The Most Iconic NHL Playoffs Games of All Time

There’s nothing quite as intense as the NHL playoffs. Leaving nothing on the ice, players don’t spare anything as they and their teams go after the Stanley Cup. 

It’s no surprise many of the iconic playoff games were in the Final and needed overtime (at least one) before it was decided. Choosing the “best” of the games is purely subjective and is dependent on which side of the fence you’re on.

If you’re making a list, include two overtimes in 1950’s Game 7 (Detroit Red Wings over New York Rangers) and 1970’s single-overtime Game 4 (Boston Bruins over St. Louis Blues and a flying Bobby Orr.

It didn’t require overtime, but last (2024) season’s seventh game saw the Florida Panthers regroup after losing three games in a row to defeat the Edmonton Oilers. 

Conversely, 1942’s Game 7 (Toronto Maple Leafs regulation-time over Detroit Red Wings, who blew a 3-0 lead in the series) is also on the list of best NHL playoff games.

Among non-Final games, there were four overtimes needed in 1987’s opening round Game 7 before Pat LaFontaine and the visiting New York defeated the Washington Capitals.     

Who Is Predicted to Win the Stanley Cup in 2025?

NHL news also seems to revolve around the favorites to win the championship. It’s not uncommon to have several teams close in the wagering, and this season is no exception. As of this midseason break during the 4 Nations Face-off, it’s the Carolina Hurricanes and Edmonton Oilers as 13-2 (+650) to be the 2025 NHL Stanley Cup winner. 

Currently at third choice are the defending champion Florida Panthers, priced at 9-1 (+900), while the Dallas Stars are next at 10-1 (+1000). On the opposite end of the spectrum are the San Jose Sharks, listed at a lottery-esque 1000-1 (+100000).  

Obviously, these odds are going to fluctuate during the season’s second half. If you’re a fan of Canada, remember no north-of-the-border team has lifted the Stanley Cup since the Montreal Canadiens of 1993. 

What Date Will the Stanley Cup Finals Be Played?

NHL hockey schedule has the four-round playoffs beginning in mid-April, which culminate with the Stanley Cup Final in June. As of this writing, the Final is scheduled to begin June 9th, with a seventh game (if necessary) on June 23rd.    

How Many Games Are in an NHL Playoff Series?

If you’re filling out an NHL playoff bracket, remember that all series are best four-of-seven. It’s the team with the better record hosting the first two games, and the two subsequent games at the “other” site. It’s then 1-1-1 until the series winner is decided 

How Are BetUS Odds for NHL Playoff Games? 

NHL picks and predictions include a variety of options. Start with “Which team is going to win?” Picking the winner offers both a price on a favorite and a price on the underdog. 

As an example, Team “A” is the -140 favorite, and Team “B” is the +120 underdog. This means bettors wager $140 on the favorite to win $100, or $100 on the underdog to win $120 (note the $100 amount is just an example. Another would be wagering $70 on the favorite to win $50, or $50 on the underdog to win $60).

Remember that with any NHL games “A” versus “B” wager, you can’t bet both sides and be guaranteed a profit. It’s sort of how the house stays in business. 

Any Final Thoughts?

There’s never really a downtime when it comes to NHL rumors, especially around the Friday, March 7th trade deadline in this current (2024-25) season. Teams with dreams of making a run at the Stanley Cup are making moves to bolster their rosters. Fans sit back and take it all in, awaiting the next chapter of the best NHL playoff games.