Stanley Cup Final's Sudden Death Overtime Absence
Historic Rarity of Game-Ending Overtime Goals
Since 1954, the Stanley Cup Final has not witnessed a game-winning goal scored in sudden-death overtime, despite numerous Game 7s and memorable contests featuring intense competition.
Last Sudden-Death Goal in a Game 7
The most recent instance of a Game 7 being decided by a sudden-death overtime goal occurred in 1950 when Pete Babando scored the Cup-winning goal for the Detroit Red Wings in double overtime against the Montreal Canadiens. Since that historic moment, no other Game 7 has gone to overtime in the Stanley Cup Final.
Only Two Game 7s Have Gone to Overtime
In the history of the Stanley Cup Finals, only two Game 7s have ever gone to overtime. The Red Wings prevailed in both instances, defeating the Canadiens in 1950 and the Boston Bruins in 1952. These two occurrences represent the only overtime games in the Final's decisive Game 7.
Eight Game 7s at Joe Louis Arena
Between 1979 and 2017, Joe Louis Arena served as the host of eight Game 7s, including one in the 2009 Finals. However, none of these games required overtime to determine the victor.
The absence of sudden-death overtime goals in Game 7s of the Stanley Cup Final reflects the intense competition and high stakes involved in this championship series.
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