2019 STANLEY CUP TO BE AWARDED IN WINNER-TAKE-ALL GAME 7

After Boston skated away with a victory in St. Louis Sunday, the Bruins and Blues will compete in the sixth winner-take-all Game 7 of the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs to decide the Cup champion. This marks the seventh postseason in League history to feature at least six Game 7s (7 in 1994, 2011 and 2014; 6 in 1992, 2003, 2009 and 2019).

* This will mark the seventh straight year that the Stanley Cup champion has won at least one Game 7. Since 1987, when all rounds became best-of-seven, 22 of 32 Cup winners will have contested at least one Game 7 en route to winning a title (including either Boston or St. Louis this year).

* Either the Bruins or Blues will become the 13th team in NHL history to win multiple Game 7s en route to a title, with 2019 marking the third such instance under the current playoff format (also 2014 Kings and 2017 Penguins). A look back at each team’s first Game 7 victory this year:

Game 7 of 2019 First Round, April 23 at TD Garden – Boston 5 vs. Toronto 1

After Brad Marchand (4-5—9 in 7 GP) and David Pastrnak (2-4—6 in 7 GP) paced Boston through the first six contests against Toronto, it was unsung heroes Joakim Nordstrom (1-1—2) and Sean Kuraly (1-1—2) who led the way in the their Game 7 victory. Trade Deadline pickup Marcus Johansson scored the winning goal as Boston eliminated Toronto in Game 7 for a second straight year.

Boston improved to 15-12 in their NHL-record 27 all-time Game 7s, passing Montreal (14-9 in 23 GP) and Detroit (14-11 in 25 GP) for the most Game 7 victories in League history.

Game 7 of 2019 Second Round, May 7 at Enterprise Center – St. Louis 2 vs. Dallas 1 (2OT)

The Blues overcame a 52-save performance from Stars netminder Ben Bishop and St. Louis native Pat Maroon – who signed with his hometown team to be closer to his son – scored at 5:50 of the second overtime. The third Game 7 overtime this postseason – an NHL record – produced the fourth Game 7 overtime goal in Blues history and propelled the team into the Western Conference Final.

A HISTORY OF GAME 7s IN THE STANLEY CUP FINAL

The 2019 Stanley Cup Final marks the 17th time that the pinnacle series will require a Game 7, with the home team holding a 12-4 advantage in the prior 16 instances. The road team, however, has won each of the last two with the Bruins doing so in 2011 (4-0 W at VAN) and the Penguins in 2009 (2-1 W at DET).

* An overview of the 16 prior Game 7s in Stanley Cup Final:

Game 7 of 1942 Stanley Cup Final, April 18 at Maple Leaf Gardens – Toronto 3, Detroit 1

The Maple Leafs became the first team in NHL history to erase a 3-0 series deficit to win a best-of-seven, claiming victory on home ice in the first-ever Game 7 in the Stanley Cup Final. Toronto trailed entering the third period but mounted a comeback with three unanswered goals, including two by Hall of Famer Sweeney Schriner.

Game 7 of 1945 Stanley Cup Final, April 22 at Detroit Olympia – Toronto 2, Detroit 1

Toronto led just 5:38 into the game on Mel Hill’s opening goal, but Detroit’s Murray Armstrong tied the score in the third period. That set the stage for Maple Leafs defenseman Babe Pratt to become the first of two blueliners in NHL history to score a Cup-clinching goal in a Game 7. It was the first time the road team won Game 7 in the Final.

Game 7 of 1950 Stanley Cup Final, April 23 at Detroit Olympia – Detroit 4, NY Rangers 3 (2OT)

After playing two neutral site contests at Maple Leafs Gardens due to the circus at Madison Square Garden (Game 2 and 3), the Rangers and Red Wings played in the first Stanley Cup Final Game 7 to require overtime – and only one to date that required multiple overtime periods. Detroit rallied from deficits of 2-0 and 3-2 to force extra time before Pete Babando scored the game-winner 28:31 into overtime to propel the Red Wings to their fourth Stanley Cup.

