2011 Stanley Cup playoffs
Encyclopedia
The 2011 Stanley Cup
playoffs
of the National Hockey League
(NHL) began on April 13, 2011, after the conclusion of the 2010–11 NHL regular season
. Game 1 of the Finals
was held on June 1, while Game 7 was held on June 15. The Boston Bruins
defeated the Vancouver Canucks
in seven games in the Finals to capture their first Stanley Cup championship since 1972.
were the Western Conference
regular season champions and the Presidents' Trophy
winners with the best record in the NHL at 117 points. The Washington Capitals
earned the top seed in the Eastern Conference
with 107 points. This is the first time all three California
-based teams (San Jose Sharks
, Los Angeles Kings
, and Anaheim Ducks
) and all four Pacific coast teams (with the Vancouver Canucks
) have made the playoffs in the same year.
With 95 points, the Dallas Stars
tied a record set by the 2006–07 Colorado Avalanche
for the team with the highest season point total that failed to make the playoffs.
, in which the Capitals defeated the Rangers in seven games. In the regular season series, the Rangers held a 3–1–0 record, winning the last three games by a combined score of 15–1, although the Rangers were only able to score eight goals in this series, losing it in five games.
, which ended with Buffalo defeating Philadelphia in six games.
The series started out with a 1–0 shutout victory for Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller in Game 1, while Philadelphia came back to win Games 2 and 3. Miller got another 1–0 shutout victory in Game 4, to tie the series up 2–2. In Game 5, Buffalo was up 3–0 at the end of the first period, but Philadelphia scored three goals to send the game to overtime. However, Tyler Ennis
of Buffalo would score the overtime winner. In Game 6, Buffalo looked in good position to win after being up 3–1 after the 1st period, but Philadelphia rallied back, winning the game 5–4 on Ville Leino
's overtime winner. In Game 7, Philadelphia went up 4–0 about 2 minutes into the 3rd period on a goal by Ville Leino. Due to that, Buffalo goaltender Ryan Miller was pulled for the first time in the series, and Philadelphia won the game by a score of 5–2, to win the series 4–3.
. The most recent meeting of these teams in the postseason was in 2009
, which ended with Boston sweeping Montreal.
In this series, the Boston Bruins dropped their first 2 games at home, but came back to hang on to a Game 3 victory in Montreal. In Game 4, Andrei Kostitsyn gave the Montreal Canadiens a 3–1 lead, which they couldn't take advantage of, falling 5–4 on an overtime goal by former Montreal Canadien Michael Ryder
. Game 5 was sent into double overtime for Nathan Horton
to win it 2–1 for Boston, but in Game 6, Montreal scored twice on 5-on-3 power plays and won it 2–1. Game 7 was also forced into overtime, where Nathan Horton
again won the game 4–3 and sent the Boston to the second round of the playoffs. Boston became the first team to win a postseason series despite being held scoreless on the power play.
On April 10, the scheduled date of the French-language Canadian federal election debate between party leaders was changed from April 14 to April 13 so it would not conflict with Game 1 of the series. Games 6 and 7 were played back-to-back due to a Lady Gaga concert, held on April 25 at the Bell Centre
, and the requirement that the first round of the playoffs end by April 27.
To start the series, Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury shut out Tampa Bay 3–0 in Game 1, with the Lightning responding with a 5–1 win. Unfortunately for the Lightning, they dropped Games 3 and 4 both in overtime, only to answer with a huge 8–2 victory in Pittsburgh, forcing a Game 6 at home that ended 4–2 in favor of the Tampa Bay Lightning. In Game 7, Lightning forward Sean Bergenheim
scored about 5 minutes into the second period. The Lightning managed to hold on to that 1–0 lead, advancing to the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals.
and 2010
; both of those series went to six games. After losing the first three games of the series, Chicago won the next three. This was the seventh time in NHL history that a team forced a seventh game after trailing 3–0 in a playoff series. However, Vancouver won the seventh game in overtime to avoid becoming the fourth team in NHL history to lose a series after taking a 3–0 series lead.
The series started out with a bang in Game 1, with Dany Heatley scoring only 28 seconds into the game. That game was later on won by Joe Pavelski
in overtime, but a good response by the Kings in Game 2 gave them a 4-0 shut out victory in San Jose. In Game 3, San Jose became the fifth team in NHL playoff history to win a game by after being faced with a 4–0 deficit, where Devin Setoguchi
of San Jose scored the game winning goal in overtime, to make the final score 6-5. Still at home, Los Angeles lost Game 4 by a score of 6–3. In Game 5, at San Jose, Los Angeles would win by a score of 3–1. However, that would not be enough, as Joe Thornton
of San Jose scored the game winning goal in overtime of Game 6 to eliminate Los Angeles from the playoffs, in a 4-2 series win.
's first round series, in which Detroit defeated Phoenix in seven games. The Red Wings had 13 different goal scorers in the series. This was the only sweep in the first round of the playoffs.
, where Tampa Bay defeated Washington in six games. In the six-game regular season series between these teams, Washington won four games (including one win in a shootout). In Game 1, Sean Bergenheim
, the player with the winning goal in Game 7 against Pittsburgh, opened the scoring for Tampa Bay, but goals from Alexander Semin
and Eric Fehr
put Washington up 2–1, only for Tampa Bay to regain the lead and win with Steven Stamkos
's late 2nd period power play goal. Late in Game 2, Tampa Bay was up 2–1, when Alexander Ovechkin
received a pass from behind the net to tie the game at 2, but in overtime, Tampa Bay forward Vincent Lecavalier
put in his second goal of the game to win it for Tampa Bay. Game 3 was a hard fought game for Washington, after being up 3–2 to start the third period. However, Washington would ultimately lose Game 3 by a score of 4–3. Washington would then lose Game 4 by a score of 5–3, to fall to Tampa Bay in a 4–0 series sweep.
