Hockey Reference Blog

NHL Stanley Cup Final: Top 10 Games of All Time

Posted by Ross Waataja on April 23, 2025

(last updated on November 16, 2025)

Few traditions in sports can match the tension and excitement of the Stanley Cup Final. Many fans consider these matchups among the best Stanley Cup Finals of all time … and for good reason. The heartbreak, the euphoria, and the moments that define entire careers all converge in these epic showdowns. Below are 10 of the best Stanley Cup Final games ranked by their lasting impact and unforgettable drama … representing the pinnacle of playoff hockey. For those who cherish the best Stanley Cup memories, these games are timeless classics.

1949-50 Detroit Red Wings Roster and Statistics

Record: 37-19-14 (88 points), Finished 1st in NHL  (Schedule and Results)

Coach: Tommy Ivan (37-19-14)

Captain: Sid Abel

Primary Arena: Detroit Olympia

1949-50 Stanley Cup Champions

Goals For: 229 (1st of 6), Goals Against: 164 (2nd of 6)
SRS: 0.78 (1st of 6),  SOS: -0.15 (6th of 6)

Playoffs:
Won Stanley Cup Final (4-3) over New York Rangers
Won Semi-Finals (4-3) over Toronto Maple Leafs

1950 – New York Rangers vs. Detroit Red Wings, Game 7
A thrilling double-overtime showdown saw the Red Wings claim the Cup in dramatic fashion. Pete Babando’s sudden-death goal made him the unlikeliest of heroes and delivered Detroit its fourth Stanley Cup, capping one of the tightest Finals series in NHL history.

1969-70 Boston Bruins Roster and Statistics

Record: 40-17-19 (99 points), Finished 2nd in NHL East Division  (Schedule and Results)

Coach: Harry Sinden (40-17-19)

Captain:

Primary Arena: Boston Garden

1969-70 Stanley Cup Champions

Goals For: 277 (1st of 12), Goals Against: 216 (6th of 12)
SRS: 0.81 (2nd of 12),  SOS: 0.01 (6th of 12)

Playoffs:
Won Stanley Cup Final (4-0) over St. Louis Blues
Won Semi-Finals (4-0) over Chicago Black Hawks
Won Quarter-Finals (4-2) over New York Rangers

1970 – St. Louis Blues vs. Boston Bruins, Game 4
Bobby Orr’s iconic “flying” overtime goal remains one of hockey’s most famous images. With the Bruins seeking their first Cup in nearly three decades, Orr’s perfectly timed shot— while being tripped across the crease— secured a sweep of the Blues and a place in sports immortality.

1979-80 New York Islanders Roster and Statistics

Record: 39-28-13 (91 points), Finished 2nd in NHL Patrick Division  (Schedule and Results)

Coach: Al Arbour (39-28-13)

Captain: Denis Potvin

Primary Arena: Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum

1979-80 Stanley Cup Champions

Goals For: 281 (12th of 21), Goals Against: 247 (4th of 21)
SRS: 0.41 (6th of 21),  SOS: -0.02 (16th of 21)

Playoffs:
Won Stanley Cup Final (4-2) over Philadelphia Flyers
Won Semi-Finals (4-2) over Buffalo Sabres
Won Quarter-Finals (4-1) over Boston Bruins
Won Preliminary Round (3-1) over Los Angeles Kings

1980 – Philadelphia Flyers vs. New York Islanders, Game 6
Though the Islanders had a 3–2 series lead, Game 6 went to overtime. Bobby Nystrom redirected a pass by John Tonelli to clinch New York’s first-ever Stanley Cup. The sudden and dramatic finish sparked the Islanders’ early-’80s dynasty, as they went on to win four straight championships.

1988-89 Calgary Flames Roster and Statistics

Record: 54-17-9 (117 points), Finished 1st in NHL Smythe Division  (Schedule and Results)

Coach: Terry Crisp (54-17-9)

Captain: Lanny McDonald , Jim Peplinski

Primary Arena: Olympic Saddledome

1988-89 Stanley Cup Champions

Goals For: 354 (2nd of 21), Goals Against: 226 (2nd of 21)
SRS: 1.57 (1st of 21),  SOS: -0.03 (12th of 21)

Playoffs:
Won Stanley Cup Final (4-2) over Montreal Canadiens
Won Conference Finals (4-1) over Chicago Blackhawks
Won Division Finals (4-0) over Los Angeles Kings
Won Division Semi-Finals (4-3) over Vancouver Canucks

Preseason Odds: Stanley Cup +250

1989 – Calgary Flames vs. Montreal Canadiens, Game 6
Facing the storied Canadiens in the hallowed Montreal Forum, the Flames closed out the series to earn their first Stanley Cup. Captain Lanny McDonald— playing in his final NHL game— scored, and the Flames became the only visiting team ever to clinch the Cup at the Forum, adding to the victory’s mystique.

