Which franchise has lost the most times to the eventual champion?

[End on a Hinote]

Since the 2004 lockout, the Canucks are at 4 (2012 Kings, 2011 Bruins, 2010 Blackhawks, 2007 Ducks).

And before that you have the 2002 Red Wings, 1996 Avalance, 1994 Rangers, 1989 Flames, 1987 Oilers

I may have missed some

 

[Soundgarden]

Nashville has a bunch of times.

 

[333359]

Don't Oiler fans usually brag about this?

 

[SmoggyTwinkles]

Ouch! That hurts man! Why would you do that?

 

[Rschmitz]

6 out of the last 9 years the Lightning have either won to the eventual Champ in the cup/conference finals or won the cup.

2014-2015 Bhawks Cup Finals
2015-2016 Pens Eastern Finals
2017-2018 Washington Eastern Finals
2019-2020 Won
2020-2021 Won
2021-2022 Av's Cup Finals

 

[innitfam]

If those are years the canucks lost to the eventual cup winner, you left out ‘94.

Leaving out years of losing in the final

 

[End of Line]

Going back to 1991, Washington has lost to the Pens each time they won a cup. 1991, 1992, 2009, 2016, and 2017

 

[Bouboumaster]

All time, it's the Bruins

 

[The Tourist]

Sadly has happened to Dallas quite often.

98 Detroit
00 New Jersey
08 Detroit
19 St Louis
20 Tampa
23 Vegas

 

[Prairie Habs]

I call BS on that.

f*** that shit.

Nice run and all, but F that.

Surely you highlighted the wrong part and are calling BS on saying the leafs have pretty much played in 5 Eastern conference finals in the last 12 years. It makes lot more sense to complain about that when they've only won one series in the cap era than to complain about a team who made it the cup finals being called an ECF matchup?

 

[mephisto1812]

Going back to 1991, Washington has lost to the Pens each time they won a cup. 1991, 1992, 2009, 2016, and 2017

This stat will always give me just a bit of joy.

 

[End of Line]

This stat will always give me just a bit of joy.

Same here

 

[archangel2]

If this belongs in History, apologies, please move it.

First guess for me is Leafs, does anyone know the answer?

In modern times or OG 6 times?

 

[Cowumbus]

CBJ have made the playoffs 6 times and lost to the cup champ 3 times.

 

[NoName]

Leafs lose to finalists often lately

2013 Bruins, 2019 Bruins, 2021 Habs, 2022 Lightning., 2023 Panthers. Those have been basically ECF tier matchups

Yeah, the Atlantic always is a bonkers strong division. Leafs have been the bridesmaid in the division for the better part of a decande.

 

[HighNote]

Blues reporting in at 12.

68 Canadiens
69 Canadiens
70 Bruins
72 Bruins
77 Canadiens
97 Red Wings
98 Red Wings
99 Stars
01 Avalanche
02 Red Wings
12 Kings
22 Avalanche

An especially dark time there in the late 90s, early 2000s (5 eventual Cup winners in 6 years). Those were some great Blues teams, they just ran into some all-time great teams.

Then you have 2000 where we won the President's trophy and then choked against the 8th seed Sharks in R1.

 

[HolyHagelin]

Blues reporting in at 12.

68 Canadiens
69 Canadiens
70 Bruins
72 Bruins
77 Canadiens
97 Red Wings
98 Red Wings
99 Stars
01 Avalanche
02 Red Wings
12 Kings
22 Avalanche

An especially dark time there in the late 90s, early 2000s (5 eventual Cup winners in 6 years). Those were some great Blues teams, they just ran into some all-time great teams.

Then you have 2000 where we won the President's trophy and then choked against the 8th seed Sharks in R1.

Yeah the blues were stacked for a few years there, they were my WC team back then.

