Top 10 Greatest NHL Stanley Cup Raises of All-Time

[@Conquerer13]

That Sakic calls for Bourque as soon as he touches the cup, doesn't even lift it and hands it straight to him, as if it's his only concern in that moment, gets me every time.

[@cassandrakeen6900]

It's because he never win a cup until that time with the avalanche

[@original6hockey402]

Class

[@Peter-tm4sx]

Hector Rodriguez I don’t know about that. They would be better off making a movie about the success of the 2017 golden knights, just so they can show my caps winning it all

[@CanadaMatt]

The very rare Top 10 list that actually gets it right! As a 45-year Leafs fan I am still happy to admit that Bourque hoisting the cup may be my all time favourite pro sports moment.

[@epicragegaming2016]

the entire season was about getting ray the cup. sakic told the team they have to finish first and guarantee home ice advantage. they won the presidents trophy, sakic was the mvp and he finished second in points to jagr with 54 goals and 118 points. it was a really really special season.

[@davisturner5256]

What a captain Sakic was. Not even an Avalanche fan but the way he hands it to bourque was amazing. Not caring for himself but his team and assistant captain. Good leader

[@razkable]

It helps he already lifted a cup but yeah...

[@josiahmulvihill2719]

#GoAvzGo

[@Alexander-Hatfield]

Ya Joe was a class act. A true captain.

[@rvog6584]

Wings fan [all dat needs 2 b said] ... but i wil always giv props 2 Joe in dis moment ...

[@ericlaus4417]

Wings fans too. Yzerman and Sakic are my two favorite players/captains.

[@Ed0n]

I still get chills from the Ray Bourque one and I'm not even an Avalanche fan

[@michaell6956]

To me, one of the best calls in NHL history.

[@macmac3374]

I'm a wings fan and that moment gave me chills lol

[@chaotic4267]

Wings fan here as well. It was awesome to watch.

[@nd8954]

Its not about the team, its about player.

[@kekeruus]

with a baseball bat

[@emmittmatthews8636]

Seeing Bourque's son crying like that watching his dad lift the cup brings a tear to my eye. That was such an awesome moment.

[@ianchambers37]

Agreed

[@mysteryswaggot619x]

Oh man.. watching again how Ovie throws the Cup over his head you can truly see the effort he has put into this game. I love this sport. ❤️

[@badkarma2754]

I'm a Bruins fan and I couldn't be happier, he plays hard all the time and definitely deserved to win a cup.

[@PlyrMava.]

Was so awesome to see it. Should've been #1 imo

[@HelixJD]

Sorry but I’m not Ovi fan go a head and dislike cause I’m Crosby fan

[@MrYouarethecancer]

@@PlyrMava. not even close. Not even top 10 all time, just like Ovi himself.

[@ChromeCanuck]

@@MrYouarethecancer its definitely top 10 for how long he waited to get the cup and just the way he hoisted it was so special. Don't be a hater...

[@patriotpride16t]

The Ray Bourque handoff is so emotionally powerful. Then seeing his son (I’m assuming) crying for his dad! Whew!

[@davidwalsh4618]

As a lifelong CAPS fan, I'll forever tear up and get goosebumps watching that. I'm so grateful to have witnessed this and couldn't be more proud of our captain. He will go down as the greatest pure goal scorer of all time and it warms my heart that he has a cup now.

[@Texolotl]

Even as a Knights fan I cant be upset about that series. The Caps were simply the better team, and Ovechkin was long over due for the cup.

[@edwardnyr5060]

After 22 years,RAYMOND BOURQUE “Alex Ovechkin,it’s your honor.Come on up.” “Captain Mark Messier,come lift the Stanley Cup” “Steve Yzerman,Lets do it again” Those situations get me every time.They will last a lifetime.

[@frederickglass1583]

And add one more legendary call to the list: "St. Louis has been waiting a LONG time for this moment...Alex Pietrangelo, come get the Stanley Cup."

