25 nice NHL groups that in some way did not win the Stanley Cup

From 1950 to 1955, Detroit received 4 Stanley Cups to string collectively one good dynasty. Nevertheless, the ’50-’51 squad may need been one of the crucial proficient amid this franchise surge. Ted Lindsay, Gordie Howe, Sid Abel, and Crimson Kelly — Detroit’s star-studded forged of the time have been all there that season, and the Crimson Wings earned a league-best 101 factors. Nevertheless, second-place Montreal proved an excessive amount of for Detroit within the 1951 playoff opener, profitable the primary two video games, however weren’t surprised after dropping Video games 3 and 4. The Canadiens regrouped to win the following two, earlier than dropping to Toronto within the Stanley Cup Remaining.

Getting into the 1970-71 season, Boston was the reigning Stanley Cup champion and probably even higher a yr later. The 121 factors the Bruins recorded in 1970-71 stood as a membership report for greater than 40 years. Within the course of, they totaled a whopping 399 objectives (then an NHL report) and received 57 video games behind legends Phil Esposito (then-NHL report 76 objectives) and Bobby Orr (career-high 139 factors), and an extremely proficient supporting forged that featured two extra 100-point producers. Nevertheless, when the playoffs rolled round, Montreal rookie Ken Dryden stepped up huge in web because the Canadiens held Boston to 5 totals whereas profitable Video games 6 and seven of their opening-round sequence to tug off the upset.

It had been 10 years for the reason that Black Hawks (with the nickname spelled as two phrases) received their final Stanley Cup, and the 1970-71 squad appeared sturdy sufficient to ship fairly the anniversary current for the franchise. Led by Stan Mikita, Bobby Hull and Tony Esposito in purpose, Chicago posted a West Division-best 107 factors and 49 wins — each franchise data on the time. The Black Hawks swept Philadelphia to open the 1971 playoffs, then outlasted the New York Rangers in seven video games. Chicago was again within the Stanley Cup Remaining, in opposition to Montreal, which upset a 121-point Boston membership en route. It proved to be a basic sequence, with the house workforce profitable every of the primary six video games. The Black Hawks led 2-0 at dwelling in Recreation 7, however the Canadiens tied it with two second-period objectives, then received it on Henri Richard’s tiebreaker with 2:34 remaining in regulation to hoist the Cup.

The 1975-76 Flyers entered the season aiming for a 3rd consecutive Stanley Cup triumph. When the common season ended, they appeared poised to perform that spectacular feat after recording a league-best 118 factors, which nonetheless stands as essentially the most within the franchise historical past. The Flyers received 20 straight video games at dwelling throughout one stretch that season, and the legendary line of Bobby Clarke, Reggie Leach, and Invoice Barber set an NHL report with 141 objectives. Although it wasn’t completely straightforward, Philadelphia reached the Stanley Cup Remaining, however in contrast to the earlier two seasons, it didn’t hoist the Cup. As a substitute, it was surprised through a four-game sweep by the hands of Montreal.

One other sturdy candidate for the all-time finest NHL workforce by no means to win the Stanley Cup. These Flyers personal the longest unbeaten streak by a North American skilled sports activities workforce at 35 consecutive video games. The Flyers’ 116 factors from ’79-’80 rank second in membership historical past, whereas 5 gamers registered a minimum of 30 objectives — with Reggie Leach scoring 50 and Invoice Barber 40. In the course of the Campbell Convention playoffs, Philadelphia misplaced simply two video games. Nevertheless, the Cup closing in opposition to the New York Islanders was a special story. The Flyers went 0-3 on the highway, together with a 5-4 extra time loss within the clinching Recreation 6, which featured the notorious no-offside name on the Isles’ second purpose of the evening.

The Oilers’ Nineteen Eighties dynasty produced 5 Stanley Cups in seven seasons (1984-90). And, many NHL historians and followers imagine the 1985-86 squad was greater than able to profitable the franchise’s third consecutive Cup. With names like Wayne Gretzky (who posted an NHL-best 215 factors that season), Jari Kurri, Mark Messier, Paul Coffey and Glenn Anderson, these Oilers scored 426 objectives (second-most in NHL historical past), received 56 video games and posted a league-best 119 factors — which matched the franchise report. The Oilers swept Vancouver to open the 1986 playoffs, however instantly discovered themselves in a battle with their provincial rival within the Calgary Flames. No workforce received back-to-back video games throughout that second-round sequence, however Edmonton had dwelling ice for Recreation 7. Nevertheless, in one of the crucial notorious moments in NHL playoff historical past, Oilers’ defenseman Steve Smith inadvertently banked the puck within the web off his teammate and goaltender Grant Fuhr on a go try early within the third interval, giving Calgary a 3-2 lead. The benefit held up and the Flames pulled off the gorgeous upset.