I don’t have a WC team now just the rangers

 

[TheNumber4]

Leafs lose to finalists often lately

2013 Bruins, 2019 Bruins, 2021 Habs, 2022 Lightning., 2023 Panthers. Those have been basically ECF tier matchups

FINALISTS DONT COUNT. OP SAID "CHAMPIONS". GAWWWDDD YOUR MAKING THE LEAFS LOOK COMPETENT.

 

[kingsholygrail]

Kings lost to..
Islanders 79-80
Oilers 84-85
Oilers 86-87
Flames 88-89
Oilers 89-90
Canadiens 92-93
Avalanche 00-01
Blackhawks 12-13

Not a bad list at 8.

 

[Yackiberg8]

The title of the thread is "eventual champions" that's all I was pointing out. And yes, keep the curse alive

His post clearly stated it was listing finalists.

 

[CanadienShark]

I call BS on that.

f*** that shit.

Nice run and all, but F that.

You call BS on facts?

 

[ERYX]

Seems like the Jets

Kind of feels like it, but actually looking at their playoffs since their return in 2011, it's only in 2019 (Blues) and 2023 (Golden Knights) that they lost to the eventual Stanley Cup Champ.

In 2018 and 2021 they lost to finalists who did not win the Cup (Golden Knights again and Canadiens, respectively). In 2014 they lost to the Ducks who lost in the Western Conference Final to the Kings who eventually won the cup. So 2/5 playoff appearances they lost to the eventual Stanley Cup winner.

1979-1986 Jets 1.0

84 - Oilers
87 - Oilers
88 - Oilers
90 - Oilers

So six total.

 

[wintersej]

Does this keep you up at night?

---

Anyway, I ran a count on all seasons going back to and including the 2000 playoffs.

Times Lost to Champion	Teams
6	TBL, VAN
5	DAL, NAS, PHI, STL
4	BOS, EDM, MTL, SJS
3	ANA, CAR, CBJ, COL, DET, FLA, LAK, MIN, NJD, NYI, OTT, WAS
2	BUF, NYR, PIT
1	CGY, CHI, PHX (yes Phoenix!), TOR, VGK, WPG

I’m surprised Boston doesn’t have more than that considering they lost in the Final twice in that period, but I guess Boston kind of sucked in the 00s.

 

[flying squirrel]

6 out of the last 9 years the Lightning have either won to the eventual Champ in the cup/conference finals or won the cup.

2014-2015 Bhawks Cup Finals
2015-2016 Pens Eastern Finals
2017-2018 Washington Eastern Finals
2019-2020 Won
2020-2021 Won
2021-2022 Av's Cup Finals

Kudos on listing.... Knew Lightning lost to eventual "Cup" winners some during incredible 8 yr playoff run (That produced 6 ECF's, 4 SCF's, won 2 "Cups" while almost pulling off 3-peat). But seeing that listed like that hit home concerning what it took to take Lightning out of playoffs. Most teams playing in later playoff rounds are dealing with bigger stage, more pressure, and proven teams that playoff year (At least reached ECF or SCF and all legit championship caliber teams).

Lightning's main cores 1st window, younger, less playoff experience

• Lost in 4 games -vs Montreal in 1sr rd before 8 yrs of playoff success
• Lost in 6 games -vs- Hawks in SCF
• Lost in 7 games -vs- Pens in ECF.
• Lost in 7 games -vs- Caps in ECF.

Lightning's main cores 2nd window, new additions, more playoff experience

• Won in 6 games -vs- Montreal in SCF
• Won in 6 games -vs- Dallas in SCF
• Lost in 6 games -vs- Ave's in SCF

Lightning's main cores 3rd window, flattened-capped roster, 1/3 team playoff hardened

• Lost in 6 games -vs- Leafs in 1sr rd
• Playoffs now, who knows??

Your list made me think of last 3 versions of team, with same core, but tweaks each payoff run. Has been an incredible ride! We'll see if this newer version of Lightning, with same core, can do special things still. Hope so.....

 

[KevinRedkey]

"Modern era" would be a better criteria for this IMO.

Either way, I'm not sure what the correct answer is.