YEAR	WOULD-BE-WINNER
1963-64	Bob Pulford-Toronto His Pulford-Shack-Stewart line held the vaunted Beliveau-Geoffrion-Ferguson line of the first place Canadiens to only three goals in seven games and put an end to the brilliant scoring run by Norm Ullman of Detroit whose line had four goals in the seven games against the Leafs. Pulford was the Leafs star in a 3-2 loss to Montreal, scoring both goals including one shorthanded. He was mentioned as one of the Leafs best players in three of the other games against Montreal for his hard checking and brilliant penalty-killing. He started the final by scoring the winning goal against the Wings while Toronto were a man short and had two goals and one assist as Toronto won 4-3 in overtime in game six. He had his third short-handed marker in that one and set up the famous overtime marker that was scored by Bob Baun on a broken leg.
1962-63	Johnny Bower-Toronto Put on the best goaltending display of his long career. Toronto were outshot in all but three of ten games, Bower blocked 299/315 shots (94.9%) and was mentioned as a star in five of the ten games. He had 32 and 35 saves in his shutouts over Montreal, the leagues highest scoring team.
1961-62	Stan Mikita-Chicago Chicago wasted a truly great playoff performance by Mikita. Set a new record for points (21) and assists (15) in a playoff year. Had points in eleven straight playoff games. Had two game winners and set up two other winners, along with scoring a short-handed tally. Was Chicago's best player in six of the twelve games.
1960-61	Pierre Pilote-Chicago Feisty little blueliner set an NHL playoff record for points and assists by a defensemen with 3-12-15. His assists and point totals tied Gordie Howe for most in the playoffs. Assisted on an amazing six of the Hawks eight winning goals. Had points in all but one twelve Chicago playoff tilts.
1959-60	Jacques Plante-Montreal Although Montreal had a wide margin in shots for during their first six games, Habs coach Toe Blake said that Plante and Henri Richard were his best players in the playoffs. Plante gave Chicago six goals in four games and Toronto five in four. He led with a 1.38 goals against average and blocked 204/215 shots he faced (94.9%).
1958-59	Marcel Bonin-Montreal Left-winger had the greatest moments of his Pro career as he led the playoffs in goals with 10, four more than anyone else. Led the playoffs with three winning goals and had two first goals. Had a five game goal scoring streak (7-1) against Chicago and got the series Cup winning goal and two others against Toronto.
1957-58	Maurice Richard-Montreal The Rocket was at his best in leading the playoffs with eleven goals-the next best player on his team had six. He had the winner in four of Montreal's eight wins and sat up another winner. One of his winners was in overtime. He had four multi-goal games.
1956-57	Bernie "Boom-Boom" Geoffrion-Montreal Hard-shooting winger came back from an injury-plagued season to be Habs most consistent playoff producer. Led the playoffs in goals and points (11-7) and missed the playoff goal record by one. Had three game winners and set up three more winners. Had points in nine of ten Habs playoff games.
1955-56	Jean Beliveau-Montreal There was Jean Beliveau and then there were the rest of the players. Beliveau tied a playoff record with twelve goals and led the playoffs in points (19). He scored goals in all but one playoff game and seven more goals than the next best Hab. He counted two winners and set up two other winners and was virtually unstoppable.
1954-55	Gordie Howe-Detroit A slam-dunk as the best player in the playoffs as he established a new record for points (20) and led in goals with nine. Howe had three game winning goals and set up three more winners. He had points in 9/11 games and was used in powerplay and penalty-killing roles.
1953-54	Terry Sawchuck-Detroit Held Toronto to only 8 goals in five games and Montreal to 12 in seven games. Led the playoffs with a 1.60 goals against average and came up big in the final game overtime win over Montreal.
1952-53	Ed Sandford-Boston Great in the victory over Detroit scoring six goals in the last four games. He had three first goals and an assist on the series winner. Against Montreal he had the winner in the only Bruins win. Led the playoffs in goals and points (8-3).
1951-52	Terry Sawchuk-Detroit In a playoff year where the checkers reigned supreme, Sawchuk came up with a performance of legendary quality. He shutout Toronto twice and gave them three goals in four games, then allowed the second place Canadiens only two goals while shutting them out in the final two contests. His goals against average was 0.63 and he had an incredible saves percentage of .977.
