Category Archives: Hockey News

First Six Players Named For Each Nation, New 2026 Olympic Betting Odds

First six players from each participating nation revealed for Men's Ice Hockey at 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy

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The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina have gotten more interesting in the last few days as several nations participating in the Ice Hockey event revealed the first six players on their rosters with some of the biggest names in the sport like Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews and Sidney Crosby. 

Officially known as the Milano Cortina 2026, the Olympic games will be hosted in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, from February 6 to 22 with NHL players returning to Olympic ice for the first time since the Four Nations Face-Off this past February. The men’s hockey tournament promises to be one of the premier events of the Games.

Early betting odds have already been posted for the event with Canada leading the pack at +150 with Team USA trailing behind in second with +200 odds. 

FanDuel's Current Betting Odds for the Gold Medal:

1. Canada (+150)

2. USA (+200)

3. Sweden (+550)

4. Finland (+750)

5. Czechia (+1400)

6. Switzerland (+5000)

7. Slovakia (+5000)

8. Germany (+5000)

9. Latvia (+14000)

10. Denmark (+14000)

11. Italy (+25000)

12. France (+25000)

  More NHL: Where Will Sam Bennett Play Next Season? New Bettting Odds Spark Major Buzz

Canada (+150)

Canada enters the 2026 Olympics as the clear favorite, led by stars Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Brayden Point, and Sam Reinhart. With Jordan Binnington likely to regain the crease after a stellar Four Nations Face-Off, he can add to this powerhouse team looks poised to take gold. Anything less would be a major disappointment.

Team USA (+200)

The United States is ready to make a serious run at gold in 2026 with one of the deepest rosters it has ever assembled. Newly announced names include Auston Matthews, Jack Eichel, Matthew and Brady Tkachuk, Quinn Hughes, and Charlie McAvoy, culminating in a fast, physical, and skilled core. With Connor Hellebuyck likely in goal and Adam Fox anchoring the blue line, Team USA looks built to finally end its Olympic gold drought dating back to 1980.

Sweden (+550)

Sweden’s 2026 Olympic roster is already shaping up to be a contender, with newly announced names including William Nylander, Adrian Kempe, Lucas Raymond, Victor Hedman, Rasmus Dahlin, and Gabriel Landeskog. The mix of veteran leadership and dynamic youth gives Sweden a well-rounded attack, and if goaltending holds up behind a strong blue line, the Tre Kronor have the pieces to push for gold.

Finland (+750)

Finland enters the 2026 Olympics once again as a disciplined, defensively sound contender with a roster built on structure and selflessness. Newly announced players include Aleksander Barkov, Sebastian Aho, Mikko Rantanen, Esa Lindell, Miro Heiskanen, and Juuse Saros, giving the Finns a balanced attack, a mobile blue line, and elite goaltending. With their 2022 Olympic gold still fresh, Finland remains a serious threat.

Czechia (+1400)

Czechia has added David Pastrnak, Martin Nečas, Pavel Zacha, Ondrej Palát, Lukas Dostal, and Radko Gudas to its Olympic roster, injecting scoring, grit, and experience across all positions. Pastrnak and Nečas lead the offense, with Zacha and Palát adding depth and versatility. Gudas shores up the blue line, while Dostal joins Petr Mrázek and Karel Vejmelka in net.

Tomas Hertl’s status remains uncertain due to injury, leaving a key hole up front. While not favorites, Czechia’s growing roster gives them real upset potential.

Switzerland (+5000)

Switzerland has named Roman Josi, Nico Hischier, Kevin Fiala, Nino Niederreiter, Timo Meier, and Jonas Siegenthaler to its Olympic roster, adding star power across the lineup. Josi anchors the defense, while Hischier, Fiala, and Meier lead a skilled forward group. Depth remains a question, but with this core, Switzerland is well-positioned to challenge for a quarterfinal upset.

