2020 Stanley Cup Final

Pandemic Context and Return to Play

The 2020 Stanley Cup Final was the culmination of a season and playoffs profoundly altered by the COVID-19 pandemic. The NHL paused its regular season indefinitely on March 12, 2020, following the declaration of a global pandemic. After months of planning, the league and the NHL Players' Association agreed on a unique 24-team playoff format to be conducted in two neutral hub cities. This plan was formally ratified on July 10 alongside an extension to the collective bargaining agreement. The remainder of the regular season was scrapped, with seeding based on points percentage from games played before the pause. The playoffs began on August 1, with the Eastern Conference early rounds hosted in Toronto and the Western Conference rounds, conference finals, and Stanley Cup Final all hosted in Edmonton. This decision made Edmonton the sole host for the championship series, as the league prioritized Canadian cities due to rising COVID-19 case counts in many American states during the summer of 2020.

The format featured an initial qualifying round where lower-seeded teams played best-of-five series, while the top four teams in each conference played a round-robin to determine first-round seeding. All subsequent rounds, from the first round through the Final, were traditional best-of-seven series. This structure created an unprecedented playoff journey, with teams living in isolated bubbles to minimize health risks. The entire postseason was played without fans in attendance, creating a surreal atmosphere for the games. The Final's location in Edmonton meant the Stanley Cup was awarded in a Canadian arena for the first time since 2011, and it was the first Final since 1928 to be played entirely in a single location.

Paths to the Final: Dallas Stars

The Dallas Stars entered the 2020 playoffs seeking their second Stanley Cup, having previously won in 1999. The team underwent significant changes in the preceding offseason, signing veteran forwards Corey Perry and Joe Pavelski along with defenceman Andrej Sekera in free agency. A major mid-season coaching change occurred on December 10, 2019, when head coach Jim Montgomery was dismissed for unprofessional conduct. He was replaced by Rick Bowness, who had previously served as an associate coach with the Tampa Bay Lightning from 2013 to 2018. When the regular season was suspended, the Stars held a 37-24-8 record, good for third in the Central Division.

In the resumed playoffs within the Edmonton bubble, Dallas placed third in the Western Conference round robin. Their playoff run was arduous and record-setting. They defeated the Calgary Flames in six games in the first round, then outlasted the Colorado Avalanche in a gruelling seven-game second-round series. The Stars then dispatched the Vegas Golden Knights in five games to win the Western Conference. This playoff path required 27 games, setting a new NHL record for the most playoff games played by a team in a single postseason. The team's resilience and depth, led by players like Miro Heiskanen, Anton Khudobin, and Joe Pavelski, propelled them to their first Stanley Cup Final appearance since 2000.

Paths to the Final: Tampa Bay Lightning

The Tampa Bay Lightning arrived at the 2020 Final with a core seeking redemption after a stunning first-round exit the previous year and a loss in the 2015 Final. The offseason saw the departure of several veterans, including Anton Stralman and Dan Girardi, and the effective end of Ryan Callahan's career due to a back injury. General Manager Julien BriseBois retooled the roster by signing key free agents like defenceman Kevin Shattenkirk, goaltender Curtis McElhinney, and forward Patrick Maroon. During the regular season, the Lightning further bolstered their lineup by acquiring forwards Blake Coleman and Barclay Goodrow via trades.

When the season paused, Tampa Bay sported a 42-21-6 record, finishing second in the Atlantic Division. A significant setback occurred during return-to-play skates when captain Steven Stamkos suffered an injury that kept him out of the round robin and the first three playoff rounds. In the bubble, the Lightning placed second in the Eastern Conference round robin. Their playoff journey began with a tense first-round victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets, which included a marathon five-overtime win in Game 1. They then convincingly eliminated the Presidents' Trophy-winning Boston Bruins in five games and defeated the New York Islanders in six games to claim the Eastern Conference championship. The team's depth and stellar goaltending from Andrei Vasilevskiy made them a formidable opponent.

Series Summary and Key Games

The series opened on September 19 with the Dallas Stars seizing an early advantage. They defeated the Lightning 4-1 in Game 1, capitalizing on a strong second period and relying on goaltender Anton Khudobin to withstand a third-period barrage. Tampa Bay responded in Game 2, building a 3-0 first-period lead with two power-play goals and holding on for a 3-2 victory to even the series. Game 3 proved important as the Lightning took control. Captain Steven Stamkos made a dramatic return from injury, scoring on his first and only shot of the playoffs before exiting the game again. Tampa Bay dominated en route to a 5-2 win.

Game 4 was a classic, back-and-forth affair that required overtime. The Stars twice held two-goal leads, but the Lightning battled back each time. Joe Pavelski tied the game late in the third period for Dallas, forcing extra time. In overtime, a controversial tripping penalty on Jamie Benn gave Tampa Bay a power play, which Kevin Shattenkirk converted for a 5-4 win and a commanding 3-1 series lead. Facing elimination, Dallas showed tremendous resilience in Game 5. After trading goals in regulation, the game went to double overtime where Corey Perry scored the winner, forcing a Game 6 with a 3-2 victory.

The Lightning closed out the series decisively in Game 6 on September 28. Brayden Point scored on the power play in the first period, and Blake Coleman added a second goal in the second. Andrei Vasilevskiy was brilliant in net, stopping all 22 shots he faced in the third period to secure a 2-0 shutout victory and the Stanley Cup. The win gave the Lightning their second championship, sixteen years after their first in 2004.