1950-51	Maurice Richard-Montreal Although his team lost, Richard gave a performance of epic proportions. Not only did he lead the playoffs in goals and points (9-4), but he scored three overtime game winners along the way. He had goals in his last six playoff games and was in on seven of the ten goals Montreal scored against Toronto in the finals.
1949-50	Chuck Rayner-NY Rangers Deserves the purple heart for leading a band of journeymen to the seventh game of the finals. Saved 92% of the shots that he faced, even though it was often a barrage. Held Montreal to only seven goals in five games. Stopped 39 shots in final game loss to Detroit. Circus in New York cut back on the Rangers home games in the final.
1948-49	Turk Broda-Toronto Was at his big-game career best in winning eight of his nine games, his only loss coming in overtime to Boston. Detroit led the league in goals during the season, but could only slip five past the veteran in four games. Saved over 93% of the shots he faced and was heroic in game 3 against Detroit when he held the team in for two periods until they came back to win.
1947-48	Ted Kennedy-Toronto Set a Toronto record and led the playoffs in goals and points (8-6). Set up the tying goal that led to an overtime win in game 1 versus Boston; then had four goals in a 5-3 2nd game win and scored the winner in the series clincher. Ended with 2 winners, two first goals and that tying assist. His tough corner work and ferocious checking were key features of the Leafs win.
1946-47	Ted Kennedy-Toronto Described as the most determined player in the playoffs this young center led the Leafs with nine points (4-5) to finish second in playoff points. He scored two game winners and set up another. He was a star in two of the Leafs three games in Montreal (4-0 2nd game win and in the sixth game clincher) with the winning goal in both games.
1945-46	Elmer Lach-Montreal It was again the Montreal production line of Lach-Blake-Richard that carried the team. Lach was the most consistent by earning points in eight of nine playoff games while missing the Stanley point record by one with seventeen. He set a new record with twelve playoff assists and had two important first goals that led to 3-2 and 4-2 wins over Boston.
1944-45	Ted Kennedy-Toronto The only Leafs player to have more than three goals (7-2). Sparkled with his stick-handling and as a puck control artist against Montreal who had scored nearly a goal-per-game more than the Leafs during the regular season. Had the winner in 1-0 1st game victory over Habs and the all-important 1st goal in game 2. Notched the winner in 2-0 2nd game win over Detroit, was the games 1st star in 1-0 game 3 win and had all three goals in a 5-3 loss in game five.
1943-44	Hector "Toe" Blake-Montreal Set a record for the most playoff points (18) in a Stanley Cup season. Had assists on all five of Richards' goals in 5-1 win over Toronto and had four goals in five games against the Leafs. Had the game-winner in the opening win over Chicago and the overtime winner in the series clincher. He had points in all but one playoff tilt.
1942-43	Jack Stewart-Detroit His very tough style of play that saw him lead the playoffs in penalty minutes had a telling effect in the Toronto series. He averaged over forty minutes per game and found time to set up the winner in game five 4-2 win over Toronto and had the first goal and an assist in opening 6-2 triumph over Boston. Was one of the main reasons Detroit let in only five goals in four games to Boston.
1941-42	Syl Apps-Toronto Tied for the playoff point lead with a record 14 and in assists with 9. Was a game star in four of the six games against the Rangers. Had 1-2 in the opening 3-1 win, the first goal in 2-1 5th game win and set up the winner in 3-2 series clincher. Quiet for the three straight losses to Detroit, he came back with 1-1 including an assist on the winner in game four and led the Leafs to a 9-3 win in game five with 2-3.
1940-41	Milt Schmidt-Boston The Bruins lost NHL scoring leader Bill Cowley to a knee injury in the very first game of the playoffs. Schmidt came through with a hard-checking style that earned him mention as a game star in four of the games against Toronto, then was great in the finals with points in all four games. Had 1-1 in 3-2 1st game win, set up the winner in 2-1 game 2 win, had two goals including the winner in game three 4-2 triumph and had two assists in the 3-1 series clincher. He led the playoffs by three points with 5-6-11.
