Ranking the 10 Best Game 6s in Stanley Cup Final History

The Chicago Blackhawks are seeking their second Stanley Cup title since 2010 on Monday night in Boston. The Blackhawks hold a 3-2 series advantage, pushing the Bruins to the edge of elimination entering Game 6 of the series.

A dramatic title showdown has lived up to the hype, setting the stage for this latest installment of thrilling hockey action. As players on both teams anxiously await the matchup, it made us think about the most memorable Game 6 collisions of the past.

Here's a look at some of the most riveting examples of Game 6 greatness. Perhaps someday this clash between Boston and Chicago will join the list.

10. 1975: Philadelphia Flyers 2, Buffalo Sabres 0

This matchup punctuated a dominant performance by one of the greatest players of his era. Philadelphia goaltender Bernie Parent became the first player in league history to win the Conn Smythe Trophy in consecutive years by blanking Buffalo in a decisive Game 6.

He surrendered just 12 goals in six games to earn the honors again. This Stanley Cup Final garnered excitement as it was the first championship series to feature two non-Original Six squads in the aftermath of the 1967 league expansion.

This matchup was scoreless through two stanzas. Bob Kelly put the Flyers in front for good with a goal 11 seconds into the third period.

9. 1973: Montreal Canadiens 6, Chicago Blackhawks 4

A wild series ended when Montreal outlasted Chicago late in Game 6 on the road. A rematch of the 1971 Stanley Cup Final, won by the Canadiens in seven games, featured a flurry of action in the final two contests of the series.

The Blackhawks prevailed 8-7 to force a Game 6 and three of the first five games of the series featured at least 11 total goals. The Original Six rivals battled back and forth throughout another barn-burner in Game 6.

Yvan Cournoyer came up huge with his sixth goal of the series 8:13 into the third period, breaking a tie. His score stood as the game-winner, giving Montreal captain Henri Richard his 11th league title.

Cournoyer, who tallied 11 points in the series, received the Conn Smythe Trophy.

8. 2009: Pittsburgh Penguins 2, Detroit Red Wings 1

The Penguins hosted Game 6 of the 2009 Finals facing a similar fate. Detroit defeated the Penguins in Pittsburgh in Game 6 of the 2008 Finals to clinch the series. 

This time, a passionate Penguins squad refused to let history repeat itself. Jordan Staal and Tyler Kennedy gave Pittsburgh a two-goal cushion before Detroit cut the deficit to 2-1 early in the third period.

Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury was fantastic during the final stretch and defenseman Rob Scuderi came up big with a trio of shot blocks against Johan Franzen in the closing moments of regulation.

Pittsburgh sent the series back to Detroit, where the Penguins claimed a title as Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin sealed their fate as a franchise saviors.

7. 2004: Tampa Bay Lightning 3, Calgary Flames 2 (Double Overtime)

Calgary could have claimed its first Stanley Cup title since 1989 with a single score on home ice. Instead, an upstart Tampa Bay squad stunned the Flames in double overtime, sending the series back to Florida for Game 7.

Martin St. Louis stuck a dagger through the hearts of Calgary fans everywhere when he scored a game-winner just 33 seconds into the second overtime session. The Lightning avenged a Game 5 overtime loss and went on to win the franchise's first league championship with a 2-1 victory days later.

6. 1940: New York Rangers 3, Toronto Maple Leafs 2 (Overtime)

The Rangers and Maple Leafs were locked in a 2-2 series stalemate until New York broke through with a pair of dramatic victories. The Rangers claimed a 2-1 double-overtime win in Game 5 of the final, setting up a Game 6 showdown.

This time, New York required only a few minutes of overtime to claim the Stanley Cup. Bryan Hextall notched the game-winner 2:07 into overtime.

The Rangers' third overtime win of the series sent Toronto to it's third straight championship series defeat.

5. 2010: Chicago Blackhawks 4, Philadelphia Flyers 3 (Overtime)

Many of the current Chicago players participated in a memorable series-clinching victory against Philadelphia. The Blackhawks and Flyers reached overtime knotted at three goals apiece, opening the door for a new Windy City icon to emerge.

Patrick Kane, the franchise's former No. 1 overall draft pick, powered home the game-winning goal 4:06 into the extra session. He became the youngest player to score a series-winning goal in the Stanley Cup Final.

4. 1966: Montreal Canadiens 3, Detroit Red Wings 2 (Overtime)

The Canadiens continued to climb as hockey's dominant force with another powerful performance against Detroit. Montreal's Henri Richard scored a series-clinching goal 2:20 into overtime of Game 6, handing the Red Wings a fourth straight defeat.

Montreal stormed back from a 2-0 series deficit to win its seventh Stanley Cup in 11 years. 

3. 1980: New York Islanders 5, Philadelphia Flyers 4 (Overtime)

New York made the most of the franchise's first Stanley Cup Final appearance, defeating Philadelphia in six games. After the Flyers staved off elimination in Game 5, the Islanders prevailed in overtime of a high-scoring affair.

Bobby Nystrom notched the series-winner on an excellent redirection 7:11 into overtime. The victory kicked off a dominant stretch in New York that saw the Islanders win four consecutive league titles.

2. 2000: New Jersey Devils 2, Dallas Stars 1 (Double Overtime)

Dallas entered overtime in a Stanley Cup Game 6 for the second straight season. After claiming the 1999 title in triple overtime against Buffalo, the Stars fell victim this time around.

New Jersey's Jason Arnott scored 8:20 into double overtime to knock off the defending champions. It was the fourth game of the series decided by one goal. 

The Devils built a 3-1 series advantage but Dallas forced a Game 6 with a triple overtime win in Game 5. The final two games of this battle required 11 periods.

1. 1999: Dallas Stars 2, Buffalo Sabres 1 (Triple Overtime)

This Game 6 epic featured one of the most controversial moments in NHL history. The Sabres, trailing in the series 3-2, tied the contest at one goal apiece in the second period.

The game would remain locked up for three more full frames, as the action seeped into a third overtime session. Nearly 15 minutes into the third overtime, Brett Hull scored off a rebound to end the hockey marathon and give Dallas a series victory.

However, that score lives in infamy because when Hull beat Buffalo goalie Dominik Hasek his foot was in the crease but the puck was not. Although the rule has since been eliminated, the goal should have technically been disallowed by officials. 

The NHL's murky ruling on the event didn't quell an ensuing celebration in Dallas. Meanwhile, Sabres fans continue a rally cry of "No Goal".