Since 1939, upon the adoption of a best-of-7 format, Stanley Cup Playoff series have gone to a seventh game 197 times.
Only 17 times between 1942 and 2019 has that happened in a Stanley Cup Final, and seven times, a Hockey Hall of Fame-bound legend has scored the clinching goal: Babe Pratt, 1945; Gordie Howe, 1955; Andy Bathgate, 1964; Jean Beliveau, 1965; Henri Richard, 1971; Jari Kurri, 1987; Mark Messier, 1994.
Surely, it’s fitting that the first Final-round Game 7 came in the Toronto Maple Leafs’ historic 1942 rally against the Detroit Red Wings, down 3-0 before rallying to win four straight. That comeback, the only of its kind in League history, is now the goal of the Oilers, 82 years later.
On seven occasions, Game 7 in a Stanley Cup Final has been decided by a single goal. The largest margin of victory has been four goals, all three times in 4-0 shutouts. Never has a winner scored more than four goals.
The Maple Leafs and Red Wings have each won a Final-round Game 7 three times, the Montreal Canadiens twice, nine other teams once each.