[@holyshazbat1548]

every rangers fan still remember that messier "evil laughter" when hoisting the cup 😆

[@jonathanwatson4773]

Niedermayer to Niedermayer is my second fave after the Bourque one

[@Silenceaverted]

The noteworthy call for the kings first cup happened at the end of the game not during the celebration so it didn’t even get an honorable mention, yet as a franchise, they had similar droughts to St. Louis and Washington they were just first to win it. St. Louis should’ve been an honorable mention as well although I don’t remember the celebration as much as I remember them winning.

[@Adri_Unsung]

Bettman has a gift for saying exactly the right thing to make the moment more magical

[@lolyplus]

Sakic with one of the classiest moves in all of NHL history

[@AaronAubreyPhoto]

*The Classiest* I'm almost hard pressed to think of something that even comes close.

[@Scubamike4499]

Brining the cup

[@Kigul263]

And Joe Sakic, a true gentleman and a true leader. One of the greatest of all time

[@mattiik]

And after twenty-two years...RAYMOND BOURQUE

[@lelouchvibritannia4028]

😥😭

[@jamiecarlson3810]

Best moment ever..took him 22 years but it was a great wait

[@lsv46]

Took vladimir Konstantinov his life

[@schumi246]

I haven’t seen this yet, please tell me that’s #1.

[@schumi246]

And, of course it was.

[@bullshark3771]

As a Boston fan I cried when Sakic went straight to ray. He became one of the most respected players in my eyes.

[@GuitarMatt]

Yes! Signing off, a long suffering Caps fan till 2018

[@anonimuso]

That Bourque one always gets me in my feels...

[@bookworm3283]

I'm not crying! You're crying!

[@deutschlanddangler2983]

Especially when you see his kid in tears watching his dad fulfill his lifelong dream. Truly one of the greatest moments in sports.

[@lsv46]

Does it get ur feelings when a player almost dies? Huh

[@thatoneemo29]

@@lsv46 I can’t tell if you’re making a joke or actually being rude

[@cristiancristiano7728]

I'm not crying, I just have a "after 22 years Raymond Bourque" in my eye #GoAvsGo

[@pianotalent6437]

Now you have this years cup. Congratulations

[@DaveHogg]

It got forgotten because of Vladdy in 1998, but Yzerman giving the Cup to Igor Larionov and Slava Fetisov in 1997 was an incredible moment. I loved that he recognized everything they had done in hockey, even it wasn't all in the NHL. Plus that ended Detroit's drought, so the Joe was just insane.

[@tomace194]

Greatest day in my life other than my kids. I cried like a baby.

[@KevinNerfs]

SportsNet, thanks for including Gary Thorne’s call on the last one. It was an amazing moment but he made it legendary and the clip wouldn’t be the same without his commentary.

[@ericbrewerguitar1499]

He was the best. His calls always got me so hyped even if it was a team I don’t like. Doc is great, not taking anything away from him but for nationally televised games Thorne was the best ever

[@jeffcabral8077]

Gary Thorne was the best. Wish he came back when nhl went back to espn

[@DerangedHermit]

@@ericbrewerguitar1499 and while he was good as an MLB announcer, the NHL is really where he shined

[@kevinparks5220]

Just another reason why hockey is the best sport on the planet... God loves you Hockey...

[@BarfyMan_362]

Its hard to beat Raymond Bourque, seeing a big guy like that fight back tears and then his son bawling next to him is such a tear jerker.

[@christopherneumann78]

As a lifelong Wings fan that witnessed the Wings-Avs rivalry I wish we were number one. The 98 Cup was really special and a great moment. But I have to respect what Sakic did. Not even bothering to hoist and letting Bourque be the first to do so is one of the classiest moves in sports history.

