The Montreal Canadiens hold the all-time record with 24 Stanley Cup championships. The Toronto Maple Leafs rank second with 13 titles, while the Detroit Red Wings have 11.
These three Original Six teams have dominated the NHL champions list throughout history. The Montreal Canadiens alone won 24 cups, making them the most successful franchise in professional ice hockey.
All-Time NHL Champions By Championship Count
| Rank | Team | Stanley Cups | Finals Appearances | Best Era |
| 1 | Montreal Canadiens | 24 | 34 | 1956-1973 (10 in 18 years) |
| 2 | Toronto Maple Leafs | 13 | 21 | 1942-1967 (13 in 26 years) |
| 3 | Detroit Red Wings | 11 | 24 | 1936-1955 (7 in 20 years) |
| 4 | Boston Bruins | 6 | 13 | 1929-1972 |
| 5 | New York Rangers | 4 | 8 | 1928-1994 |
| 6 | Chicago Blackhawks | 6 | 14 | 1934-2015 |
| 7 | Edmonton Oilers | 5 | 8 | 1984-1990 (5 in 7 years) |
| 8 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 5 | 7 | 1991-2017 |
| 9 | New York Islanders | 4 | 4 | 1980-1983 (4 consecutive) |
| 10 | Colorado Avalanche | 3 | 4 | 1996-2023 |
The Montreal Canadiens won 10 championships between 1956 and 1973 under legendary coach Toe Blake.
The Toronto Maple Leafs dominated the 1940s-1960s as one of hockey’s greatest dynasties.
Recent Stanley Cup Winners (2015-2025)
| Year | Champion | Runner-Up | Finals Result |
| 2025 | Florida Panthers | Edmonton Oilers | 4-2 |
| 2024 | Florida Panthers | Edmonton Oilers | 4-1 |
| 2023 | Vegas Golden Knights | Florida Panthers | 4-1 |
| 2022 | Colorado Avalanche | Tampa Bay Lightning | 4-2 |
| 2021 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Montreal Canadiens | 4-1 |
| 2020 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Dallas Stars | 4-2 |
| 2019 | St. Louis Blues | Boston Bruins | 4-3 |
| 2018 | Washington Capitals | Vegas Golden Knights | 4-1 |
| 2017 | Pittsburgh Penguins | Nashville Predators | 4-2 |
| 2016 | Pittsburgh Penguins | San Jose Sharks | 4-2 |
| 2015 | Chicago Blackhawks | Tampa Bay Lightning | 4-2 |
The Florida Panthers won back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2024 and 2025, joining an elite group. The NHL champions list shows the Avalanche and Golden Knights emerged as modern powerhouses.
Most Dominant NHL Dynasties
Montreal Canadiens (1956-1973)
The Canadiens won an astonishing 10 championships in 18 seasons. Goalie Jacques Plante revolutionized his position with his innovative techniques. The Canadiens featured legendary players like Henri Richard and Jean Beliveau.
Coach Toe Blake created a system emphasizing speed and passing over brute force. The 1960-61 Canadiens went 45-14-11 in the regular season. They faced the Detroit Red Wings repeatedly in Finals matchups.
Toronto Maple Leafs (1942-1967)
The Maple Leafs won 13 Stanley Cups over their original-six era dominance. Goalie Turk Broda won five championships and became a Hall of Fame legend. The Leafs won their last Cup in 1967 before a championship drought lasting 58 years.
Forward Ted Kennedy led the team through multiple championship runs. The 1950-51 Leafs defeated the Montreal Canadiens in the Finals. Toronto’s consistent excellence made them one of the dynasty dynasties.
Edmonton Oilers (1984-1990)
The Oilers won five Stanley Cups in just seven seasons. Wayne Gretzky transformed the franchise into a powerhouse immediately. The team featured Mark Messier, Jari Kurri, and Paul Coffey.
The Oilers’ fast-paced style revolutionized ice hockey strategy. Their 1985 Stanley Cup run saw them lose only four playoff games. The Edmonton dynasty proved younger teams could compete with established champions.
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New York Islanders (1980-1983)
The Islanders won four consecutive Stanley Cups, an incredible feat. Bob Nystrom, Mike Bossy, and Denis Potvin led the charge. They defeated the Philadelphia Flyers in the 1980 Finals to begin their run.
The Islanders only lost three games across their four championship runs combined. Coach Al Arbour built the system around defense and consistency. Their dynasty proved to be the last four-peat in NHL history.
Teams With Single Stanley Cup Championships
Eight NHL franchises have won exactly one Stanley Cup title. The Vegas Golden Knights won their first in 2023 during just their sixth season. The St. Louis Blues captured their first in 2019 after 52 seasons of struggle.
The Washington Capitals finally won in 2018 ending a long drought. The Nashville Predators, Florida Panthers twice, and Colorado Avalanche have all won multiple recent championships.
NHL Teams Never to Win a Stanley Cup
Ten NHL franchises have never won a Stanley Cup championship. The Buffalo Sabres reached the Finals twice but lost both matchups. The Vancouver Canucks reached the Finals three times without winning.
The Winnipeg Jets, Seattle Kraken, Nashville Predators, and Utah team have not won. Columbus, Minnesota, Ottawa, and San Jose teams complete the ringless list. These teams continue pursuing their first championship moments.
Championship Trends and Patterns
Canadian teams have won 24 of the last 109 Stanley Cups awarded. The Montreal Canadiens’ dominance in the original-six era created a Canadian legacy. No Canadian team has won since Montreal in 1993.
Back-to-back championships have become increasingly difficult to achieve. The Tampa Bay Lightning won in 2020 and 2021 as recent back-to-back champions. The Florida Panthers won in 2024 and 2025 as the most recent repeat winners.
Home ice advantage in the Finals still matters but doesn’t guarantee victory. Western Conference teams have dominated the 2020s era significantly. Young franchises like Vegas prove quick success is possible with proper management.
How Teams Qualify for the Stanley Cup Finals
Each team must win three grueling playoff rounds to reach the Finals. The best-of-seven format means teams potentially play 28 games over two months. Conference Finals winners advance to compete for the Stanley Cup.
Sixteen teams make the playoffs from a 32-team league currently. The top eight seeds in each conference qualify automatically. Playoff intensity increases dramatically as teams progress through rounds.
The Stanley Cup represents hockey’s ultimate championship and greatest challenge. Only the elite teams reach the Finals each season. Victory requires skill, depth, resilience, and championship-caliber goaltending.
FAQs
What Team Has Won the Most Stanley Cups?
The Montreal Canadiens hold the record with 24 Stanley Cup championships in franchise history. The Canadiens’ dynasty from 1956-1973 established them as the greatest NHL champions.
How Many Times Have the Toronto Maple Leafs Won the Stanley Cup?
The Toronto Maple Leafs have won 13 Stanley Cups, making them the second-winningest team. All 13 championships came during the original-six era before the 1967 expansion.
Which Team Recently Won the Stanley Cup Twice?
The Florida Panthers won back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2024 and 2025. Before them, the Tampa Bay Lightning won consecutive championships in 2020 and 2021.
How Many NHL Teams Have Never Won a Stanley Cup?
Ten NHL teams have never won a Stanley Cup championship. These franchises include Buffalo Sabres, Vancouver Canucks, and Seattle Kraken among others.
