Memorable Moments In Boston Bruins’ Stanley Cup Playoff History

Warm weather and the Boston Bruins in the NHL’s Stanley Cup Playoffs are synonymous with May in New England.

This week, the Bruins will commence their first-round series against the Carolina Hurricanes, as they participate in the pursuit of the Stanley Cup for the 75th time.

The Bruins, with 85 playoff appearances, trail only the Montreal Canadiens in NHL history. It is worth noting that during the era when the league consisted of only six or seven teams, the playoff qualification wasn’t particularly challenging. Nevertheless, the Bruins, now in their remarkable 97th year, hold a prominent position as an essential NHL franchise.

Massachusetts sports betting enthusiasts will be disappointed to learn that betting on the Bruins to win the Stanley Cup is currently not allowed within the Bay State. However, there is a silver lining as a sports betting bill has recently been approved by the Senate, indicating progress from our previous state.

Let’s take a glimpse into the rich history of the Bruins’ playoff journey, consisting of 74 appearances, which has resulted in six Stanley Cups and an abundance of unforgettable moments that would fill an entire spring calendar. Here, we highlight some of the most remarkable playoff moments in the Bruins’ storied history.

1929: You always remember your first time

Under the guidance of Hall of Famer Art Ross, the Bruins triumphed over the New York Rangers, clinching their inaugural Stanley Cup victory in 1929. This iconic Bruins squad featured prominent players such as Dit Clapper and Eddie Shore.

Who is Bill Carson?

Cecil “Tiny” Thompson led Boston to a 2-0 victory in Game 1 at Boston Madison Square Garden, which was later renamed Boston Garden. The series consisted of three games.

The following night, Game 2 took place in the vibrant city of New York. Carson, a skilled right-winger who had suffered a skull fracture from a brutal check back in 1928, emerged victorious by scoring the decisive goal with a mere 1 minute and 58 seconds left in the thrilling third period.

After concluding his NHL career, Carson became a dentist, having scored a mere three goals in the playoffs throughout his entire time in the league.

1939: The real Mr. Sudden Death

September of that year would mark the beginning of World War II. Prior to the onset of the season, the Bruins had let go of Thompson, which left the fans quite disappointed. However, they were on the verge of acquiring the renowned goalie, Frank Brimsek, also known as “Mr. Zero.” Brimsek would go on to achieve a remarkable feat by becoming the first goalie to triumphantly secure both the Vezina and Calder trophies in a single year.

One of the greatest series in hockey history is the Bruins’ semifinal matchup against the Rangers.

After Boston secured a commanding 3-0 series lead, the Rangers countered by winning the subsequent three games. This thrilling turn of events led to an intense Game 7 showdown at Boston Garden, marking the inaugural Game 7 in NHL history where everything was at stake.

In a dramatic turn of events, the game extended into triple overtime. Eventually, it was Mel Hill who managed to score during the third overtime, propelling the Bruins into the finals. Ultimately, the Bruins triumphed over the Maple Leafs in the finals.

During his playoff career, Hill managed to score three crucial sudden-death goals, which led to him being famously nicknamed “Mr. Sudden Death.” In a remarkable victory, Boston defeated the Maple Leafs with a score of 4-1 to clinch the Stanley Cup.

1970: The one and only

In 1970, Boston celebrated their first Stanley Cup victory since 1941, thanks to the extraordinary talent of Bobby Orr on the backline. Orr showcased his exceptional skills throughout that season, where he reached the pinnacle of his abilities by capturing four prestigious trophies.

In the Stanley Cup Final, the Bruins faced off against St. Louis, resulting in a clear mismatch. With the NHL’s expansion and formation of two divisions, the East emerged as a significantly stronger force. Nevertheless, the city of Boston was filled with suspense and anticipation.

In Game 4, Orr secured the Stanley Cup victory for the Bruins with a goal just 40 seconds into overtime. The scene that followed became an iconic image: Orr soaring through the air, stick held high, his face beaming with radiance. This stood in stark contrast to the disappointment etched on the Blues’ defenseman, the Blues goalie sprawled out on the ice, and the backdrop of jubilant fans reveling in the joyous moment.

The game of hockey in New England would undergo a permanent transformation.

1972: That Orr guy could play

How many Stanley Cup-winning goals did Orr have, making it one of the top Boston trivia questions? The correct answer is two.

In 1970, the goal that occurred left a lasting memory for all of New England. However, it was technically in 1972 that Orr secured the series victory for the Bruins. He achieved this feat by scoring first in Game 6, leading the team to a 3-0 win over the New York Rangers.

The series is most notable for a thrilling Game 1, where Boston squandered a 5-1 advantage against the Rangers, but managed to secure victory with a last-minute goal by Garnet Bailey.

1990: Take that, Montreal

Despite participating in 20 Stanley Cup Finals, the Bruins have an unfortunate distinction of holding the record for the most losses, totaling 14. A significant number of these defeats were inflicted by the Montreal Canadiens.

In 1990, the Bruins boasted the talents of Ray Borque and Cam Neely, leading them to claim the top seed in the Wales Conference with an impressive 101 points. Following a tenacious battle against the Hartford Whalers in the first round, the Bruins effortlessly eliminated the Canadiens with a 4-1 victory. Despite losing Game 1, they rallied and triumphed in four consecutive matches.

Since 1943, Boston had never managed to defeat Montreal in a playoff series. The streak of 18 consecutive victories in series belonged to Montreal.

That year, the Bruins made it to the Stanley Cup Final but unfortunately lost to the Edmonton Oilers, with a final score of 4-1, due to the efforts of Mark Messier.

2013: The comeback

Boston had a highly emotional year due to the tragic event of the Boston Marathon bombing.

After experiencing a rollercoaster season, the Bruins bid farewell to their renowned goalie Tim Thomas. Their path led them to clash with Toronto in the conference semifinals, where the intense battle extended to a thrilling Game 7.

Adding to the string of unfortunate events, the Bruins encountered yet another ill-fated incident. Following Game 6, their plane encountered engine difficulties, causing a delay that resulted in the team arriving in Boston mere hours before Game 7. This setback proved detrimental as Toronto swiftly took advantage, dominating the Bruins and establishing a commanding 4-1 lead by the midpoint of the third period.

The subsequent turn of events was nothing short of a fantasy. As the Bruins decided to remove their goalie Tuukka Rask and bring in an additional skater, Patrice Bergeron skillfully assisted Milan Lucic with just 1 minute and 22 seconds left in normal play, narrowing the score to 4-3. Astonishingly, a mere 31 seconds later and with the net still vacant, Bergeron himself scored from the point, equalizing the game at 4-4.

Bergeron successfully netted another goal at the 6:05 mark of overtime, sealing the comeback and exposing Toronto’s collapse. The Bruins hold the distinction of being the sole team to triumph in a Game 7 after facing a three-goal deficit in the third period.