5 biggest losses ever recorded in a Stanley Cup Final game

On Monday night, the Florida Panthers took Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers with a dominant 6-1 performance Monday. After splitting games with the Oilers in Edmonton, the reigning Stanley Cup champs took a commanding lead in the series with a one-sided win for the ages.

But how does Edmonton's loss stack up against the biggest in NHL history? Let's take a look.

Five biggest losses ever recorded in a Stanley Cup Final game

NHL: Toronto Maple Leafs at Montreal Canadiens - Source: Imagn

T-#5: Chicago, Detroit (2x), and Toronto all lose by six-goal deficits

Edmonton's 6-1 loss on Monday doesn't even crack the top five biggest losses in NHL history. Instead, the fifth spot on today's list is occupied by a number of teams that all lost Stanley Cup Final games by six-goal deficits.

(1965) Chicago Blackhawks vs. Montreal Canadiens, (1955) Detroit Red Wings vs Montreal Canadiens, (1947) Toronto Maple Leafs vs Montreal Canadiens, and (1942) Detroit Red Wings vs Toronto Maple Leafs.

NHL: Tampa Bay Lightning at Dallas Stars - Source: Imagn

#4: (2022) Tampa Bay Lightning lose to the Colorado Avalanche 7-0

Tampa Bay fans still haven't forgotten the Lightning's 7-0 loss to the Avalanche in Game 2 of the 2022 Stanley Cup Final.

The game saw Colorado jump out to a 3-0 lead early, and Tampa Bay was never able to recover, with netminder Andrei Vasilevskiy posting just. a 76.7% save percentage.

NHL: Vancouver Canucks at Montreal Canadiens - Source: Imagn

#3: (2011) Vancouver Canucks lose to the Boston Bruins 8-1

During the 2011 Stanley Cup Final, Vancouver was on the wrong end of an 8-1 loss that saw Boston claim Game 3 by a seven-goal deficit.

This game proved to be a big turning point in the series, with Boston putting the Canucks on notice after going down 2-0. After their big Game 3 win, the Bruins went on to win the series in seven games.

NHL: Florida Panthers at Montreal Canadiens - Source: Imagn

#2: (1996) Florida Panthers lose to the Colorado Avalanche

Before the Panthers were looking to go back-to-back in the Stanley Cup, the team was on the wrong side of Game 2 of the 1996 Stanley Cup Final.

The game saw Colorado secure a commanding 8-1 win thanks to a dominant offensive display and a sensational outing from netminder Patrick Roy, who turned away 97.4% of shots.

NHL: Colorado Avalanche at Chicago Blackhawks - Source: Imagn

#1: (1991) Minnesota North Stars lose to the Pittsburgh Penguins

Game 6 of the 1991 Stanley Cup Final saw the Pittsburgh Penguins secure their first Stanley Cup in franchise history with an 8-0 win over the Minnesota North Stars.

Pittsburgh jumped out to a 3-0 lead early, with Mario Lemieux notably finishing the game with four points, while the North Stars wound up moving to Dallas shortly after, in the fall of 1993.

About the author

Evan Bell is a journalist specializing in the NBA and NHL at Sportskeeda, whose love for the game stems from a childhood spent watching the Chicago Bulls. He has been there through their highs and lows, from the Jordan era to the exciting Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah years.

Evan finds the 82-game season and the intensity of playoff basketball exhilarating, and he also revels in the offseason drama. Phil Jackson stands out as his favorite coach, whom he admires for his composed leadership and success in managing dynamic personalities like Dennis Rodman.

To deliver top-quality content, Evan fact-checks information while diligently keeping up with the action year-round.

When he's not writing, Evan follows tennis and Greek football, and also plays basketball and tennis.

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Edited by Rajdeep Barman