More NHL: Malkin's Last Ride? Penguins Star Nears NHL Farewell Against the Odds

Slovakia (+5000)

Slovakia has announced six key names to its Olympic roster: Simon Nemec, Juraj Slafkovsky, Erik Cernak, Martin Pospisil, Tomas Tatar and Martin Fehérváry, blending youth, size and experience. Slafkovsky will be a focal point of the offense, with Tatar offering veteran leadership and Pospisil bringing a physical edge. On defense, Nemec, Cernak and Fehérváry form a promising core. Goaltending and depth remain concerns, but Slovakia’s grit and emerging talent make them a tough out.

Germany (+5000)

Germany has announced six players to its Olympic roster: Leon Draisaitl, Tim Stützle, Moritz Seider, Lukas Reichel, Nico Sturm, and Philipp Grubauer, highlighting a talented and balanced team. 

Draisaitl remains one of the world’s best players, with Stützle adding dynamic offensive skill. Seider and Reichel strengthen the lineup, while Grubauer provides key goaltending experience. Building on their 2018 silver medal, Germany has a real chance to shock hockey fans and match or surpass that success.

Latvia (+14000)

Latvia has announced six players to its Olympic roster: Elvis Merzlikins, Arturs Silovs, Uvis Balinskis, Teddy Blugers, Zemgus Girgensons, and Rodrigo Abols, building on their surprising bronze medal at the 2023 IIHF World Championship. While they may lack NHL star power, Merzlikins provides strong goaltending, and Balcers leads an experienced, physical, and disciplined team that is never an easy opponent.

Denmark (+14000)

Denmark has announced six players to its Olympic roster: Nikolaj Ehlers, Lars Eller, Oliver Bjorkstrand, Frederik Andersen, Jonas Røndbjerg, and Jesper Jensen Aabo. Ehlers and Bjorkstrand lead a skilled offense, while Andersen provides reliable goaltending. Despite their talent, limited depth may prevent Denmark from advancing beyond the group stage.

Italy (+25000)

Italy has announced six players to its Olympic roster: Thomas Larkin, Diego Kostner, Luca Zanatta, Tommy Purdeller, Damian Clara, and Daniel Mantenuto. As co-hosts, they’ll be motivated to put on a respectable showing. While the talent gap remains significant, home-ice energy and contributions from experienced dual-national players like Kostner could help Italy stay competitive in a game or two.

France (+25000)

France has announced six players to its Olympic roster: Alexandre Texier, Pierre-Édouard Bellemare, Jordan Perret, Yohann Auvitu, Hugo Gallet, and Jules Boscq. Texier and Bellemare bring valuable NHL experience, but overall depth and defensive consistency remain concerns. As underdogs, France will focus on gaining experience and continuing to grow as a hockey nation.

  More NHL: 2026 Stanley Cup Odds: Oilers, Panthers Lead Early Contenders But One Unexpected Favourite Emerges

Blackhawks, Mammoth Open To Trading Their Picks; What That Tells Us About Islanders & Sharks Upcoming Selections

According to Frank Seravalli, the Chicago Blackhawks are open to moving the third overall pick in the upcoming 2025 NHL Draft. This provides a bit of insight into what the Blackhawks think will happen with the New York Islanders at No. 1 and the San Jose Sharks at No. 2. 

Prior to the 2025 NHL Draft Combine, it seemed like there were a few players who the Islanders could take with th first pick. After leaving the 2025 Draft Combine, 17-year-old defenseman Matthew Schaefer seemed to separate himself from the pack with his interviews. 

Additionally, forward Michael Misa told his roommate Malcolm Spence at the combine that he'd love to go to San Jose, which suggests that Misa knows he's not going No. 1. 

Looking at the Blackhawk's prospect pool, even after drafting defenseman Artyom Levshunov second overall in 2024, it's clear they had an interest in Schaefer, given that he's the best blue-liner in the draft. 

The second-best defenseman is Radim Mrka, who could go anywhere from fifth overall to the mid-teens.  Maybe Chicago's goal is to trade back and snag him. Then again, they have bolstered their blue line, so, as Blackhawks writer for Bleacher Nation and The Fourth Period, Tab Bradford shared that Chicago is looking for scoring. 

That ties into the next point. 

What's left out of that initial tweet is that Seravalli also said that the Utah Mammoth are also fielding calls on the fourth overall pick. 

We know, from conversations at the combine, that Utah is very high on Brady Martin, who is projected to go at No. 6 to the Philadelphia Flyers, per Craig Button's latest mock draft:

Long Island native James Hagens continues to be disrespected in these mock drafts, as his stock, at least amongst the collective media, seems to fall a bit every day even though he was the consensus No. 1 pick for a few years. 

However, if this mock draft and others are on the money or in the ballpark of what the lottery team general managers are thinking, the farther Hagens falls, the more likely it is that the Islanders trade back into the draft to grab the Hauppauge native. 

I wrote about this the other day. The Islanders, at least I don't think, will be making a pre-draft trade to get back into the first round.  After drafting Schaefer, if that's truly their intended route, they'll see how the rest of the draft plays out after the second pick and go from there. 

If general manager Mathieu Darche believes that Hagens should be an Islander and a lane that makes sense opens up, I wouldn't be shocked if he pulled the trigger. But, it has to be a deal that makes sense. 

The Islanders, The 2025 NHL Draft & The Trade ConversationThe Islanders, The 2025 NHL Draft & The Trade ConversationThe 2025 NHL Draft is just two weeks away. The New York Islanders have the first overall pick for the first time since 2009, and there is a chance they add more than one stud to their roster. It's possible that the Islanders could have two picks in the top five if they trade back into the first round to draft Long Island native James Hagens.

The question is, with a few teams now being vocal about moving their pick, a pre-draft trade not involving the Islanders may make things more complicated when it comes to bringing Hagens home. 

I believe there are many teams looking to move up in the draft to select Hagens, which would put a wrinkle in potential plans.

Again, we have no idea how much Darche values Hagens. 

Chicago, like any team looking to move a top-five pick, is seeking specifics in returns — a difference-maker. They should take Anton Frondell, an Aleksander Barkov type, but hey, to each their own. 

Who do the Islanders have that could be a difference maker for a Blackhawks or Utah team?

Immediately, you think of Noah Dobson, a restricted free-agent defenseman who could command north of $9 million -- my prediction is $9.15 million on a long-term deal -- as a difference maker. 

I think another underrated difference maker that the Islanders have is forward Simon Holmstrom, who is also a restricted free agent. He'll command between $3-$4 million. I think it would be a mistake to move on from the Swedish forward, as I think he's only going to get better.

Given his defensive game and his overall growth in his offensive game, Holmstrom has proven to be a top-six forward at just 24 years old. It would be a mistake to move on from him, but we know Utah is looking for top-six help for pick No. 4. 

If it meant getting Hagens, would you move Dobson to Chicago or Holmstrom to Utah?

Could defenseman Alexander Romanov be in play? What about Maxim Tsyplakov?

To be honest, I'm not so sure the Islanders should move. My mindset is that if you can trade a pick or a prospect for a proven NHLer -- of course, not the first overall pick -- you do it nine times out of 10. 

I am pretty high on Hagens, and I think he's going to be a fantastic player in this league, but there's certainly risk involved, especially if the Islanders are moving on from a No. 2 defenseman or a young, controllable top-six winger -- the Islanders lack depth at the wing position. 

The NHL Draft begins on July 27 in Los Angeles. 

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A New Center Who Could Interest The Canadiens Is Reportedly On The Market

While Kent Hughes would like to bolster his top-six with a new second line center this offseason, there are much more buyers than sellers out there and it may prove to be a tricky endeavour. However, according to The Athletic’s Arthur Staple a divorce between the New York Rangers and Swedish center Mike Zibanejad would be imminent.

While the 6-foot-two- and 203-pound pivot has spent much of the season centering the third-line behind Vincent Trotcheck and J.T. Miller, he could still play a second-line center role, especially with gifted teammates on his wings.

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In the last four seasons, the 32-year-old has only missed a couple of games, and recorded 81, 91, 72 and 62 points. While there was a sharp decrease in production this past season, it was the case for most of the Rangers players as the Blueshirts had their worst season for quite some time, even missing the playoffs for the first time in four years.

It was Jeff Gorton who traded for Zibanejad with the Ottawa Senators back in July 2016 sending Derrick Brassard and a 2018 seventh-round pick to the Sens in return for the Swede and a 2018 second-round pick.

The center will start the fourth year of an eight-year deal with an $8.5 M cap hit, meaning he’s signed through the end of the 2029-30 season, but he does have a no move clause, meaning he’s fully in charge of his destiny. Even if the player wants to leave New York, it doesn’t mean he’d be willing to go anywhere. He did however play the first five-years of his career in Ottawa, after the Sens had drafted him sixth overall at the 2011 draft, so the rough winters and the high tax rates wouldn’t come as a surprise to him.

With the cap set to go up for the next few years, the Montreal Canadiens could probably handle Zibanejad’s cap hit, but they may not get the best value for money in the last few years of his deal. However, we’ve seen Martin St-Louis convert veterans in effective role players in the past and give them a new lease of life so to speak, Josh Anderson and Brendan Gallagher have both look rejuvenated this past season.

On top of being a real top-six option, the centerman also plays on the first power play and penalty kill units in New York and is as versatile as they come. He could make up for the loss of Joel Armia and Christian Dvorak if Hughes let them walk. Both players featured on the Habs PK and it could be hard to replace them with rookies or by captain Nick Suzuki who benefited from focusing more on attacking missions this last year.

Of course, getting an aging center might not be Hughes’ plan A, he would more than likely rather be able to land someone like Mason McTavish, but that might prove impossible with the market being what it is this season.

Photo credit:  John Jones-Imagn Images


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Pacers and Oilers looking to give NBA and NHL fans a rare pair of Game 7s

Pacers and Oilers looking to give NBA and NHL fans a rare pair of Game 7s originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The greatest two words in sports are “Game 7,” but fans could be in for three even better words this year: two Game 7s.

The NBA Finals and NHL’s Stanley Cup Final are both heading into Game 6 this week with teams on the cusp of a championship.

In the NBA, the Thunder hold a 3-2 series lead over the Indiana Pacers after winning Game 5 in Oklahoma City on Monday. In the NHL, the Florida Panthers hold a 3-2 advantage over the Edmonton Oilers with a chance to repeat as champions on home ice Tuesday night.

There have been dozens of Game 7s between the two leagues over the last 80 years, but they have rarely coincided in the same year.

With both championship series on the verge of going the distance, let’s look back at the times where the NBA and NHL have seen their titles decided by a Game 7 in the same year.

How many times have the NBA and NHL had championship Game 7s in the same year?

The NBA Finals and Stanley Cup Final have only had a Game 7 in the same year twice.

The first came in 1954. The Minneapolis Lakers won Game 7 on their home court on April 12 with a 87-80 victory over the Syracuse Nationals to win the NBA title. Four days later, Tony Leswick scored an overtime winner for the Detroit Red Wings in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Montreal Canadiens.

The only other NBA-NHL Game 7 crossover came in 1994. The New York Rangers lifted the Stanley Cup after defeating the Vancouver Canucks in a Game 7 at Madison Square Garden on June 14. The NBA Finals wrapped up on June 22 when the Houston Rockets earned a Game 7 victory over the Rangers’ MSG co-tenants, the New York Knicks, although that deciding game was played in Texas.

NBA Finals and Stanley Cup Final Game 7 schedule

Should the Pacers and Oilers win their respective Game 6s, the NBA and NHL championships would be decided within two days of each other.

