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NHL Dynasties
1955‐56 to 1959‐60
The Montreal Canadiens accomplished something that no other franchise has been able to match ‐ this dynasty won five consecutive Stanley Cup championships, first hoisting the Cup in 1956 and repeating each spring to 1960. In 1956, Montreal beat the Red Wings, defeated Boston in 1957 and 1958 and won against Toronto in 1959 and 1960. In fact, they finished first in four of those same seasons.
The Canadiens were unmatched on the ice. The offence was powerful, with Jean Beliveau leading the league in scoring in 1955‐56 and Dickie Moore in 1957‐58 and 1958‐59. And we would be remiss to not mention that 'Boom' Geoffrion and the Richard brothers, Maurice and Henri, were also on the forward lines. The Canadiens' defence won the Norris Trophy in each of the five years, with Doug Harvey collecting the best defenceman award four times and Tom Johnson once. And Jacques Plante was named the Vezina Trophy recipient as the league's best goaltender in all five of the dynasty seasons. Plante did so by getting used to the mask he introduced in 1959, the first NHL goaltender to don such protection since Clint Benedict in the 1930s.
Hall of Famer Butch Bouchard (1966) was winding down his career and finished with the 1956 Stanley Cup celebration, while Bert Olmstead (1985) enjoyed the first three Cup celebrations in Montreal before joining the Toronto Maple Leafs. Eight players who earned Honoured Member selection played in all five Cup wins: Jean Beliveau (1972), Bernie Geoffrion (1972), Doug Harvey (1973), Tom Johnson (1970), Dickie Moore (1974), Henri Richard (1979), Maurice Richard (1961) and Jacques Plante (1978). And Toe Blake, the coach in each of these five Stanley Cup seasons, is also in the Hall of Fame, although in the player category.
Quotables
“It's the coming thing in the game. The time will come when they'll have an even better mask then Plante's and it will be standard goalie equipment.”
‐ Montreal Coach Toe Blake on Jacques Plante's new face mask.
“Doug Harvey was the best defenseman I ever saw. Bobby Orr could break open a game at any time and was an incredible player. But Harvey could take it over. If Montreal got a goal up on you and Harvey decided you weren't going to score, that was it. Go take a shower, the game is over.”
‐ referee Red Storey
Summary
Stanley Cups: 5 consecutive
Stanley Cup Finals Record: 20‐5
Regular Season Winning %: .659
Regular Season 1st‐Place Finishes: 4
Individual Trophy Winners: 15
Individuals Selected To All‐Star Teams 25
Hockey Hall of Fame Members: (12)Jean Beliveau, Toe Blake, Butch Bouchard, Bernie Geoffrion, Doug Harvey, Tom Johnson, Dickie Moore, Bert Olmstead, Jacques Plante, Henri Richard, Maurice Richard, Frank Selke
Players On All 4 Stanley Cup Champions: (12)Jean Beliveau, Bernie Geoffrion, Doug Harvey, Tom Johnson, Don Marshall, Dickie Moore, Jacques Plante, Claude Provost, Henri Richard, Maurice Richard, Jean-Guy Talbot, Bob Turner
Tidbits
The potent power play of the Stanley Cup‐champion Montreal Canadiens leads 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. Previously, teams spent the full two minutes shorthanded, which was one of the great benefits of the talent‐laden Habs, who often scored more than once during a man advantage.
In its five‐year reign as champion, Montreal never trails in a playoff series and is not pushed to Game 7 even once. During the regular season, the Habs average more then 40 wins a campaign.
In 1959, Maurice Richard is held off the scoresheet during the playoffs for the first time in his career. Injuries limited his participation to four post‐season games.
Summary
Stanley Cups: 5 consecutive
Stanley Cup Finals Record: 20‐5
Regular Season Winning %: .659
Regular Season 1st‐Place Finishes: 4
Individual Trophy Winners: 15
Individuals Selected To All‐Star Teams 25
Hockey Hall of Fame Members: (12)Jean Beliveau, Toe Blake, Butch Bouchard, Bernie Geoffrion, Doug Harvey, Tom Johnson, Dickie Moore, Bert Olmstead, Jacques Plante, Henri Richard, Maurice Richard, Frank Selke
Players On All 4 Stanley Cup Champions: (12)Jean Beliveau, Bernie Geoffrion, Doug Harvey, Tom Johnson, Don Marshall, Dickie Moore, Jacques Plante, Claude Provost, Henri Richard, Maurice Richard, Jean-Guy Talbot, Bob Turner
FAQs
In 1924, the victorious Montreal Canadiens mistakenly left the Cup in a snowbank after stopping to change a flat tire on the way to a party – fortunately, they remembered later that evening. The Stanley Cup has also been stolen.
