Stanley Cup finalists by year include Tampa Bay Lightning versus Colorado Avalanche in 2022 Chicago Blackhawks and Philadelphia Flyers in 2010.
The hockey championship is arguably the most prestigious trophy in professional sports, awarded annually to the National Hockey League (NHL) champion.
The Cup has a rich history dating back to 1893, and its evolution over the years has been marked by changes in rules, teams, and even countries. Initially, the Cup was awarded to the top amateur team in Canada, but in 1915 it became a professional hockey trophy exclusively.
Throughout its history, the Cup has been a symbol of excellence, perseverance, and sportsmanship, and its remnants are one of the most coveted prizes in all sports.
Chicago Blackhawks, Boston Bruins, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Los Angeles Kings are the few NHL teams that have marked their spot as the Stanley Cup winners in the last ten years. Besides, here we have compiled a list of Stanley Cup winners by year since 2022.
Chicago Blachawks - Philadelphia Flyers
Year: 2010
Stanley Cup Winner: Chicago Blackhawks
The 2010 Stanley Cup playoffs commenced on April 14, 2010, following the conclusion of the 2009–10 NHL regular season, and concluded on June 9, 2010.
The Chicago Blackhawks emerged as champions, beating the Philadelphia Flyers in six games, winning their fourth title and first since 1961. The Blackhawks' captain, Jonathan Toews, was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy, while Daniel Briere of the Flyers scored 30 points.
The playoffs were notable for the impressive performances of two teams: the Philadelphia Flyers and Montreal Canadiens, who were both seventh and eighth seeds in their conference, respectively.
The Flyers accomplished a significant comeback by winning a seven-game series after being down 3-0, making them the third NHL team to achieve this feat.
Boston Bruins - Vancover Canucks
Year: 2011
Stanley Cup Winner: Boston Bruins
The 2011 Stanley Cup playoffs began on April 13, 2011, and ended on June 15, 2011, with the Boston Bruins winning the championship.
The playoffs featured 16 teams, with the top eight qualifying for the postseason from each conference.
The Bruins entered the playoffs as the third seed in the Eastern Conference, while the Canucks were the prime seed in the Western Conference. The series began on June 1 and went to seven games, with the Bruins winning Game 7 in Vancouver.
The Bruins' victory marked the team's first Stanley Cup championship since 1972. Bruins goaltender Tim Thomas has won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most worthwhile player of the playoffs, becoming the oldest player to win the award at 37.
Los Angeles Kings - New Jersey Devils
Year: 2012
Stanley Cup Winner: Los Angeles Kings
The 2012 Stanley Cup playoffs began on April 11, 2012, following the conclusion of the 2011–12 NHL regular season.
It concluded on June 11, 2012, with the Los Angeles Kings winning their first-ever Stanley Cup title after defeating the New Jersey Devils in six games.
Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick was recognized as the most valuable player of the playoffs, and Anze Kopitar led the Kings as the top scorer with 20 points.
The Kings' victory was remarkable as they became the first eighth-seeded team in NHL history to win the Stanley Cup and only the second eighth-seed team to reach the Cup Finals after the 2005–06 Edmonton Oilers. The Kings qualified for the playoffs as the eighth seed with 95 points.
Boston Bruins - Chicago Blackhawks
Year: 2013
Stanley Cup Winner: Chicago Blackhawks
The 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs occurred between April 30, 2013, and June 24, 2013, following a shortened 48-game regular season due to a lockout.
The Chicago Blackhawks emerged victorious, defeating the Boston Bruins in six games to secure their fifth championship in franchise history. Patrick Kane of the Blackhawks was named the most valuable player of the playoffs, earning him the Conn Smythe Trophy.
It was a historic moment as the 2013 Stanley Cup Finals marked the first time the Blackhawks and Bruins met in the championship series.
It was also the first time since 1979 that two Original Six teams competed against each other in the Finals when the Montreal Canadiens beat the New York Rangers.