If necessary, Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final would be slated for Friday, June 20, in Edmonton, while Game 7 of the NBA Finals would be scheduled for Sunday, June 22, in Oklahoma City.

NBA Finals Game 7s

The NBA Finals have gone to a Game 7 19 times, with the home team holding a 15-4 record.

  • 1951: Rochester Royals 79, New York Knicks 75
  • 1952: Minneapolis Lakers 82, New York Knicks 65
  • 1954: Minneapolis Lakers 87, Syracuse Nationals 80
  • 1955: Syracuse Nationals 92, Fort Wayne Pistons 91
  • 1957: Boston Celtics 125, St. Louis Hawks 123 (2OT)
  • 1960: Boston Celtics 122, St. Louis Hawks 103
  • 1962: Boston Celtics 110, Los Angeles Lakers 107 (OT)
  • 1966: Boston Celtics 95, Los Angeles Lakers 93
  • 1969: Boston Celtics 108, Los Angeles Lakers 106
  • 1970: New York Knicks 113, Los Angeles Lakers 99
  • 1974: Boston Celtics 102, Milwaukee Bucks 87
  • 1978: Washington Bullets 105, Seattle SuperSonics 99
  • 1984: Boston Celtics 111, Los Angeles Lakers 102
  • 1988: Los Angeles Lakers 108, Detroit Pistons 105
  • 1994: Houston Rockets 90, New York Knicks 84
  • 2005: San Antonio Spurs 81, Detroit Pistons 74
  • 2010: Los Angeles Lakers 83, Boston Celtics 79
  • 2013: Miami Heat 95, San Antonio Spurs 88
  • 2016: Cleveland Cavaliers 93, Golden State Warriors 89

Stanley Cup Final Game 7s

The Stanley Cup Final has gone to a Game 7 18 times with the home team holding a 13-5 record.

  • 1942: Toronto Maple Leafs 3, Detroit Red Wings 1
  • 1945: Toronto Maple Leafs 2, Detroit Red Wings 1
  • 1950: Detroit Red Wings 4, New York Rangers 3 (2OT)
  • 1954: Detroit Red Wings 2, Montreal Canadiens 1 (OT)
  • 1955: Detroit Red Wings 3, Montreal Canadiens 1
  • 1964: Toronto Maple Leafs 4, Detroit Red Wings 0
  • 1965: Montreal Canadiens 4, Chicago Blackhawks 0
  • 1971: Montreal Canadiens 3, Chicago Blackhawks 2
  • 1987: Edmonton Oilers 3, Philadelphia Flyers 1
  • 1994: New York Rangers 3, Vancouver Canucks 2
  • 2001: Colorado Avalanche 3, New Jersey Devils 1
  • 2003: New Jersey Devils 3, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim 0
  • 2004: Tampa Bay Lightning 2, Calgary Flames 1
  • 2006: Carolina Hurricanes 3, Edmonton Oilers 1
  • 2009: Pittsburgh Penguins 2, Detroit Red Wings 1
  • 2011: Boston Bruins 4, Vancouver Canucks 0
  • 2019: St. Louis Blues 4, Boston Bruins 1
  • 2024: Florida Panthers 2, Edmonton Oilers 1

Pacers and Oilers looking to give NBA and NHL fans a rare pair of Game 7s

Pacers and Oilers looking to give NBA and NHL fans a rare pair of Game 7s originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The greatest two words in sports are “Game 7,” but fans could be in for three even better words this year: two Game 7s.

The NBA Finals and NHL’s Stanley Cup Final are both heading into Game 6 this week with teams on the cusp of a championship.

In the NBA, the Thunder hold a 3-2 series lead over the Indiana Pacers after winning Game 5 in Oklahoma City on Monday. In the NHL, the Florida Panthers hold a 3-2 advantage over the Edmonton Oilers with a chance to repeat as champions on home ice Tuesday night.

