On this week's episode of the Puck Soup podcast:
- How the Knights and Panthers got to be the last teams standing
- Our predictions for who wins the final
- What went wrong for the Stars and Hurricanes
- Brad Treliving gets the GM's job in Toronto; Dubas to Pittsburgh?
- New coaches in Washington and Nashville
- Ottawa's dragging sale, the debut of "Who he work for?" and lots more...
With his goal tonight, Lupul became the 30th player in NHL history to score in overtime of a game seven. Time will tell how this one will be remembered, but in the meantime here my picks for the ten most memorable overtime game seven winnners in NJL history.
#10 - Dale Hunter Capitals vs Flyers 1988 Patrick Division Semifinal
Playoff warrior Dale Hunter scores on a nifty breakaway move. Revenge would come 20 years later.
#9 - Andrew Brunette Wild vs Avalanche 2003 Western Conference Semifinal
While the goal was memorable for Brunette and the Wild, it will probably be best remembered for ending the career of Patrick Roy.
#8 - Stephane Matteau Rangers vs Devils 1994 Eastern Conference Final
The ugliest goal on the list by far, but certainly memorable. Fun fact: According to ESPN Classic, the 1994 post-season is the only one ever played in NHL history.
#7 - Pat Lafontaine Islanders vs Capitals 1987 Patrick Division Semifinal
Definitely not the prettiest goal on the list, but one that ended what was at the time the fifth longest game in league history. Long OT games have become more common during the dead puck era, but in the 80's a quadruple overtime game was virtually inconcievable.
#6 - Nikolai Borchevsky Maple Leafs vs Red Wings 1993 Norris Division Semifinal
This is probably the most memorable goal of the post expansion era for the Maple Leafs, whatever that tells you. The Leafs were emerging from Harold Ballard's reign of terror, but despite the additions of Doug Gilmour and Pat Burns weren't really taken seriously as a contender. (For more on the unintentional comedy goldmine that developed in the aftermath of this goal, read this post.)
#5 - David Volek Islanders vs Penguins 1993 Patrick Division Finals
The Penguins had won back-to-back Cups and were coming off arguably their greatest season. To this day, I still can not believe this actually happened.
#4 - Pavel Bure Canucks vs Flames 1994 Smythe Division Semifinal
Pavel Bure was the original Ovechkin. In 1994 the Canucks fought back from a 3-1 series deficit, winning three straight overtime games capped off by Bure's breakway goal and helicopter stick celebration in double OT.
#3 - Todd Marchant Oilers vs Stars 1997 Western Conference Quarterfinal
A classic first round upset by the Oilers, largely thanks to Curtis Joseph's standout goaltending. His breathtaking overtime save set the table for Marchant to turn on the jets.
#2 - Yvon Lambert Canadiens vs Bruins 1979 Wales Conference Final
This is the infamous "too many men" game (although that famous penalty lead to the tying goal, not the winner). With a weak Rangers team waiting in the finals, this game was essentially for the Stanley Cup. Guy Lafluer sent the game into overtime and Yvon Lambert won it, continiong the Habs dynasty, sending Don Cherry on the road to Coach's Corner, and making Bill Simmons' nose bleed.
For the life of me, I can't find a clip of this goal. If anyone has a link, please let me know and I'll update.
#1 - Steve Yzerman Red Wings vs Blues 1996 Western Conference Semifinal
This one ended a 0-0 tie in double overtime. Quite possibly the greatest goal of Yzerman's career, set up by his neutral zone steal off of, of all people, Wayne Gretzky. While the long distance shot looks like a bit of a weak one at first, the replay shows it to be the perfect shot -- Yzerman practically turns the puck on its side to sneak it past Casey.
Puck Soup is a podcast featuring me and Ryan Lambert. We release one free episode each week during the season, plus mailbags and other bonus episodes for Patreon subscribers.
"Biscuits" was the Vice Sports hockey podcast, hosted by DGB and Dave Lozo. It ran for two seasons; the final episode was in July, 2018. You can find the archives below:
