Which teams have played the most NHL Finals and won the most Stanley Cups?
Despite a 7-0 defeat in Game 2, Tampa Bay Lightning remain optimistic of securing a third consecutive Stanley Cup honour as they face Colorado Avalanche.
The two-time Stanley Cup champions Tampa Bay Lightning are still in the hunt to make it three in a row despite a resounding 7-0 Game 2 defeat against the Colorado Avalanche.
The Lightning are the first team to reach the Stanley Cup Final three years in a row since the Edmonton Oilers between 1983 and 1985.
Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos was still coming to terms with a franchise record loss after the two-time defending champions were humbled in Game 2 just three days on from a close-fought Game 1 defeat.
“Am I shocked that we lost seven-zip?” Stamkos stated. “I mean, I don’t think we saw that coming.
“We have a game plan, and it’s trying to neutralise their speed and their forecheck. And we’ve gotten away from it a little bit at times, and it cost us.”
This was just the fifth instance of the defending Stanley Cup champions falling 2-0 behind in a Finals series, with only the 1966 Detroit Red Wings recovering to take the title again.
Meanwhile, the 1980 New York Islanders are the sole team to have allowed 11 or more goals through two games and still won the Finals.
But with two games back home to restore parity, the Lightning are adamant that they are not out of the picture yet.
“So, whether it’s 1-0 or 7-0 or 10-0, it’s a loss in the playoffs. We’ve got to man up as a team. Let’s get back home in front of our fans, and let’s see what we’re made of.” Defenseman Victor Hedman added: “At the end of day, we lost the game, not the series.”
Canada dominates Stanley Cup history
When it comes to overall dominance in the Stanley Cup (since 1915), Canada hold the upper hand with both the Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs appearing in the podium of most frequent finalists.
The Montreal team have appeared in 35 finals recording 24 wins with their compatriots from Toronto having participated in 21 Stanley Cup finals winning 13.
Detroit Red Wings are the other NHL team that compose the podium with Michigan based team featuring in 24 finals with 11 wins. The last of these coming back in 2009.
Tampa Bay’s attempt at a hat-trick of Stanley Cup wins (to add their 2004 victory) is impressive given that the franchise was only established as an NFL team back in 1992.