The Stanley Cup is one of the most iconic and coveted trophies in professional sports, and winning it is the ultimate goal for every team in the National Hockey League (NHL).
2000: New Jersey Devils
The
New Jersey Devils won their second Stanley Cup in franchise history by
defeating the Dallas Stars in six games. Martin Brodeur was named the Conn
Smythe Trophy winner as the most valuable player of the playoffs, posting a
16-7 record with a 1.61 goals against average and a .927 save percentage.
2001: Colorado Avalanche
The
Colorado Avalanche captured their second Stanley Cup in franchise history with
a seven-game series win over the Devils. Joe Sakic was named the Conn Smythe
Trophy winner, leading all players in playoff scoring with 26 points in 21
games.
2002: Detroit Red Wings
The
Detroit Red Wings won their third Stanley Cup in six years by sweeping the
Carolina Hurricanes in four games. Goaltender Dominik Hasek won the Conn Smythe
Trophy, posting a 1.61 goals against average and a .939 save percentage in the
playoffs.
2003: New Jersey Devils
The
Devils won their third Stanley Cup in franchise history with a seven-game
series win over the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. Jean-Sebastien Giguere of the
Ducks was named the Conn Smythe Trophy winner, despite being on the losing
team. He posted a remarkable .945 save percentage in the playoffs.
2004: Tampa Bay Lightning
The
Tampa Bay Lightning won their first Stanley Cup in franchise history with a
seven-game series win over the Calgary Flames. Brad Richards was named the Conn
Smythe Trophy winner, leading all players in playoff scoring with 26 points in
23 games.
2005: Lockout
The
2004-2005 season was cancelled due to a lockout.
2006: Carolina Hurricanes
The
Carolina Hurricanes won their first Stanley Cup in franchise history with a
seven-game series win over the Edmonton Oilers. Cam Ward was named the Conn
Smythe Trophy winner, becoming just the fourth rookie goaltender to win the
award.
2007: Anaheim Ducks
The
Anaheim Ducks won their first Stanley Cup in franchise history with a five-game
series win over the Ottawa Senators. Scott Niedermayer was named the Conn
Smythe Trophy winner, becoming the third defenseman in NHL history to win the
award multiple times.
2008: Detroit Red Wings
The
Red Wings won their fourth Stanley Cup in 11 years by defeating the Pittsburgh
Penguins in six games. Henrik Zetterberg was named the Conn Smythe Trophy
winner, leading all players in playoff scoring with 27 points in 22 games.
2009: Pittsburgh Penguins
The
Penguins won their third Stanley Cup in franchise history by defeating the Red
Wings in seven games. Evgeni Malkin was named the Conn Smythe Trophy winner,
leading all players in playoff scoring with 36 points in 24 games.
2010: Chicago Blackhawks
The
Blackhawks won their first Stanley Cup in 49 years with a six-game series win
over the Philadelphia Flyers. Jonathan Toews was named the Conn Smythe Trophy
winner, becoming the third youngest player in NHL history to win the award.
2011: Boston Bruins
The
Bruins won their first Stanley Cup in 39 years with a seven-game series win
over the Vancouver Canucks. Tim Thomas was named the Conn Smythe Trophy winner,
posting a 1.98 goals against average and a .967 save percentage in the
playoffs.
2012: Los Angeles Kings
The
Kings won their first Stanley Cup in franchise history with a six-game
2013: Chicago Blackhawks
The
Blackhawks won their second Stanley Cup in four years by defeating the Boston
Bruins in six games. Patrick Kane was named the Conn Smythe Trophy winner,
scoring nine goals and 10 assists in 23 playoff games.
2014: Los Angeles Kings
The
Kings won their second Stanley Cup in three years by defeating the New York
Rangers in five games. Justin Williams was named the Conn Smythe Trophy winner,
scoring nine goals and 16 assists in 26 playoff games.
2015: Chicago Blackhawks
The
Blackhawks won their third Stanley Cup in six years by defeating the Tampa Bay
Lightning in six games. Duncan Keith was named the Conn Smythe Trophy winner,
leading all defensemen in playoff scoring with 21 points in 23 games.
2016: Pittsburgh Penguins
The
Penguins won their fourth Stanley Cup in franchise history by defeating the San
Jose Sharks in six games. Sidney Crosby was named the Conn Smythe Trophy
winner, leading all players in playoff scoring with 19 points in 24 games.
2017: Pittsburgh Penguins
The
Penguins became the first team since the 1997 and 1998 Detroit Red Wings to win
back-to-back Stanley Cup championships. They defeated the Nashville Predators in
six games, with Sidney Crosby winning the Conn Smythe Trophy for the second
consecutive year.
2018: Washington Capitals
The
Capitals won their first Stanley Cup in franchise history by defeating the
Vegas Golden Knights in five games. Alex Ovechkin was named the Conn Smythe
Trophy winner, leading all players in playoff goals with 15 in 24 games.
2019: St. Louis Blues
The
Blues won their first Stanley Cup in franchise history by defeating the Boston
Bruins in seven games. Ryan O'Reilly was named the Conn Smythe Trophy winner,
scoring five goals and eight assists in 26 playoff games.
2020: Tampa Bay Lightning
The
Lightning won their second Stanley Cup in franchise history with a six-game
series win over the Dallas Stars in the Edmonton bubble due to the COVID-19
pandemic. Victor Hedman was named the Conn Smythe Trophy winner, scoring 10
goals and 12 assists in 25 playoff games.
2021: Tampa Bay Lightning
The
Lightning became back-to-back Stanley Cup champions by defeating the Montreal
Canadiens in five games. Andrei Vasilevskiy was named the Conn Smythe Trophy
winner, posting a 1.90 goals against average and a .937 save percentage in the
playoffs.
In
conclusion, the Stanley Cup Championships of the 21st century have seen many
great moments and dynasties, with several teams winning multiple championships.
Winning the Stanley Cup remains the ultimate goal for every NHL team, and the
excitement and drama of the playoffs never fail to captivate hockey fans around
the world.
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