2021 Stanley Cup Final

Season Context and Pandemic Impact

The 2020-21 NHL season and playoffs were shaped for a second straight year by the COVID-19 pandemic, which required major league adjustments. Cross-border travel restrictions maintained by the Canadian and United States governments led the NHL to temporarily realign into four regional divisions, completely omitting the traditional Eastern and Western Conferences. All seven Canadian franchises were placed into the new North Division, with each team playing a shortened 56-game schedule consisting solely of intra-divisional matchups. The playoff format was also altered, with the first two rounds featuring matchups within each division, which delayed any cross-border travel until the Stanley Cup semifinals. The league secured a travel exemption from the Public Health Agency of Canada to allow the Montreal Canadiens to host games in Canada after advancing to the third round, having explored using a neutral U.S. city initially. Spectator policies varied widely during the regular season, with all 24 American teams hosting limited numbers of fans while all seven Canadian teams played behind closed doors. During the playoffs, several U.S. teams increased capacities, and three Canadian playoff teams admitted spectators for the first time, with the Canadiens being the first and only Canadian team to offer tickets to the general public. By the Final, Florida health officials allowed the Lightning to admit 16,300 fans (85 percent capacity) for Game One and up to 100 percent capacity thereafter, while Quebec officials permitted only 3,500 tickets at the Bell Centre, denying a request for 10,500.

Paths to the Championship Series

The Montreal Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning reached the 2021 Final through distinct seasons and playoff brackets shaped by the pandemic realignment. The team underwent considerable roster changes in the offseason, trading Max Domi and a third-round pick for Josh Anderson and signing free agents Tyler Toffoli, Michael Frolik, and Corey Perry while re-signing goaltender Jake Allen and forward Brendan Gallagher. During the season, Hobey Baker Award winner and rookie Cole Caufield made his debut, and the team traded for forward Eric Staal as well as defencemen Jon Merrill and Erik Gustafsson. On February 24, 2021, with a 9-5-4 record, head coach Claude Julien was fired and replaced by interim coach Dominique Ducharme. The Canadiens finished fourth in the North Division with a 24-21-11 record. Their playoff run was dramatic, coming back from a 3-1 deficit to defeat the Toronto Maple Leafs in seven games, sweeping the Winnipeg Jets in the second round, and defeating the Vegas Golden Knights in six games in the Stanley Cup semifinals. As in past years, the Canadiens used the French version of the Stanley Cup Final logo patch on their jerseys. The Tampa Bay Lightning, defending their 2020 title, made few offseason additions, re-signing Anthony Cirelli, Patrick Maroon, Luke Schenn, and Mikhail Sergachev while trading away Braydon Coburn and Cedric Paquette and seeing Zach Bogosian, Kevin Shattenkirk, and Carter Verhaeghe depart via free agency. Key forward Nikita Kucherov missed the entire regular season after hip surgery but returned for the playoffs. During the season, they traded for defenceman David Savard and traded away forward Alexander Volkov. The Lightning finished third in the Central Division with a 36-17-3 record. Their playoff path included defeating their intrastate rival, the Florida Panthers, in six games, the Carolina Hurricanes in five games, and winning a seven-game semifinal rematch against the New York Islanders, a repeat of the previous year's Eastern Conference final.

Game-by-Game Summary

Game One (June 28, Tampa Bay 5-1): The Lightning took the lead early in the first period when Erik Cernak joined a rush with Ondrej Palat and fired a wrist shot past Carey Price. In the second period, a Blake Coleman shot through traffic deflected off Yanni Gourde for a 2-0 lead. Ben Chiarot scored for Montreal on a one-timer, but in the third period, a Nikita Kucherov shot was swatted into his own net by Chiarot. Kucherov then scored on a wrist shot after a Brayden Point faceoff win, and on a late power play caused by a Joel Edmundson roughing penalty, Steven Stamkos scored to seal a 5-1 victory, ending Montreal's penalty-killing streak at 32 consecutive opportunities.