New York Rangers - Los Angeles Kings
Year: 2014
Stanley Cup Winner: Los Angeles Kings
The 2014 Stanley Cup playoffs began on April 16, 2014, and ended on June 13, 2014. The Los Angeles Kings emerged victorious over the New York Rangers four matches to one in the Stanley Cup Finals.
This victory marked the Kings' second championship in just three years, cementing their position as one of the NHL's most formidable teams.
Throughout the best-of-seven Final series, the Kings hosted Games One and Two, as well as Games Five and Seven if necessary, based on their superior regular-season point total.
After playing three consecutive seven-game series, the Kings attained a historic feat by becoming the first team to reach the Stanley Cup Finals.
Tampa Bay Lightining - Chicago Blackhawks
Year: 2015
Stanley Cup Winner: Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning in four games to two, claiming their sixth championship in franchise history in 2015.
Additionally, it was the Blackhawks' third title in six seasons. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman presented the Stanley Cup to the team's captain, Jonathan Toews, following their 2-0 win over the Lightning in Game 6, per yahoo sports.
The Lightning held home-ice advantage in the series as they had a better regular-season record than the Blackhawks. The series played in a 2–2–1–1–1 format, with Tampa Bay hosting Games 1, 2, and 5, and Chicago hosting Games 3, 4, and 6.
If necessary, Game 7 would have taken place in Tampa Bay. The series began on June 3 and concluded on June 15. During the Stanley Cup playoffs, Tyler Johnson and Patrick Kane were the leading scorers, with 23 points each.
Pittsburgh Penguins - San Jose Sharks
Year: 2016
Stanley Cup Winner: Pittsburgh Penguins
The Eastern Conference champion, the Pittsburgh Penguins, emerged victorious after a best-of-seven series against the Western Conference champion, the San Jose Sharks.
The Penguins secured their fourth championship in franchise history by winning four games out of six. Penguins captain, Sidney Crosby, was declared the most valuable player of the playoffs and awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy.
The Penguins were granted home-ice advantage in the series, as they had garnered more points than the Sharks during the regular season. The championship series spanned from May 30 to June 12.
Interestingly, the Penguins won all four championships on the road. In the sixth and final game, the Penguins won 3-1 over the Sharks, and Crosby received the Stanley Cup from NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman.
Pittsburgh Penguins - Nashville Predators
Year: 2017
Stanley Cup Winner: Pittsburgh Penguins
The 2017 Stanley Cup Finals culminated in the 2017 Cup playoffs and the NHL's 2016-17 season championship series.
The series saw the Pittsburgh Penguins defeat the Nashville Predators four games to two, ultimately securing their second consecutive championship win.
Penguins captain Sidney Crosby was named the most valuable player of the playoffs, earning the Conn Smythe Trophy for the second year.
The Penguins enjoyed home-ice advantage throughout the series, scoring 111 points during the regular season. The series began on May 29 and concluded on June 11, with the Penguins making their second consecutive appearance in the Finals.
In a controversial Game 6, the Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Nashville Predators 2-0, ultimately securing their second straight championship.
The game was marked by one of the more bizarre Cup-clinching goals in league history, and the win made the Penguins the first team to win back-to-back titles in the salary-cap era.
Washington Capitals - Vegas Golden Knights
Year: 2018
Stanley Cup Winner: Washington Capitals
The 2018 Stanley Cup Finals showcased the Washington Capitals' dominance over the Golden Knights. It resulted in a four-game victory for the Capitals and their first championship win in their 44-year history.
The series spanned from May 28 to June 7, with the Golden Knights holding home-ice advantage due to their 109-point regular season performance, compared to the Capitals' 105-point record in the Metropolitan Division.
Besides, the Capitals secured their championship victory in Game 5 with a 4-3 win over the Golden Knights. The first period of the game was goalless, with the Capitals taking seven shots to the Golden Knights' none.