There have been dozens of Game 7s between the two leagues over the last 80 years, but they have rarely coincided in the same year.

With both championship series on the verge of going the distance, let’s look back at the times where the NBA and NHL have seen their titles decided by a Game 7 in the same year.

How many times have the NBA and NHL had championship Game 7s in the same year?

The NBA Finals and Stanley Cup Final have only had a Game 7 in the same year twice.

The first came in 1954. The Minneapolis Lakers won Game 7 on their home court on April 12 with a 87-80 victory over the Syracuse Nationals to win the NBA title. Four days later, Tony Leswick scored an overtime winner for the Detroit Red Wings in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Montreal Canadiens.

The only other NBA-NHL Game 7 crossover came in 1994. The New York Rangers lifted the Stanley Cup after defeating the Vancouver Canucks in a Game 7 at Madison Square Garden on June 14. The NBA Finals wrapped up on June 22 when the Houston Rockets earned a Game 7 victory over the Rangers’ MSG co-tenants, the New York Knicks, although that deciding game was played in Texas.

NBA Finals and Stanley Cup Final Game 7 schedule

Should the Pacers and Oilers win their respective Game 6s, the NBA and NHL championships would be decided within two days of each other.

If necessary, Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final would be slated for Friday, June 20, in Edmonton, while Game 7 of the NBA Finals would be scheduled for Sunday, June 22, in Oklahoma City.

NBA Finals Game 7s

The NBA Finals have gone to a Game 7 19 times, with the home team holding a 15-4 record.

  • 1951: Rochester Royals 79, New York Knicks 75
  • 1952: Minneapolis Lakers 82, New York Knicks 65
  • 1954: Minneapolis Lakers 87, Syracuse Nationals 80
  • 1955: Syracuse Nationals 92, Fort Wayne Pistons 91
  • 1957: Boston Celtics 125, St. Louis Hawks 123 (2OT)
  • 1960: Boston Celtics 122, St. Louis Hawks 103
  • 1962: Boston Celtics 110, Los Angeles Lakers 107 (OT)
  • 1966: Boston Celtics 95, Los Angeles Lakers 93
  • 1969: Boston Celtics 108, Los Angeles Lakers 106
  • 1970: New York Knicks 113, Los Angeles Lakers 99
  • 1974: Boston Celtics 102, Milwaukee Bucks 87
  • 1978: Washington Bullets 105, Seattle SuperSonics 99
  • 1984: Boston Celtics 111, Los Angeles Lakers 102
  • 1988: Los Angeles Lakers 108, Detroit Pistons 105
  • 1994: Houston Rockets 90, New York Knicks 84
  • 2005: San Antonio Spurs 81, Detroit Pistons 74
  • 2010: Los Angeles Lakers 83, Boston Celtics 79
  • 2013: Miami Heat 95, San Antonio Spurs 88
  • 2016: Cleveland Cavaliers 93, Golden State Warriors 89

Stanley Cup Final Game 7s

The Stanley Cup Final has gone to a Game 7 18 times with the home team holding a 13-5 record.

  • 1942: Toronto Maple Leafs 3, Detroit Red Wings 1
  • 1945: Toronto Maple Leafs 2, Detroit Red Wings 1
  • 1950: Detroit Red Wings 4, New York Rangers 3 (2OT)
  • 1954: Detroit Red Wings 2, Montreal Canadiens 1 (OT)
  • 1955: Detroit Red Wings 3, Montreal Canadiens 1
  • 1964: Toronto Maple Leafs 4, Detroit Red Wings 0
  • 1965: Montreal Canadiens 4, Chicago Blackhawks 0
  • 1971: Montreal Canadiens 3, Chicago Blackhawks 2
  • 1987: Edmonton Oilers 3, Philadelphia Flyers 1
  • 1994: New York Rangers 3, Vancouver Canucks 2
  • 2001: Colorado Avalanche 3, New Jersey Devils 1
  • 2003: New Jersey Devils 3, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim 0
  • 2004: Tampa Bay Lightning 2, Calgary Flames 1
  • 2006: Carolina Hurricanes 3, Edmonton Oilers 1
  • 2009: Pittsburgh Penguins 2, Detroit Red Wings 1
  • 2011: Boston Bruins 4, Vancouver Canucks 0
  • 2019: St. Louis Blues 4, Boston Bruins 1
  • 2024: Florida Panthers 2, Edmonton Oilers 1

Pacers and Oilers looking to give NBA and NHL fans a rare pair of Game 7s

Pacers and Oilers looking to give NBA and NHL fans a rare pair of Game 7s originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The greatest two words in sports are “Game 7,” but fans could be in for three even better words this year: two Game 7s.

The NBA Finals and NHL’s Stanley Cup Final are both heading into Game 6 this week with teams on the cusp of a championship.

In the NBA, the Thunder hold a 3-2 series lead over the Indiana Pacers after winning Game 5 in Oklahoma City on Monday. In the NHL, the Florida Panthers hold a 3-2 advantage over the Edmonton Oilers with a chance to repeat as champions on home ice Tuesday night.

There have been dozens of Game 7s between the two leagues over the last 80 years, but they have rarely coincided in the same year.

With both championship series on the verge of going the distance, let’s look back at the times where the NBA and NHL have seen their titles decided by a Game 7 in the same year.

How many times have the NBA and NHL had championship Game 7s in the same year?

The NBA Finals and Stanley Cup Final have only had a Game 7 in the same year twice.

The first came in 1954. The Minneapolis Lakers won Game 7 on their home court on April 12 with a 87-80 victory over the Syracuse Nationals to win the NBA title. Four days later, Tony Leswick scored an overtime winner for the Detroit Red Wings in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Montreal Canadiens.

The only other NBA-NHL Game 7 crossover came in 1994. The New York Rangers lifted the Stanley Cup after defeating the Vancouver Canucks in a Game 7 at Madison Square Garden on June 14. The NBA Finals wrapped up on June 22 when the Houston Rockets earned a Game 7 victory over the Rangers’ MSG co-tenants, the New York Knicks, although that deciding game was played in Texas.

NBA Finals and Stanley Cup Final Game 7 schedule

Should the Pacers and Oilers win their respective Game 6s, the NBA and NHL championships would be decided within two days of each other.

If necessary, Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final would be slated for Friday, June 20, in Edmonton, while Game 7 of the NBA Finals would be scheduled for Sunday, June 22, in Oklahoma City.

NBA Finals Game 7s

The NBA Finals have gone to a Game 7 19 times, with the home team holding a 15-4 record.

  • 1951: Rochester Royals 79, New York Knicks 75
  • 1952: Minneapolis Lakers 82, New York Knicks 65
  • 1954: Minneapolis Lakers 87, Syracuse Nationals 80
  • 1955: Syracuse Nationals 92, Fort Wayne Pistons 91
  • 1957: Boston Celtics 125, St. Louis Hawks 123 (2OT)
  • 1960: Boston Celtics 122, St. Louis Hawks 103
  • 1962: Boston Celtics 110, Los Angeles Lakers 107 (OT)
  • 1966: Boston Celtics 95, Los Angeles Lakers 93
  • 1969: Boston Celtics 108, Los Angeles Lakers 106
  • 1970: New York Knicks 113, Los Angeles Lakers 99
  • 1974: Boston Celtics 102, Milwaukee Bucks 87
  • 1978: Washington Bullets 105, Seattle SuperSonics 99
  • 1984: Boston Celtics 111, Los Angeles Lakers 102
  • 1988: Los Angeles Lakers 108, Detroit Pistons 105
  • 1994: Houston Rockets 90, New York Knicks 84
  • 2005: San Antonio Spurs 81, Detroit Pistons 74
  • 2010: Los Angeles Lakers 83, Boston Celtics 79
  • 2013: Miami Heat 95, San Antonio Spurs 88
  • 2016: Cleveland Cavaliers 93, Golden State Warriors 89

Stanley Cup Final Game 7s

The Stanley Cup Final has gone to a Game 7 18 times with the home team holding a 13-5 record.