Game 7 of 1954 Stanley Cup Final, April 16 at Detroit Olympia – Detroit 2, Montreal 1 (OT)

In Montreal’s fourth straight Final appearance, Detroit knocked off the defending Stanley Cup champions on the strength of Tony Leswick’s goal at 4:29 of overtime. The Red Wings trailed 1-0 after the first period but rallied to win the second and most recent overtime Game 7 in the Final.

Game 7 of 1955 Stanley Cup Final, April 14 at Detroit Olympia – Detroit 3, Montreal 1

For the second consecutive year, the Red Wings knocked off the Canadiens in Game 7 to win the Stanley Cup. Two legendary Red Wings led the way in the fourth consecutive Stanley Cup Final Game 7 contested at the Detroit Olympia, with Alex Delvecchio scoring twice and GordieHowenetting the winner.

Game 7 of 1964 Stanley Cup Final, April 25 at Maple Leaf Gardens – Toronto 4, Detroit 0

After defenseman Bob Baun scored a famous overtime winner with a broken ankle in Game 6, Johnny Bower (33 saves) became the first goaltender ever to record a Game 7 shutout in the Stanley Cup Final. The victory gave Toronto its third consecutive championship.

Game 7 of 1965 Stanley Cup Final, May 1 at Montreal Forum – Montreal 4, Chicago 0

Jean Beliveau scored the game-winning goal 14 seconds into the game – the fastest opening goal in any Game 7 – as the Canadiens scored four times in the first period. Gump Worsley closed the door the with 20 saves to post the second Game 7 shutout in the Final – it would be 38 years until another goaltender would do so. Beliveau was named the inaugural winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP after recording 8-8—16 in 13 games.

Game 7 of 1971 Stanley Cup Final, May 18 at Chicago Stadium – Montreal 3, Chicago 2

The Canadiens erased a two-goal deficit with Henri Richard tying the game at 18:20 of the second period before adding the game-winner 2:34 into the final frame. Montreal won its fifth Stanley Cup in eight seasons by becoming the second road team to win Game 7 in the Final (the first such contest in the NHL’s expansion era).

Game 7 of 1987 Stanley Cup Final, May 31 at Northlands Coliseum – Edmonton 3, Philadelphia 1

Of the Oilers’ five Stanley Cup championships in a seven-year span, this was the only Final to require a Game 7. After trailing 1-0 just 1:41 into the contest, a trio of Hall of Famers rattled off three straight goals as Mark Messier, Jari Kurri and Glenn Anderson all scored to lift Edmonton to victory.

Game 7 of 1994 Stanley Cup Final, June 14 at Madison Square Garden – NY Rangers 3, Vancouver 2

After following through on his famous guarantee in the Eastern Conference Final, Rangers captain Mark Messier rose to the occasion again in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final. Messier netted the Cup-clinching goal in the middle frame to lift New York to its fourth Stanley Cup in franchise history – ending the franchise’s 54-year wait between championships.

Game 7 of 2001 Stanley Cup Final, June 9 at Pepsi Center –Colorado 3, New Jersey 1

Joe Sakic led all playoff scorers with 13-13—26 and passed the Stanley Cup to first-time winner Ray Bourque in the final game of the defenseman's decorated 22-year NHL career. Meanwhile, Patrick Roy became the first player to win the Conn Smythe Trophy three times, having previously captured the award in 1986 and 1993 with the Canadiens.

Game 7 of 2003 Stanley Cup Final, June 9 at Continental Airlines Arena – New Jersey 3, Anaheim 0

First-year forward Mike Rupp collected three points and Martin Brodeur posted his record-setting seventh shutout of the 2003 Stanley Cup Playoffsto backstop the Devils over the Ducks. With the Game 7 victory, New Jersey set an NHL postseason record with 12 home victories in a playoff year (12-1).

Game 7 of 2004 Stanley Cup Final, June 7 at St. Pete Times Forum – Tampa Bay 2, Calgary 1

After Tampa Bay overcame Calgary’s “Red Mile” for a double-overtime win in Game 6, Ruslan Fedotenko scored both goals in Game 7 as the Lightning captured the franchise’s first-ever Stanley Cup. It marked the first of three consecutive postseasons in which a franchise won its first Cup (also the 2006 Hurricanes and 2007 Ducks).

