Winning a series in five games, or the “Gentlemen’s Sweep,” is a feat that has only been accomplished by ten franchises in NHL history, with three doing it multiple times. Although it may not seem like it, more teams have swept their opponents in the Stanley Cup Final as opposed to winning in five games. Since the NHL switched to a best-of-seven series in 1939, here is the list of all the teams in NHL history who have completed the Gentlemen’s Sweep. Could The Vegas Golden Knights join this list tonight?
Golden Knights Could Be One of a Few Teams To Gentlemen’s Sweep the Stanley Cup Final
History of the “Gentlemen’s Sweep”
The First Team
The Boston Bruins were the first team to complete the “Gentlemen’s Sweep” by defeating the Toronto Maple Leafs in five games. The same year the NHL switched its Stanley Cup Final format to seven games. The Bruins took an early advantage, winning the first game in Boston. Led by stars like Milt Schmidt and Roy Conacher, Boston showcased their offensive prowess and solid defensive play. However, the Maple Leafs were determined to make a comeback, leaving Boston tied 1-1
As the series shifted to Toronto, the Bruins found their stride and never looked back. They dominated Game 3 with a resounding 3-1 victory, displaying their offensive depth and defensive tenacity. Toronto’s Syl Apps and Gordie Drillon looked to dominate as they typically did, but the Bruins’ defence stymied them into submission.
Bobby Bauer, Woody Dumart & Milt Schmidt. Three friends from Kitchener, Ontario who went on to star on the same line for the Boston Bruins and finished 1,2 & 3 in the scoring race in 1939-40. This is prior to their last game before they joined the Royal 🇨🇦 Air Force in 1942. pic.twitter.com/ejulJ9kSff
— The Hockey Samurai 侍 (@hockey_samurai) December 23, 2022
In Game 4, the Bruins continued their strong play, overpowering the Bruins with a 2-0 victory. The series headed back to Boston for Game 5, with the Bruins on the brink of clinching the Stanley Cup. In a hard-fought contest, the Bruins held their nerve and secured a 3-1 victory, completing a series. The series remains a memorable chapter in the history of the Stanley Cup, etching the names of the Boston Bruins as champions of the hockey world in 1939, the second time they have done so.
Teams Who Have Won Multiple Times
The Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maples Leafs, and Edmonton Oilers are the three teams who have won the Stanley Cup in five games multiple times. Montreal has done it the most, winning eight of their 24 Stanley Cups in five games. The Canadiens first did so in 1946, with a litany of legends headlined by Maurice “Rocket” Richard. The Canadiens defeated the Boston Bruins, who they beat in the 1953 and 1957 finals, cementing their dominance over their bitter rivals.
1946. Regular Season. #Leafs vs #Habs. The commentary is gold. This is from a regular season game and the Canadiens won the Stanley Cup later that year.
Gus Bodnar on Maurice Richard @ :23 seconds. 👀#GoHabsGo #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/NrrpGtjbGY— The Hockey Samurai 侍 (@hockey_samurai) December 4, 2021
The Toronto Maple Leafs lost one of their finals appearances to the Canadiens. They would defeat them in the 1952 finals four games to one. The incredible thing about this series was that on the surface, it may seem like Toronto bullied their way to this Stanley Cup. However, every single game went overtime. The luck of the Leafs paid off, as hockey fans know how overtime games can go either way in a series. So winning four out of five overtime games shows Toronto’s determination and confidence.
The Leafs would go on to win three straight cups. From 1962, 1963, and 1964, with the middle being a Gentlemen’s Sweep. They defeated the Detroit Red Wings in 1963. With their nine eventual Hall of Famers that year, Toronto won every game by two goals. Unfortunately for Leafs’ fans, this is the last time they have won a Stanley Cup in their historic team history.
The Oilers Dynasty
The Edmonton Oilers won three out of their five Stanley Cups in five games. Edmonton’s first two cups came the way of the Gentlemen’s Sweep. Led by The Great One Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, Paul Coffey, Jari Kurri, Grant Fuhr, Glenn Anderson, and Kevin Lowe, the Oilers dominated the mid to late 1980s.
OTD 1984
The @EdmontonOilers win their first Stanley Cup#LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/0ymAeck5Og— Vintage Oilers (@VintageOilers) May 19, 2023
They defeated the Islanders dynasty in five games, followed by the Philadelphia Flyers the following season. In 1990 the Oilers dominated the Boston Bruins in five games. The Bruins won game one in triple overtime. Still, it is the longest game in Stanley Cup Final history. The Oilers would thrash the Bruins in the next four games, outscoring them 17-5 in the remaining games.
Can Vegas Become The 11th Team Tonight?
The Vegas Golden Knights are on the brink of history Tonight. They can win their first Stanley Cup Final in franchise history just six years since their creation. Vegas lost to the Washington Capitals in five games in their first season in the 2018 Stanley Cup Final. Now the chance to be on the other side of history. Vegas would become the eleventh team to do so in five games joining the aforementioned teams above. The Detroit Red Wings (02), Anaheim Ducks (07), Los Angeles Kings (14), Tampa Bay Lightning (21), and New York Islanders (81) all did so once as well. Vegas has a great chance to complete the Gentlemen’s Sweep at home and look to become the fastest expansion team to win the Stanley Cup.
Main Photo: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