In 1988-89, the Canadiens, who earned a Wales Convention-best 115 factors, and the Calgary Flames, the Presidents’ Trophy winners with 117, appeared on a destined course to battle for the Stanley Cup. They have been two finest groups within the league and did sq. off with the Cup on the road. Montreal went up 2-1 within the sequence, however the Flames received the following three video games. Whereas the Remaining shall be remembered for Calgary legend Lanny McDonald scoring within the Recreation 6 clincher to hoist the Cup lastly, the end result offered some main disappointment for a extremely profitable Habs workforce.

Getting into the 1992-93 season, Pittsburgh was aiming for a 3rd consecutive Stanley Cup triumph. And, if that common season was any indication, Mario Lemieux and Co. have been going to perform that feat. The Penguins set membership data with 56 wins and 119 factors — the latter ok to win the franchise’s solely Presidents’ Trophy. After beating New Jersey in 5 video games to open the 1993 playoffs and holding a 3-2 sequence lead in opposition to the New York Islanders within the subsequent spherical, the Penguins appeared on their means. Nevertheless, the Isles scored three third-period objectives to win 7-5 in Recreation 6 and David Volek’s purpose 5:16 in extra time of Recreation 7 gave the guests a surprising 4-3 victory and sequence upset. 

In the course of the Nineteen Nineties, the Crimson Wings received two Stanley Cups and performed for one more. That “different” one got here in 1994-95, when Detroit boasted an NHL-best 70 through the lockout-shortened marketing campaign. Led by legendary veterans Steve Yzerman, Paul Coffey Dino Ciccarelli and budding famous person Sergei Fedorov, the Crimson Wings scored 54 occasions whereas going 12-2 in opposition to Dallas, San Jose and Chicago through the Western Convention playoffs. Nevertheless, the Wings ran right into a buzzsaw through the underdog New Jersey Devils, and their vaunted neutral-zone lure, within the Cup Remaining, totaling simply seven objectives whereas being swept within the sequence.

After falling in need of hoisting the Cup in 1995, the Crimson Wings appeared poised to take action the following season. Detroit’s 62 wins from ’95-’96 have been a report on the time, and its 131 factors are the third-highest posted within the historical past of the league. Once more with a “Who’s Who” of NHL superstars (Steve Yzerman, Paul Coffey, Sergei Fedorov, Slava Kozlov, Igor Larionov, Mike Vernon, Chris Osgood), the Wings did should work to achieve the Western Convention finals — notably beating St. Louis in seven video games the spherical prior. Nevertheless, in opposition to a Colorado membership led by Joe Sakic, Peter Forsberg and Patrick Roy, Detroit dropped Video games 1 and a pair of at dwelling, by no means recovered and misplaced the sequence in six.

In one of many extra attention-grabbing seasons for a franchise in NHL historical past, the Senators prevented the distraction of lingering off-ice issues to set franchise data for wins (52) and factors (113) — each could be matched in 2005-06 — to win the Presidents’ Trophy. Fairly exceptional, contemplating the franchise filed for chapter in January of that season and was primarily being saved afloat financially by the league. With Marian Hossa and Daniel Alfredsson on the forefront, Ottawa reached the Jap Convention finals. That is the place it fell right into a 3-1 gap in opposition to New Jersey, however battled again to drive a Recreation 7 on dwelling ice. That contest appeared headed tor extra time, however the Devils’ Jeff Friesen scored with somewhat greater than 2 minutes to play in regulation for a 4-3 victory that broke the hearts of Senators followers.

Solely six groups within the annals of NHL play have recorded extra factors than the 124 registered by the 2005-06 Crimson Wings. Paced by budding superstars in Nicklas Lidstrom, Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg, plus Corridor-of-Famer Brendan Shanahan, the Crimson Wings totaled a Western Convention-best 305 objectives. In the meantime, the No. 8 seed Edmonton Oilers completed 29 factors again of the Crimson Wings that season. Nevertheless, the Oilers held heavily-favored Detroit to only 17 objectives whereas pulling off a surprising six-game upset within the opening spherical and starting their inconceivable run to the Stanley Cup Remaining.