1939-40	Phil Watson-NY Rangers If he had never scored a point this feisty center would have been a key player in the Rangers win. Against Boston he was up against the "Kraut" line who had finished 1-2-3 in scoring and he was at his pesky best in holding that line to one goal in six games. Meanwhile Watson had two goals including the 1st game winner. In the final against Toronto he lined up against the Apps-Drillon-Davidson line that had a goal-a-game coming into the final. Watson starred with three assists in a 6-2 win, had the 1st goal in a 2-1 loss and drove the Leafs to distraction with his irritating style. He tied for the playoff lead in scoring from a defensive line.
1938-39	Bill Cowley-Boston His line with Mel Hill and Roy Conacher were chiefly responsible for the Bruins offence. While Schmidt-Bauer-Dumart were checking opponents to a standstill the wily center was busy getting 1-1 including setting up the overtime winner in each of the 1st two games against New York. He had another goal and set up the overtime winner in game seven against the Rangers. Facing Toronto he furthered his reputation as the wing-maker by setting up seven goals while being selected as one of the games stars in the final four tilts. Toronto had only six goals in the series.
1937-38	Gordie Drillon-Toronto If ever a case for a player on a losing team could be made this is the one. Drillon led the playoffs in scoring (7-1 in eight games) and had half of his teams fourteen goals. He had the game winner in a 2-1 win over highly favoured Boston and followed up with the first goal and the overtime winner in the clinching 3-2 triumph over the Bruins. He had the important first goal in the first game of the finals (a 3-1 loss to Chicago), followed up with two goals and a 1st star selection in a 5-1 second game victory over the Hawks, set up the Leafs only goal in a 2-1 3rd game loss and had the tying goal before the Leafs gave in to a Cup clinching 4-1 1oss.
1936-37	Marty Barry-Detroit All-Star center led the playoffs in points and assists (4-7-11) and his line with Herb Lewis and Hec Kilrea dominated almost every game. Barry had four assists in the opening 4-0 win over Canadiens, was a star scoring his teams only goal in game three, then came up with the winners in game three and five in the finals over NY Rangers. Starred in the final two games as Detroit were playing without Doug Young, Larry Aurie, Orville Roulston, Normie Smith and Ebbie Goodfellow missed game four against the Rangers.
1935-36	Normie Smith-Detroit Detroit were out-shot in every playoff game. Smith stole the opener against the Maroons blocking all 90 shots as his team won 1-0 after 117 minutes of overtime. He followed up with 36 saves in a 3-0 shutout and was solid in every game against Toronto as he stopped 95.7% of the 281 shots that he faced.
1934-35	Lawrence "Baldy" Northcott-Montreal Maroons In very low scoring playoffs this strong back-checking winger led the playoffs in goals (4) and points (5). He made them all count as he had three games winners. He had the only goal of the series in overtime as Maroons beat Chicago 1 goal to none; the winner in the opener against the Rangers; and had goals in each of the last two games of the finals including the cup-clinching winner in game three (4-1) over the Leafs.
1933-34	Lionel Conacher-Chicago The Hawks used the trap and a smothering defence to take the playoffs. Conacher was at his hard-hitting best and ex NHLer Johnny "Peanuts" O'Flaherty said "Conacher blocked more shots than Charlie Gardiner and was the definite difference in the finals". Conacher also led many rushes out of his own end and scored two goals on these rushes. He was mentioned as a star in six of the eight games his team played.
1932-33	Cecil Dillon-NY Rangers Winger from the checking line was the dominant player in the playoffs. He had goals in his first five playoff games including the winner in the opener of the finals against Toronto, then picked up the first goal in a 3-2 loss to the Leafs and was selected one of the games stars in a 1-0 overtime winner for his work in holding the Primeau-Conacher-Jackson line to no goals in the final.
1931-32	Charlie Conacher-Toronto Offensive threat every game with 6-2 in seven games. Had two goals including the winner in the clincher against Chicago and had the only goal in a 1-1 tie with Maroons. Steady producer in high scoring series versus Rangers where his line with Jackson and Primeau had eight goals in three games.
1930-31	Johnny "Black-Cat" Gagnon-Montreal Canadiens Clutch performer had 6-2 in ten playoff games. Had four of the important first goals to give his team a chance. Had four goals in the last three games against Chicago including the Stanley Cup game winner in game five. Clicked for four power-play goals.
