The Stanley Cup Final is the pinnacle of the National Hockey League (NHL) playoffs, where the top two teams in the league battle it out for the coveted trophy. However, throughout the history of the NHL, there have been instances where the lowest-seeded teams have made it all the way to the final. Let’s take a closer look at some of these historical moments.
In 1986, the Calgary Flames became the first team to make it to the Stanley Cup Final as a seventh seed. They faced off against the Montreal Canadiens, who were the top seed in their conference. Despite being the underdogs, the Flames managed to win their first and only Stanley Cup in franchise history, defeating the Canadiens in five games.
The following year, in 1987, the Philadelphia Flyers became the second team to make it to the final as a seventh seed. They faced off against the Edmonton Oilers, who were the defending champions and had won four of the previous five Stanley Cups. Despite being heavy underdogs, the Flyers managed to push the series to seven games before ultimately falling to the Oilers.
In 1994, the Vancouver Canucks made it to the final as a seventh seed. They faced off against the New York Rangers, who were the top seed in their conference and had not won a Stanley Cup in 54 years. The Canucks pushed the series to seven games but ultimately fell short, with the Rangers winning their first Stanley Cup since 1940.
In 2006, the Edmonton Oilers became the first team in NHL history to make it to the final as an eighth seed. They faced off against the Carolina Hurricanes, who were the second seed in their conference. Despite being heavy underdogs, the Oilers managed to push the series to seven games before ultimately falling to the Hurricanes.
In 2012, the Los Angeles Kings made history by becoming the first eighth-seeded team to win the Stanley Cup. They faced off against the New Jersey Devils, who were the sixth seed in their conference. The Kings dominated the series, winning in six games and cementing their place in NHL history.
These historical moments serve as a reminder that anything can happen in the NHL playoffs. While the top-seeded teams may have the advantage on paper, the underdogs can always rise to the occasion and make history. As we approach the 2021 Stanley Cup Final, it will be interesting to see if any low-seeded teams can make a run and add their names to this list of historical moments.