Maybe no franchise within the NHL, and its fan base, is hungrier for a Stanley Cup than the Sabres. Since breaking into the league in 1970, Buffalo has made simply two Stanley Cup Remaining appearances. Nevertheless, it may be argued that one of the best Sabres’ squad of all time was this 2006-07 group, which set a franchise report for wins (53) and matched the membership mark for factors (113), whereas profitable their first Presidents’ Trophy. Buffalo scored a league-best 298 objectives that season, and 4 gamers topped the 30 mark, highlighted by Thomas Vanek‘s 43. Buffalo reached the Jap Convention finals, however managed simply 10 whereas dropping to Ottawa in 5 video games.

With 116 factors, the Bruins have been the highest workforce through the Jap Convention common season, and so they received a minimum of 50 video games (53) for the primary time since 1992-93. With six 20-goal scorers and stud goaltender Tim Thomas main the best way, Boston appeared poised to make a protracted playoff run after sweeping Montreal within the opening spherical. Nevertheless, following a 4-1 win in Recreation 1 in opposition to Carolina within the subsequent spherical, the Bruins have been stymied by Hurricanes netminder Cam Ward and totaled three objectives whereas dropping the following three. Boston responded by profitable Video games 5 and 6 to drive a Recreation 7, however Scott Walker’s purpose late in extra time despatched Carolina to an upset sequence victory.

The 117 factors these Sharks recorded nonetheless stay essentially the most within the franchise historical past, as are the 53 victories posted by this 2008-09 group. Patrick Marleau and Devin Setoguchi every topped the 30-goal mark, Joe Thornton had a team-high 86 factors, and Evgeni Nabokov received 41 video games within the web throughout San Jose’s Presidents’ Trophy-winning common season. But, when it was time to step up their recreation for the playoffs, the Sharks totaled simply 10 objectives and have been shut out twice whereas dropping their opening sequence to Anaheim in six video games.

Since Alex Ovechkin arrived in D.C. in 2009-10, the Capitals have recorded a minimum of 100 factors 10 occasions. On the high of that heap is the 2009-10 marketing campaign, the place they received the Presidents’ Trophy with a franchise-record 121 factors. Paced by Ovechkin’s 50 objectives, seven Caps scored a minimum of 21 or extra. In the meantime, the workforce posted a 2.72 goals-against common. When the playoffs rolled round, Washington jumped out to a 3-1 lead over Montreal within the opening sequence. Nevertheless, netminder Jaroslav Halak and the Canadiens held the Caps to only a purpose apiece in profitable every of the ultimate three video games to tug off the upset. 

Arguably the best season in Canucks historical past resulted in main disappointment — and actually virtually left the town of Vancouver in ruins. That 2010-11 Canucks posted a franchise-best 117 factors to win the Presidents’ Trophy and their 54 wins stay essentially the most by a workforce that misplaced within the Stanley Cup Remaining. Armed with the Sedin twins and star netminder Roberto Luongo, Vancouver’s quest for its first Cup received off to a superb begin when it beat visiting Boston in Video games 1 and a pair of of the Remaining. Nevertheless, the Canucks misplaced all three highway video games, then returned dwelling for Recreation 7, solely to have Bruins’ goaltender Tim Thomas cease all 37 photographs he confronted throughout a 4-0 loss. Following the defeat, a riot broke out on the streets of Vancouver, leaving an enduring stain on what ought to have been a particular season.

The Penguins’ 72 factors have been essentially the most within the Jap Convention through the lockout-shortened 2012-13 NHL season. Sidney Crosby and Co. did not have an excessive amount of hassle reaching the convention finals after scoring 47 objectives in 11 video games in opposition to the New York Islanders and Ottawa within the first two rounds. Nevertheless, the Penguins’ efficiency all of the sudden went chilly in opposition to Boston. Led by Tuukka Rask in web, the Bruins held Pittsburgh to only two objectives whereas sweeping the sequence to fulfill Chicago within the Stanley Cup Remaining.

On the time, the 117 factors the Bruins generated in 2013-14 have been then the second-most in membership historical past. Boston had received the Presidents’ Trophy and appeared ready to return to the Stanley Cup Remaining and probably get the job accomplished after falling brief in opposition to Chicago one season earlier. The Bruins dispatched of Detroit in 5 video games to open the 2014 playoffs. However, even with the efficiency of 30-goal scorers Patrice Bergeron and Jarome Iginla, and defensive stalwart Zdeno Chara, Boston managed simply 16 objectives whereas dropping to storied rival Montreal in seven video games of the following spherical.