Washington's path to the championship was challenging, with the team overcoming two Metropolitan Division rivals to reach the Stanley Cup. After losing the first two games of the Eastern Conference First Round at home against the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Capitals rallied to win the series in six games.
They defeated their long-time nemesis, the Pittsburgh Penguins, in six games in the second round, finally breaking a seven-game losing streak against them in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Boston Bruins - St. Louis Blues
Year: 2019
Stanley Cup Winner: St Louis Blues
On April 10, 2019, the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs began after the 2018-19 NHL regular season ended.
The playoffs concluded on June 12, 2019, with the St. Louis Blues claiming their first-ever Stanley Cup championship by defeating the Boston Bruins in a closely contested final series with a scoreline of four games to three.
The Blues created history by becoming the first NHL team to win the Stanley Cup after being ranked last in the league standings at any point after its 30th game of the season.
Ryan O'Reilly led the Blues and was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy in the playoffs. At the same time, Jordan Binnington, the Blues' rookie goaltender, set a record for most victories by a newbie goaltender in a single postseason with 16 victories.
Dallas Stars - Tampa Bay Lightning
Year: 2020
Stanley Cup Winner: Tampa Bay Lightning
The 2020 Stanley Cup Finals marked the end of the 2019–20 NHL season and the climax of the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs. The series pitted the Tampa Bay Lightning against the Dallas Stars.
The Lightning secured their second championship in franchise history by winning the best-of-seven series four games to two.
Because the Lightning had a better regular season record, they enjoyed home-ice advantage during the series. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the entire series was played without spectators at Rogers Place in Edmonton.
In game six, the Lightning took a 1-0 lead in the first period after Brayden Point scored a wrist shot following a rebound of his initial shot. The Stars' John Klingberg received a penalty for tripping, leading to the goal.
The Lightning extended their lead to 2-0 in the second period after a turnover that saw Cedric Paquette set up Blake Coleman for a one-timer.
The Tampa Bay Lightning secured the Stanley Cup with a 2-0 victory over the Dallas Stars. Victor Hedman was named the Conn Smythe Trophy winner for his outstanding play throughout the playoffs.
Montreal Canadiens - Tampa Bay Lightning
Year: 2021
Stanley Cup Winner: Tampa Bay Lightning
The 2021 NHL Stanley Cup playoffs had a lot of thrilling matches and surprises. The Tampa Bay Lightning won their second consecutive title and third overall in franchise history.
The best-of-seven series between the Lightning and the Montreal Canadiens began on June 22, 2021, and ended on July 7, 2021, marking the first time the Stanley Cup Finals were held in July. The series had been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In game five, the Lightning took control of the first period, racking up thirteen shots on target to the Canadiens' four. However, neither team managed to score. The second period saw the opposite trend, with the Canadiens taking ten shots to the Lightning's six.
Despite the change in momentum, Tampa Bay managed to score the first goal. Ryan McDonagh set up a shot by David Savard, which Ross Colton tipped in.
Tampa Bay held onto their one-goal lead throughout the third period, thanks to Andrei Vasilevskiy's shutout. The 1-0 win gave Tampa Bay their second consecutive Stanley Cup, cementing their position as champions of the 2021 NHL season.
Tampa Bay Lightning - Colorado Avalanche
Year: 2022
Stanley Cup Winner: Colorado Avalanche
The 2022 Stanley Cup Finals occurred at the Tampa Amalie Arena, culminating in an intense showdown between the Colorado Avalanche and the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Avalanche earned their spot in the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs by defeating the Lightning in the Eastern Conference vs. Western Conference match with a score of 2-1.
The NHL 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs commenced on May 2, 2022. They wrapped up on June 26, 2022, with the Colorado Avalanche winning their third Stanley Cup in franchise history, triumphing over the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Cup Finals.
In the best-of-seven series, the Avalanche secured four wins to the Lightning's two, becoming the champions in franchise history. Colorado had the advantage over Tampa Bay due to their superior regular season record, which granted them a home-ice advantage throughout the series.