, in which Philadelphia defeated Boston in seven games. Boston won the first three games of the 2010 series; however, Philadelphia rallied to win the final four games, and became the third team in NHL history to win a series by coming back from a 3–0 series deficit. However, in the 2011 series, Philadelphia was not able to repeat that feat, as Boston swept Philadelphia out of the playoffs to move to the Eastern Conference Finals
for the first time since 1992
. This series featured some goaltending trouble for Philadelphia; Boston outscored Philadelphia 20–7 in four games. Brian Boucher started the first three games, but was pulled in all three: he was removed from Games 1 and 3 due to performance, and he was briefly removed from Game 2 due to injury. In all, Philadelphia started three different goaltenders in the 11 games that they played in the 2011 playoffs; six of those games featured a change of goalie.
for the first time since 1994
. Each game in this series was decided by just a single goal (with the exception of an empty net goal scored by Vancouver in Game 4).
, in which San Jose defeated Detroit in five games. After losing the first three games, Detroit won the next three, to force a seventh game
. This was the eighth time this feat had been achieved in NHL history, the third time in the last two seasons, and the second time in the 2011 playoffs. Chicago had accomplished the same feat against Vancouver in the Quarterfinals, ultimately losing that series. Since the New York Islanders
twice forced a game seven after being down 3–0 during the 1975 Stanley Cup playoffs, there had been 112 consecutive failed attempts to repeat that feat prior to the 2010 Stanley Cup playoffs
, after which it has happened in three of the seven possible series. San Jose won the seventh game by a score of 3–2 to avoid becoming the fourth team in NHL history to lose a series after taking a 3–0 series lead. It allowed them their second consecutive trip to the Conference Finals. Six of the games were decided by only one goal; the only exception was a 3–1 win for Detroit in game six, in which Darren Helm
of Detroit scored an empty net goal.
scored a goal and an assist in his first career playoff game in Game 1. In Game 2 he tied the NHL record for points by a teenager in a single playoff period with four points, two goals and two assists (held by Trevor Linden
). The 1–0 Game 7 Boston victory featured remarkable discipline from both teams, as no penalties were called during the game. This was the first time this has happened in the playoffs in over twenty years. Nathan Horton
recorded his second Game 7 winning goal in this year's playoffs. His first was scored against Montreal in round one.
. The Canucks had previously won the Western Conference Finals on May 24, 1994, 17 years to the day before this year's Conference Finals win. Both games went to double overtime.
As the Presidents' Trophy winners, the Vancouver Canucks earned home ice advantage over the Boston Bruins in the Finals. This was the first playoff series between Vancouver and Boston. Vancouver and Boston met only once in the 2010–11 regular season, on February 26. Boston won that game by a score of 3–1. This was Vancouver's third appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals; in both of their previous appearances, they lost to a team from New York. In 1982
, they were swept by the Islanders
. In 1994
, they lost to the Rangers
in seven games. This was Boston's first appearance in the Finals since their five-game loss to the Edmonton Oilers in 1990
. Boston last won the Stanley Cup in 1972
, when they defeated the New York Rangers in six games.
In a back-and-forth series, the Bruins triumphed in seven games. This series was marked by home team dominance, as the Canucks and Bruins each won their first three games at home. All of Vancouver's wins were close affairs at Rogers Arena: two 1–0 wins in Games 1 and 5, and a 3–2 overtime victory in Game 2. In Boston, the Bruins buried the Canucks in an avalanche of goals, winning Games 3, 4, and 6 by scores of 8–1, 4–0, and 5–2 respectively. In the seventh and deciding game, the Bruins defeated the Canucks 4–0.
GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/– = Plus/minus
and the top five goaltenders based on save percentage
, with at least 420 minutes played. The table is sorted by GAA, and the criteria for inclusion are bolded.
GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; SA = Shots against; GA = Goals against; GAA = Goals against average; SV% = Save percentage; SO = Shutouts; TOI = Time on ice (minutes:seconds)
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
playoffs
Stanley Cup playoffs
The Stanley Cup playoffs is an elimination tournament in the National Hockey League consisting of four rounds of best-of-seven series. Eight teams from each of the league's two conferences qualify for the playoffs based on regular season records...
of the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
(NHL) began on April 13, 2011, after the conclusion of the 2010–11 NHL regular season
2010–11 NHL season
The 2010–11 NHL season was the 94th season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the fourth consecutive season that opened in Europe with NHL Premiere . A record three events were scheduled, all in previous NHL Premiere cities: Helsinki, Finland; Stockholm, Sweden; and Prague, Czech...
. Game 1 of the Finals
2011 Stanley Cup Finals
The 2011 Stanley Cup Finals was the championship series of the National Hockey League , and the culmination of the 2011 Stanley Cup playoffs. It was the 118th year of the Stanley Cup's presentation. The Eastern Conference Champion Boston Bruins defeated the Western Conference Champion Vancouver...
was held on June 1, while Game 7 was held on June 15. The Boston Bruins
Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the...
defeated the Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
in seven games in the Finals to capture their first Stanley Cup championship since 1972.