Who won the 4 peat Stanley Cups? ›
The Islanders won four consecutive Stanley Cup championships between 1980 and 1983, the seventh of eight dynasties recognized by the NHL in its history.
Has anyone ever won three Stanley Cups in a row? ›
The last team to win the Stanley Cup three times in a row was the New York Islanders (180, 1981, 1982, 1983), though Tampa Bay came within two games of a three-peat before losing to the Colorado Avalanche in game 6 of Stanley Cup final. * See also NHL Consecutive Stanley Cup Losses.
What is the longest non losing streak in NHL history? ›
The longest undefeated streak (ties included) in NHL history belonged to the 1979–80 Philadelphia Flyers, who went unbeaten for 35 consecutive games. They also own the record for the most consecutive games with at least one point. Beginning with the 2005–06 season, tie games were abolished in favor of a shootout.
Who lost 3 Stanley Cups in a row? ›
Perry went on to lose his third consecutive Stanley Cup Finals with a third different team, becoming the first player in NHL history to do so. Perry recorded 12 goals and 13 assists for 25 points in 81 games for the Lightning in the 2022–23 season.
Where is the real Stanley Cup kept? ›
The first, the original, is kept in a vault at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. The current “real” cup, sometimes known as the Presentation Cup, is the one that's handed to the winning team at the end of the playoffs, and that players get to spend a day with during the offseason.
Who won 5 Stanley Cups in a row? ›
The Montreal Canadiens accomplished something that no other franchise has been able to match ‐ this dynasty won five consecutive Stanley Cup championships, first hoisting the Cup in 1956 and repeating each spring to 1960.
Who has 13 Stanley Cups? ›
Has there ever been a Stanley Cup final sweep? ›
When was the last sweep in the Stanley Cup Final? The Detroit Red Wings swept the Washington Capitals in 1998. Sweeps were relatively common in the 1990s. The 1992 Pittsburgh Penguins swept the Chicago Blackhawks, the 1996 Colorado Avalanche swept the Panthers and the 1997 Red Wings swept the Philadelphia Flyers.
How many Stanley Cups did Gretzky win? ›
Winning four Stanley Cups, Gretzky set records in both regular season and post-season play, holding the record for most career regular season goals (894), assists (1,963), points (2,857) and hat-tricks (50).
To earn the status of getting your name engraved on the Stanley Cup, players must play at least 40 games through the regular season or one in the Cup final. Although not an official ruling, this standard helps dictate those who are considered part of the championship team.
Has anyone ever dropped the Stanley Cup? ›
In 1962, the Toronto Maple Leafs won the Stanley Cup. During a party after the win, the trophy was dropped in a bonfire and badly damaged. It was repaired at the expense of the team.
What was the worst record in NHL history? ›
The Montreal Wanderers, having had their arena burn down during the first NHL season, have the fewest games played (6), wins (1), and points (2), as well as the lowest point percentage (. 167).
Who has 100 NHL points in the fewest games? ›
Bobby Orr and Paul Coffey share the record for fastest 100 points by defenseman, with Orr scoring his 100th point in the 59th game of the 1970-71 season, and Paul Coffey scoring his 100th point in his 59th (team's 60th) game of the 1985-86 season.
Who has the longest home undefeated streak in the NHL? ›
Longest Home Undefeated Streaks, Season
- Detroit Red Wings. 1932-33. ...
- Detroit Red Wings. 1950-51. 01/04/1951. ...
- Detroit Red Wings. 1956-57. 10/11/1956. ...
- Boston Bruins. 1969-70. 01/18/1970. ...
- Chicago Blackhawks. 1971-72. 10/10/1971. ...
- Calgary Flames. 1988-89. 10/06/1988. ...
- Dallas Stars. 2003-04. 01/23/2004. ...
- Montréal Canadiens. 1956-57. 11/17/1956.
How much is the Stanley Cup worth? It's hard to say how much the Stanley Cup would be worth if it was put up for sale, though USA TODAY estimated in 2017 based on silver prices that it would be worth around $23,478. Current silver prices are within a dollar or two of the prices in 2017, according to Macrotrends.
Has a player ever dropped the Stanley Cup? ›
However, Bill Westwick, Ottawa Journal sports editor and the son of Silver Seven player Rat Westwick, and NHL commissioner Frank Calder both deny it ever happened. No contemporary reports support the legend, although champagne was drunk from the Cup that night.
Who owns the Stanley Cup? ›
While the NHL has maintained control over the trophy itself and its associated trademarks, the NHL does not actually own the trophy but uses it by agreement with the two Canadian trustees of the cup.
What happened to the 2005 Stanley Cup? ›
The NHL lockout 2004/NHL lockout 2005 was the big one, the Krakatoa of NHL labor disputes. This lockout caused the cancellation of the entire 2004-2005 season, and for the first time since 1919, there was no Stanley Cup champion.