[@leohmusic8676]

As a lifelong avs fan second looks good on you guys

[@brussell328]

Facts

[@michaellee8815]

Yep, some things transcend. Hockey comes first before our teams

[@99Fishing_]

@@leohmusic8676 lol 3 cups to our 11

[@bbeaup]

Yeah i wouldve swapped the two but both absolute chilling moments.

[@brdrink]

The pass of the cup from Sakic to Bourque always brings a tear to my eye

[@eugenemis5983]

I’m not crying I swear it’s just allergies

[@brooke-3615]

Eugene Mis It's more disgraceful to not cry.

[@TheDefender3187]

As an Avalanche fan I love watching that hand off to Raymond Bourque, brings a tear to my eye every time

[@TillTheThrill19]

There is just something about the Bourque winning, not sure if it the whole build up or the way Sakic buts Bourque ahead of everyone else, classy and unforgetable moment indeed

[@ryamn2]

#GOAVSGO

[@gurjapkang9937]

Lovin the name 👍🏼

[@MrBlazemaster525]

That's what happens when you have a true leader in Joe Sakic

[@brianmahoney5800]

Bourque, Lanny McDonald, Marian Hossa, all just wonderful moments.

[@riley082011]

No NFL, NBA or MLB will ever compare to the Stanley cup when it comes to emotion and the emotional celebrations.

[@codywoodell1591]

@@djlee0721 It's, by far, the hardest, most grueling path that players have to go through to raise the cup. Which has 100+ years of history tied to it.

[@rally_chronicles]

@@djlee0721 it's TRUE. The Stanley cup and the grey cup are trophies. The other leagues have some little toys that look stupid.

[@JackHaveman52]

@@rally_chronicles Especially basketball. "The NBA playoff champions". Just doesn't have the pizzazz of the other major sports, especially the presentation of the Stanley Cup. It's pure unbridled joy.

[@BenKrav]

Many years latter and seeing it 1000 times. As an Avs fan, I still get chills. Every single time.

[@Mr_Jish]

"And after 22 years, RAYMOND BOURQUE!" Will never, *never* not make me tear up. Can't stand Boston, and growing up in Anchorage, AK I was of course a Devil's fan from like 96-02 primarily because of Scotty Gomez. But I remember even at only 8 years old when the Avs beat them for the cup, I still was able to grasp and respect that Bourque had earned it, even if it meant beating the Devil's to get it. And I sobbed as a little kid when Sakic passed it to him. Then my parents cried when they thought I was crying so hard from being sad the Devil's lost until I told them it was "all for Ray".

[@Maestroffen]

Jesus christ i'm a grown man and i almost cry to Konstantinov and Red Wings... Just so great for the whole team and especially for the Soviets who came to NHL and i'm glad Konstantinov got that chance to be there on the ice dispute his injury.. Great video

[@oliverroo59]

The Sakic to Borque handoff and the accompanying call - instant chills.

[@MatthewBaran]

The best trophy in all sports, bar none. The legends that have hoisted the cup will live forever in it. : )

[@mathewnorrad9259]

All great moments in hockey history. As a bruins fan I was so happy to see Chara lift the cup the highest it’s ever been lifted, the emotion from Ovechkin makes it all worth it, and joe Sakic, what sportsmanship. Man I love this sport.

[@A_Final_Hit]

I wasn't even a hockey fan at the time, but I caught the last few minutes of that Avs victory, and watching Bourque raise the cup made me a hockey fan for life.

[@tchikypoo3850]

Still brings tears to my eyes watching bourque get his cup 20 years later

[@SRP3572]

Not an Avs fan, but glad to see that number 1 was when Bourque finally got to hoist it. I remember watching the game. What an emotional moment

[@davided.2204]

And it's reasons like this why Joe Sakic is and will always be my favorite hockey player of all time. Pure Canadian class act!

[@numberzthegreat]

I was lucky to have seen Ray Bourque raise that cup and even though he had to leave Boston to get it done, it still chokes me up. One of my all time favorites

[@angusg9454]

Not an Avalanche fan, that night Sakic won my heart. What a gentleman.