Playoff seeds
After the regular season, the standard 16 teams qualified for the playoffs. The Vancouver CanucksVancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
were the Western Conference
Western Conference (NHL)
The Western Conference is one of two conferences in the National Hockey League used to divide teams. Its counterpart is the Eastern Conference....
regular season champions and the Presidents' Trophy
Presidents' Trophy
The Presidents' Trophy is an award presented by the National Hockey League to the team that finishes with the most points in the league during the regular season. If two teams tie for the most points, then the trophy goes to the team with the most wins. The winning team is also awarded C$350,000...
winners with the best record in the NHL at 117 points. The Washington Capitals
Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Since their founding in 1974, "The Caps" have won one conference championship to reach the 1998 Stanley Cup...
earned the top seed in the Eastern Conference
Eastern Conference (NHL)
The Eastern Conference is one of two conferences in the National Hockey League used to divide teams. Its counterpart is the Western Conference....
with 107 points. This is the first time all three California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
-based teams (San Jose Sharks
San Jose Sharks
The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
, Los Angeles Kings
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
, and Anaheim Ducks
Anaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California, USA. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
) and all four Pacific coast teams (with the Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
) have made the playoffs in the same year.
Eastern Conference
- Washington Capitals2010–11 Washington Capitals seasonThe 2010–11 Washington Capitals season is the 37th season for the Washington Capitals in the National Hockey League . Despite the Capitals' first round exit in the 2010 Playoffs, ticket prices for this season were increased between 13 and 50 percent....
– Southeast DivisionSoutheast Division (NHL)The NHL's Southeast Division was formed in 1998 as part of the Eastern Conference due to expansion.The Southeast Division is the only one of the six divisions that does not have a precursor from the Wales/Campbell conference era ....
and Eastern Conference regular season champions, 107 points - Philadelphia Flyers2010–11 Philadelphia Flyers seasonThe 2010–11 Philadelphia Flyers season was the Flyers' 44th season in the National Hockey League .Coming off a close loss to Chicago in the Stanley Cup Finals, the Flyers traded Simon Gagne to Tampa Bay to clear up cap space, acquired Andrej Meszaros from Tampa Bay in a separate trade and signed...
– Atlantic DivisionAtlantic Division (NHL)The NHL's Atlantic Division was formed in 1993 as part of the Eastern Conference in a league realignment, the predecessor of which was the Patrick Division. It is the only division in the NHL where all of its current members have won the Stanley Cup at least twice, though only three teams have won...
champions, 106 points - Boston Bruins2010–11 Boston Bruins seasonThe 2010–11 Boston Bruins season was the 87th season of play for the National Hockey League franchise that was established on November 4, 1924. The Bruins were the winners of the 2011 Stanley Cup championship series.- Off-season :...
– Northeast DivisionNortheast Division (NHL)The NHL's Northeast Division was formed in 1993 as part of the Eastern Conference in a league realignment, the predecessor of which was the Adams Division...
champions, 103 points - Pittsburgh Penguins2010–11 Pittsburgh Penguins seasonThe 2010–11 Pittsburgh Penguins season is the 44th and current season of the franchise in the National Hockey League . The Penguins began the season in their new arena, CONSOL Energy Center, which is adjacent from their old facility, Mellon Arena, which had been the third smallest and oldest arena...
– 106 points - Tampa Bay Lightning2010–11 Tampa Bay Lightning seasonThe 2010–11 Tampa Bay Lightning season was the 19th season for the Lightning franchise of the National Hockey League . For the first time since the 2006–07 season, the Lightning qualified for the playoffs.-Pre-season :...
– 103 points - Montreal Canadiens2010–11 Montreal Canadiens seasonThe 2010–11 Montreal Canadiens season is the 94th season of play for the National Hockey League franchise that was established 22 November 1917.-Regular season:...
– 96 points - Buffalo Sabres2010–11 Buffalo Sabres seasonThe 2010–11 Buffalo Sabres season is the 41st season of play for the National Hockey League franchise that was established on May 22, 1970.-Off season:...
– 96 points - New York Rangers2010–11 New York Rangers seasonThe 2010–11 New York Rangers season was the National Hockey League franchise's 84th season of play and their 85th season overall. The Rangers celebrated 85 years since their establishment in 1926.-Pre-season:...
– 93 points
Western Conference
- Vancouver Canucks2010–11 Vancouver Canucks seasonThe 2010–11 Vancouver Canucks season was the 40th season in the modern Canucks' history. The Vancouver Canucks won their fifth Northwest division title, third conference championship and first Presidents Trophy...
– Northwest DivisionNorthwest Division (NHL)The NHL's Northwest Division was formed in 1998 as part of the Western Conference due to expansion. Like the Pacific Division, the Northwest Division is also a descendant of the former Smythe Division, as three of its Canadian teams played in that division from 1981–1993...
and Western Conference regular season champions; Presidents' TrophyPresidents' TrophyThe Presidents' Trophy is an award presented by the National Hockey League to the team that finishes with the most points in the league during the regular season. If two teams tie for the most points, then the trophy goes to the team with the most wins. The winning team is also awarded C$350,000...
winners, 117 points - San Jose Sharks2010–11 San Jose Sharks seasonThe 2010–11 San Jose Sharks season is the Sharks' 20th season in the National Hockey League.- Off-season :Team captain Rob Blake retired on June 18, 2010.The Sharks announced that they would not offer Evgeni Nabokov a contract for the 2010–11 season....
– Pacific DivisionPacific Division (NHL)The National Hockey League's Pacific Division is one of three divisions that make up the Western Conference. It was formed in 1993 as part of a league realignment...
champions, 105 points - Detroit Red Wings2010–11 Detroit Red Wings seasonThe 2010–11 Detroit Red Wings season is the 85th season of play for the National Hockey League franchise that was established on September 25, 1926.-Off season:...