In the second, Anthony Cirelli opened the scoring when his point shot pinballed off Price's blocker. After a Mikhail Sergachev interference penalty on Artturi Lehkonen, Nick Suzuki tied the game on a power play with a backhand shot through traffic. With 1.1 seconds left in the period, Barclay Goodrow got past Ben Chiarot and passed to Blake Coleman for a buzzer-beater goal. In the third period, an errant pass by Joel Edmundson gave the puck to Ondrej Palat, who scored for a 3-1 final, with Corey Perry and Cirelli receiving misconducts after an altercation.

Game Three (July 2, Tampa Bay 6-3): Tampa Bay grabbed a 2-0 lead within four minutes on a point shot from Jan Rutta and a Victor Hedman power-play goal after an Eric Staal delay-of-game penalty. Phillip Danault scored for Montreal later in the period on a two-on-one with Shea Weber. The Lightning scored two more early in the second from Kucherov and Tyler Johnson, the latter on a rebound from a Mathieu Joseph shot. Nick Suzuki scored to bring Montreal within two, but Johnson scored his second in the third period after a giveaway by Erik Gustafsson. After Corey Perry scored for Montreal with the goalie pulled, Blake Coleman scored into an empty net for a 6-3 final.

Game Four (July 5, Montreal 3-2 OT): Montreal took its first series lead when Nick Suzuki set up Josh Anderson for a goal. In the second period, Ryan McDonagh set up Barclay Goodrow to tie the game. Alexander Romanov put Montreal ahead again in the third with a wrist shot from the blue line, but Patrick Maroon ended a goal drought to tie it 2-2 on a two-on-one with Mathieu Joseph. In overtime, Montreal killed a double-minor penalty from Shea Weber, and less than a minute later, Anderson scored his second to win the game 3-2 and prevent the first four-game sweep in the Final since 1998. The only goal came in the second period when Ross Colton tipped a David Savard shot from a Ryan McDonagh setup past Price. Vasilevskiy was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP, becoming the first goaltender to win the award since 2012.

Records, Awards and Notable Achievements

The 2021 Stanley Cup Final set several records and was marked by individual and team accomplishments. The series set a record for the highest combined playoff seed between Finalists, with Tampa Bay seeded 8th and Montreal 18th for a total of 26, breaking the previous record of 23 set in the 1991 Final between Pittsburgh and Minnesota. This was also the first Final since 2009 played entirely in the Eastern Time Zone, and the first since 2011 to feature a Canadian-based team. Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff most valuable player, the first goalie to win since Jonathan Quick in 2012. With their victory, the Lightning became the first team since the 1983 New York Islanders to win the Stanley Cup without winning an overtime game during the entire playoffs.

• Combined Seed Record: 26 (8th + 18th), breaking the 1991 record of 23.
• Conn Smythe Trophy: Andrei Vasilevskiy (Tampa Bay goaltender).
• Consecutive Cups: Patrick Maroon (2019 St. Louis, 2020-21 Tampa Bay).
• Overtime Record: Tampa Bay won Cup without an overtime victory, first since 1983 Islanders.
• Final U.S. Broadcast: Ended NBC's 16-year run covering the Final.
• First July Final: Series ran from June 28 to July 7 due to pandemic delays.
• Time Zone Note: First Final played entirely in Eastern Time Zone since 2009.
• Canadian Team Appearance: First Canadian Finalist since the 2011 Vancouver Canucks.

