SUNRISE, FL – APRIL 21: Goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy #88 of the Tampa Bay Lightning warms up prior to the game against the Florida Panthers in Game One of the First Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Amerant Bank Arena on April 21, 2024 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)
Where expectations were sky-high but epic collapses — in series or single games —became unforgettable nightmares. This ranking combines blown leads, historical context, and sheer heartbreak.
1. 2019 Tampa Bay Lightning – Swept in Round 1 after record-setting season
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 19: Nikita Kucherov #86 of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrates his third-period empty-net goal against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on March 19, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Candice Ward/Getty Images)
62 wins (tied NHL record), 128 points
Got swept by the 8th-seeded Columbus Blue Jackets, who had never won a series before. Maybe the greatest upset in modern NHL history.
2. 2010 Boston Bruins – Blew 3–0 series lead vs. Flyers
MONTREAL, QC – MARCH 21: A detailed view of the Boston Bruins’ logo is seen during the second period against the Montreal Canadiens at Centre Bell on March 21, 2022 in Montreal, Canada. The Boston Bruins defeated the Montreal Canadiens 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
Led 3–0 in the series and 3–0 in Game 7
One of only 4 teams in NHL history to blow a 3–0 series lead — the Game 7 collapse made it even worse.
3. 2021 Toronto Maple Leafs – Blew 3–1 series lead vs. Canadiens
TORONTO, CANADA – MARCH 02: Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates against the New York Rangers at Scotiabank Arena on March 02, 2024 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Chris Tanouye/Getty Images)
Loaded roster, facing a weaker Habs team — then lost 3 straight, scoring just 1 goal in Games 5–7.
Yet another chapter in decades of playoff heartbreak.
4. 2009 San Jose Sharks – President’s Trophy, first-round exit
Apr 10, 2006; Glendale, AZ, USA; San Jose Sharks center (19) Joe Thornton against the Phoenix Coyotes at Glendale Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports Copyright Rick Scuteri
117 points, top seed, early Cup favorite — bounced by Anaheim (8th seed) in 6 games, never looked dangerous.
LANDOVER, MD – JANUARY 01: Jaromir Jagr #66 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates with the puck during a NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals on January 1, 1996 at USAir Arena in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
Two-time defending champs with Mario Lemieux and Jagr
Lost to the 8th-seeded Islanders in 7 games, including OT in Game 7 on a David Volek goal.
6. 2006 Detroit Red Wings – Lost to 8th-seeded Oilers
Dominated the regular season but fell in 6 games. Edmonton’s physicality and Roloson’s Goaltending flipped the series.
7. 2013 Toronto Maple Leafs – Game 7 collapse vs. Bruins
January 3, 2011; Toronto, ON, CANADA; Toronto Maple Leafs goalie James Reimer (34) during a break in the action against the Boston Bruins at the Air Canada Centre. Boston defeated Toronto 2-1. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Up 4–1 with 10 minutes left in Game 7, lost in OT
Probably the worst single-game collapse in NHL history.
8. 2022 Calgary Flames – Lost Battle of Alberta to Oilers
May 6, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl (29) warms up before game one against the Vegas Golden Knights in the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
After a dominant season and beating Dallas in 7, they got run over by McDavid and Draisaitl in 5 games. Couldn’t handle pressure or a goaltending mismatch.
9. 1982 Edmonton Oilers – Swept by Kings in Round 1
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – NOVEMBER 11: Wayne Gretzky #99 of the Edmonton Oilers skates on the ice during an NHL game against the New Jersey Devils on November 11, 1982 at the Brendan Byrne Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by B Bennett/Bruce Bennett Studios via Getty Images Studios/Getty Images)
Early Gretzky-era dynasty in the making — finished 2nd overall
Lost to the underdog Kings, including the “Miracle on Manchester” comeback from 5–0 down in Game 3.
Lost Game 7 at home to New Jersey in Conference Final. Couldn’t get it done in their peak year.
11. 1996 Detroit Red Wings – 62-win team loses in Conference Final
MONTREAL, CANADA – APRIL 16: A closeup view of the Detroit Red Wings logo during the third period against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre on April 16, 2024 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Detroit Red Wings defeated the Montreal Canadiens 5-4 in a shootout. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
Looked unstoppable but lost to Avs in 6, thanks to Claude Lemieux and Patrick Roy. The start of a bitter rivalry and a blown opportunity.
12. 2004 Vancouver Canucks – Game 7 meltdown vs. Flames
MONTREAL, CANADA – NOVEMBER 12: A detailed view of the Vancouver Canucks logo during the third period against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre on November 12, 2023 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Vancouver Canucks defeated the Montreal Canadiens 5-2. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
Markus Näslund-led team tied Game 7 late, but Dan Cloutier and an OT collapse ruined a Cup-caliber season.
13. 1989 Washington Capitals – Blew 3–1 lead to Flyers
MONTREAL, QC – DECEMBER 16: A detailed view of the Philadelphia Flyers’ logo seen on a jersey during overtime against the Montreal Canadiens at Centre Bell on December 16, 2021 in Montreal, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 3-2 in a shootout. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
The series turned ugly, including Ron Hextall scoring a goalie goal. Caps totally imploded.
14. 2007 New York Rangers – Lost to Sabres after big leads
Sep 27, 2005; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) in action against the New Jersey Devils at Continental Airlines Arena. Credit: Lou Capozzola-USA TODAY NETWORK
Lost Game 5 on a last-minute Briere goal, then fell apart in Game 6. Thought to be a real Cup dark horse.
15. 1994 New Jersey Devils – Game 7 OT loss to Rangers
Feb 8, 2019; New York, NY, USA; Former New York Rangers captain Mark Messier addresses the crowd during the ceremony honoring the 1994 Stanley Cup Championship New York Rangers team at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
Up 3–2 in the series, then let Messier’s guarantee come true. Lost in double OT of Game 7 — heartbreak city.
