, he's backstopping a 4-2 win in Game 4 with his Broad Street Bullies en route to becoming the first of the NHL's 1967 expansion teams to win the Stanley Cup.

Guy Lafleur and Bernie Parent (1976)

Despite heavy checking from Philadelphia's Dave Schultz, Montreal's flashy Guy Lafleur managed this shot on net against Flyers goalie Wayne Stephenson in Game 2 at the Montreal Forum. The Canadiens won, 2-1, and went on to a sweep as Lafleur scored the clincher in Game 4.

Denis Potvin (1981)

The Islanders' Hall of Fame defenseman was a pillar on the blueline as New York upended the Minnesota North Stars in five games for their second straight championship.

Jean Beliveau and Hank Bassen (1966)

Detroit's Roger Crozier, the MVP of the 1966 playoffs, was forced to the sidelines by a wrenched knee in Game 4. His injury proved costly that night as Montreal's flying captain Jean Beliveau beat his backup Hank Bassen, pictured here, to secure a 2-1 victory in the pivotal contest at the Olympia in Detroit. The Habs went on to win the series in six games and clinch their seventh Cup in 11 years.

Theoren Fleury and Tim Hunter (1989)

Calgary's pot-stirring little big man Theoren Fleury (left), who stood at 5'-6", concluded his rookie season with the Cup and a happy low-five shared with teammate Tim Hunter after the Flames dispatched the Canadiens in Game 6 at the Montreal Forum.

John D'Amico (1978)

1978-John-D'Amico-Pierre-Bouchard.jpg — Bruce Bennett Studios/Getty Images

With blood on his face, linesman John D'Amico calls for help as he wrestles Pierre Bouchard of the Montreal Canadiens to the ice after a fight. In the background, a second official breaks up a fight between John Wensink (18) of the Boston Bruins and the Canadiens' Gilles Lupien. Though Boston won the game, Montreal went on to win the series and the Cup four games to two.

Nicklas Lidstrom (2008)

The superb Red Wings defenseman is the first European-born and trained player to captain a Stanley Cup champion. Here he skated with the chalice as the crowd in Pittsburgh looked on at the conclusion of Game 6.

Ray Bourque (2001)

It only took 22 years, a trade from Boston and a tough seven-game series against New Jersey, but the future Hall of Fame defenseman finally got to lift the sacred chalice in his last NHL game. The moment on the ice in Denver was one of the most emotional in the history of the Stanley Cup Finals.

Penguins vs. Red Wings (2009)

The NHL playoff handshake line, one the sport's most enduring and respectful traditions, ends every series. For the second year in a row, the Penguins and Red Wings were shaking hands after the last game of the season. The two teams met in the finals in both 2008 and here, 2009 -- with different outcomes each year. In this case, the Pens left with the Cup.

Detroit Red Wings (2002)

Scotty Bowman (bottom, center) relaxed with his merry boys and owner team Mike Ilitch in Detroit after they beat the Carolina Hurricanes to secure the ninth, and final, Stanley Cup of the legendary coach's 30-year NHL career. He retired after the game.

Montreal Canadiens (1957)

1957-dickie-moore-bernie-geoffrion-toe-blake-rocket-richard.jpg — AP

They don't hoist 'em like they used to. Canadiens stars (left to right) Dickie Moore, Bernie Geoffrion and Maurice Richard carried coach Toe Blake on their broad shoulders for a celebratory twirl around the ice after winning the Stanley Cup for the second year in a row. The Habs had just smoked the Bruins, 5-1, in Montreal to clinch the series in five games.

Montreal Canadiens (1968)

Bobby Rosseau, Dick Duff, Jacques Laperriere, Yvan Cournoyer, and Danny Grant (left to right) led a parade of jubilant Canadiens over the boards after Montreal swept the expansion St. Louis Blues. The victory marked the eighth and final Cup for legendary Canadiens coach Toe Blake.

Scott Niedermayer and Martin Brodeur (2003)

Ducks winger Paul Kariya found himself sandwiched under Devils defenseman Scott Niedermayer and goalie Martin Brodeur during Game 6 in Anaheim. Kariya had a rough outing in that one, but a scored a goal as his Ducks staved off elimination in the series for one more game.

Wayne Gretzky and Stefan Persson (1983)

The Great One's up and coming Oilers ran into a brick wall in the '83 final, where the Islanders swept the series. Gretzky, who was coming off a 71-goal, 196-point regular season, was held scoreless by the airtight defense of the Islanders, who won their 16th consecutive playoff series en route to an NHL-record 19 in a row.

