Fewest & Most Games Needed to Win Stanley Cup (2024)

Friday, June 16, 2023

Fewest & Most Games Needed to Win Stanley Cup

Fewest & Most Games Needed to Win Stanley Cup (1)

With the Vegas Golden Knightscompleting a 22 game playoff culminating in being crowned 2020 Stanley Cup Champions, it's time to do some math and see how many games it typically takes winners to collect the requisite 16 wins en route to hoisting the Stanley Cup.

The chart below shows the number of playoff games needed to win the Stanley Cup since 1987, by year, team and number of games.

Year: Team (Games) Year: Team (Games)
1987: Edmonton Oilers (21)2006: Carolina Hurricanes (25)
1988: Edmonton Oilers (18)2007: Anaheim Ducks (21)
1989: Calgary Flames (22)2008: Detroit Red Wings (22)
1990: Edmonton Oilers (22)2009: Pittsburgh Penguins (24)
1991: Pittsburgh Penguins (24)2010: Chicago Blackhawks (22)
1992: Pittsburgh Penguins (21)2011: Boston Bruins (25)
1993: Montreal Canadiens (20)2012: Los Angeles Kings (20)
1994: New York Rangers (23)2013: Chicago Blackhawks (23)
1995: New Jersey Devils (20)2014: Los Angeles Kings (26)
1996: Colorado Avalanche (22)2015: Chicago Blackhawks (23)
1997: Detroit Red Wings (20)2016: Pittsburgh Penguins (24)
1998: Detroit Red Wings (22)2017: Pittsburgh Penguins (25)
1999: Dallas Stars (23)2018: Washington Capitals (24)
2000: New Jersey Devils (23)2019: St. Louis Blues (26)
2001: Colorado Avalanche (23) 2020: Tampa Bay Lightning (22)
2002: Detroit Red Wings (23)2021: Tampa Bay Lightning (23)
2003: New Jersey Devils (23)2022: Colorado Avalanche (20)
2004: Tampa Bay Lightning (23)2023: Vegas Golden Knights (22)

Since the expansion of each playoff round to seven gamesin 1987, none have swept all four rounds to hoist the Cup in 16 games, nor have any skated in four Game 7susing all 28 possible games. The average number of games needed to win the Stanley Cup is 22, with theEdmonton Oilers(1988) playing the fewest games (18), and the Los Angeles Kings(2014) and St. Louis Blues (2019) skating in the most (26).
Fans prefer fewer games. Owners don't mind the additional revenue that accompanies a longer series. But whatever is needed will suffice.

* See also NHL Stanley Cup Playoff Length By Days And Games.
* See also NHL League Size And Regular Season Length.
* See also NHL Stanley Cup Playoff Qualification Droughts.
* See also NHL Stanley Cup Playoff Series Win Droughts.
* See also NHL Stanley Cup Final Appearance Droughts.
* See also NHL Stanley Cup Championship Droughts.

I'm an avid hockey enthusiast with a deep understanding of the intricacies of the sport, particularly the NHL and its prestigious Stanley Cup. My knowledge extends beyond casual fandom, as I can dissect statistics, historical trends, and nuances that define the league. In this context, I can confidently provide insights into the article you've shared.

The article delves into the number of games required to win the Stanley Cup since 1987, offering a historical perspective on the playoff journey of various NHL teams. The evidence presented includes a comprehensive chart detailing the year, team, and the number of games played by the Stanley Cup champions. Notably, the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023 completed a 22-game playoff to secure the championship.

Here are some key concepts and information derived from the article:

  1. Playoff Duration and Champions:

    • The chart displays the number of games needed by each Stanley Cup-winning team from 1987 to 2023.
    • Notable champions include the Edmonton Oilers (1987, 1988, 1990), Pittsburgh Penguins (1991, 1992), and more recent winners like the Chicago Blackhawks (2013, 2015) and the Tampa Bay Lightning (2020, 2021).
  2. Historical Context:

    • The article notes that since the expansion of each playoff round to seven games in 1987, no team has swept all four rounds in 16 games.
    • It also highlights that no team has participated in four Game 7s, resulting in a maximum of 28 possible games.
  3. Average Number of Games:

    • The average number of games needed to win the Stanley Cup is stated as 22.
    • The Edmonton Oilers in 1988 played the fewest games (18), while the Los Angeles Kings (2014) and St. Louis Blues (2019) played the most (26).
  4. Fan and Owner Perspectives:

    • The article touches on the preferences of fans for shorter series and owners' appreciation for the additional revenue generated by longer series.
  5. Expansion of Playoff Rounds:

    • The article mentions the expansion of each playoff round to seven games in 1987, influencing the overall dynamics of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
  6. Related Topics:

    • The article concludes with links to various other NHL-related topics, such as Stanley Cup Playoff Length, League Size, Regular Season Length, Playoff Qualification Droughts, Series Win Droughts, Final Appearance Droughts, and Championship Droughts.

This comprehensive analysis provides readers with a well-rounded view of the Stanley Cup playoffs' historical evolution and the varying paths teams have taken to claim hockey's ultimate prize.

Fewest & Most Games Needed to Win Stanley Cup (2024)
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