1929-30	George Hainsworth-Canadiens Led the playoffs with a brilliant 0.75 average and three shutouts in six games. Held to Habs in for 54 minutes of overtime before they eliminated Chicago and for 69 minutes of O/T in beating NYR 2-1. Shutout Boston (who had a 38-5-1 season record) in game one of the final.
1928-29	Cecil "Tiny" Thompson-Boston Clutch and grab hockey saw Boston outscore opponents 9-3 in five games. Thompson had a 5-0 record with three shutouts in five games and a playoff best 0.66 goals against average. He blocked 33 shots in the final 2-1 victory over the Rangers.
1927-28	Frank Boucher-NY Rangers The dominant player on the winning team. Led the playoffs in scoring with 7-3-10. Scored the first goal in four of the Rangers nine games and the winning goal in four of their five wins. Had the only goal in a 1-1 tie with Boston, the overtime winner in game 2 versus Maroons, the only goal in a 1-0 win in game 4 over the Maroons and both goals in the series clinching 2-1 win.
1926-27	Alex Connell-Ottawa Held the second highest scoring team in the league (Canadiens) to only one goal over two games and then held the third highest scoring team (Boston) to only three goals in four games that included forty minutes of overtime. Led the playoffs with a 0.45 goals against average and two shutouts.
1925-26	Nels Stewart-Montreal Maroons This sensational NHL rookie who won the MVP for the regular season went above the call of duty in the playoffs for the Maroons. Usually a center, he played almost every shift on defence when captain Dunc Munro was slowed down by a severe flu. Despite playing out of position he scored six of the Maroons ten goals as Montreal completely outplayed Victoria. Had the game winner in all three wins over Victoria and a goal in the 3-2 loss.
1924-25	Jack Walker-Victoria Led Victoria shooters with four goals and five points in the final. Had the game-winning goal in game one and two goals in game two. Had the first goal in each of the first two games and four unassisted tallies. He also had goals in each of the four league playoff games to reach the finals. Great sweep-check also limited the Canadiens scoring chances.
1923-24	Howie Morenz-Montreal Canadiens Tied Billy Boucher for the point scoring lead with 4-2 in four games while dominating with end-to-end rushes. Also had three goals in two game sweep of Ottawa. Had two first goals and two winners in Stanley Cup playoffs. Two of his four goals were unassisted as were all three of his goals against Ottawa.
1922-23	Harry "Punch" Broadbent-Ottawa Led all Stanley Cup scorers with 6-1-7. Had the only goal in a 1-0 win over Vancouver; twice scored two goals in a game against Vancouver in 3-2 and 5-1 wins; and had the only goal in the 1-0 Stanley Cup clincher against Edmonton. No other player had more than two goals or four points.
1921-22	Cecil "Babe" Dye-Toronto Totally dominated the playoffs with nine goals. He had two goals in the opening 4-3 loss to Vancouver; the overtime winner in the second game 2-1 win; two goals in the fourth game 6-0 romp; and four goals in the series clinching 5-1 romp. Toronto trailed 2-1 after three games but Dye scored six goals in two games to key the comeback.
1920-21	Jack Darragh-Ottawa Scored goals in all three of Ottawa's victories and led with his five goals. Had the tying and winning goals in the series clincher. Scored in each of the first three games and twice in game five. Three of his five goals were unassisted.
1919-20	Jack Darragh-Ottawa Had the game winner in all three of Ottawa's victories among his five goals. With the series tied he took over with a hat-trick and was the big star in the series clincher. In addition to three winners he had a first goal and two unassisted tallies to his credit.
1918-19	Although the playoffs were never completed Newsy Lalonde of Montreal Canadiens deserves to be credited with an asterisk. He had six goals in the final including all of the goals in a 4-2 win in game two. Scored twice to rally the Habs from a 3-1 deficit in game five that led to a 4-3 overtime win. Also had eleven goals in five league playoff games for seventeen in ten playoff games.
1917-18	Alf Skinner-Toronto Led the playoffs with ten points (8-2). Has 2-1 in the opening 5-3 win including the winner; followed up with three goals in a 6-4 loss; had two more goals in a 6-3 win; assisted on the only goal in an 8-1 loss; and tallied the important first goal in the series clinching 2-1 win. The only player with more than three goals for Toronto.