– Central DivisionCentral Division (NHL)The NHL's Central Division was formed in 1993 as part of the Western Conference in a league realignment, the predecessor of which was the Norris Division.The Central Division consists of the Western Conference's easternmost teams.-Current lineup:...
champions, 104 points - Anaheim Ducks2010–11 Anaheim Ducks seasonThe 2010–11 Anaheim Ducks season was the 18th season of operation for the National Hockey League franchise that was established on June 15, 1993....
– 99 points - Nashville Predators2010–11 Nashville Predators seasonThe 2010–11 Nashville Predators season was the Nashville Predators' 13th season in the National Hockey League. They were defeated by the Vancouver Canucks in the second round of the playoffs.- Pre-season :...
– 99 points - Phoenix Coyotes2010–11 Phoenix Coyotes seasonThe 2010–11 Phoenix Coyotes season was the Coyotes' 15th season in Phoenix, Arizona, and 32nd in franchise history.- Off-season :On June 17, the Coyotes announced their eight-game pre-season schedule, which includes two split-squad games, and a game against Dinamo Riga of the KHL, in Riga, Latvia.-...
– 99 points - Los Angeles Kings2010–11 Los Angeles Kings seasonThe 2010–11 Los Angeles Kings season is the 44th season for the National Hockey League franchise that was established on June 5, 1967.- Pre-season :- Regular season :...
– 98 points - Chicago Blackhawks2010–11 Chicago Blackhawks seasonThe 2010–11 Chicago Blackhawks season is the club's 85th season in the National Hockey League . The Blackhawks were defending the Stanley Cup, but succumbed to the Presidents' Trophy winners, the Vancouver Canucks in 7 games in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.-Off-season:Under pressure...
– 97 points
With 95 points, the Dallas Stars
2010–11 Dallas Stars season
The 2010–11 Dallas Stars season was the 44th season for the National Hockey League franchise that was established on June 5, 1967, and 18th season since the franchise relocated to Dallas to start the 1993–94 NHL season....
tied a record set by the 2006–07 Colorado Avalanche
2006–07 Colorado Avalanche season
The 2006–07 Colorado Avalanche season was their 12th National Hockey League season in Denver, Colorado. It was a season of transition for the Avs, as the team began the season with a new General Manager in Francois Giguere, ending the twelve year reign of Pierre Lacroix...
for the team with the highest season point total that failed to make the playoffs.
Playoff bracket
In each round, the highest remaining seed in each conference is matched against the lowest remaining seed. The higher-seeded team is awarded home ice advantage. In the Stanley Cup Finals, home ice is determined based on regular season points. Thus, the Vancouver Canucks have home ice advantage in this year's Finals. Each best-of-seven series follows a 2–2–1–1–1 format: the higher-seeded team plays at home for games one and two (and games five and seven, if necessary), and the lower-seeded team is at home for games three and four (and game six, if necessary).(1) Washington Capitals vs. (8) New York Rangers
The Washington Capitals entered the playoffs as the Eastern Conference regular season champions, earning 107 points. The New York Rangers qualified for the postseason as the eighth seed with 93 points. This was the sixth playoff series between the two franchises; Washington had won three of the previous five meetings between these teams. The two teams had previously met in the first round of the 2009 Stanley Cup playoffs2009 Stanley Cup playoffs
The 2009 Stanley Cup playoffs of the National Hockey League began on April 15, 2009, after the 2008–09 regular season. The sixteen teams that qualified, eight from each conference , play a best-of-seven series for the conference quarterfinals, semifinals and championships, and...
, in which the Capitals defeated the Rangers in seven games. In the regular season series, the Rangers held a 3–1–0 record, winning the last three games by a combined score of 15–1, although the Rangers were only able to score eight goals in this series, losing it in five games.
(2) Philadelphia Flyers vs. (7) Buffalo Sabres
The Philadelphia Flyers entered the playoffs as the second seed in the Eastern Conference after winning the Atlantic Division with 106 points, winning the tiebreaker over the Pittsburgh Penguins on regulation + overtime wins (44 to 39). The Buffalo Sabres earned the seventh seed with 96 points, losing the tiebreaker to Montreal on regulation + overtime wins (38 to 41). This was the ninth meeting of these two teams in the postseason; Philadelphia had won five of the eight previous playoff series. Their previous matchup occurred during the 2006 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals2006 Stanley Cup Playoffs
The 2006 Stanley Cup playoffs for the National Hockey League championship began on April 21, 2006, following the 2005–06 regular season. The sixteen teams that qualified, seeded one through eight from each conference, played best-of-seven series with re-seeding after the conference quarterfinals...
, which ended with Buffalo defeating Philadelphia in six games.
The series started out with a 1–0 shutout victory for Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller in Game 1, while Philadelphia came back to win Games 2 and 3. Miller got another 1–0 shutout victory in Game 4, to tie the series up 2–2. In Game 5, Buffalo was up 3–0 at the end of the first period, but Philadelphia scored three goals to send the game to overtime. However, Tyler Ennis
Tyler Ennis
Tyler Foster Ennis is a Canadian professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League...
of Buffalo would score the overtime winner. In Game 6, Buffalo looked in good position to win after being up 3–1 after the 1st period, but Philadelphia rallied back, winning the game 5–4 on Ville Leino
Ville Leino
Ville Leino is a Finnish professional ice hockey forward who plays for the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League .-Finland:Leino started playing hockey at age 17 for his hometown team SaPKo in the Suomi-sarja...
