Most Clutch Stanley Cup Final Goals Ever

The Most Iconic Series-Winning Goals

Goals that ended Finals and created hockey history:

Bobby Orr, 1970 Finals Game 4 vs. St. Louis Blues

The Goal:

• 40 seconds into overtime
• Swept Blues to complete 4-0 series
• Boston's first Cup since 1941

The Image: Photo of Orr flying through the air after being tripped by Noel Picard is widely considered most famous hockey image ever. Centerpiece of NHL history content.

Why It's #1: Combined championship-clinching moment with most iconic photo in hockey. Image transcended sport, becoming cultural touchstone.

Context: Orr at 22 years old revolutionizing defenseman position, ending 29-year Boston drought with overtime heroics.

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Patrick Kane, 2010 Finals Game 6 vs. Philadelphia Flyers

The Goal:

• Sneaky shot from left circle in overtime
• Only Kane realized it was in initially
• Ended Chicago's 49-year drought

The Confusion: Kane celebrated while everyone else looked confused. Delayed reaction made moment surreal and memorable.

Why It's Legendary: Blackhawks' first Cup since 1961, ending longest active drought at the time. Kane's individual realization before celebration started creates unique moment.

Legacy: Launched Chicago dynasty (2010, 2013, 2015), establishing Kane as clutch playoff performer.

Brett Hull, 1999 Finals Game 6 vs. Buffalo Sabres (Triple Overtime)

The Goal:

• Third overtime winner
• Controversial "in the crease" situation
• Gave Dallas first Cup

The Controversy: Hull's skate was in crease when puck crossed goal line. Rule confusion led to lengthy review. Goal stood, Buffalo protested.

Why It's Debated: Most controversial Cup-winning goal in modern era. Rule changes followed directly from this goal.

Impact: Drama and rule confusion make it one of most talked-about Cup-winning goals despite controversy.

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Alec Martinez, 2014 Finals Game 5 vs. New York Rangers (Double Overtime)

The Goal:

• Double overtime winner
• Clinched LA's second Cup in three years
• Also scored OT winner in Game 7 vs. Chicago in West Finals

The Clutch Reputation: Martinez's two overtime winners (Game 7 vs. Chicago, Game 5 vs. Rangers) in same playoff run cemented modern clutch reputation.

Dynasty Moment: Created LA Kings mini-dynasty (2012, 2014), showing repeat success possible in cap era.

Momentum-Turning Finals Goals

Goals that swung series without ending them:

Mark Messier, 1994 Finals vs. Vancouver

While Stephane Matteau's OT winner in Conference Finals more famous, Messier's goals in Game 7 of Finals sealed Rangers' first Cup in 54 years.

The Leadership: Messier's guarantee before Game 6 (Conference Finals) followed by performance throughout Finals showed clutch scoring backed up talk.

Martin St. Louis, 2004 Finals Game 6 vs. Calgary (Overtime)

The Goal:

• Overtime winner in Game 6
• Forced Game 7
• Tampa won first Cup next game

Context: St. Louis's undrafted story combined with clutch OT goal in Finals created compelling narrative.

Max Talbot, 2009 Finals Game 7 vs. Detroit

The Goals (Plural):

• Scored both goals in Pittsburgh's 2-1 Game 7 victory
• Complete shutdown game offensively except Talbot

Why It Matters: Role player scoring only goals in Game 7 victory shows depth winning championships.

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Modern Clutch Finals Goals

Recent championship-defining moments:

Ondrej Palat, 2020 Finals vs. Dallas Stars

Multiple clutch goals including Game 5 winner that put Tampa up 3-2 in series.

Ryan O'Reilly, 2019 Finals vs. Boston Bruins

Game 7 road victory goals, leading St. Louis to first Cup in franchise history.

Artturi Lehkonen, 2022 Finals vs. Tampa Bay

Game-winning goals throughout playoffs including Finals contributions ending Tampa's three-peat bid.

Read more: Conn Smythe Trophy: What It Is & Every Winner

Overtime vs. Regulation Winners

Comparing clutch situations:

Overtime Advantages:

• Sudden death creates maximum drama
• First goal ends everything
• No chance for comeback

Regulation Clutch:

• Late third-period goals prevent overtime
• Insurance goals create breathing room
• Game 7 regulation winners equally clutch

Overtime winners get more attention but late regulation goals in Game 7s equally important.

Goals That Changed Rules

Finals goals that affected NHL rulebook:

Brett Hull's 1999 Goal: Led to clarification and eventual removal of "crease rule" that prevented goals with skate in crease.

Rule Evolution: NHL removed controversial crease rule following Hull controversy, opening up scoring around net.

Video Review: Multiple controversial Finals goals led to expanded video review protocols.

Read more: Rocket Richard Trophy: What It Is & Every Winner

Ranking the Clutch Factor

How goals are measured:

Maximum Clutch:

• Overtime in elimination game
• Series-clinching goal
• Long drought being ended

High Clutch:

• Late third period in elimination game
• Goal forces Game 7
• Prevents opponent momentum

Moderate Clutch:

• Insurance goals in Finals
• Goals that extend leads
• Non-elimination game winners

Orr, Kane, and Hull goals all rank maximum clutch due to overtime, series-clinching, drought-ending combination.

Read more: Art Ross Trophy: What It Is & Every Winner

The Verdict

Bobby Orr's 1970 flying goal represents peak clutch Finals scoring: overtime winner, Cup clincher, drought ender, iconic photo. Patrick Kane's 2010 sneaky shot ended Chicago's 49-year wait with unique delayed celebration.

Brett Hull's controversial 1999 triple-overtime winner remains most debated Cup-winning goal, changing NHL rules afterward. Alec Martinez's 2014 double-overtime winner cemented modern clutch reputation after also scoring Game 7 OT winner in Conference Finals.

Mark Messier's 1994 Finals performance and Max Talbot's 2009 Game 7 two-goal game show different forms of clutch scoring define championships.

Read more: NHL Betting: The Ultimate Guide for the 2025/2026 Hockey Season

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