For several decades, the NHL hasn’t stopped surprising fans with thousands of interesting and tense games. From incredible comebacks to the exciting rivalry between athletes, the league showcased the most professional games in the hockey world. These historical events have influenced hockey and attracted many new fans.
Today, we’ll take a trip down memory line and look at the greatest moments in NHL history!
The Miracle on Manchester (1982)
On April 10, 1982, the world saw the greatest comeback in NHL history. It was a tense game between the Los Angeles Kings and the Edmonton Oilers. Throughout the game, the Oilers were favorites and led with a score of 5-0. However, the Kings didn’t give up. Near the end, they started to activate and score 5 straight goals. The coach gave them some overtime, and it became decisive in their game. The Kings scored one more goal and became the winner of that year. This was the most unbelievable turnaround in the history of the NHL!
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The Easter Epic (1987)
This game was a test of true determination and endurance. The 1987 game between the Washington Capitals and the New York Islanders was the longest one in the history of hockey. It lasted for about 6 hours and went into 4 overtimes. The Islanders scored their first goal and ended the game. This showcased how tense and long a game can be when both competitors are skilled and talented players.
The Canada Cup Final (1987)
The Canada Cup Final remains the most captivating international game in the NHL. Canada and the Soviet Union clashed in a fight in 1987. There were a series of 3 fascinating games. However, the final was the best out of those 3 because it featured non-stop actions and many tense moments. The moment when Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux combined for the last winning goal became the most memorable. In the end, Canada became a winner and scored 6 goals against the Soviet Union.
The Stanley Cup Final Game 7 (1994)
1994 became the winning year for the Rangers, who hadn’t won the Stanley Cup for 54 years. The young Rangers faced the Vancouver Canucks at Madison Square. New York led the game with a score of 3-1, but the Rangers fought back and made it 3-2 in the last minute. Near the end, the Rangers would be able to score the final winning goal and become the Stanley Cup champions. The Rangers’ long-awaited victory became one of the most memorable events in the history of hockey.
The Winter Classic (2008)
The Winter Classic was the most attended by the fans in the NHL game. In 2008, the stadium’s tribunes accommodated over 71,000 fans. It was the first game that featured the Buffalo Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins. Although it was tense, the game was also beautiful and fabulous. Sabres and Penguins played during the snowfall and wonderful winter atmosphere. The actions were tight because all teams scored once in regulation. The score was tied until Penguin’s young superstar, Sidney Crosby, scored the winning goal.
So, the Pittsburgh Penguins grabbed their long-awaited 2-1 victory. Thanks to the quick tempo, young and talented players, and snowy settings, this one became one of the most memorable NHL games.
Chicago Blackhawks’ 17-Second Comeback (2013)
The 2013 Stanley Cup final turned out to be the most shocking game. The 2 professional opponents, the Chicago Blackhawks and the Boston Bruins played against each other. After 5 Games, everyone thought that their clash wouldn’t ever stop. The Bruins led with a 2-1 score the whole Game 6. After that, it looked like the series was heading to Game 7. However, everything changed in the last seconds. When the clock showed 1:16, Bryan Bickel scored the goal. Just after 17 seconds, Dave Bolland struck again and gave Chicago a 3-2 lead. The Blackhawks won, capturing their second Stanley Cup in 4 years.
That showed us that even the last seconds matter and can change the whole outcome of the match.
Wayne Gretzky’s Final Game (1999)
April 18, 1999, was the day when Wayne Gretzky played his final game. That year, the New York Rangers faced the Pittsburgh Penguins at Madison Square Garden. The stadium was filled with emotions and fans’ anticipation about the upcoming match. Even though the Rangers lost 2-1 in overtime, that game was a bright moment in Wayne’s hockey career. Fans gave him standing ovations, and after the final, he took one last lap around the ice. Gretzky retired as an NHL leader in goals, assists, and points. Although his final game was bittersweet, it marked an unforgettable chapter in the NHL.
The Golden Goal (2010 Winter Olympics)
Another historical moment came during the Vancouver Winter Olympics games. The team from Canada and the USA faced a highly anticipated clash. The whole nation watched this game and built hopes for winning on one or another side. In the third period, Canada held a 2-1 lead, but with just 24 seconds left, the USA scored a goal. The game was sent to overtime, where both teams battled for the gold medal. Thus, after 7 minutes in overtime, Sidney Crosby took a pass from Iginla and scored the “Golden Goal” in the USA gates.
The whole audience celebrated the bright 3-2 victory of Canada. Moreover, it was a home-ice win, so Crosby’s goal became one of the most iconic in the NHL.
The St. Louis Blues’ Cinderella Story (2019)
This story called Cinderella is not for nothing. 2019 was the date of the most unforgettable turnaround in hockey history. The Blues were the weakest team in the league. By the end of January 2019, they had taken the last place, and all their playoffs seemed lost. But after a midseason coaching change, they started to gain their spark again. The Blues battled their way into the playoffs and fought through the series of games for the Stanley Cup. The decisive game was against the Boston Bruins. Even though no one was expected, the Blues showed a dominant performance and won 4-1. They captured their first Stanley Cup and became famous all over the world.
From worst to champions, their history was nothing short of a fairytale. The 2019 victory ended a 52-year wait and gave the Blues a moment they will never forget.
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