's overtime winner. In Game 7, Philadelphia went up 4–0 about 2 minutes into the 3rd period on a goal by Ville Leino. Due to that, Buffalo goaltender Ryan Miller was pulled for the first time in the series, and Philadelphia won the game by a score of 5–2, to win the series 4–3.
(3) Boston Bruins vs. (6) Montreal Canadiens
The Boston Bruins entered the playoffs as the third seed in the Eastern Conference after winning the Northeast Division with 103 points. The Montreal Canadiens earned the sixth seed with 96 points, winning the tiebreaker over Buffalo on regulation and overtime wins (41 to 38). This was the 33rd meeting of these teams in the postseason, which is the most frequent playoff series in NHL history. Montreal had a record of 24–8 against Boston in the 32 previous series played by the franchises, winning 18 straight between 1946 and 1987. Boston had only beaten Montreal en route to winning the championship once before, in 19291929 Stanley Cup Finals
-Boston Bruins 1929 Stanley Cup champions:-See also:*1928–29 NHL season...
. The most recent meeting of these teams in the postseason was in 2009
2009 Stanley Cup playoffs
The 2009 Stanley Cup playoffs of the National Hockey League began on April 15, 2009, after the 2008–09 regular season. The sixteen teams that qualified, eight from each conference , play a best-of-seven series for the conference quarterfinals, semifinals and championships, and...
, which ended with Boston sweeping Montreal.
In this series, the Boston Bruins dropped their first 2 games at home, but came back to hang on to a Game 3 victory in Montreal. In Game 4, Andrei Kostitsyn gave the Montreal Canadiens a 3–1 lead, which they couldn't take advantage of, falling 5–4 on an overtime goal by former Montreal Canadien Michael Ryder
Michael Ryder
Michael Wayne Glen Ryder is a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger who plays for the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League. He was born in St John's, Newfoundland.-Pre-NHL:...
. Game 5 was sent into double overtime for Nathan Horton
Nathan Horton
Nathan Horton is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger who currently plays for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League...
to win it 2–1 for Boston, but in Game 6, Montreal scored twice on 5-on-3 power plays and won it 2–1. Game 7 was also forced into overtime, where Nathan Horton
Nathan Horton
Nathan Horton is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger who currently plays for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League...
again won the game 4–3 and sent the Boston to the second round of the playoffs. Boston became the first team to win a postseason series despite being held scoreless on the power play.
On April 10, the scheduled date of the French-language Canadian federal election debate between party leaders was changed from April 14 to April 13 so it would not conflict with Game 1 of the series. Games 6 and 7 were played back-to-back due to a Lady Gaga concert, held on April 25 at the Bell Centre
Bell Centre
The Bell Centre , formerly known as the Molson Centre , is a sports and entertainment complex in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It opened on March 16, 1996 after nearly three years under construction...
, and the requirement that the first round of the playoffs end by April 27.
(4) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (5) Tampa Bay Lightning
The Pittsburgh Penguins entered the playoffs as the fourth overall seed in the Eastern Conference with 106 points, losing the tiebreaker for the Atlantic Division title to the Philadelphia Flyers on regulation + overtime wins (39 to 44). The Tampa Bay Lightning earned 103 points during the regular season to finish fifth overall in the Eastern Conference. This was the first playoff series between these two teams.To start the series, Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury shut out Tampa Bay 3–0 in Game 1, with the Lightning responding with a 5–1 win. Unfortunately for the Lightning, they dropped Games 3 and 4 both in overtime, only to answer with a huge 8–2 victory in Pittsburgh, forcing a Game 6 at home that ended 4–2 in favor of the Tampa Bay Lightning. In Game 7, Lightning forward Sean Bergenheim
Sean Bergenheim
Sean Bergenheim is a Finnish professional ice hockey winger, currently playing for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League .- Playing career :...
scored about 5 minutes into the second period. The Lightning managed to hold on to that 1–0 lead, advancing to the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals.
(1) Vancouver Canucks vs. (8) Chicago Blackhawks
The Vancouver Canucks entered the playoffs as the Western Conference regular season champions and Presidents' Trophy winners, earning 117 points. The Chicago Blackhawks qualified for the postseason as the eighth seed with 97 points. This was the third straight year that Vancouver has met Chicago in the playoffs. Chicago previously eliminated Vancouver in the second round in both 20092009 Stanley Cup playoffs
The 2009 Stanley Cup playoffs of the National Hockey League began on April 15, 2009, after the 2008–09 regular season. The sixteen teams that qualified, eight from each conference , play a best-of-seven series for the conference quarterfinals, semifinals and championships, and...
and 2010
2010 Stanley Cup playoffs
The 2010 Stanley Cup playoffs of the National Hockey League began on April 14, 2010, after the 2009–10 NHL regular season. The Finals ended on June 9, 2010, with the Chicago Blackhawks defeating the Philadelphia Flyers four games to two to win their fourth championship and their first since 1961...
; both of those series went to six games. After losing the first three games of the series, Chicago won the next three. This was the seventh time in NHL history that a team forced a seventh game after trailing 3–0 in a playoff series. However, Vancouver won the seventh game in overtime to avoid becoming the fourth team in NHL history to lose a series after taking a 3–0 series lead.
