Best Stanley Cup Playoff Games/Series?

[Cansportschick]

Since it is Stanley Cup Final time, I was thinking about the best games/series and the one that keeps coming to mind is the New Jersey/Colorado Series from 2001 that went to game 7. In my opinion, it was one of those series that both teams were similar and when it was the eve of game 7 no one still knew who would come out on top, with great goaltenders, defenceman and fowards. Also, this was the Cup final where Ray Bourque finally got his Cup.

What is the best series/playoff game in your opinion (it should be one you watched or covered)?

 

[Oz]

Both the 1991 and 1992 Stanley Cups. But then, I say that with complete bias.

 

[RedCanuck]

Oh, the 1991 one was ever so painful for a North Stars fan. It's so puzzling though. They put Stewart Gavin on JR to beat the Blackhawks, and do the same with Brett Hull. I think they also shadowed whomever Edmonton's big gun was that year. Then they get to the final, and they elect not to play him against Lemieux — who simply dominated that series. I really thought that was going to be our year.

 

[JR]

1967

 

[slappy4428]

Was 67 the Bob Baun broken leg or 64?

 

[JR]

1964. Howe hit him with a shot

 

[ondeadline]

The 2006 finals are the most exciting I've seen, but I'm a bit biased.

 

[Sea Bass]

The 2006 finals are the most exciting I've seen, but I'm a bit biased.

I'm with you on that. I don't know if I'd say that was the best I've seen, but it was up there. I quote enjoyed both Calgary-Montreal series (86 and 89).

 

[JR]

Not a final but a first round game seven, Edmonton vs Dallas. Goes into OT.

Cujo makes an unbelievable save--the, I don't believe what I just saw kind--and Todd Marchant a minute later grabs the puck in his own end, takes off like a bat out of hell and roofs it on Belfour.

Here's the clip

 

[beefncheddar]

1992 Game 1: Penguins 5, Blackhawks 4

Lemieux's game-winner at 19:47


Jagr undresses damn near the entire Chicago defense


Blackhawks had won 11 straight games and held leads of 3-0 and 4-1.

 

[D-Backs Hack]

For us thirty-somethings, 1994 always comes to mind first.

Last year's finals were outstanding. Best action, especially in front of the net, that I'd seen in a long time.

 

[JR]

For us thirty-somethings, 1994 always comes to mind first.

Last year's finals were outstanding. Best action, especially in front of the net, that I'd seen in a long time.

Since '67 the Final has only gone to seven games seven times. And three of those have happened in the last three Finals.

The Rangers/Canucks was a great series. I'd say probably the best in the last 15 years.

 

[Cansportschick]

i agree with the Rangers Ducks series among the best. I actually remember where I was when all the games were on.

Game four of the 1996 final was symbolic as the Avs won their first cup and it was after they left Quebec for Denver. The Nordiques could of had the Cup ::) Bias here, but my favourite player in the game won the Conn Smythe Trophy: Joe Sakic.

 

[pseudo]

I'm partial to (all the OT games in) the Habs' 1993 run.

 

[Claws for Concern]

1994 was painful for this Devils fan, but 1995, despite a labor disputed, shorter season, the Devils won their first Cup in 1995 with a sweep of the heavy favorites, the Red Wings.

I have vested plenty in the Devils' other Cup Final series, too: In 2000 I got to see a Devils playoff game live for the first time (I live in California, but I got to see the Devs finish off the Maple Leafs in second round) and Jason Arnott will always be held in high regard for his Cup-clinching 2OT winner vs. Dallas; In 2001 I got to see something this Rockies fan wouldn't have ever thought possible -- Devils (formerly Scouts and Rockies) vs. Avs (formerly Nordiques) playing for the Stanley Cup in Denver. All I'll say about a certain Avs defenseman is that at least he had to spend a FULL year with the team to get the Cup instead of being a rent-a-player who got there in March of the same year they won the Cup. In 2003, I attended Game 4 of the Ducks-Devils Cup final in Anaheim and specifically took the day off from work for Game 7 to watch this one alone and I was so happy for the Devils and especially the older defensemen who tasted their last sip from the Cup.

 

[nafselon]

I'm partial to (all the OT games in) the Habs' 1993 run.

As an Islanders fan I say "**** you!" :)

But the Islanders run in 1993 included an awesome seven game series against the Pens with Dave Volek scoring on a sweet shot on a 2-1 break. And the Habs series only went five but had two incredible Double OT games.

 

[Beef03]

Not a final but a first round game seven, Edmonton vs Dallas. Goes into OT.

Cujo makes an unbelievable save--the, I don't believe what I just saw kind--and Todd Marchant a minute later grabs the puck in his own end, takes off like a bat out of hell and roofs it on Belfour.

Here's the clip

I agree with you on that one, it was an incredible series. 1997 and it was Andy Moog that was in net for the Stars

 

[JR]

Not a final but a first round game seven, Edmonton vs Dallas. Goes into OT.

Cujo makes an unbelievable save--the, I don't believe what I just saw kind--and Todd Marchant a minute later grabs the puck in his own end, takes off like a bat out of hell and roofs it on Belfour.

Here's the clip

I agree with you on that one, it was an incredible series. 1997 and it was Andy Moog that was in net for the Stars

You're right. It was Moog. I had forgotten--Belfour moved to Dallas the following year.

 

[Guybehindtheguy]

Greatest hockey moment of my lifetime: Dale Hunter beating Hextall in OT of Game 7 in '88 (or is it 89?) of first round Patrick Division series. Caps trailed in Series 3-2 then won at Philly thanks to Michal Pivonka drawing a fighting major from some Philly goon when Caps trailed 3-2 in third. They scored twice on the major.

Of course, highlights for us in D.C. are few and far between, littered with more chokes than I care to imagine ('96 first rounder against Penguins particularly tough, esp. considering they won the first two at the Igloo, then lost Game 4 at 3 in the ******* morning in quadruple OT).

 

[Sea Bass]

i agree with the Rangers Ducks series among the best. I actually remember where I was when all the games were on.

Game four of the 1996 final was symbolic as the Avs won their first cup and it was after they left Quebec for Denver. The Nordiques could of had the Cup ::) Bias here, but my favourite player in the game won the Conn Smythe Trophy: Joe Sakic.

"The Nordiques could have won the Cup" gets said all the time, but people forget that if the team was still in Quebec, there's no way in hell Patrick Roy falls into their lap.