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PHOTO MICHAEL DWYER, CANADIAN PRESS ARCHIVES
Craig Berube lifts the Stanley Cup after the Blues’ victory in Game 1o 7, June 12, 2019.
History favors the Panthers. The home team won 12 of the 17 final matches. The last three finals decided in seven games, however, were won by the visiting team: the Blues in 2019, the Bruins in 2011 and the Penguins in 2009.
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PHOTO ARCHIVES THE PRESS
Red Wings forward Tony Leswick celebrates after scoring the game-winning goal in overtime of Game No 7th in the 1954 final, against the Canadian.
A seventh game is stressful. A seventh game in overtime is even more so. Two of those 17 games required extra minutes: those in 1950 and 1954, both won by Detroit. The scorers, since you insist, were Pete Babando and Tony Leswick.
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PHOTO ARCHIVES ASSOCIATED PRESS
Maple Leafs captain Syl Apps lifts the Stanley Cup after his team’s victory in Game 1 no 7 in the history of the final, in 1942. It is the only time that a team won the trophy after losing the first three games of the series: a feat that the Oilers could reproduce on Monday.
It was in 1939 that the four of seven format was adopted. Previously, seven other series had been decided at the limit, but in five matches.
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PHOTO JONATHAN HAYWARD, CANADIAN PRESS ARCHIVES
Boston Bruins goaltender Tim Thomas poses with the Conn Smythe Trophy – awarded to the most valuable player during the playoffs – minutes after winning the Stanley Cup by shutting out the Vancouver Canucks in Game 2o 7 in the 2011 final.
Four goaltenders have had shutouts in such circumstances: Tim Thomas in 2011, Martin Brodeur in 2003, Gump Worsley in 1965 and Johnny Bower in 1964.
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PHOTO ROBERT MAILLOUX, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Ron Hextall, then Flyers goaltender
Ron Hextall holds the record for the number of saves. In 1987, the agitator blocked 40 Oilers shots, but lost 3-1. According to Hockey Reference, Hextall is also, of course, the only goalie to receive a penalty in a Game 7 in the final.
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PHOTO PIERRE MCCANN, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
The legendary Jean Béliveau arrives at the Dorval airport on May 18, 1971, just after winning the Stanley Cup in a gameo 7 against the Blackhawks – the very last of his career!
The record for the number of seventh matches played in the final is four. It is shared by, precisely, four players: Red Kelly, Ted Lindsay, Marcel Pronovost and Jean Béliveau. To quote colleague Simon-Olivier Lorange, that’s good to say.
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PHOTO ARCHIVES NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Brian Rafalski, in the Devils uniform
Focusing our attention on the players who did not play in the six club era, Brian Rafalski is the leader with three appearances in seventh games in the final. The defenseman participated in those of 2001 and 2003 with the Devils, and 2009 with the Red Wings. He triumphed in 2003 and lost the other two times.
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PHOTO SERGEI BELSKI, USA TODAY SPORTS ARCHIVES
Panthers right winger Vladimir Tarasenko during game no 6, Friday.
Of those who will participate in the final match on Monday, Vladimir Tarasenko is the only player from both teams to have already played a final match in the final. In 2019, he got an assist to help the Blues triumph.
PHOTO JONATHAN HAYWARD, CANADIAN PRESS ARCHIVES
Patrice Bergeron lifts the Stanley Cup after a game no 7, in which he scored twice in 2011.
No hat trick has been recorded so far in a seventh game in the final. However, eleven players have scored a double, including Quebecers Patrice Bergeron in 2011, Maxime Talbot in 2009, Alex Tanguay in 2001 and Henri Richard in 1971. Trevor Linden is the only one to have scored two goals in a losing cause, in 1994.
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PHOTO JEFF MCINTOSH, CANADIAN PRESS ARCHIVES
Kris Knoblauch, head coach of the Oilers, behind his bench during game no 6, Friday
Kris Knoblauch, head coach of the Oilers, only has 94 games of experience behind the bench in the NHL. Only three coaches led a team to a seventh game in the Finals with less experience: Dan Bylsma (2009), Al MacNeil (1971) and Jimmy Skinner (1955). All three won. Beginner’s luck?