Stanley Cup Engraving and Roster Notes

Following their Game Five victory, the Stanley Cup was presented to Lightning captain Steven Stamkos by NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. The names of players, coaches, and staff from the 2020-21 Tampa Bay Lightning were subsequently engraved on the trophy. Due to the shortened 56-game season, the qualification rules for engraving were adjusted. A player needed to have played in 41 regular season games or at least one game in the Final, or have been deemed eligible due to extenuating circumstances. Defenceman Cal Foote, who played 35 regular season games but was a healthy scratch throughout the playoffs, automatically qualified under the shortened-season rule and was engraved as #52. Several staff members who were omitted from the 2020 engraving, including co-owner Penny Vinik, mental performance coach Ryan Hamilton, director of player development Jean-Philippe 'J.P.' Cote, and video analyst Ben Morgan, were included on the 2021 cup. Staff members Nigel Kirwan (Video Coach), Tom Mulligan (Athletic Trainer), Ray Thill (Equipment Manager), and Ryan Belec (Sr. Director of Team Services) had their names engraved with Tampa Bay for the third time, having also been on the 2004 and 2020 cups. Assistant General Manager Al Murray was engraved as A.L. Murray, after having been engraved as Allen Murray the previous year. Eleven players who were on the playoff roster but did not meet the qualification criteria were left off the engraving but received championship rings. This group included Alex Barre-Boulet (15 regular season games), Mitchell Stephens (7 games, injured and name engraved in 2020), Andreas Borgman (7 games), Gemel Smith (5 games), Ben Thomas (5 games), Fredrik Claesson (2 games with Tampa Bay), Christopher Gibson (2 games), Daniel Walcott (1 game), and prospects Boris Katchouk, Taylor Raddysh, and Spencer Martin who played zero NHL games. Tampa Bay did not request an exemption to engrave these players' names.

Broadcast and Media Coverage

The 2021 Stanley Cup Final was broadcast under the existing media rights agreements in both Canada and the United States, with scheduling adjusted to avoid holiday conflicts. No games were held on Canada Day (July 1) or American Independence Day (July 4) to prevent scheduling conflicts. In Canada, the series was televised in English by Sportsnet and CBC Television for the seventh consecutive year, and in French by TVA Sports, with streaming available on Sportsnet Now and Rogers NHL Live. Play-by-play announcer Chris Cuthbert filled in for Jim Hughson as Sportsnet's lead announcer after Hughson decided not to travel for the series. In the United States, the series marked the end of NBC Sports' 16-year run broadcasting the Final, concluding their ten-year national rights deal. Games one and two aired on the NBCSN cable channel, with the remainder on the NBC broadcast network. The NBC streaming service Peacock initially carried only the first two games but added the rest of the series starting with game three on July 2 after an announcement from NBCUniversal. The following season began new seven-year U.S. rights deals, with coverage of the Stanley Cup Final rotating annually between ABC in even years and TNT in odd years, marking the first time the series would air entirely on cable television in 2023 and the first ABC broadcast since 2004.

Team Rosters and Player Statistics

The rosters for the 2021 Stanley Cup Final featured a mix of veteran stars, key acquisitions, and role players. The Montreal Canadiens were led by captain Shea Weber and goaltender Carey Price, with significant contributions from playoff additions like Eric Staal and rookie Cole Caufield. The Tampa Bay Lightning's roster was anchored by captain Steven Stamkos, Conn Smythe winner Andrei Vasilevskiy, and the returning Nikita Kucherov, who led the playoffs in scoring despite missing the regular season. The table below outlines the core statistical leaders for each team during the 2021 playoffs, highlighting the contributions that propelled them to the Final.

The Lightning's depth was evident throughout the series. Defenceman Victor Hedman scored a goal in game three. Key goals also came from role players such as Ross Colton, who scored the series-winning goal in game five, and Barclay Goodrow, who had an assist on a buzzer-beater goal in game two and scored a goal in game four. For the Montreal Canadiens, their success relied heavily on the goaltending of Carey Price. Timely scoring came from their top two lines, with Nick Suzuki scoring goals in games two, three, and four and Tyler Toffoli being a key offseason acquisition. The contrasting roster constructions were notable, as Tampa Bay made very few offseason transactions but traded for defenceman David Savard during the season. Tampa Bay's experienced core, including players like Nikita Kucherov and Steven Stamkos, along with this mid-season acquisition, provided a decisive edge in the series outcome.

