2007 Stanley Cup Final

Paths to the Final

The Anaheim Ducks entered the 2007 playoffs as a favourite to reach the Final, having been a popular media pick before the season. As the Western Conference's second seed, they dispatched the seventh-seeded Minnesota Wild and the third-seeded Vancouver Canucks, each in five games. They then defeated the top-seeded Detroit Red Wings in six games to win the Western Conference Final. The Ducks led the postseason in penalty minutes and had one suspension entering the Final, but countered that with a top-tier penalty kill. Their success was built on the defensive pairing of Norris Trophy candidates Scott Niedermayer and Chris Pronger, offensive production from Andy McDonald, Teemu Selanne, and Ryan Getzlaf, and the goaltending of Jean-Sebastien Giguere. A key checking line of Rob Niedermayer, Samuel Pahlsson, and Travis Moen was tasked with neutralizing Ottawa's potent offense.

The Ottawa Senators, the Eastern Conference's fourth seed, had an impressive playoff run to reach their first Final. They defeated the fifth-seeded Pittsburgh Penguins in five games, then upset the second-seeded New Jersey Devils and the Presidents' Trophy-winning Buffalo Sabres, also in five games each. This marked the first appearance by a team from Ontario in the Stanley Cup Final since the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1967. Ottawa was powered by its top line of Daniel Alfredsson, Dany Heatley, and Jason Spezza, who combined for 23 goals through the first three rounds, and the goaltending of Ray Emery. Supporting players like Mike Fisher, Dean McAmmond, and defencemen Chris Phillips and Anton Volchenkov were central figures. The Senators aimed to use their speed and high-scoring offense to break through Anaheim's formidable team defense.

Series Context and Historical Significance

The series carried significant historical weight for both franchises and the league. For Anaheim, it was an opportunity to win the franchise's first championship after falling short in 2003. For Ottawa, it was a chance to end Canada's 14-year Stanley Cup drought, with the last Canadian champion being the 1993 Montreal Canadiens. The Ducks held home-ice advantage by virtue of their 110-point regular season, five more than Ottawa's 105. A notable subplot was the narrative of Ottawa as 'Canada's Team,' despite the Ducks roster featuring five more Canadian skaters than the Senators.

The 2007 Final was rich with historical firsts and notable streaks. It was the first Final since 1999 where both teams were seeking their first Stanley Cup, and the fifth consecutive Final to feature a team vying for its inaugural championship. The Ducks became the first NHL team from the West Coast of North America to win the Stanley Cup since the 1925 Victoria Cougars. Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson became the first European-born-and-raised captain to lead a team to the Final.

• It was the third straight season a team won its first Stanley Cup (Tampa Bay 2004, Carolina 2006).
• The series ended in five games, the first Final since 2002 not to require a seventh game.
• Brothers Scott and Rob Niedermayer won the Cup together, the first sibling pair to do so since Duane and Brent Sutter in 1983.
• As of 2026, the Senators' Game 3 victory remains their only win in a Stanley Cup Final.

Game Summaries

Ottawa struck first with a Mike Fisher power-play goal just 1:38 into Game 1. Andy McDonald tied the game later in the period. Wade Redden put Ottawa ahead again in the second, but the Ducks dominated the third period. Ryan Getzlaf tied the game and Travis Moen scored the winner with three minutes left for a 3-2 Anaheim victory. It was later disclosed that Dany Heatley played the entire series with an injury from a Chris Pronger cross-check in this game. Goaltenders Jean-Sebastien Giguere and Ray Emery were perfect until Samuel Pahlsson scored the game's only goal at 14:16 of the third period. Anaheim's checking line again stifled Ottawa's top scorers, and Emery recorded his third postseason shutout despite the 1-0 loss. The Ducks outshot the Senators 31-16 and took a 2-0 series lead to Ottawa.

The scene shifted to Ottawa for Game 3 on June 2, the first Stanley Cup Final game in the city in 80 years. The energetic crowd took over the singing of the national anthem. Anaheim's Andy McDonald opened the scoring, but the game became a back-and-forth affair. The contest was tied 3-3 in the second period when a key moment occurred. Dean McAmmond scored a goal that ricocheted off Chris Pronger's stick. Early in the third period, Pronger elbowed McAmmond in the head, an infraction that went unpenalized during the game but resulted in a suspension for Pronger for Game 4. McAmmond did not return to the series. Anton Volchenkov scored the winner as Ottawa held on for a 5-3 victory.

With Pronger suspended, Ottawa hosted Game 4 on June 4. Daniel Alfredsson scored a power-play goal with 0.3 seconds left in the first period. Anaheim replied with two goals from Andy McDonald in the second, but Dany Heatley tied it late in the period. The game's controversy erupted at the period's end when Alfredsson shot the puck from centre ice, hitting Scott Niedermayer. No penalty was called, sparking a scrum. In the third, Dustin Penner scored the winner at 4:07, giving Anaheim a 3-2 win and a commanding 3-1 series lead.

The Clinching Game and Championship Celebration

Game 5 returned to Anaheim on June 6, with the Ducks one win from the championship. The home crowd booed Daniel Alfredsson relentlessly for his Game 4 actions, though he responded with two goals. Anaheim established control early, with Andy McDonald and Rob Niedermayer scoring in the first period. Alfredsson cut the lead to 2-1 in the second, but a catastrophic own goal by Ottawa, credited to Travis Moen after a mix-up between Chris Phillips and Ray Emery, made it 3-1. Alfredsson scored a spectacular short-handed goal later in the period, but Francois Beauchemin answered on the same power play to restore the two-goal cushion.