(2) San Jose Sharks vs. (7) Los Angeles Kings
The San Jose Sharks entered the playoffs as the second seed in the Western Conference after winning the Pacific Division with 105 points. The Los Angeles Kings earned the seventh seed with 98 points.This was the first meeting of these teams in the postseason.The series started out with a bang in Game 1, with Dany Heatley scoring only 28 seconds into the game. That game was later on won by Joe Pavelski
Joe Pavelski
Joseph Pavelski is an American professional ice hockey player now playing for the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League . He scored a goal in his first NHL game, making him the 11th Sharks player in the history of the team to do so...
in overtime, but a good response by the Kings in Game 2 gave them a 4-0 shut out victory in San Jose. In Game 3, San Jose became the fifth team in NHL playoff history to win a game by after being faced with a 4–0 deficit, where Devin Setoguchi
Devin Setoguchi
Devin Charlie Kenichi Setoguchi is a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger for the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League . Known by the nicknames The Gooch, and Seto, Setoguchi is Half-Yonsei...
of San Jose scored the game winning goal in overtime, to make the final score 6-5. Still at home, Los Angeles lost Game 4 by a score of 6–3. In Game 5, at San Jose, Los Angeles would win by a score of 3–1. However, that would not be enough, as Joe Thornton
Joe Thornton
Joseph Eric Thornton is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre and captain of the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League . He was selected first overall by the Boston Bruins in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft and went on to play seven seasons with the club, five as its Captain. During the...
of San Jose scored the game winning goal in overtime of Game 6 to eliminate Los Angeles from the playoffs, in a 4-2 series win.
(3) Detroit Red Wings vs. (6) Phoenix Coyotes
The Detroit Red Wings entered the playoffs as the third seed in the Western Conference after winning the Central Division with 104 points. This was Detroit's 20th straight appearance in the postseason. The Phoenix Coyotes earned the sixth seed with 99 points, losing tiebreakers to both the Anaheim Ducks and Nashville Predators. This was a rematch of the previous year2010 Stanley Cup playoffs
The 2010 Stanley Cup playoffs of the National Hockey League began on April 14, 2010, after the 2009–10 NHL regular season. The Finals ended on June 9, 2010, with the Chicago Blackhawks defeating the Philadelphia Flyers four games to two to win their fourth championship and their first since 1961...
's first round series, in which Detroit defeated Phoenix in seven games. The Red Wings had 13 different goal scorers in the series. This was the only sweep in the first round of the playoffs.
(4) Anaheim Ducks vs. (5) Nashville Predators
The Anaheim Ducks entered the playoffs as the fourth overall seed in the Western Conference with 99 points, winning tiebreakers over the Nashville Predators and the Phoenix Coyotes. The Nashville Predators also earned 99 points during the regular season to finish fifth overall. They lost the tiebreaker to Anaheim by having fewer games won in regulation and overtime (38 to 43). This was the first playoff series between these two teams. After making the playoffs for the sixth time in 12 seasons, Nashville moved on to the second round for the first time in franchise history.(1) Washington Capitals vs. (5) Tampa Bay Lightning
This was the second playoff series between these two teams. Washington and Tampa Bay previously met in the first round of the 2003 playoffs2003 Stanley Cup Playoffs
The 2003 Stanley Cup playoffs, the National Hockey League championship, began on April 9, 2003, following the 2002–03 regular season. The playoffs concluded on June 9, 2003, with the New Jersey Devils defeating the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in seven games.The sixteen qualifying teams played...
, where Tampa Bay defeated Washington in six games. In the six-game regular season series between these teams, Washington won four games (including one win in a shootout). In Game 1, Sean Bergenheim
Sean Bergenheim
Sean Bergenheim is a Finnish professional ice hockey winger, currently playing for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League .- Playing career :...
, the player with the winning goal in Game 7 against Pittsburgh, opened the scoring for Tampa Bay, but goals from Alexander Semin
Alexander Semin
Alexander Valerievich Semin , also known by fans as The Great 28, The Other Alex, or most commonly known as Sasha, is a Russian professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Washington Capitals in the National Hockey League ....
and Eric Fehr
Eric Fehr
Eric Fehr is a Canadian ice hockey right winger currently playing for the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League. Fehr was a first-round draft pick in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft by the Washington Capitals, chosen 18th overall....
put Washington up 2–1, only for Tampa Bay to regain the lead and win with Steven Stamkos
Steven Stamkos
Steven Stamkos is a Canadian professional ice hockey player, an alternate captain for the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League . Stamkos was the first overall pick in the 2006 OHL Entry Draft, from the Markham Waxers of the OMHA. Playing with the Sarnia Sting of the Ontario Hockey...
's late 2nd period power play goal. Late in Game 2, Tampa Bay was up 2–1, when Alexander Ovechkin
Alexander Ovechkin
Alexander Mikhaylovich Ovechkin is a Russian professional ice hockey left winger and captain of the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League...
received a pass from behind the net to tie the game at 2, but in overtime, Tampa Bay forward Vincent Lecavalier
Vincent Lecavalier
Vincent Lecavalier is a Canadian professional hockey center and captain of the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League .-Rimouski Océanic:...
put in his second goal of the game to win it for Tampa Bay. Game 3 was a hard fought game for Washington, after being up 3–2 to start the third period. However, Washington would ultimately lose Game 3 by a score of 4–3. Washington would then lose Game 4 by a score of 5–3, to fall to Tampa Bay in a 4–0 series sweep.
(2) Philadelphia Flyers vs. (3) Boston Bruins
This was sixth playoff series between these two teams. It was a rematch of the second-round series that was played the previous year2010 Stanley Cup playoffs
The 2010 Stanley Cup playoffs of the National Hockey League began on April 14, 2010, after the 2009–10 NHL regular season. The Finals ended on June 9, 2010, with the Chicago Blackhawks defeating the Philadelphia Flyers four games to two to win their fourth championship and their first since 1961...