Historical Context and Series Significance

The 2021 Stanley Cup Final held several layers of historical significance beyond its pandemic-era peculiarities. For the Montreal Canadiens, the appearance was a return to the championship stage for the first time since their last Cup win in 1993, maintaining their record for most Final appearances by any franchise at 35. Their playoff run, which included overcoming a 3-1 series deficit against Toronto, evoked memories of the team's historic resilience. The series was the culmination of the NHL's second pandemic season, demonstrating the league's ability to complete a full playoff tournament under complex restrictions. The temporary divisional format, which made this cross-conference matchup possible, was a one-time anomaly that highlighted the logistical challenges of the period. The Final also represented a cultural moment in Canada, as the Canadiens' run united the country's hockey fans during a time of prolonged restrictions, with their limited home games in Montreal providing a symbolic return to communal sporting events. The Lightning's victory parade in Tampa contrasted with the quieter conclusion in Montreal, reflecting the differing public health landscapes in the two nations.

Questions about 2021 Stanley Cup Final

Why was the 2021 Stanley Cup Final played in July?

The 2021 Stanley Cup Final was played in late June and early July due to delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic led to a later start and a shortened 56-game regular season for the NHL, which pushed the entire playoff schedule back. This resulted in the Final series beginning on June 28 and concluding on July 7, marking the first time Stanley Cup Final games were ever played in the month of July. The schedule was also affected by a temporary realignment of the league into regional divisions without conferences.

How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect the 2021 NHL playoffs?

The COVID-19 pandemic led to a major restructuring of the 2021 NHL season and playoffs. Cross-border travel restrictions forced the league to temporarily realign into four regional divisions with no conferences, grouping all seven Canadian teams together in the North Division. The first two playoff rounds were intra-divisional, delaying cross-border matchups until the semifinals. The league secured a travel exemption from the Public Health Agency of Canada for the Montreal Canadiens to host games in Canada after advancing. Spectator policies were inconsistent, with Canadian teams playing most of the playoffs behind closed doors or with very limited capacity, while U.S. venues like Tampa Bay's arena were allowed near-full capacity by the Final.

What was unique about the matchup between Tampa Bay and Montreal?

The 2021 Final matchup between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Montreal Canadiens was unique because, under normal NHL playoff formatting, it would have been impossible as both teams are members of the Eastern Conference. The temporary pandemic realignment, which eliminated conferences and used a divisional-based playoff bracket, allowed the matchup to occur. The series set a record for the highest combined playoff seed between Finalists (26 total, with Tampa Bay 8th and Montreal 18th). It was also the first Final to feature a Canadian team since 2011 and the first played entirely in the Eastern Time Zone since 2009.

Which players won their third straight Stanley Cup in 2021?

Tampa Bay Lightning forward Patrick Maroon won his third consecutive Stanley Cup in 2021. He previously won with the St. Louis Blues in 2019 and with the Lightning in 2020. Maroon also became the first player since Ed Litzenberger in 1963 to win three consecutive Stanley Cups with two different teams. His goal in Game Four of the Final ended a personal scoring drought and helped force a Game Five.

Who won the 2021 Stanley Cup Final?

The Tampa Bay Lightning won the 2021 Stanley Cup Final, defeating the Montreal Canadiens four games to one. This victory secured their second consecutive Stanley Cup championship and the third overall in franchise history. The series concluded on July 7, 2021, with a 1-0 win in Game Five, where a goal from Ross Colton and a shutout by Andrei Vasilevskiy sealed the title. The Lightning had home ice advantage due to their superior regular season record. Their path to the Final included playoff series wins over the Florida Panthers, Carolina Hurricanes, and New York Islanders.

Who was the MVP of the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs?

Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player of the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs. He became the first goaltender to win the award since Jonathan Quick in 2012. Vasilevskiy recorded a shutout in the series clinching Game Five of the Final, a 1-0 victory. His performance throughout the postseason was a base of the Lightning's championship run. The Lightning also set a record by winning the Cup without an overtime victory in the playoffs, a feat last accomplished by the 1983 New York Islanders.

Sources and further reading

• 2021 Stanley Cup Final (Wikipedia)
• 2021 NHL Stanley Cup Final: MTL vs. TBL (hockey-reference.com)
• The final NHL Stanley Cup game on NBC attracts 3.6 ... (cnbc.com)

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