[@jcanfieldschatz]

The Handoff still gives me chills. I was 16 years old and knew I'd forever be an Avs fan after that season.

[@fireaspectsythe5233]

congrats

[@meisdanae]

congrats again!

[@Fatguyinalittlecoat33]

Congrats again, again

[@krokonuts9092]

That time Bourque hoists the cup brings tears to my eyes and I've only just started watching hockey 2 years ago.

[@NBordzy]

Ovi lifting up the cup is my favourite moment in sports history!

[@markandersen793]

@@voizes325 Me three.

[@razkable]

as a spots fan we have been lucky since 2007 to see peyton manning lift 2 super bowl trophies a rod win a world series as well as carlos beltran lebron lift 3 championship trophies and now finally ovy lift the cup....it would of been a shame if these 5 men didnt win in their respective sports with all they have given to the game...glad I could be apart of it..been a great 11 years...would of felt weird without calling them champions, you know?

[@tobiojo5806]

Same here

[@mallorybymers100]

yup

[@TimMosleycar3hur]

Then you have a very sad sports history

[@dodger1214]

I was there when Scott Niedermayer passed the Cup to his brother Rob. That was truly a special moment. But not even that compares to the moment when Ray Bourque finally got to raise Stanley. One of the greatest moments in the history of sports. Class move by Joe Sakic. Wasted no time to make sure Ray got his moment.

[@ihave1i947]

I cried when the Alex Ovechkin raised it. I was so happy for him

[@gigglybits200]

Gavin Ryan same here. i’m a hawks fan but i’ve been waiting my whole life for OVI to win.

[@user-wp9mb5yq5e]

You can legit feel his emotion through the screen. I tear up every time. That and Bourque, best cup raise ever.

[@MrYouarethecancer]

@@RoamHockey capitals will never win another cup

[@SaneIce]

Even as a pens fan i really was so happy for him

[@frederickglass1583]

@@user-wp9mb5yq5e God, even as a Blues/Knights fan. I got chills hearing that scream of pure joy when Ovi lifted the cup. Goosebumps.

[@lucaslouagie999]

i still remember that night the Av's won the stanley cup and seeing Ray Bourque hoist the cup. brings a tear to my eye every time i see it. GO AVS!!!

[@sirekumasutra7022]

Bourque lifting the Cup is my fave moment ever and I'm a Leafs fan.

[@michaelbacon8698]

Congrats

[@ben1ben2ben1]

Well its not like you have ever been alive for any great Leafs moments

[@darrengray1849]

After 21 years, I still get goosebumps watching Steve hand the Cup to Vladdy.

[@parrydox.gaming]

Lifelong bruins fan and ray bourque finally getting the cup still gives me chills. It’s more exciting than the bruins win in Vancouver.

[@michaellim3131]

What a class act Burnaby Joe is... nice gesture.. great leader. Ovies.moment is my favorite... so much emotion when he raises it. I got chills

[@TheDCGuitar13]

Ovi holding the cup with backstrom is a memory that will last a lifetime. Even though they’re not done yet.😏

[@Howlingburd19]

Ugh, they lost... still got memories from 2018, though :)

[@josiahmulvihill2719]

#GoAvsgo

[@nicksojka7457]

Howling Burd19 Canes fan here in peace. Y'all played hard that series and it was enjoyable to watch, even though tensions got real high at certain points (Boston was 97 times worse if it makes you feel better). And I think I speak for many Canes fans here when I say that I loved seeing Ovi with the cup. I don't think I've ever seen that much intense joy from a captain even before actually receiving the trophy in any sport ever.

