2002 Stanley Cup playoffs 2002 Stanley Cup playoffs The 2002 Stanley Cup playoffs, the championships of the National Hockey League began on April 17, 2002. The Detroit Red Wings defeated the Carolina Hurricanes on June 13, 2002, four games to one, to win their tenth championship in their history. The Hurricanes were in the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in their 23-year history, which includes their tenure as the Hartford Whalers. Red Wings defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the MVP of the playoffs. It was the ninth championship for Red Wings coach Scotty Bowman, who announced his
1979 Stanley Cup Finals 1979 Stanley Cup Finals The 1979 Stanley Cup Finals was the championship series of the National Hockey League's (NHL) 1978–79 season, and the culmination of the 1979 Stanley Cup playoffs. It was contested between the New York Rangers and the defending champion Montreal Canadiens, making their fourth straight appearance. It was New York's first appearance in the Finals since . The Canadiens would win the best-of-seven series, four games to one, to win their fourth consecutive Stanley Cup championship. This was the last Stanley Cup Final until 2013 where both teams were from the Original Six, and the first of