Game 7 Conference Final History of Losing Teams
As a wild 2021 NHL offseason continues and the 2021-22 season inches closer, the New York Islanders will look to avenge their Game 7 Conference Final loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning next year.
Let’s have some fun and examine the history of the teams in the last decade to lose Game 7 of the Conference Final.
- In 2011, the Lightning lost 1-0 to the Boston Bruins in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final. The Bruins later won the Stanley Cup in seven games over the Vancouver Canucks. The next season, the Lightning missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs with a record of 38-36-8 and did not return to the postseason until 2014.
- In 2014, the Chicago Blackhawks lost to the Los Angeles Kings in Game 7 of the Western Conference Final 5-4 in overtime. The Kings eventually beat the New York Rangers in five games to clinch their second Stanley Cup in three seasons. The following season, the Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup.
- In 2015, the Rangers lost 2-0 to the Lightning in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final. The Lightning ultimately fell to the Blackhawks in six games in the Stanley Cup Final. The following season, the Rangers lost to the Penguins in the postseason.
- In 2015, the Anaheim Ducks lost to the Blackhawks 5-3 in Game 7 of the Western Conference Final. The Blackhawks soon won the Stanley Cup, and the Ducks got bounced out of the first round the following year, losing to the Nashville Predators in seven games.
- In 2016, the Lightning lost to the Penguins in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals by a score of 2-1. The Penguins won the Stanley Cup that year in six games over the San Jose Sharks. The following season, the Lightning missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
- In 2018, the Lightning lost to the Washington Capitals 4-0 in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals. The Capitals won the 2018 Stanley Cup in five games, eliminating the Vegas Golden Knights. The next season the Lightning tied the record for the most NHL wins in a single season with 62; however, they were swept in the first round by the Columbus Blue Jackets.
How will the Islanders do next season after their 2021 Game 7 defeat? Only time will tell.
Ethan is an Economics Major at the University of Florida looking to pursue a double major in Sports Management with a minor in political science.
