Increments Of 5 and NHL Titles

Starting with the 1941 NHL playoffs, there were 16 such with increments of 5 contested and all but one (the 1961 title won by the Bobby Hull, Stan Mikita, Glenn Hall led Blackhawks) were captured by a team, that will be in the 2021 ‘offs, 80 years later.

The Montreal Canadiens, who once won an incredible 15 titles in 24 seasons (’56-’79), but have only 2 such victories in the 40 completed NHL seasons since (’80-2020, with no NHL season in 2005), won titles/The Stanley Cup in 1946, 1956, 1966, 1971, 1976, and 1986. (The Yankees in “8” years, ’28,’38,’58,’78 and ’98 and Lakers in “0” years, ’50,’80, 2000, 2010, and 2020) match the Habs’ 5 crowns in years ending in 6.

Regarding the other 9 titles in years ending in 1 or 6, thus making them the popular, often cited, multiples of 5 years later, won by 2021 ‘offs participants–the Bruins (the aforementioned ’41 title and one in 2011, 70 years later. They won it on Mr. Orr’s overtime goal in a 4 game sweep in ’70 and that was as is today, (Happy) Mother’s Day to those to whom it applies), Penguins (’91 and 2016) and Avalanche (’96 and 2001) have won 2 each while the Maple Leafs (in ’51 on Bill Barilko’s heroics), Islanders (’81 which was the second of 4 straight titles, which are the only such for the franchise now in its to be 48th completed season) and Hurricanes (’06) have one each.

Bill Barilko, pictured above was a member of all 4 Toronto Maple Leafs’ Cup winning teams in a 5 season period (’47-’51, failing to do so only in ’50).

He scored the title clinching goal in overtime in game 5 vs Montreal. 

Tragically, he died in an off season plane crash.