The Best NHL teams of All Time

NY ANDERS (OILERS THE BEST WHL TERME OF ALL TIME TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS IT CAN BE DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE THE CRITERIA FOR THE BEST NHL TEAMS OF ALL TIME. FIRST AND FOREMOST YOU NEED TO CONSIDER HOW MANY STANLEY CUPS THE TEAM WON ALONG WITH CRITERIA SUCH AS HALL OF FAMERS AND PERIOD OF DOMINANCE. IS THERE ANY NHL TEAM IN THE LAST 25 YEARS WHO CAN COMPETE WITH THESE? OTTAWA SENATORS 1919-20 TO 1926-27 STANLEY CUPS: 4 14 HOCKEY HALL OF FAME MEMBERS INCLUDING GOALTENDER DEFENSE WINGER FORWARD Clint Benedict Georges Boucher Punch Broadbent Jack Darragh The 1922-23 Final between the Ottawa Senators defeated the Montreal Canadiens marked the first time that two brothers opposed each other. In fact, two sets of brothers - Corb and Cy Denneny and George and Frank Boucher - stood on opposite sides of the centre line for the opening face-off. RIP The summer after helping the Senators claim the 1924 title, star Jack Darragh died of peritonitis. The 1926-27 Stanley Cup Playoffs is recognized as the first Stanley Cup Championship of the modern era. TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS 1946-47 TO 1950-51 STANLEY CUPS: 4 (3 consecutive) 13 HOCKEY HALL OF FAME MEMBERS GOALTENDER DEFENSE CENTRE FORWARD TORONTO ORONTO HAPLE Turk Broda Fernie Flaman Syl Apps Max Bentley Captain Syl Apps retired after the 1948 season, despite the fact he was only 33 and had just enjoyed the finest season of his career. All five games of the 1950-51 Final were decided by overtime, including Bill Barilko's Cup-winner in Game 5. Tragically, the goal was Barilko's last, as he died in a plane crash three months later. RIP Toronto becomes the first team to win three straight Stanley Cups since 1906 when Ottawa equalled the feat. DETROIT RED WINGS 1949-50 TO 1954-55 STANLEY CUPS: 4 13 HOCKEY HALL OF FAME MEMBERS INCLUDING COACH GOALTENDER DEFENSE CENTRE Tommy Ivan Terry Sawchuk Keith Allen Sid Abel In 1952 Terry Sawchuk made his debut in the finals and rose to the occasion, recording two shutouts and limiting Montreal to just two goals in the four game series. In 1954, Marguerite Norris, President of the Detroit club, became the first woman ever to be presented with the Stanley Cup. She also becomes the first female to have her name engraved on the Cup. MONTREAL CANADIENS 1955-56 TO 1959-60 STANLEY CUPS: 5 (consecutive) 12 HOCKEY HALL OF FAME MEMBERS INCLUDING GOALTENDER DEFENSE COACH/WING CENTRE Jacques Plante Butch Bouchard Toe Blake Jean Béliveau The potent power play of the Stanley Cup-champion Montreal Canadiens led to a rule change when the NHL announces that players receiving minor penalties will return to the ice as soon as the opponent scores a goal. In its five-year reign as champion, Montreal never trailed in a playoff series and is not pushed to Game 7 even once. During the regular season, the Habs average more than 40 wins a campaign. TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS 1961-62 TO 1966-67 STANLEY CUPS: 4(3 consecutive) 16 HOCKEY HALL OF FAME MEMBERS INCLUDING COACH GOALTENDER DEFENSE CENTRE Punch Imlach Johnny Bower Tim Horton Dave Keon In 1962, seven weeks after the Leafs claimed their first title since 1951, the wreckage of Bill Barilko's plane is found in Ontario. Barilko was the player who scored the 1951 Cup winner. Mid-way through the 1966-67 season, the Leafs hit a 10-game losing streak, and Punch Imlach had to take time off to recover from trauma and strain. King Clancy stepped behind the Leafs' bench and the team had a 7-1-2 record during this time, climbing into the playoff picture and staying there. When Punch returned, the Leafs were much more relaxed and had a new winning attitude that carried them to victory. MONTREAL CANADIENS 1975-76 TO 1978-79 STANLEY CUPS: 4 (consecutive) 11 HOCKEY HALL OF FAME MEMBERS INCLUDING COACH LTENDER DEFENSE WINGER Scott Bowman Ken Dryden Guy Lapointe Yvan Cournoyer In 1976-77, Montreal outscored their opposition by an incredible 2.76 goals per game. In 1973, Montreal's GM Sam Pollock received a call from his goaltender Ken Dryden.Dryden was quitting to article for a Toronto law firm, and was unhappy with his $80,000 a year contract when other goalies were making as much as $200,000. After sitting out for a year, Dryden returned to backstop the Habs for four consecutive Stanley Cups. NY NEW YORK ISLANDERS 1979-80 TO 1982-83 LANDERS STANLEY CUPS: 4 (consecutive) 7 HOCKEY HALL OF FAME MEMBERS INCLUDING COACH GOALTENDER DEFENSE WINGER Al Arbour Billy Smith Denis Potvin Mike Bossy In 1982, the Islanders faced playoff elimination, trailing 3-1 to the Penguins with under six minutes to play in the third. New York scored twice in the period and won the game and series in overtime. The New York Islanders were the first team from the United States to win four consecutive cups. The Islanders took just eight years to evolve from expansion team to a Stanley Cup champion. OILERS EDMONTON OILERS 1983-84 TO 1989-90 STANLEY CUPS: 5 7 HOCKEY HALL OF FAME MEMBERS INCLUDING COACH GOALTENDER DEFENSE CENTRE Glen Sather Grant Fuhr Paul Coffey Wayne Gretzky The 1983-84 squad averaged 5.58 goals per game, an NHL record. The Oilers, known for their incredible offensive output, were also an effective defensive unit. In the 1988 Final, they surrendered just nine goals as they swept the Bruins in four games to win their fourth Stanley Cup in five years. HOcke REFERENCES Tucker www.hhof.com/ bleacherreport.com/articles/549647-nhl-50-best-teams-in-league-history www.hookedonhockeymagazine.com/category/top-list-countdowns/top-15-nhl-teams-of-all-time/ TH.E. Woy to Success! www.tuckerhockey.com