Jean Beliveau and Terry Sawchuk (1967)

Jean Beliveau (center) and the Canadiens thrashed netminder Terry Sawchuk in Games 1 and 4 by identical 6-2 scores, but the wily veteran would have his revenge. The Hall of Famer stopped 77 of the final 79 shots he faced in the series, leading Toronto to a 4-1 win in Game 5 (pictured) and 3-1 triumph in the Game 6 clincher. The Maple Leafs have not won the Cup since.

Mike Krushelnyski and Ron Hextall (1987)

After a one-year absence, the Oilers returned to Cup final and battled the Flyers. Forward Mike Krushelnyski helped push Philadelphia to the brink of elimination by scoring on goalie Ron Hextall in Edmonton's 4-1 win in Game 4. The Flyers recovered to extend the series to seven games.

Edmonton Oilers (1988)

1988-oilers-wayne-gretzky-mark-messier-05051854final.jpg — David E. Klutho

After vanquishing the Bruins in five games, Wayne Gretzky lifted the Cup for the final time as an Oiler, flanked here by (left to right) Bill Ranford, Esa Tikkanen, Mark Messier and Kevin Lowe.

Don Simmons and Maurice Richard (1957)

The glove of Bruins goalie Don Simmons swallowed this shot by Maurice "Rocket" Richard in Game 5, but it was one of the few pieces of puck he grabbed that night. Montreal took the game 5-1, clinching the series. Richard tallied eight goals in 10 playoff games that spring to finish second in the scoring race behind teammate Bernie Geoffrion (11).

Bernie Geoffrion and Johnny Bower (1960)

Toronto goalie Johnny Bower barely avoided being bowled over by Bernie "Boom Boom" Geoffrion during the first period in Game 4, but there was no stopping Montreal's steamrolling Habs. Making their 10th straight appearance in the final, the Canadiens captured their record fifth consecutive Cup by sweeping the Leafs. The series finale marked the final NHL game of the great Rocket Richard.

Eric Lindros and Steve Yzerman (1997)

In a meeting of captains, Detroit's Steve Yzerman got the worst of his collision with Philadelphia's Eric Lindros during the opening game of the '97 final in Philadelphia. Yzerman survived and his team thrived, sweeping the Flyers and winning Detroit's first Stanley Cup in 42 years.

Brett Hull (2000)

Sniper Brett Hull was trapped by New Jersey's notorious neutral zone defense during Game 3 in Dallas. Devils Sergei Brylin (18), Brian Rafalski (28), and Scott Stevens (4) did the honors here as Hull's Stars fell, 2-1.

Scott Stevens (2003)

New Jersey Devils captain Scott Stevens carries the Stanley Cup off the ice after beating the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim 3-0 in Game 7 in East Rutherford, N.J.

Fernando Pisani and Cam Ward (2006)

Unsung winger Fernando Pisani was an unlikely playoff hero for Oilers throughout their surprise run to the Cup final. Among his clutch scores, the shorthanded breakaway goal in overtime of Game 5 that enabled Edmonton to stave off elimination. The Oilers went on to extend Carolina to seven games, but the Hurricanes prevailed with Pisani's victim, Cam Ward, earning Conn Smythe honors as playoff MVP.

Brad Marchand and Daniel Sedin (2011)

Pesky Bruins winger Brad Marchand had the job of making life incredibly difficult for the Canucks' superstar twins Daniel (right) and Henrik Sedin. Not only did he get physical with Daniel along the boards in Game 4, but also, as you may recall, Marchand famously took a series of unpenalized jabs at his face during a Game 6 stoppage.

Duncan Keith and Ben Bishop (2015)

2015-Stanley-Cup-Final-Duncan-Keith-Ben-Bishop-X159707_TK1_0431.jpg — Jeff Haynes

Duncan Keith scored in the second period and directed a dominant defense that shut down Tampa Bay's high-scoring attack, and the Blackhawks beat the Lightning 2-0 in Game 6 for their third NHL title in the past six seasons. Keith, a unanimous selection for the Conn Smythe Trophy for playoff MVP after he finished with 21 points while playing more than 715 minutes in a grueling postseason, became just the second defenseman in history to win the Conn Smythe and score the game-winning goal in the Cup-clinching game. Bobby Orr did it twice with the Bruins.

Ruslan Fedotenko (2004)

Ruslan Fedotenko of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrates his first period goal against the Calgary Flames in Game 7 at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, Fla. Fedotenko, who was high-sticked in the game, scored again late in the second period to give the Bolts a 2-1 win.

