Stanley Cup Playoffs: Top 10 quickest expansion teams to win the title
The Vegas Golden Knights had immediate success in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but how do they compare to other expansion teams?
As the Vegas Golden Knights knock on the door of yet another Conference Championship appearance, it is clear that they are contenders, and probably will be for years to come. Having began play in 2017-2018, they would be the quickest team to win a Stanley Cup following expansion if they do it this season.
If they don’t win this season, how quickly do they have to win in order to be able to boast that honor? I will take a look at all of the non-Original Six teams that have won a Stanley Cup.
10. Dallas Stars
The Dallas Stars won the Stanley Cup in the 1998-1999 season, beating the Buffalo Sabres in 6 games (in a triple OT game 6). They were coached by Ken Hitchcock, captained by Derian Hatcher, and were led in points by Mike Modano. They began play in the 1967-1968 season, marking a 31 season wait before winning the Cup.
8. (Tie) Colorado Avalanche
The Avs won in the 1995-1996 season, beating the Florida Panthers in a sweep, and topping it off in game four in a triple OT game as well. This Stanley Cup represents the first sweep on this list.
They were coached by Marc Crawford, captained by Joe Sakic, and led in points by him as well. Having begun play in the 1972-1973 season as a World Hockey Association team, including those seasons before the WHA/NHL merger in the 1979-1980 season, they had to wait 24 years before hoisting the trophy.
8. (Tie) Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pens won their first title in 1990-1991. They defeated the Minnesota North Stars, who are now the Dallas Stars, in 6 games, including an 8-0 thrashing in the final game.
They were coached by Bob Johnson, captained by Mario Lemieux, and led in points by Mark Recchi. Having played their first season in 1967-1968, the win also represented a 24-year waiting period before taking home the cup.
7. New Jersey Devils
The Devils won their first title in the 1994-1995 season, sweeping the Red Wings. Their coach was Jacques Lemaire, captain was Scott Stevens and their points leader was Stephane Richer. They began play in 1974-1975, marking a 21 year gap between their founding and them winning the cup.
6. Calgary Flames
The Flames won their first title in the 1988-1989 season, marking the first team on the list to have won their first title in the 80s. They defeated the Canadiens in 6 games, and is the only all-Canadian matchup that will be seen here.
That season, their coach was Terry Crisp, had two captains (also the only team on this list to have two captains in a season on this list) in Lanny McDonald and Jim Peplinski. Their leading point scorer was Joe Mullen. They played their first season in 1972-1973, taking them 17 seasons to win the cup for the first time.
5. Anaheim Ducks
The Ducks won their inaugural title in the 2006-2007 season. They defeated the Ottawa Senators in 5 games. They also became the first team from California to win a Stanley Cup. Their coach was Randy Carlyle, their captain was Scott Niedermayer, and their leading point scorer was Teemu Selanne. They began play in the 1993-1994 season, marking their Cup win 14 seasons after they entered the league, making them the 5th fastest team to do so.
3. (Tie) Tampa Bay Lightning
The Lightning won a title for the first time in the 2003-2004 season, the final season before the infamous NHL lockout. They triumphed over the Calgary Flames in 7 games. Their coach was John Tortorella, their captain was Dave Andreychuk, and their leading point scorer was Martin St. Louis. Tampa’s first season was in 1992-1993, making them the tied as the third fastest team to win the Cup, taking only 12 seasons.
3. (Tie) Edmonton Oilers
The Oilers won a title for the first time in the 1983-1984 season. They defeated the defending Stanley Cup champion Islanders in a 5 game series. Their coach was Glen Sather and their captain and leading point scorer was Wayne Gretzky.
Their first season came in 1972-1973 as a World Hockey Association team. Including the seasons played in that league, they won 12 seasons after expansion, making them and the Lightning the third fastest teams in NHL history to win a title.
2. New York Islanders
The Islanders won a title for the first time in their history in the 1979-1980 season, marking a period where they would win four championships in a row, and haven’t one won since then. They defeated the Philadelphia Flyers in 6 games.
Their head coach was Al Arbour, their captain was Denis Potvin, and their leading point scorer was Bryan Trottier. They began play in the 1972-1973 season, taking 8 seasons to win a Cup. This makes them the second quickest, non-Original six team in history to win a Stanley Cup Finals.
1. Philadelphia Flyers
The Flyers won a title for the first time in their history in the 1973-1974 season, and are the only team on this list to have won their first title in the 70s. They defeated the Bruins in 6 games.
Their coach was Fred Shero, their captain was Bobby Clarke, who was also their leading point scorer. Having played their first season in 1967-1968, they won their first Stanley Cup after just 7 seasons. This gives the Flyers the crown as fastest non-Original six team to win the Stanley Cup.
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So there you have it. Will the Knights be able to surpass the Flyers as the fastest team in history to win a Stanley Cup following expansion? This is their third season, so if not this year, they will have a few more seasons at their disposal to beat that record.
Or, will they not be able to take advantage of the team they built in the expansion, and fall among the ranks of how long it took the Blues and the Kings to win. Only time will tell.