[@Howlingburd19]

Nick Sojka the biggest issue with that series is I believe YOU guys played your asses off (no seriously, Carolina’s got a very young, energetic, and talented squad), while I feel like we did not. Ovechkin, Backstrom, and Carlson truly showed up, while nobody else did. If you want your team to win the whole thing, EVERY single player has to show up. And in the 2018 Playoffs, every Caps player did show up, but in this year’s Quarterfinals, only a couple did. But we can absolutely both agree Boston is the definition of cancer, and it was very beautiful seeing Marchand crying xD

[@TheDCGuitar13]

Nick Sojka I think the canes caps Series was the ecf this lady year. I didn’t sweat the loss then and I don’t now. I don’t mind losing to great teams, it’s losing to bums like they did all those years that bugged me

[@jordangalvis9695]

Not even a Caps fan but just the combination of Ovi lifting the cup, the scream, and the music swell, gives me chills every time.

[@kennethblack314]

I remember seeing Bourque raising that cup, it was so amazing. The Bruins were always so close to winning it all. What a way for him to go out.

[@Shatamx]

Yea we just ran into a Mario Pitt team and a Stacked Oilers team in the late 80's early 90's. Then the Bruins couldn't advance past the second round the rest of Ray's Bruin career.

[@cygnusx-1862]

The classiest thing I've seen in nhl history was Sakic showing 100% respect and immediately handing off the cup to Bourque. It's as unselfish an act as I've ever seen. These guys strive so hard to win the Stanley cup and super Joe took no time to enjoy the moment but instead gave it to Ray so he could finally have his moment. That's class.

[@hectikhector8482]

One of the greatest Captains to play the game

[@FatLikeKessel]

Teemu should have at least been an honorable mention!

[@stpbasss3773]

Why because your a ducks fan lmao

[@LARDLOGO]

Agreed (Sharks fan)

[@brew1116]

Also agree, that was huge. Teemu's one of the best.

[@lukashazucha9859]

Hossa, with his 1st Cup after 3 finals appearance in row, too.

[@btgkg9639]

As a Kings fan I agree. But I think it’s just Captains. But I will say Niedermeyer shouldn’t have been on there. Already had 2 cups before this one and he handed it to his brother before Teemu which was complete crap. Either Teemu or Pronger should have got it before Rob.

[@brandocalrissian3294]

Born and raised in Vegas, I'm glad it wasn't a close series in 2018 so i could enjoy Ovechkin win his only cup. I'm always a fan of the game and good players before my team.

[@Taquetoslayer]

Joe sakic is why I watch hockey.... Amazing that the Detroit Colorado rivalry had two of the best leaders and players to take the ice... Now they are two if of the best gms building there former teams to stardom.... Just amazing

[@thenickfoxx]

Wings fan for all my life. The back to back cups will forever be etched in my memory (along with the 02 and 08 cups). They won the second cup in a row for konstantinov and that always makes me tear up. BUT, when ovi won the cup.. I could barely hold back my tears.. just the way he was screaming at the top of his lungs when he was going to get the cup from bettman.. that folks is PURE happiness.. ecstasy if you will.. so emotional.

[@Kovalziio17]

These are all great moments to share! This is why I love hockey !

[@SolidSnake684]

Even as a big Wings fan, I still have to try and hold back tears when I see Bourque raise the cup.

[@LegionOfEclaires]

The Ray Bourque one always gets me in the feels.

[@michaelvanasse167]

The handoff to Big ray is the best one by far. So much respect for the Colorado team and fanbase. Even though it wasnt in Boston Jersey, Colarado made it happen for the man. Awesome nothing better Ray's son in tears just starring at his dad. Priceless

[@TheKisj]

The legendary sakic to bourque handoff never gets old 🙌

[@digable_celestial_dwarfs6778]

The Ovi raise would be the GOAT to me (I'm 100% biased), if not for the fact that the moment immediately following that one was Ovi helping Backstrom raise the cup with his broken hand and the two of them taking the lap together... _THAT_ was the GOAT, imo.

[@AwesomeNuke]

And the chick flashing behind the net. That was GOAT too

[@parkscarlett8586]

That primal roar from him got me in tears everytime I watch it. That's emotion as real as it can get: all the frustrations, the heartaches, the dissapointments turninto pure happiness and vindication.