1993-94 New York Rangers Roster and Statistics

Record: 52-24-8 (112 points), Finished 1st in NHL Atlantic Division  (Schedule and Results)

Coach: Mike Keenan (52-24-8)

Captain: Mark Messier

Primary Arena: Madison Square Garden (IV)

1993-94 Stanley Cup Champions

Goals For: 299 (4th of 26), Goals Against: 231 (3rd of 26)
SRS: 0.81 (3rd of 26),  SOS: -0.00 (12th of 26)

Playoffs:
Won Stanley Cup Final (4-3) over Vancouver Canucks
Won Conference Finals (4-3) over New Jersey Devils
Won Conference Semi-Finals (4-1) over Washington Capitals
Won Conference Quarter-Finals (4-0) over New York Islanders

Preseason Odds: Stanley Cup +1500

1994 – Vancouver Canucks vs. New York Rangers, Game 7
After 54 years without a championship, Rangers fans witnessed a nail-biting finish at Madison Square Garden. Led by Mark Messier, the Blueshirts fended off a furious late push by the Canucks to win 3–2. The jubilant scene in Manhattan, with Messier hoisting the Cup, is still etched into hockey lore.

1998-99 Dallas Stars Roster and Statistics

Record: 51-19-12 (114 points), Finished 1st in NHL Pacific Division  (Schedule and Results)

Coach: Ken Hitchcock (51-19-12)

Captain: Derian Hatcher

Primary Arena: Reunion Arena

1998-99 Stanley Cup Champions

Goals For: 236 (8th of 27), Goals Against: 168 (1st of 27)
SRS: 0.76 (1st of 27),  SOS: -0.07 (26th of 27)

Playoffs:
Won Stanley Cup Final (4-2) over Buffalo Sabres
Won Conference Finals (4-3) over Colorado Avalanche
Won Conference Semi-Finals (4-2) over St. Louis Blues
Won Conference Quarter-Finals (4-0) over Edmonton Oilers

Preseason Odds: Stanley Cup +450

1999 – Dallas Stars vs. Buffalo Sabres, Game 6
This is a game that will forever be remembered for its controversial ending in triple overtime. Brett Hull’s “foot in the crease” goal ultimately stood, handing the Stars a 2–1 victory and their first Stanley Cup. The chaos and debate surrounding that moment would lead to significant rule clarifications.

2005-06 Carolina Hurricanes Roster and Statistics

Record: 52-22-8 (112 points), Finished 1st in NHL Southeast Division  (Schedule and Results)

Coach: Peter Laviolette (52-22-8)

Captain: Rod Brind’Amour

Primary Arena: RBC Center

2005-06 Stanley Cup Champions

Goals For: 286 (3rd of 30), Goals Against: 258 (19th of 30)
SRS: 0.28 (11th of 30),  SOS: -0.13 (28th of 30)

Playoffs:
Won Stanley Cup Final (4-3) over Edmonton Oilers
Won Conference Finals (4-3) over Buffalo Sabres
Won Conference Semi-Finals (4-1) over New Jersey Devils
Won Conference Quarter-Finals (4-2) over Montreal Canadiens

Preseason Odds: Stanley Cup +6000

2006 – Edmonton Oilers vs. Carolina Hurricanes, Game 7
In a back-and-forth series that seemed to defy expectations, the Hurricanes survived a last-ditch comeback effort by the Oilers to win 3–1. Carolina’s unlikely run, combined with Cam Ward’s Conn Smythe heroics, cemented Game 7 as a defining underdog triumph in recent Cup history.

2009-10 Chicago Blackhawks Roster and Statistics

Record: 52-22-8 (112 points), Finished 1st in NHL Central Division  (Schedule and Results)

Coach: Joel Quenneville (52-22-8)

Captain: Jonathan Toews

Primary Arena: United Center

2009-10 Stanley Cup Champions

Goals For: 262 (3rd of 30), Goals Against: 203 (5th of 30)
SRS: 0.77 (2nd of 30),  SOS: 0.02 (14th of 30)

Playoffs:
Won Stanley Cup Final (4-2) over Philadelphia Flyers
Won Conference Finals (4-0) over San Jose Sharks
Won Conference Semi-Finals (4-2) over Vancouver Canucks
Won Conference Quarter-Finals (4-2) over Nashville Predators

Preseason Odds: Stanley Cup +1000

2010 – Chicago Blackhawks vs. Philadelphia Flyers, Game 6
Patrick Kane’s overtime winner is one of the strangest in memory— at first, only Kane seemed to know the puck had gone in. As confusion melted into celebration, Chicago ended a 49-year Cup drought and set the stage for a decade of Blackhawks dominance.