Hulk Hogan and Phil Esposito (2004)

Hockey Hall of Famer Esposito, who was GM of the Lightning from 1992 to '99, took in the opening game of his former team's rippin' good final series against the Calgary Flames at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa. His friend there, pro wrestling's iconic Hulk, got a bit worked up after his daughter, Brooke Hogan, sang the National Anthem.

Al Sobotka (2008)

The Red Wings Zamboni driver for the past 30 years, Sobotka is a local legend in Detroit. Whenever a fan throws an octopus onto the ice at Joe Louis Arena, Sobotka skitters out, picks it up and twirls the tentacled creature above his head to rev up the crowd. The octopus, meant to symbolize the eight wins it used to take to win the Stanley Cup in the old two-round playoff format, has been the Red Wings' unofficial mascot since the tradition began in 1952.

Adam Henrique and Jonathan Quick (2012)

Andrew D. Bernstein/NHLI via Getty Images

Adam Henrique of the New Jersey Devils scores a goal against Jonathan Quick of the Los Angeles Kings in Game 6 in Los Angeles. It was the only goal the Devils could muster in their 6-1 loss.

Ron Francis and Nicklas Lidstrom (2002)

Carolina's captain, now a Hall of Famer (2007), was left feeling cornered by Red Wings defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom in Game 5 of their final series in Detroit. That night, the Red Wings skated off with the Cup and Lidstrom took home the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.

Corey Crawford (2013)

The hockey playoffs are when even the photo gear needs helmets. A puck obstructed one camera's view during Game 3 in Boston, which the Bruins won to take a 2-1 series lead over the Blackhawks. Chicago came back to win the next three games and the series.

Nicklas Lidstrom (2008)

Holding a 3-1 series lead, defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom (center) and the Red Wings had a chance to put the Penguins away at home in Game 5, but a last-minute, tying goal by Pittsburgh winger Max Talbot pushed the game into overtime, where the Wings finally fell in a third extra session.

Paul Kariya (2003)

The diminutive Ducks winger was knocked out cold by a devastating check delivered by Devils defenseman Scott Stevens in Game 6, but he heroically rose and later returned to action, scoring a goal in Anaheim's 5-2 home win at the Arrowhead Pond.

Detroit Red Wings (2009)

The dejected Wings suffered the end of their bid to become the first repeat champions in more than 10 years when they fell to the Penguins in Game 7. Despite outshooting Pittsburgh 7-1 in the third period, Detroit could not get a puck past Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury. Pittsburgh, buoyed by two goals from winger Max Talbot, prevailed.

Maurice Richard (1952)

It didn't always take three Hall of Famers to stop Rocket Richard, but with the Stanley Cup on the line, the Red Wings weren't taking any chances. Red Kelly (top left) and Gordie Howe (bottom) sandwiched Montreal's dangerous Rocket in this Game 1 image. Goalie Terry Sawchuk blanked Richard in all four games of Detroit's sweep.

Bobby Baun (1964)

Toronto's Bob Baun, shown here in Game 3, skated his way into hockey immortality when a Gordie Howe slap shot broke his ankle in Game 6. Shaking off the injury, Baun returned in time to score the overtime winner against Detroit, sending the series to Game 7. He fought through the pain to play in that one as well, helping Toronto to a 4-0 win.

Gordie Howe (1955)

Montreal's Butch Bouchard (left) and Floyd Curry managed to slow Gordie Howe during this moment in Game 7, but the Canadiens were barely able to stop him during the series. Mr. Hockey was on a tear in that final, scoring an NHL record 12 points, including the goal that gave the Wings their fourth Cup in six seasons.

Chicago Blackhawks (1938)

The Blackhawks set two NHL records in the 1938 final, playing three goaltenders (Alfie Moore, Paul Goodman and Mike Karakas) and eight American-born players on the way to the franchise's second Cup. Two of those Americans -- Carl Voss and Cully Dahlstrom -- were bookended by Jack Shill and Harold 'Mush' March in celebration after they defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs, 4-1, in Game 4.

Frank Calder, Jack Adams and James Norris (1936)

Their names have become synonymous with hockey excellence: NHL president Frank Calder (left) watched as Detroit coach Jack Adams and owner James Norris drank from the Cup to celebrate the first championship in franchise history. The Red Wings won their best-of-five final against Toronto, three games to one.

Published Jun 4, 2014

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