Show Me Your Badge...

Kelly Hrudey
1993-94 Upper Deck #216

As the Florida Panthers' uniform crew are undoubtedly stitching the "2023 Stanley Cup Finals" badges to the jerseys, it's a good time to appreciate the SCF badges that appear on some of my old hockey cards.

Rick Tocchet
1992-93 Upper Deck #238

Not only is this a great-looking card of rugged veteran Rick Tocchet, but it's from the Stanley Cup Finals.

Bonus point for Penguins 25th Anniversary badge on shoulder.

Makes it extra special.

Bob Cat Flying High...

Sergei Bobrovsky
2020-21 Upper Deck #79

The Florida Panthers advance to the 2023 Stanley Cup Finals with a sweep of the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Championship.

Every game in the series was decided by a goal, however.

After winning the first two games in overtime, the advantage seems to be Florida's goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky who earned a shutout in Game 3.

Sergei Bobrovsky
2011-12 Score #349
(Glossy Parallel)

Had to look up exactly how long Bobrovsky had been in the league... I knew he spent years in Columbus, but actually began his career with Philadelphia.

In a photo that was probably taken during the pre-game warmup, it almost looks like "Goalie Bob" has been chased from the net (full of pucks behind him).

We Are The (Conference) Champions...

Boston Bruins
1990 Conference Champions
Prince of Wales Conference
1990-91 Score #368

Most hockey card sets don't have nearly enough emphasis on the real NHL season: The Playoffs.

In the Third Round of the 2023 NHL Playoffs, it's the Carolina Hurricanes against the Florida Panthers... While the Dallas Stars battle the Seattle Kraken.

A blast from the past, from a much simpler time...

Edmonton Oilers
1990 Conference Champions
Campbell Conference
1990-91 Score #369

Organizing my growing pile of previously unsorted 1990-91 Score hockey cards, didn't even realize that I owned this pair of cards.

Was actually pleased to discover that I had both these cards in my collection.

Surely I'm not the only hockey fan who'd rather see Boston taking on Washington, with Edmonton encountering Chicago. (Well, maybe not Chicago - Not until the Hawks are done rebuilding, anyway...)

Striking Oil...

Los Angeles Kings (Team Card)
1989-90 O-Pee-Chee #305

With the Los Angeles Kings and Edmonton Oilers meeting in the playoffs for consecutive seasons, it's a good opportunity to appreciate this card from 1989-90 O-Pee-Chee.

The newly acquired Kelly Hrudey backstopping the LA Kings, with his blue headband visible.

Bonus point for Kings logo and "Merch" ad on the boards.


The Kings and Oilers met 6 times during an 8 year span between 1985 and 1992. It was especially memorable time, considering Gretzky "switched sides".

Following the meeting during the 1992 Playoffs, it wouldn't be until 2022 (30 years later) that these two teams would encounter each other during the NHL Postseason.

Just so happens they've now met in the Playoffs during consecutive years now.

Dave's Not Here...

Dave Andreychuk
2004-05 Upper Deck #157

I seem to recall Dave Andreychuk contemplating retirement after he captained the Tampa Bay Lightning to a Stanley Cup Championship in 2004. That was right before the next season was cancelled due the lockout (2004-05).

He actually did return in 2005-06 for half a season in Tampa before calling it quits.

Appropriately enough, Martin St. