The 1955 Stanley Cup Finals was the championship series of the National Hockey League's (NHL) 1954–55 season, and the culmination of the 1955 Stanley Cup playoffs. It was contested between the Montreal Canadiens, appearing in their fifth of ten straight Finals, and the defending champion Detroit Red Wings, in the third Detroit-Montreal Finals series of the 1950s and the second consecutively. The Red Wings once again defeated the Canadiens in seven games for their second consecutive Stanley Cup championship, fourth in six seasons, and seventh overall. The Red Wings would not win the Stanley Cup again until 1997.
Paths to the Finals
Montreal defeated the Boston Bruins in five games to reach the Finals. Detroit defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs in four games to reach the Finals.
Game summaries
Prior to the playoffs, Montreal's Maurice Richard was suspended and would be missed by the Canadiens.[1]
In the second game, Ted Lindsay scored four goals to set an NHL record for most goals in one game in a Finals series.[2]
Gordie Howe set two NHL records, amassing 12 points in this round, and surpassing former Canadiens player (and soon-to-be-coach) Toe Blake's point mark for the playoffs with 20 points in 11 games.[3]
The 1955 Stanley Cup was presented to Red Wings captain Ted Lindsay by NHL PresidentClarence Campbell following the Red Wings' 3–1 win over the Canadiens in game seven.
The following Red Wings players and staff had their names engraved on the Stanley Cup:
Larry Hillman became the youngest player to be engraved on the Stanley Cup at 18 years, 2 months, 9 days. Gaye Stewart held the previous record in 1942 at 18 years, 9 months, and 21 days.
Wally Crossman (Asst. Trainer/Stick Boy) was left off the Stanley Cup, and team picture.
Marguerite Norris was first women to win back to back Stanley Cups in 1953–54, 1954–55.
Jimmy Skinner was the 8th NHL rookie coach to win the Stanley Cup.
Members of Detroit Red Wings Dynasty 1950, 1952, 1954, 1955
Gordie Howe, Red Kelly, Ted Lindsay, Marty Pavelich, Marcel Pronovost, John Wilson (6 Players), Jack Adams, Carl Mattson, Fred Hubert Jr. (3 Non-players).