[@patrickhall6627]

Absolute iconic moment in NHL history.

[@poejavelski148]

What software did you use to edit out all the booing?

[@hucz]

stfu

[@poejavelski148]

@@hucz Lol why you mad?

[@hucz]

@@poejavelski148 just felt like telling you to stfu

[@poejavelski148]

@@hucz Aight

[@Shatamx]

Nuks fans tossing garbage and booing loudly during that entire Stanley Cup presentation was such a joke. At least they cheered for Tim Thomas when he was presented the Smythe.

[@bianca-sg8zq]

Ray Bourque holding the Stanley Cup when Colorado Avalanche won in the 2000-2001 season!! Seeing them allow Bourque to carry the Cup first gave me chills and was one of the best sports moments ever!!! I cried, I was so happy to see such a graceful gesture!!! On another note, I touched the Stanley Cup years ago at the NHL store in Manhattan. It was amazing to know I touched the cup of champions.

[@wildeirishpoet]

Sakic to Bourque, greatest assist of all time!

[@infernosgaming8942]

And I thought Forsberg was the one to be the best at dishing…

[@originalpain]

Ovechkin's cup was where men cried

[@jerk8266]

It's true I cried like a baby 😭🤣

[@rjhaney2614]

And Bourque’s was where everyone cried.

[@thebeastslayer7198]

I watched it on a school field trip wish it was with my dad

[@MrBlazemaster525]

Legends cried when Ray Bourque hoisted his.

[@markopuranen5910]

Selanne for me.

[@07foxmulder]

I love how Brind’Amour doesn’t wait for Bettman to hand him the Cup haha

[@KevinNerfs]

Thanks for including the ABC audio for #1. It just wouldn’t quite be the greatest Cup raise ever without Gary Thorne’s call.

[@philmartin7928]

Watching Sakic hand it off immediately to my favorite player ever, Bourque STILL gives me goosebumps. Man, I wish the Bs were able to win one while he wore the black and gold.

[@jackduker9737]

The best part is after Ray Bourque raises the cup the cameras pan to his kids Ryan and Chris and Ryan’s just crying is eyes out lol. I’ve watched both his sons suit up for the Hershey Bears together and play against each other in Hershey and Ray has been at a few games, awesome to see the family all together.

[@bafriesen]

Colorado got it done for you Ray Bourque! What a moment, and amazing way to end your career on top. Super Joe with the handoff! Hope to have the Cup back in Denver real soon with Nathan Mackinnon on duty #GoAvsGo #GoAvsGo #GoAvsGo

[@matambale]

Your wish has been granted! GO AVS!

[@infernosgaming8942]

Not only was your wish granted, the handoff was eloquently recreated when Landy handed it off to EJ, who if I’m not mistaken is the longest serving Avs on the current roster.

[@themaxmainvilleshow6527]

I get goosebumps for every single one of them. Amazing.

[@bronan4775]

As a Detroit fan watching Vladdy hold the cup makes me tear up every time

[@JoJo-io7sx]

SAMCRO Till I Die that's cuz you're a baby

[@cooledge47]

My opinion Ovechkin lifting the cup gave me chills . Maybe it’s the camera angle but you can feel the emotions. Must’ve been surreal

[@SubyRyan]

So happy that my team the Avalanche were able help Bourque get his long deserved cup! Of course Sakic was pure class by giving him the cup first!

[@Howlingburd19]

That’s one of the classiest things I’ve ever seen in history! Not just sports history, no all history!!!

[@jacknakash2677]

Ray Bourqe raising Lord Stanley's Cup and Captain Joe Sakic making sure he was the first to hoist it was just pure class. Bourqe went ou like.a teue championt

[@zewo.1]

I’m a Pens fan and idc what anyone says I’m so glad Ovi got a cup.

