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The Stanley Cup, the ultimate prize in professional hockey, is the oldest professional sports trophy in North America (1892). More recently, the Stanley Cup Final has been the scene of some of the most riveting and emotional upsets in all of sports. Despite its long-series postseason format, the history of the NHL is rich with underdog stories triumphing on the biggest stage. The upsets detailed below have left an indelible mark on the sport, proving that in the NHL, no team can be counted out. Here are the five biggest upsets in Stanley Cup history.
The New York Islanders entered the 1984 Stanley Cup Finals as the four-time defending champions, seeking their fifth consecutive title. The Edmonton Oilers, led by a young Wayne Gretzky, were seen as a talented but inexperienced team. However, the Oilers stunned the hockey world by defeating the Islanders in five games, ending their dynasty and marking the beginning of Edmonton’s own era of dominance.
The 2010 Stanley Cup Finals featured the Boston Bruins against the Vancouver Canucks, who had won the Presidents’ Trophy for the best regular-season record. The Canucks were heavily favored to win their first Stanley Cup. The series went to seven games, with Boston overcoming a 2-0 series deficit. Tim Thomas’s stellar goaltending and clutch performances by the Bruins led to a 4-0 victory in Game 7 in Vancouver, delivering one of the most memorable upsets in recent history and the first Bruins championship in 39 years.
The 1995 Stanley Cup Finals saw the New Jersey Devils facing the Detroit Red Wings, who were considered the best team that season. The Red Wings, with their high-powered offense, were expected to dominate. However, the Devils employed a stifling defensive strategy known as the “neutral zone trap,” which completely frustrated the Red Wings. The Devils swept the series in four games, shocking the hockey world and winning their first Stanley Cup.
The Edmonton Oilers, without Wayne Gretzky, who had been traded to the Los Angeles Kings, were not expected to win another Stanley Cup. The Boston Bruins, with their balanced team, were favorites in the 1990 Finals. However, the Oilers, led by Mark Messier and outstanding goaltending from Bill Ranford, defeated the Bruins in five games. This victory marked the Oilers’ fifth Stanley Cup in seven years and proved they could win without Gretzky.
The 2019 Stanley Cup Finals featured the St. Louis Blues, who were in last place in January of that season, against the favored Boston Bruins. The Blues’ remarkable turnaround under interim head coach Craig Berube and rookie goaltender Jordan Binnington was already a great story. The series went to seven games, with the Blues winning Game 7 in Boston 4-1. This victory gave the Blues their first Stanley Cup in franchise history and completed one of the most improbable runs in NHL history.
Zach has been a published sports writer since 2018 specializing in college football & basketball, MLB and NFL content for multiple publications.