NHL: 30 best Game 7 performances in Stanley Cup history: 23. Alex Tanguay
- 2 goals
- 1 assist
- 3 points
If this list was focused on the overall MVP of the series, goalie Patrick Roy of the Colorado Avalanche would be deserving of this spot. During the 2001 NHL Finals, Roy was about as dominant as any goalie in history.
In Game 1, he didn’t allow a single goal to pass through his net. He did the exact same thing in Game 7. Yet, no matter how great Roy was during that stretch, Game 7 belonged to Alex Tanguay. The unlikely hero kicked things off by scoring in the game’s opening frame. The Devils wouldn’t back down, of course, coming back with a goal of his own to tie the game.
From there, it was as if Tanguay simply wouldn’t allow his team to lose as he scored once more in the third and final period. To put the icing on top of the Game 7 cake, Tanguay assisted on the final goal of the game to Joe Sakic.
Although his performance ultimately didn’t net him the game’s MVP award due to Roy’s otherworldly dominance, Tanguay will always be remembered as the man who took care of business in the biggest game of his career with the entire world watching.