  • 1942: Toronto Maple Leafs 3, Detroit Red Wings 1
  • 1945: Toronto Maple Leafs 2, Detroit Red Wings 1
  • 1950: Detroit Red Wings 4, New York Rangers 3 (2OT)
  • 1954: Detroit Red Wings 2, Montreal Canadiens 1 (OT)
  • 1955: Detroit Red Wings 3, Montreal Canadiens 1
  • 1964: Toronto Maple Leafs 4, Detroit Red Wings 0
  • 1965: Montreal Canadiens 4, Chicago Blackhawks 0
  • 1971: Montreal Canadiens 3, Chicago Blackhawks 2
  • 1987: Edmonton Oilers 3, Philadelphia Flyers 1
  • 1994: New York Rangers 3, Vancouver Canucks 2
  • 2001: Colorado Avalanche 3, New Jersey Devils 1
  • 2003: New Jersey Devils 3, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim 0
  • 2004: Tampa Bay Lightning 2, Calgary Flames 1
  • 2006: Carolina Hurricanes 3, Edmonton Oilers 1
  • 2009: Pittsburgh Penguins 2, Detroit Red Wings 1
  • 2011: Boston Bruins 4, Vancouver Canucks 0
  • 2019: St. Louis Blues 4, Boston Bruins 1
  • 2024: Florida Panthers 2, Edmonton Oilers 1

Panthers set to host Oilers in Game 6 of Final looking to win second straight Stanley Cup

For the first time since the start of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final, a team has a chance to close out the series and hoist the historic trophy.

That team is the Florida Panthers, and they’ll look to take down the Edmonton Oilers for the second year in a row and claim the Stanley Cup on their home ice at Amerant Bank Arena.

Last season, Florida defeated the Oilers in front of their home fans in Game 7, a thrilling season-ender that came on the heels of the Panthers blowing a 3-0 series lead.

This time it’s been a much more traditional, back and forth affair between the high-powered Oilers and suffocating Panthers.

Two of Florida’s three wins have by at least three goals while both of the Oilers victories have come in overtime, both of which requiring multi-goal comebacks.

Overall, three of the five games have gone to overtime, and only two of the five games have been won by the home team.

Ironically, the last team to win back-to-back Stanley Cups, and clinch each series on home ice, was the Oilers back in 1987 and 1988.

Before that, the last team to do it was…the Oilers, in 1984 and 1985.

The big question surrounding Edmonton as they prepare for their first elimination game of the Stanley Cup Playoffs is which goaltender will get the starting nod, Stuart Skinner or Calvin Pickard.

Oilers Head Coach Kris Knoblauch has also made several lineup changes throughout the series, so don’t be surprised to see him make another tweak or two ahead of Tuesday’s affair.

As for Florida, as long as they remain healthy, Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice has been very comfortable rolling out the same lineup night after night.

Here are the Panthers projected lines and pairings for Game 6 against Edmonton:

Carter Verhaeghe – Sasha Barkov – Sam Reinhart

Evan Rodrigues – Sam Bennett – Matthew Tkachuk

Eetu Luostarinen – Anton Lundell – Brad Marchand

A.J. Greer – Tomas Nosek – Jonah Gadjovich

Gus Forsling – Aaron Ekblad

Niko Mikkola – Seth Jones

Nate Schmidt – Dmitry Kulikov

Scratches: Mackie Samoskevich, Uvis Balinskis, Jesper Boqvist, Nico Sturm, Jaycob Megna

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Photo caption: Jun 14, 2025; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) celebrate win with teammates against the Edmonton Oilers in game five of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place. (Sergei Belski-Imagn Images)