Top 10: Game 7s

1. Boston-Montreal (1979): Game 7 of the 1979 semifinal series between Montreal and Boston still haunts former Bruins coach Don Cherry to this day. The Bruins were leading 4-3 late in the third period and were less than two minutes from halting Montreal’s Stanley Cup title run. But Boston was called for a too-many-men-on-the-ice penalty and Guy Lafleur forced overtime with a blast on the ensuing power play. Yvon Lambert’s goal in the extra period sent Montreal on its way to its four straight Stanley Cup title, while the devastating loss broke the hearts of Cherry and Boston fans everywhere.

2. Detroit-N.Y. Rangers (1950): It was possibly the most exciting final ever played. The Rangers won Games 4 and 5 of the 1950 Stanley Cup final on overtime goals from Don Raleigh. The Red Wings replied by rallying in the third period of Game 6 to force a seventh and deciding game. Like most of the series, Game 7 decided nothing in regulation time as the teams, tied 3-3, took two overtime periods to determine the Stanley Cup winner. Pete Babando finally ended the suspense at 8:31 of the second overtime to propel the Red Wings to the title.

3. Calgary-Edmonton (1986): Playing at home, the Oilers were seeking their third consecutive Stanley Cup title in 1986 as they faced the Calgary Flames in the second round. With the game tied 2-2 in the third period of Game 7, Edmonton defenceman Steve Smith attempted a pass from behind the net that hit goalie Grant Fuhr in the back of the leg and went in. The goal left Oilers fans and Smith in disbelief as the Flames eventually advanced to the Stanley Cup final.

4. N.Y. Islanders-Washington (1987): No one could have predicted this dramatic Game 7 that the New York Islanders and Washington Capitals played during the first round of the 1987 Stanley Cup playoffs. As the game headed into overtime, goaltenders Kelly Hrudey and Bob Mason kept their respective teams in the game with several spectacular saves. Islanders forward Pat LaFontaine finally ended the epic in the fourth overtime after beating Mason just before 2 a.m. on Easter Sunday.

5. Montreal-Chicago (1971): Led by rookie goaltender Ken Dryden, the Montreal Canadiens entered the Stanley Cup final as a major underdog against the mighty Chicago Blackhawks. Down 2-0 in the second period of Game 7 in Chicago, the Canadiens managed to even the game with two goals of their own as the third period began. Facing a hostile crowd and a more talented squad, Henri Richard scored with 2:34 remaining in the third as Montreal captured yet another Stanley Cup title.

6. Vancouver-N.Y. Rangers (1994): Game 7 was set for Madison Square Garden in front of a nervous Rangers crowd after New York blew a 3-1 series lead to the Vancouver Canucks during the 1994 final. The game almost mirrored the series as Mark Messier gave New York a 3-1 lead in the second, but Trevor Linden cut Vancouver's deficit to one goal in the final period. However, using a stingy defence in the frantic final moments, the Rangers erased a 54-year drought as they held on to win the Cup.

7. Edmonton-Calgary (1991): After losing Game 7 at home to their provincial rival Calgary Flames in 1986, the Edmonton Oilers finally got a measure of revenge five years later. Despite finishing 20 points behind Calgary in the regular season, the Oilers faced off against the Flames in the first round and forced a seventh game at Calgary's Saddledome. With the score tied 4-4 in overtime, Oilers forward Esa Tikkanen blasted a shot past Flames goalie Mike Vernon just before the seven-minute mark to silence the Calgary crowd.

8. N.Y. Islanders-Pittsburgh (1993): The second round match-up between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the New York Islanders in 1993 seemed like a mismatch. Led by the incomparable Mario Lemieux, the Penguins were in search of their third straight Stanley Cup. However, during Game 7 in Pittsburgh, the stunned crowd watched as the Islanders built a 3-1 lead in the third period. Pittsburgh managed to score two goals and send the game into overtime, but David Volek one-timed a shot over the shoulder of goaltender Tom Barrasso at 5:16 of the extra period to eliminate the heavily favoured Penguins from the Stanley Cup playoffs.

9. New Jersey-N.Y. Rangers (1994): Before their memorable Stanley Cup win over the Vancouver Canucks in 1994, the Rangers needed to get past the New Jersey Devils in the semifinals. After Mark Messier backed up his guarantee for Game 6 with a hat trick, both teams headed to Madison Square Garden for the seventh and deciding game. The Devils shocked the New York crowd when Valeri Zelepukin tied the game 1-1 with eight seconds remaining in the game. However, Ranger fans erupted in joy when Stephane Matteau ended the series at 4:24 of overtime when he beat goaltender Martin Brodeur on a wraparound.

10. New Jersey-Colorado (2001): The story line of the 2001 Stanley Cup final between Colorado and New Jersey had more to do with one player than the teams themselves. The Avalanche acquired Ray Bourque the previous season from Boston, where the Stanley Cup had eluded the long-time defenceman. After 23 years in the league, Bourque was finally able to call himself a champion as the Avalanche defeated New Jersey 3-1 in Game 7. Captain Joe Sakic took the Cup from Commissioner Gary Bettman and immediately handed it to Bourque, who raised Lord Stanley over his held to the roaring approval of the Colorado crowd.