The 17 Greatest Stanley Cup Finals of All Time

From dynasty coronations to gut-wrenching upsets nobody predicted, these Finals captured everything that makes playoff hockey the most gripping sport on earth. Which series was the greatest?

1

1994 Rangers vs Canucks

Mark Messier's legendary guarantee and a double-overtime Game 7 ended the New York Rangers' 54-year championship drought.

1000pts

2

2019 Blues vs Bruins

The St. Louis Blues went from last place in January to Stanley Cup champions in one of the most improbable title runs ever.

907pts

3

2026 Hurricanes vs Golden Knights

Carolina won its second title in 20 years in six games, with 37-year-old Jordan Staal making NHL history as the oldest Conn Smythe winner.

691pts

4

1970 Bruins vs Blues

Bobby Orr's iconic flying overtime goal became the most celebrated image in hockey history as Boston won the Cup.

642pts

5

2022 Avalanche vs Lightning

Colorado's dominant 4-2 victory ended Tampa Bay's bid for an unprecedented three-peat in one of the most one-sided Finals in decades.

642pts

6

2009 Penguins vs Red Wings

Sidney Crosby captured his first Cup when the Penguins became the first visiting team to win a Game 7 on the road in Finals history.

642pts

7

2013 Blackhawks vs Bruins

Chicago scored twice in the final 76 seconds of Game 6 to stun Boston and win the Stanley Cup in one of the most dramatic closings ever.

642pts

8

1984 Oilers vs Islanders

Edmonton dethroned the four-time champion Islanders with Gretzky and Messier leading a new dynasty into the spotlight.

642pts

9

2011 Bruins vs Canucks

Boston rallied from a 2-0 series deficit against a heavily favored Vancouver side to win in a Game 7 that Canucks fans will never forget.

584pts

10

2006 Hurricanes vs Oilers

Carolina claimed its first-ever Stanley Cup in a thrilling seven-game series against an upstart Edmonton squad.

584pts

11

2004 Lightning vs Flames

A gritty seven-game battle between Tampa Bay and Calgary that captivated fans and ended with the Lightning's first championship.

584pts

12

1987 Oilers vs Flyers

Wayne Gretzky led Edmonton back from a 3-1 deficit in an all-time classic Game 7 showdown at the height of the Oilers dynasty.

513pts

13

2018 Capitals vs Golden Knights

Alexander Ovechkin finally lifted the Cup while first-year expansion team Vegas shocked everyone by reaching the Finals.

513pts

14

2010 Blackhawks vs Flyers

Chicago captured its first Stanley Cup in 49 years, igniting a dynasty that would win three titles in six seasons.

513pts

15

1942 Leafs vs Red Wings

Toronto staged the first 3-0 comeback in Finals history — still the only time an NHL team erased that deficit to win the championship.

428pts

16

2024 Panthers vs Oilers

The greatest comeback in Finals history — Florida erased a 3-0 series deficit against Edmonton to claim the Cup in Game 7.

428pts

17

1980 Islanders vs Flyers

The New York Islanders won their first Cup on home ice, launching one of hockey's greatest dynasties with four consecutive titles.

428pts