[@aidandunne5978]

I'm a younger fan for the Lighting, so while I totally appreciate the Sakic and Yzerman moments, the only two of these I actually got to watch live on TV were Chara and Ovi hoisting the cup. So for me, when Ovi raises the cup over his head, as the music swells, and the even the road Vegas crowd appreciates the moment and pops in celebration.... that one is the most special for me personally

[@maverickzmedia]

I still cry every time i see bourque raise the cup

[@keithharvey2112]

#3 and #1! Goosebumps every time.

[@samueladams7102]

Damn they really had the Remember the Titans-type music playing right as Ovi lifts the cup. Who's cuttin onions in here?

[@022rty]

Sakic was and will continue to be the definition of a class act!

[@thereptiledude7247]

Ovi gave me chills. You can feel his energy. Even though I’m a huge Pens fan that one should have been number one.

[@howzerqwerty]

Red Wings fan all my life. But the class act that Sakic is handing the cup to Bourque has got to be one of the top moments in hockey history ever.

[@666mathew]

The beauty of the Stanley Cup is to see it raised and watch the strong display of emotions. It's something that sadly we don't see in the Super Bowl, World Series, or NBA Championships, as the players or owners are barraged with interviews and speeches. C'mon, it's not a Grammy award!

[@parkscarlett8586]

The feral scream Ovi let out lifting the cup will always gets me. That's constant years of frustration, shattered dreams and playoffs disappointment exorcised all at once.

[@BrokenSaide]

Diehard Pens fan and I get choked up every time I see Ovi lift that Cup. So damn well deserved.

[@ericbrewerguitar1499]

He endured over a decade of playoff torture at our hands lol. He damn well deserved it. The primal scream he let out upon hoisting Lord Stanley was unlike anything I’ve ever seen. Good for him. Not this year though Great 8! Prob gonna be Tampa but the Pens pose more of a threat than they did last year for sure. Murray is red hot. They’ll make some noise.

[@lelouchvibritannia4028]

@@ericbrewerguitar1499 I don't know about that. If the Caps beat the Pens again, then I have a feeling they'll get through Tampa Bay. They seem to have the Lightning's number.

[@ericbrewerguitar1499]

S Choudhry Don’t get me wrong, I hate Tampa. I’d much rather see the Avs win lol I actually love the Avalanche (especially the 96-2001 teams but then again who doesn’t). I only say that because Tampa HAS to go all the way this time or their historic season will be looked back on as a joke. They blew it in the 2016 ECF and again last year.

[@lelouchvibritannia4028]

@@ericbrewerguitar1499 People said the same thing about the 2016-2017 Capitals during the last year of their window, but then they won the Cup in 2017-2018 when their window was supposedly closed. We'll just have to see if Tampa won't choke again or not.

[@ericbrewerguitar1499]

S Choudhry The Capitals of 2016-2017 were obviously great (and whoever said their window was closed was clearly foolish, the core was all still there) but Tampa had 127 points this year for pete’s sake!!! The Caps of a couple years ago were not quite that good. And to your point, both the Caps and the Pens have had Tampa’s number in the playoffs. It’s gonna be a hard, hard road

[@LavenderPajamas08]

Longtime B's fan but not old enough to remember the cup runs in the 80's and early 90's but Bourque was my first favorite Bruins player. I was on the edge of my seat in that game 7 willing the Avalanche to win for Ray. What a game and time that was, oh the nostalgia

[@CodyHeimbach]

Honestly, Konstantinov in the wheelchair should've been number one. Not taking anything away from Bourque or his undoubtedly great moment, he was a phenomenal player who 100% deserved a Stanley Cup. The thing is, we've seen great players go to contenders as one last ditch effort to get a Cup. It isn't anything new. Show me one other time that a team won a Cup, lost a teammate due to a horrific accident, then won it again the next year just so they could put it in his lap while he's sitting in a wheelchair. One of the greatest moments in NHL history.

