NHL Conference Finals: History, Statistics, and Winners

The National Hockey League (NHL), which began its first season in 1917-18, has designated the round preceding the Stanley Cup Final as the conference finals since the 1981-82 season. This change was part of a league-wide realignment designed to better reflect teams` geographical locations. The official titles, Eastern Conference and Western Conference, were formally adopted during the 1993-94 season.

In a temporary adjustment for the 2021 playoffs, this round was referred to as the Stanley Cup Semifinals because teams competed across conferences due to circumstances related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Key Statistics and Records

• Most assists in a single game: Toe Blake (Montreal Canadiens, 1994 Game 2 vs. Toronto Maple Leafs), Glenn Anderson (Edmonton Oilers, 1987 Game 5 vs. Detroit Red Wings), and Paul Coffey (Edmonton Oilers, 1985 Game 5 vs. Chicago Black Hawks) each recorded five assists.
• Most points in a single game: Paul Coffey (Edmonton Oilers) holds the record with six points (1985 Game 5 vs. Chicago Black Hawks).
• Most goals in a series: Jari Kurri (Edmonton Oilers) scored 12 goals in the 1985 series against the Chicago Black Hawks. This mark is also the record for any single playoff series.
• Most assists in a series: Wayne Gretzky (Edmonton Oilers) holds the record with 14 assists in the 1985 series against the Chicago Black Hawks.
• Most points in a series: Wayne Gretzky (Edmonton Oilers) holds the record with 18 points in the 1985 series against the Chicago Black Hawks.
• Most shutouts in a series: Michael Leighton (Philadelphia Flyers, 2010 vs. Montreal Canadiens) and Jean-Sebastien Giguere (Anaheim Ducks, 2003 vs. Minnesota Wild) are tied with three shutouts each in a series.
• Most goals in a single game (Team): The Edmonton Oilers scored 11 goals in Game 1 of the 1985 series against the Chicago Black Hawks.
• Most goals in a series (Team): The Edmonton Oilers scored 44 goals in the 1985 series against the Chicago Black Hawks.

Eastern Conference Finals Winners

• 2024: Florida Panthers (def. New York Rangers 4-2)
• 2023: Florida Panthers (def. Carolina Hurricanes 4-0)
• 2022: Tampa Bay Lightning (def. New York Rangers 4-2)
• 2020: Tampa Bay Lightning (def. New York Islanders 4-2)
• 2019: Boston Bruins (def. Carolina Hurricanes 4-0)
• 2018: Washington Capitals (def. Tampa Bay Lightning 4-3)
• 2017: Pittsburgh Penguins (def. Ottawa Senators 4-3)
• 2016: Pittsburgh Penguins (def. Tampa Bay Lightning 4-3)
• 2015: Tampa Bay Lightning (def. New York Rangers 4-3)
• 2014: New York Rangers (def. Montreal Canadiens 4-2)
• 2013: Boston Bruins (def. Pittsburgh Penguins 4-0)
• 2012: New Jersey Devils (def. New York Rangers 4-2)
• 2011: Boston Bruins (def. Tampa Bay Lightning 4-3)
• 2010: Philadelphia Flyers (def. Montreal Canadiens 4-1)
• 2009: Pittsburgh Penguins (def. Carolina Hurricanes 4-0)
• 2008: Pittsburgh Penguins (def. Philadelphia Flyers 4-1)
• 2007: Ottawa Senators (def. Buffalo Sabres 4-1)
• 2006: Carolina Hurricanes (def. Buffalo Sabres 4-3)
• 2005: Lockout
• 2004: Tampa Bay Lightning (def. Philadelphia Flyers 4-3)
• 2003: New Jersey Devils (def. Ottawa Senators 4-3)
• 2002: Carolina Hurricanes (def. Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2)
• 2001: New Jersey Devils (def. Pittsburgh Penguins 4-1)
• 2000: New Jersey Devils (def. Philadelphia Flyers 4-3)
• 1999: Buffalo Sabres (def. Toronto Maple Leafs 4-1)
• 1998: Washington Capitals (def. Buffalo Sabres 4-2)
• 1997: Philadelphia Flyers (def. New York Rangers 4-1)
• 1996: Florida Panthers (def. Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3)
• 1995: New Jersey Devils (def. Philadelphia Flyers 4-2)
• 1994: New York Rangers (def. New Jersey Devils 4-3)
• 1993: Montreal Canadiens (def. New York Islanders 4-1)
• 1992: Pittsburgh Penguins (def. Boston Bruins 4-0)
• 1991: Pittsburgh Penguins (def. Boston Bruins 4-2)
• 1990: Boston Bruins (def. Washington Capitals 4-0)
• 1989: Montreal Canadiens (def. Philadelphia Flyers 4-2)
• 1988: Boston Bruins (def. New Jersey Devils 4-3)
• 1987: Philadelphia Flyers (def. Montreal Canadiens 4-2)
• 1986: Montreal Canadiens (def. New York Rangers 4-1)
• 1985: Philadelphia Flyers (def. Quebec Nordiques 4-2)
• 1984: New York Islanders (def. Montreal Canadiens 4-2)
• 1983: New York Islanders (def. Boston Bruins 4-2)
• 1982: New York Islanders (def. Quebec Nordiques 4-0)