2010-11 Boston Bruins Roster and Statistics

Record: 46-25-11 (103 points), Finished 1st in NHL Northeast Division  (Schedule and Results)

Coach: Claude Julien (46-25-11)

Captain: Zdeno Chára

Primary Arena: TD Garden

2010-11 Stanley Cup Champions

Goals For: 244 (5th of 30), Goals Against: 189 (2nd of 30)
SRS: 0.56 (2nd of 30),  SOS: -0.07 (29th of 30)

Playoffs:
Won Stanley Cup Final (4-3) over Vancouver Canucks
Won Conference Finals (4-3) over Tampa Bay Lightning
Won Conference Semi-Finals (4-0) over Philadelphia Flyers
Won Conference Quarter-Finals (4-3) over Montreal Canadiens

Preseason Odds: Stanley Cup +1600; O/U: 100.5

2011 – Boston Bruins vs. Vancouver Canucks, Game 7
An intense, physical Final saw the Bruins emphatically seize the Cup on Vancouver’s home ice with a 4–0 victory. The showdown became a flashpoint for the city of Vancouver, as postgame riots overshadowed the heartbreak. Nevertheless, the Bruins’ resilience and Tim Thomas’s record-setting goaltending remain the lasting on-ice stories.

2012-13 Chicago Blackhawks Roster and Statistics

Record: 36-7-5 (77 points), Finished 1st in NHL Central Division  (Schedule and Results)

Coach: Joel Quenneville (36-7-5)

Captain: Jonathan Toews

Primary Arena: United Center

2012-13 Stanley Cup Champions

Goals For: 149 (2nd of 30), Goals Against: 97 (1st of 30)
SRS: 1.04 (1st of 30),  SOS: -0.07 (28th of 30)

Playoffs:
Won Stanley Cup Final (4-2) over Boston Bruins
Won Conference Finals (4-1) over Los Angeles Kings
Won Conference Semi-Finals (4-3) over Detroit Red Wings
Won Conference Quarter-Finals (4-1) over Minnesota Wild

Preseason Odds: Stanley Cup +1200; O/U: 57.5

2013 – Chicago Blackhawks vs. Boston Bruins, Game 6
In a series loaded with close contests, nothing matched the final 76 seconds of Game 6. Down 2–1 late in the third period, the Blackhawks stunned the Bruins with two goals just 17 seconds apart, capturing their second Stanley Cup in four seasons. The turnaround was a testament to Chicago’s quick-strike offense and playoff tenacity.

Conclusion

From sudden-death stunners to heroic comebacks, these matchups illustrate why the Stanley Cup Final stands as a showcase for hockey’s ultimate drama. They remain benchmarks for the best Stanley Cup Finals, defined by clutch performances and indelible memories that continue to inspire fans and players alike.

FAQs

What was the best Stanley Cup Final in NHL history?

Determining the “best” Stanley Cup Final is subjective, but some of the best Stanley Cup Finals include the 1994 Rangers vs. Canucks series, where New York ended a 54-year drought in a dramatic Game 7; the 2013 Blackhawks vs. Bruins series, featuring Chicago’s stunning “17 seconds” comeback; and the 2009 Penguins vs. Red Wings series, with Sidney Crosby leading Pittsburgh to victory in a thrilling seven-game rematch.

What NHL teams have won the Stanley Cup in the last 10 years?

2025: Florida Panthers
2024: Florida Panthers
2023: Vegas Golden Knights
2022: Colorado Avalanche
2021: Tampa Bay Lightning
2020: Tampa Bay Lightning
2019: St. Louis Blues
2018: Washington Capitals
2017: Pittsburgh Penguins
2016: Pittsburgh Penguins

What NHL teams have won the most Stanley Cups?

Montreal Canadiens (23)
Toronto Maple Leafs (13)
Detroit Red Wings (11)
Boston Bruins and Chicago Blackhawks (6)
Edmonton Oilers and Pittsburgh Penguins (5)
New York Islanders and New York Rangers (4)
Colorado Avalanche, New Jersey Devils, and Tampa Bay Lightning (3)

This entry was posted on Wednesday, April 23rd, 2025 at 4:54 pm and is filed under NHL History. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

Comments are closed.