[@Kroitk]

You're wrong. It wasn't one of the greatest moments in NHL history--it was THE most storybook, feel-good SPORTS CHAMPIONSHIP ENDING EVER!

[@diablo_jambe1162]

Agreed!

[@dr.aisaitl7439]

But Ray Bourque was one of the best defencemen of all time, anyone who lived through the nineties knows how much soul, talent, and leadership he gave to the Bruins. Sure it happened to Lanny, Andreychuk, Ovechkin but they didn't have the same circumstances as Bourque because they either weren't the same caliber or had waited long enough to make it equivalent. Can you imagine if Lidstrom with all of the individual hardware and consistent domination, but in all of his 20+ years he had never won a cup? But in his final year he would be on a team that would come back from a 3-1 deficit in the finals to win it in game 7? The Avs very likely wouldn't have won that cup without him. Plus Sakic breaking tradition made it even more special. You would feel exactly the same way. The Wings never had their players wait 20+ years to win the cup

[@cdrhiggins]

The underhand pass to Bourque is iconic though. Yes, the Konstantinov celebration is emotional and something else, but Yzerman raised it before he handed it off. If Yzerman took it and handed it off immediately, then yes, number 1. But Sakic passed it off to a legend, no hesitation, and let Bourque take a lap before anyone else got to touch it. That's what makes it number 1 for me. PLUS Konstantinov previously won the cup with the team in '97. 22 years is more impactful to me than a player winning a back to back (even if he was injured during '98)

[@CodyHeimbach]

@@cdrhiggins He didn't win it back to back. He won in 1997 and suffered lifelong brain trauma due to his drunk limo driver in the off-season. He was told he'd never walk again. Ask Bourque if he'd rather have his Cup or his brain.

[@spacerazer]

Sakic always a class act.

[@highlander91newk54]

Came to see Ovi. Stayed to show respect.

[@nolby1758]

Joe Sakic with another sick pass. One of the classiest gestures in history.

[@tylerlarsen1842]

7:30 "...and after 22 years: RAYMOND BOURQUE!"

[@Bard20]

I love all of these. Especially the top 3. But really the one with the Hurricanes and Brind’Amour gets me too. Rips the cup away and is so happy he can just scream and finally hoist it. I love it

[@Margann1987]

My personal all-time favourite was in 2010 when Jonathan Toews handed the Cup to Marián Hossa after being in the Finals three consecutive seasons with three different teams.

[@irvinepoker3187]

not really tho ...Hossa was chasing cups with other teams to only fially win in chi..Ray stayed his whole career with Bos and they only traded him for to a contender to win. Hossa was just sigining 1 year deals with top teams till he won

[@ssh3035]

And he was only 30.. lol not 15-20 seasons in.. nice gesture though forsure

[@CandidBroheim]

Sakic was uneasy even grabbing the cup, he had some much respect for Bourque that he just wanted to hand it to him immediately. I remember watching this game, I was 13 years old and I remember that realization that the team you live finally did it...it was a great moment!

[@StewArt61]

THey're all great...Ovie looked like the weight of the world was lifted off his shoulder...amazing stuff... of course Bourque's always get me

[@dogwithheadphones]

In the modern NHL era, I have legitimately never seen a player so ecstatic to lift the cup as Alexander Ovechkin was. Even as a bruins fan, I love Alex Ovechkin. So humble and down to earth, and just so damn chill.

[@steven-pf2km]

I’m a Rangers fan, and when I watch Ovi throw the cup, I get chills, the dude truly deserves it.

[@zandercook1494]

I’m a HUGE football fan.. but these Stanley Cup celebrations man.. they are the best of the best. Everyone gets to hoist it above their heads and skate around the ice AND their names are engraved on the cup. That’s amazing! Also GKG 👑

[@Kigul263]

Every damn time when Ray Bourque raises the Cup, I find out that someone peels onions near me.

[@lalk3434]

One of the classiest things in sports ...sakic takes it and gives it to bourque without raising ot himself. Hats off