The third period sealed Ottawa's fate. Travis Moen scored his second of the game, and after Ottawa's Antoine Vermette failed on a penalty shot, Corey Perry added a final goal. The Ducks won 6-2, capturing the Stanley Cup in five games. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman presented the Cup to Ducks captain Scott Niedermayer. The victory made Anaheim the first California-based team and the eleventh post-1967 expansion team to win the NHL's championship.

Rosters and Stanley Cup Engraving

The Anaheim Ducks were led by Conn Smythe Trophy winner Scott Niedermayer. Key players included fellow defenceman Chris Pronger, goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere, and forwards Andy McDonald, Teemu Selanne, Ryan Getzlaf, and the checking line of Samuel Pahlsson, Travis Moen, and Rob Niedermayer. The Ottawa Senators were captained by Daniel Alfredsson, with top-line mates Dany Heatley and Jason Spezza providing the primary offense. Goaltender Ray Emery, defencemen Chris Phillips and Anton Volchenkov, and forwards Mike Fisher and Dean McAmmond were other central figures.

Following their victory, the Anaheim Ducks had 47 names engraved on the Stanley Cup, short of the maximum 52. The engraving included players, coaches, and management. Owner Henry Samueli and his wife Susan were listed once. Notably, the Ducks successfully petitioned for an exemption to include George Parros, who played 32 regular season games but only 5 playoff games. Four non-playing positions (CEO, GM, COO, Head Coach) were included, a practice not seen since the 1994 New York Rangers. Several players who were on the roster but did not dress for the Final, including Mark Hartigan and Aaron Rome, were denied inclusion by the NHL as they did not meet the qualification criteria.

Cultural Impact and Fan Engagement

The Senators' playoff run ignited fan passion in Ottawa, leading to the creation of the 'Sens Mile.' Modelled after Calgary's 'Red Mile' in 2004 and Edmonton's 'Blue Mile' in 2006, this was a grassroots campaign organized on Facebook that designated Elgin Street in downtown Ottawa as a gathering place for fans. The initiative gained momentum after Ottawa defeated Buffalo in the Eastern Conference Final. For the Stanley Cup Final, the city installed large video screens at Ottawa City Hall for public viewing. After the Senators' victory in Game 3, fans celebrated en masse on Elgin Street, prompting police to close the street to traffic.

The series attracted notable attention from celebrities and political figures. Former movie star and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger performed the ceremonial puck drop before Game 1 in Anaheim. For Game 4 in Ottawa, the national anthem was sung by Ottawa native Alanis Morissette, who had also sung at the Senators' first-ever home game in 1992. A poignant moment in Game 3 was the attendance of 91-year-old Russell Williams as a guest of the Senators. Williams had attended the last Stanley Cup Final game in Ottawa on April 13, 1927, and his presence coincided with Ottawa's sole victory of the series.

Questions about 2007 Stanley Cup Final

Who won the 2007 Stanley Cup Final and in how many games?

The Anaheim Ducks won the 2007 Stanley Cup Final. They defeated the Ottawa Senators in five games. The Ducks secured victories in Games 1, 2, 4, and 5. The Senators won only Game 3 of the series.

Why was the 2007 Final significant for Canadian hockey fans?

The 2007 Final was significant for Canadian hockey fans because the Ottawa Senators were the first team from Ontario to reach the Stanley Cup Final since 1967. Many fans hoped the Senators would end a 14-year Stanley Cup drought for Canadian teams. The last Canadian team to win was the Montreal Canadiens in 1993. The Ducks' victory extended this drought for Canadian franchises.

What was the controversy involving Chris Pronger and Daniel Alfredsson?

Two major controversies involved key players. In Game 3, Ducks defenceman Chris Pronger elbowed Senators forward Dean McAmmond in the head, resulting in a suspension for Pronger for Game 4. In Game 4, Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson shot the puck from centre ice at the end of the second period, hitting Anaheim's Scott Niedermayer. The incident sparked a scrum, though Alfredsson was not penalized. He was loudly booed by Anaheim fans for the remainder of the series.

Who was the Conn Smythe Trophy winner and why?

Anaheim Ducks captain Scott Niedermayer won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player of the 2007 playoffs. He was a key leader on both offense and defense for the Ducks. His elite play throughout the postseason was instrumental in guiding the team to the championship. He anchored the defense alongside Chris Pronger.

What was the 'Sens Mile'?

The 'Sens Mile' was a fan celebration zone on Elgin Street in downtown Ottawa during the Senators' 2007 playoff run. It was organized through a grassroots Facebook campaign by Ottawa residents. The idea was to provide a central gathering place for fans to celebrate after victories. After the Senators won Game 3 of the Final, fans celebrated there and police closed the street.

What historical firsts were achieved in the 2007 Final?

The 2007 Stanley Cup Final achieved several historical firsts. The Anaheim Ducks became the first NHL team from the west coast of North America to win the Stanley Cup since the 1925 Victoria Cougars and the first from California. Ottawa Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson, from Sweden, was the first European born and raised captain to lead his team to the finals. It was the first finals since 1999 where neither finalist had won the Stanley Cup previously.

Sources and further reading

• 2007 Stanley Cup Final (Wikipedia)
• Ottawa Senators were closer than you'd think in 2007 ... (bleacherreport.com)
• 2007 NHL Stanley Cup Final: ANA vs. OTT (hockey-reference.com)

Checked by the Garbutt Disposal desk. Last updated 2026-10-20.