Stanley Cup
The NHL Stanley Cup is the ultimate prize in National Hockey League (NHL). It’s a championship series played in a best-of-seven format between the Eastern and Western Conference champions. Teams reach the Stanley Cup Finals after battling through three rounds of playoffs (all best-of-seven series).
The Stanley Cup’s rich history dates back to the late 1800s, when ice hockey was booming in Canada. Back then, there were no professional leagues, and the sport was mostly amateur. In 1892, Lord Stanley of Preston, the Governor-General of Canada, became a hockey fan and donated a trophy to the top amateur team. This trophy, initially called the Dominion Hockey Challenge Cup, eventually became known as the Stanley Cup.
How to Bet on the Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is a major betting event, and many fans love to wager on who will win. Here’s a quick guide:
- Understanding the format: The Stanley Cup Finals are a best-of-seven series. Whoever wins four games first clinches the Cup.
- Top sportsbooks for Stanley Cup betting: FanDuel, DraftKings, BetRivers, BetMGM, and Caesars Sportsbook are all excellent options with various odds and features.
- Tips for successful betting: Reliable information and expert picks can significantly improve your chances of winning.
Fun Facts
- The first Stanley Cup winners were the Montreal Amateur Athletic Association (MAAA) in 1893.
- Professional teams were first allowed to compete for the Stanley Cup in 1915.
- The Vegas Golden Knights are the most recent champions, winning their first Stanley Cup in 2023.
NHL Stanley Cup Winners
Here are the Top-10 Stanley Cup winners:
| Team | Number of Wins |
|---|---|
| Montreal Canadiens | 24 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | 13 |
| Detroit Red Wings | 11 |
| Boston Bruins | 6 |
| Chicago Blackhawks | 6 |
| Edmonton Oilers | 5 |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | 5 |
| New York Rangers | 4 |
| New York Islanders | 4 |
| Ottawa Senators (1883-1954) | 4 |
Stanley Cup Records
- Team Most Stanley Cup Wins by a Team: Montreal Canadiens have won the Stanley Cup 24 times.
- Most Consecutive Stanley Cup Wins: Montreal Canadiens with five straight championships from 1956 to 1960.
- Most Stanley Cup Appearances: The Montreal Canadiens hold the record for most Stanley Cup appearances, with 35.
- Team with most Consecutive Stanley Cup Appearances: The Montreal Canadiens with 10, between 1951 and 1960.
- Most Stanley Cup Wins by a Player: Henri Richard won the Stanley Cup 11 times during his career.
- Player with most Goals in a Stanley Cup Finals: Maurice Richard with 34 goals.
- Most Assists in Stanley Cup Finals: Wayne Gretzky with 35 assists.
- Player with most Points in Stanley Cup Finals: Jean Beliveau with 62 points.
- Most Shutouts in Stanley Cup Finals: Clint Benedict with 8 shutouts.
The NHL Stanley Cup is the championship series where the Eastern and Western Conference Champions will face each other in a best-of-seven game series, to determine who will be the Stanley Cup winner, and therefore, the NHL champion.
The Stanley Cup Finals is a best-of-seven game series where the first team to win four games is declared the NHL Champion.
There are 12 teams without the Stanley Cup Trophy in its case. Those teams are: Arizona Coyotes, Buffalo Sabres, Columbus Blue Jackets, Florida Panthers, Minnesota Wild, Nashville Predators, Ottawa Senators, San Jose Sharks, Seattle Kraken, Vancouver Canucks, Vegas Golden Knight and Winnipeg Jets.