Western Conference Finals Winners

• 2024: Edmonton Oilers (def. Dallas Stars 4-2)
• 2023: Vegas Golden Knights (def. Dallas Stars 4-2)
• 2022: Colorado Avalanche (def. Edmonton Oilers 4-0)
• 2020: Dallas Stars (def. Vegas Golden Knights 4-1)
• 2019: St. Louis Blues (def. San Jose Sharks 4-2)
• 2018: Vegas Golden Knights (def. Winnipeg Jets 4-1)
• 2017: Nashville Predators (def. Anaheim Ducks 4-2)
• 2016: San Jose Sharks (def. St. Louis Blues 4-2)
• 2015: Chicago Blackhawks (def. Anaheim Ducks 4-3)
• 2014: Los Angeles Kings (def. Chicago Blackhawks 4-3)
• 2013: Chicago Blackhawks (def. Los Angeles Kings 4-1)
• 2012: Los Angeles Kings (def. Phoenix Coyotes 4-1)
• 2011: Vancouver Canucks (def. San Jose Sharks 4-1)
• 2010: Chicago Blackhawks (def. San Jose Sharks 4-0)
• 2009: Detroit Red Wings (def. Chicago Blackhawks 4-1)
• 2008: Detroit Red Wings (def. Dallas Stars 4-2)
• 2007: Anaheim Ducks (def. Detroit Red Wings 4-2)
• 2006: Edmonton Oilers (def. Mighty Ducks of Anaheim 4-1)
• 2005: Lockout
• 2004: Calgary Flames (def. San Jose Sharks 4-2)
• 2003: Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (def. Minnesota Wild 4-0)
• 2002: Detroit Red Wings (def. Colorado Avalanche 4-3)
• 2001: Colorado Avalanche (def. St. Louis Blues 4-1)
• 2000: Dallas Stars (def. Colorado Avalanche 4-3)
• 1999: Dallas Stars (def. Colorado Avalanche 4-3)
• 1998: Detroit Red Wings (def. Dallas Stars 4-2)
• 1997: Detroit Red Wings (def. Colorado Avalanche 4-2)
• 1996: Colorado Avalanche (def. Detroit Red Wings 4-2)
• 1995: Detroit Red Wings (def. Chicago Blackhawks 4-1)
• 1994: Vancouver Canucks (def. Toronto Maple Leafs 4-1)
• 1993: Los Angeles Kings (def. Toronto Maple Leafs 4-3)
• 1992: Chicago Blackhawks (def. Edmonton Oilers 4-0)
• 1991: Minnesota North Stars (def. Edmonton Oilers 4-1)
• 1990: Edmonton Oilers (def. Chicago Blackhawks 4-2)
• 1989: Calgary Flames (def. Chicago Blackhawks 4-1)
• 1988: Edmonton Oilers (def. Detroit Red Wings 4-1)
• 1987: Edmonton Oilers (def. Detroit Red Wings 4-1)
• 1986: Calgary Flames (def. St. Louis Blues 4-3)
• 1985: Edmonton Oilers (def. Chicago Black Hawks 4-2)
• 1984: Edmonton Oilers (def. Minnesota North Stars 4-0)
• 1983: Edmonton Oilers (def. Chicago Black Hawks 4-0)
• 1982: Vancouver Canucks (def. Chicago Black Hawks 4-1)