, in which Philadelphia defeated Boston in seven games. Boston won the first three games of the 2010 series; however, Philadelphia rallied to win the final four games, and became the third team in NHL history to win a series by coming back from a 3–0 series deficit. However, in the 2011 series, Philadelphia was not able to repeat that feat, as Boston swept Philadelphia out of the playoffs to move to the Eastern Conference Finals
NHL Conference Finals
The National Hockey League Conference Finals are the Eastern Conference and Western Conference championship series of the NHL. The Conference Finals are best-of-seven series. The two series are played in late May each year after the first and second rounds of the playoffs and before the Stanley...
for the first time since 1992
1992 Stanley Cup playoffs
The 1992 Stanley Cup playoffs, the championship of the National Hockey League began on April 18, after the conclusion of the 1991–92 NHL season...
. This series featured some goaltending trouble for Philadelphia; Boston outscored Philadelphia 20–7 in four games. Brian Boucher started the first three games, but was pulled in all three: he was removed from Games 1 and 3 due to performance, and he was briefly removed from Game 2 due to injury. In all, Philadelphia started three different goaltenders in the 11 games that they played in the 2011 playoffs; six of those games featured a change of goalie.
(1) Vancouver Canucks vs. (5) Nashville Predators
This was the first playoff series between these two teams. It was also the first time that the Nashville Predators played in the second round of the playoffs. Vancouver and Nashville had split the four-game regular season series between them. Vancouver won this series in six games to advance to the Conference FinalsNHL Conference Finals
The National Hockey League Conference Finals are the Eastern Conference and Western Conference championship series of the NHL. The Conference Finals are best-of-seven series. The two series are played in late May each year after the first and second rounds of the playoffs and before the Stanley...
for the first time since 1994
1994 Stanley Cup Playoffs
The 1994 Stanley Cup playoffs, the championship of the National Hockey League , began after the conclusion of the 1993–94 NHL season. The sixteen teams that qualified, eight from each conference, played best-of-7 series for conference quarterfinals, semifinals and championships, and then the...
. Each game in this series was decided by just a single goal (with the exception of an empty net goal scored by Vancouver in Game 4).
(2) San Jose Sharks vs. (3) Detroit Red Wings
This was the fifth playoff series between these two teams. This was a rematch of the second-round series that took place the previous year2010 Stanley Cup playoffs
The 2010 Stanley Cup playoffs of the National Hockey League began on April 14, 2010, after the 2009–10 NHL regular season. The Finals ended on June 9, 2010, with the Chicago Blackhawks defeating the Philadelphia Flyers four games to two to win their fourth championship and their first since 1961...
, in which San Jose defeated Detroit in five games. After losing the first three games, Detroit won the next three, to force a seventh game
Game seven
A game seven is the final game of a best of seven series. This game can occur in the postseasons for Major League Baseball , the National Basketball Association , and the National Hockey League .The game is traditionally played at the site of team holding the home...
. This was the eighth time this feat had been achieved in NHL history, the third time in the last two seasons, and the second time in the 2011 playoffs. Chicago had accomplished the same feat against Vancouver in the Quarterfinals, ultimately losing that series. Since the New York Islanders
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
twice forced a game seven after being down 3–0 during the 1975 Stanley Cup playoffs, there had been 112 consecutive failed attempts to repeat that feat prior to the 2010 Stanley Cup playoffs
2010 Stanley Cup playoffs
The 2010 Stanley Cup playoffs of the National Hockey League began on April 14, 2010, after the 2009–10 NHL regular season. The Finals ended on June 9, 2010, with the Chicago Blackhawks defeating the Philadelphia Flyers four games to two to win their fourth championship and their first since 1961...
, after which it has happened in three of the seven possible series. San Jose won the seventh game by a score of 3–2 to avoid becoming the fourth team in NHL history to lose a series after taking a 3–0 series lead. It allowed them their second consecutive trip to the Conference Finals. Six of the games were decided by only one goal; the only exception was a 3–1 win for Detroit in game six, in which Darren Helm
Darren Helm
Darren Helm is a Canadian professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League.- Junior career :...
of Detroit scored an empty net goal.
(3) Boston Bruins vs. (5) Tampa Bay Lightning
This was the first playoff series between these teams. Boston won three of the four games that were played in the regular season. Bruins rookie Tyler SeguinTyler Seguin
Tyler Seguin is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League . He was a draft pick of the Bruins, selected second overall in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft...
scored a goal and an assist in his first career playoff game in Game 1. In Game 2 he tied the NHL record for points by a teenager in a single playoff period with four points, two goals and two assists (held by Trevor Linden
Trevor Linden
Trevor John Linden, C.M., O.B.C. is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. He played centre and right wing with four different teams: the Vancouver Canucks , New York Islanders, Montreal Canadiens, and Washington Capitals...
). The 1–0 Game 7 Boston victory featured remarkable discipline from both teams, as no penalties were called during the game. This was the first time this has happened in the playoffs in over twenty years. Nathan Horton
Nathan Horton
Nathan Horton is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger who currently plays for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League...
recorded his second Game 7 winning goal in this year's playoffs. His first was scored against Montreal in round one.
