The 2011 Stanley Cup Finals was the championship series that decided the National Hockey League's playoff champion for the 2010–11 season and marked the 118th presentation of the Stanley Cup. The matchup pitted the Western Conference winners, the Vancouver Canucks, against the Eastern Conference winners, the Boston Bruins. Boston won the series in seven games, claiming the franchise's sixth Stanley Cup.
Series overview
The final required the full seven games to determine a champion. The decisive Game 7 was played on the Canucks' home ice in Vancouver, where Boston recorded a 4–0 victory to secure the series 4–3. Goaltender Tim Thomas was named the playoff MVP (Conn Smythe Trophy), and the win ended a Stanley Cup drought for the Bruins that dated back to 1972.
Key facts
- Edition: 118th Stanley Cup Finals
- Final series length: seven games
- Champions: Boston Bruins (4 games)
- Runners-up: Vancouver Canucks (3 games)
- Final game score (Game 7): Boston 4, Vancouver 0
- This was the Bruins' sixth Stanley Cup title, giving them the fourth-most championships in the NHL at that time.
Aftermath
The outcome delivered a long-awaited championship to Boston and was a significant moment in franchise history. In Vancouver, the conclusion of Game 7 was followed by large disturbances in the downtown area. The series remains notable for its intense on-ice play and the strong public reactions in both cities.