Game 7 of 2006 Stanley Cup Final, June 19 at RBC Center – Carolina 3, Edmonton 1

Frantisek Kaberle tallied the eventual game-winning goal 4:18 into the second period to help the Hurricanes capture the franchise’s first-ever Stanley Cup. Kaberle became the second defenseman in NHL history to score a Cup-clinching goal in a Game 7, while Cam Ward became just the fourth rookie to capture the Conn Smythe, joining Ken Dryden, Patrick Roy and Ron Hextall.

Game 7 of 2009 Stanley Cup Final, June 12 at Joe Louis Arena – Pittsburgh 2, Detroit 1

After falling to the Red Wings in the 2008 Final, the Penguins captured the franchise’s third Stanley Cup. Max Talbot scored both Pittsburgh goals and Marc-Andre Fleury made 23 saves, including one in the final seconds on Red Wings captain Nicklas Lidstrom. At age 21, Sidney Crosbybecame the youngest captain in NHL history to hoist the Cup.

Game 7 of 2011 Stanley Cup Final, June 15 at Rogers Arena – Boston 4, Vancouver 0

Rookie Brad Marchand (2-1—3) had three points and Tim Thomas registered a 37-save shutout as the Bruins overcame a 3-2 series deficit to win their first Stanley Cup in 39 years (sixth overall). Marchand became the second rookie in NHL history to collect three points in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final, joining Mike Rupp (1-2—3 with 2003 Devils).

DID YOU KNOW? STANLEY CUP FINAL GAME 7s

With the 2019 Stanley Cup Final requiring a winner-take-all Game 7, a look at some of the best Game 7 performances in Stanley Cup Final andStanley Cup Playoffs history.

Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final
Most Goals, One Team — 4 (4x; last: Boston in 2011)

Most Goals, Both Teams — 7 (Detroit and NY Rangers in 1950)

Most Goals, One Player — 2 (11x; last: Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron in 2011)

Most Assists, One Player — 3 (Bobby Rousseau in 1965)

Most Points, One Player — 3 (5x; last Brad Marchand in 2011)

Most Shots, One Team — 43 (Edmonton in 1987)

^Since 1959-60

Most Saves, One Goaltender — 40 (Ron Hextall in 1987)

^Since 1955-56

Most Hits, Both Teams — 79 (Pittsburgh and Detroit in 2009)

Most Time on Ice, One Player — 29:44 (Adam Foote in 2001)

^Since 1997-98

Fastest Goal from Start of SCF Game 7 — 0:14 (Jean Beliveau in 1965)

Any Game 7

Most Goals, One Team — 9 (Minnesota: 1968 Quarterfinals)

Most Goals, Both Teams — 13 (Minnesota and Los Angeles: 1968 Quarterfinals)

Most Goals, One Player — 4 (Carl Liscombe: 1945 Semifinals)

Most Assists, One Player — 4 (Steve Larmer: 1990 Division Finals)

Most Points, One Player — 5 (Steve Larmer: 1990 Division Finals)

Most Shots, One Team — 75 (Washington: 1987 Division Semifinals)

^Since 1959-60

Most Saves, One Goaltender — 73 (Kelly Hrudey: 1987 Division Semifinals)

^Since 1955-56

Most Hits, Both Teams — 130 (Colorado and San Jose: 2002 Conference Semifinals)

Most Time on Ice, One Player — 46:18 (Chris Pronger: 1999 Conference Quarterfinals)

^Since 1997-98

Fastest Goal from Start of Any Game 7 — 0:14 (Jean Beliveau in 1965 Stanley Cup Final and Kirk Muller in 1988 Division Finals)

QUICK CLICKS

* Blues won't be overwhelmed by moment of Game 7 in Stanley Cup Final
* Bruins set to draw on experience for Game 7 of Cup Final against Blues

* Facts and Figures: Bruins, Blues to play 17th Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final
* Mark Messier, P.K. Subban among presenters at NHL Awards in Las Vegas on June 19

* Stanley Cup Final postcard: Bruins' road to Game 7

Thanks to the NHL PR department for the information above.