Conn Smythe Trophy and Championship Rosters

Tampa Bay Lightning defenceman Victor Hedman was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player of the entire 2020 playoffs. Hedman was a dominant force throughout the postseason, contributing offensively from the blue line while playing major minutes in all situations. He finished the playoffs with 10 goals and 12 assists for 22 points in 25 games, setting a record for goals by a defenceman in a single postseason during the modern era. His performance in the Final included the overtime winner in Game 4 and consistent defensive play against Dallas's top lines.

The championship roster featured significant contributions from both star players and depth acquisitions. Nikita Kucherov led all playoff scorers, while Brayden Point, Ondrej Palat, and Andrei Vasilevskiy were instrumental. Offseason signings Kevin Shattenkirk and Patrick Maroon played key roles, with Maroon becoming the third player in the expansion era to win consecutive Stanley Cups with different teams. Captain Steven Stamkos, though limited to just one game and one memorable goal in the Final, was the first to lift the Cup. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman presented the trophy on the ice at Rogers Place following Game 6.

Stanley Cup Engraving and Historical Notes

The names of the 2019-20 Tampa Bay Lightning were engraved on the Stanley Cup, with specific qualifications adjusted due to the pandemic-shortened season. Players like Braydon Coburn and Mathieu Joseph, who were healthy scratches for the Final but met the relaxed games-played threshold, were included. Rookie goaltender Scott Wedgewood was the only rostered player during the Final not included on the Cup, as he did not dress for any playoff games. Patrick Maroon's name was engraved as Pat Maroon, a variation from his full Patrick on the St. Louis Blues' Cup the previous year.

The 2020 Final was notable for several historical firsts and unique circumstances. It was the first Stanley Cup Final to be played entirely in the month of September. It was the first since 1989 to be held entirely in Canada and the first since 1928 to be played in just one location. The series also featured two teams from the American Sun Belt states of Florida and Texas, another first for the championship round. The Dallas Stars set a record by playing 27 playoff games, the most by any team in a single postseason, despite ultimately falling short. The event reflects the NHL's ability to complete its season under extraordinary global circumstances.

Broadcast and Media Coverage

The 2020 Stanley Cup Final was broadcast across North America, with Sportsnet holding exclusive Canadian national multiplatform rights. In Canada, games were televised on Sportsnet and CBC and were available for live streaming on Sportsnet Plus. The broadcast presentation was adapted for the empty arena, with commentary and analysis often noting the unprecedented silent atmosphere. The series concluded before the league's new U.S. national broadcast rights deals with ESPN and Turner Sports began in the 2021-22 season.

The pandemic conditions necessitated remote production elements and limited on-site personnel. Despite the lack of fans, the broadcasts aimed to convey the intensity and significance of the games, highlighting the players' efforts to compete for the championship under strict health protocols. The coverage in Canada featured hosts and analysts like Ron MacLean, David Amber, and Kevin Bieksa providing context and insight from the bubble environment. The successful completion and broadcast of the series under such difficult conditions were seen as a significant logistical achievement for the league and its partners.

Questions about 2020 Stanley Cup Final

Why was the 2020 Stanley Cup Final played in Edmonton?

The entire 2020 Stanley Cup Final was played at Rogers Place in Edmonton because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The NHL created a bubble format in two hub cities, Edmonton and Toronto, to complete the playoffs safely. Edmonton was selected to host the Western Conference rounds, the conference finals, and the Stanley Cup Final. This decision was influenced by rising COVID-19 cases in the United States during the summer of 2020, making Canadian cities with strong public health protocols the preferred option.

How many games did the Dallas Stars play in the 2020 playoffs?

The Dallas Stars set an NHL record by playing 27 games during the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs. Their path to the Final included a six-game series against Calgary, a seven-game series against Colorado, and a five-game series against Vegas. This lengthy run surpassed all previous records for most playoff games in a single postseason. Despite this record for endurance, they lost the Final to Tampa Bay in six games, finishing their playoff run with a total record of 14 wins and 13 losses.

Who won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2020 and why?

Tampa Bay Lightning defenceman Victor Hedman won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player of the 2020 playoffs. Hedman was selected for his outstanding two-way play, logging massive minutes and providing crucial offensive production from the blue line. He scored 10 goals and added 12 assists for 22 points in 25 games, setting a modern-era record for goals by a defenceman in a single postseason. His performance was a central part of the Lightning's championship run.

Did Steven Stamkos play in the 2020 Final?

Yes, Lightning captain Steven Stamkos did play, but his involvement was extremely limited due to injury. He missed the entire round robin and the first three rounds of the playoffs. He returned for Game 3 of the Final, scored a goal on his first and only shot of the postseason, and then did not play another shift for the remainder of the series. Despite his brief appearance, he was on the ice to accept the Stanley Cup as team captain following their Game 6 victory.

What was unique about Patrick Maroon's Stanley Cup win in 2020?

Patrick Maroon's win with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2020 made him the third player in the NHL's expansion era to win back-to-back Stanley Cups with two different teams. He had won the championship with the St. Louis Blues in 2019. The only other players to achieve this since 1967 are Claude Lemieux and Cory Stillman. Notably, on the 2020 Stanley Cup engraving, his first name appears as Pat, whereas it was engraved as Patrick on the Blues' Cup in 2019.

Was the 2020 Stanley Cup Final the first played in September?

Yes, the 2020 Stanley Cup Final was the first in NHL history to be played entirely within the month of September. The series ran from September 19 to September 28. This unusual timing was a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused a lengthy pause to the regular season starting in March 2020 and a delayed start to the playoffs in August. The pandemic also made it the first Final since 1928 to be played in a single location and the first since 1989 played entirely in Canada.

Sources: Wikipedia and current public reporting, checked by the Garbutt Disposal desk. Last updated 2026-10-21.