The primary of back-to-back postseason distress for the Capitals. In ’15-’16, Washington set a franchise report with 56 wins and practically topped the aforementioned membership mark for factors whereas posting 120. The Capitals opened the playoffs with a six-game win over Philadelphia, then launched into one other installment of its bitter rivalry with Pittsburgh. After profitable Recreation 1 at dwelling, Washington suffered three straight one-goal defeats — two coming in regulation to go down 3-1. The Caps managed to win Recreation 5 at dwelling and overcame a 3-0 deficit in Recreation 6 to drive extra time. Nevertheless, Pittsburgh’s Nick Bonino ended the sequence with a purpose 6:32 into the additional session.

Cease if we have stated this earlier than. The Capitals get pleasure from a stellar common season, on this case, posting 118 factors to win the Presidents’ Trophy for a second straight marketing campaign. And, similar to the season prior, Washington received its first-round playoff sequence, this time taking down Toronto in six video games. However, as soon as once more, Pittsburgh was ready for the Caps within the subsequent part of the Jap Convention, and it was the defending Stanley Cup champion. In 2017, Washington misplaced Video games 1 and a pair of at dwelling, however rallied from 3-1 all the way down to even the sequence with back-to-back victories in Video games 5 and 6. That arrange the winner-take-all Recreation 7, and maybe essentially the most hyped contest within the historical past of this intense rivalry. Sadly for the Caps, disappointment resurfaced because the Penguins’ Marc-Andre Fleury made 29 saves throughout a 2-0 victory and sequence win in entrance of the Washington followers.

The Lightning have received two Stanley Cups since debuting in 1992-93. However, that also would not completely take the sting away from the eventual misplaced season of 2018-19. Tampa Bay received 62 video games throughout that marketing campaign, tied for the second-most in league historical past. Its 128 factors are the fifth-highest complete the NHL has ever seen and earned the membership its first Presidents’ Trophy. Nikita Kucherov posted 128 factors that season for the Lightning, however he managed simply two as they have been outscored 19-8 throughout a fully gorgeous first-round sweep by the hands of the upstart Columbus Blue Jackets, who had by no means received a playoff sequence previous to that time. 

The 122 factors Florida amassed through the ’21-’22 season are essentially the most in franchise historical past, and among the many high 10 all-time within the NHL. That Presidents’ Trophy-winning season for the Panthers featured 340 objectives scored and 4 gamers posting 30 or extra — Aleksander Barkov (39), Sam Reinhart (33), Anthony Duclair (31) and Jonathan Huberdeau (30), nevertheless, after taking down Washington in six video games through the opening sequence of the 2022 playoffs, that potent Panthers offense was held to only three objectives whereas being swept by rival Tampa Bay within the subsequent spherical.

Arguably, the best common season in NHL historical past ended with maybe the grandest shortcoming the league has ever witnessed. The 2022-23 Bruins set NHL data for wins (65) and factors (135) and likewise received their first 14 dwelling video games. David Pastrnak, Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron have been among the many recreation’s finest, and it appeared a foregone conclusion the Bruins would win their first Cup since 2011. Issues seemed good when Boston opened the playoffs by leaping out to a 3-1 sequence lead versus Florida. However, the Panthers prevented elimination with a 4-3 extra time win in Recreation 5 and scored the ultimate three objectives of Recreation 6 for a 7-5 victory. That introduced on a stunning Recreation 7, the place Florida tied it at 3-3 through Brandon Montour’s purpose with 1 minute left in regulation. Then, 8:35 into extra time, Boston’s particular season ended, due to a purpose from the Panthers’ Carter Verhaeghe that surprised the Bruins, their trustworthy and the hockey world.

Within the storied historical past of the New York Rangers, the franchise’s best regular-season efficiency didn’t end in a Stanley Cup triumph. In 2023-24, New York set membership data with 55 wins and 114 factors to win the Presidents’ Trophy. Artemi Panarin posted 120 factors, Chris Kreider scored 39 objectives and Igor Shesterkin capped a three-season run of 30-plus victories in web. The Rangers swept Washington to open the playoffs, then beat Carolina in six video games. Within the Jap Convention finals versus Florida, the Rangers led 2-1 within the sequence, then by no means received once more, struggling three consecutive one-goal losses to fall brief at their first shot on the Cup since 1994.