(1) Vancouver Canucks vs. (2) San Jose Sharks
This was the first playoff series between these teams. Vancouver won three of the four games that were played in the regular season; their only loss to San Jose came in a shootout. Both Vancouver and San Jose played in a series during the 2011 playoffs (Quarterfinals and Semifinals, respectively) where each took a 3–0 series lead, only to see the opposing team win the next three games to force a seventh game. However, both won their respective seventh games to advance to the next round of the playoffs. San Jose, facing elimination in game five, held a 2–1 lead near the end of the game, until Ryan Kesler forced overtime by scoring with only 13.2 seconds left in the third period after a controversial icing call. After a scoreless first overtime, Kevin Bieksa would score the series-winning goal 10:18 into the second overtime, to send Vancouver to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since 19941994 Stanley Cup Finals
The 1994 Stanley Cup Final was a best-of-seven playoff series contested between the Eastern Conference champion New York Rangers and Western Conference champion Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League...
. The Canucks had previously won the Western Conference Finals on May 24, 1994, 17 years to the day before this year's Conference Finals win. Both games went to double overtime.
Stanley Cup Finals
- Note: All times are in Eastern Daylight TimeEastern Time ZoneThe Eastern Time Zone of the United States and Canada is a time zone that falls mostly along the east coast of North America. Its UTC time offset is −5 hrs during standard time and −4 hrs during daylight saving time...
(UTC-04).
As the Presidents' Trophy winners, the Vancouver Canucks earned home ice advantage over the Boston Bruins in the Finals. This was the first playoff series between Vancouver and Boston. Vancouver and Boston met only once in the 2010–11 regular season, on February 26. Boston won that game by a score of 3–1. This was Vancouver's third appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals; in both of their previous appearances, they lost to a team from New York. In 1982
1982 Stanley Cup Finals
-References:...
, they were swept by the Islanders
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
. In 1994
1994 Stanley Cup Finals
The 1994 Stanley Cup Final was a best-of-seven playoff series contested between the Eastern Conference champion New York Rangers and Western Conference champion Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League...
, they lost to the Rangers
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
in seven games. This was Boston's first appearance in the Finals since their five-game loss to the Edmonton Oilers in 1990
1990 Stanley Cup Finals
In the 1990 Stanley Cup Final, the Edmonton Oilers defeated the Boston Bruins four games to one. For the Oilers, it was their fifth Cup win in seven years, and the only one without Wayne Gretzky...
. Boston last won the Stanley Cup in 1972
1972 Stanley Cup Finals
-Boston Bruins 1972 Stanley Cup champions:-See also:* List of Stanley Cup champions* 1971–72 Boston Bruins season* 1971–72 NHL season* 1971–72 New York Rangers season-References:...
, when they defeated the New York Rangers in six games.
In a back-and-forth series, the Bruins triumphed in seven games. This series was marked by home team dominance, as the Canucks and Bruins each won their first three games at home. All of Vancouver's wins were close affairs at Rogers Arena: two 1–0 wins in Games 1 and 5, and a 3–2 overtime victory in Game 2. In Boston, the Bruins buried the Canucks in an avalanche of goals, winning Games 3, 4, and 6 by scores of 8–1, 4–0, and 5–2 respectively. In the seventh and deciding game, the Bruins defeated the Canucks 4–0.
Skaters
These are the top ten skaters based on points. If the list exceeds ten skaters because of a tie in points, goals take precedence, and all the tied skaters are shown.| Player | Team | GP | G | A | Pts | +/– |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston Bruins | 25 | 12 | 11 | 23 | +8 | |
| Vancouver Canucks | 25 | 3 | 19 | 22 | –11 | |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | 18 | 10 | 10 | 20 | –8 | |
| Vancouver Canucks | 25 | 9 | 11 | 20 | –9 | |
| Boston Bruins | 23 | 6 | 14 | 20 | +15 | |
| Boston Bruins | 25 | 11 | 8 | 19 | +12 | |
| Vancouver Canucks | 25 | 7 | 12 | 19 | 0 | |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | 18 | 6 | 13 | 19 | +6 | |
| Vancouver Canucks | 25 | 9 | 8 | 17 | 0 | |
| Boston Bruins | 21 | 8 | 9 | 17 | +11 | |
| Boston Bruins | 25 | 8 | 9 | 17 | +8 |
GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/– = Plus/minus
Goaltending
This is a combined table of the top five goaltenders based on goals against averageGoals against average
Goals Against Average is a statistic used in ice hockey, water polo, lacrosse, and soccer that is the mean of goals allowed per game by a goaltender....
and the top five goaltenders based on save percentage
Save percentage
Save percentage is an ice hockey and lacrosse statistic that represents the percentage of shots on goal a goaltender stops...
, with at least 420 minutes played. The table is sorted by GAA, and the criteria for inclusion are bolded.
| Player | Team | GP | W | L | SA | GA | GAA | SV% | SO | TOI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston Bruins | 25 | 16 | 9 | 849 | 51 | 1.98 | .940 | 4 | 1,541:53 | |
| Montreal Canadiens | 7 | 3 | 4 | 242 | 16 | 2.11 | .934 | 1 | 455:29 | |
| Chicago Blackhawks | 7 | 3 | 4 | 218 | 16 | 2.21 | .927 | 1 | 435:12 | |
| Washington Capitals | 9 | 4 | 5 | 261 | 23 | 2.34 | .912 | 1 | 589:56 | |
| Detroit Red Wings | 11 | 7 | 4 | 364 | 28 | 2.50 | .923 | 0 | 673:22 | |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | 17 | 10 | 6 | 541 | 41 | 2.51 | .924 | 1 | 981:49 |
GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; SA = Shots against; GA = Goals against; GAA = Goals against average; SV% = Save percentage; SO = Shutouts; TOI = Time on ice (minutes:seconds)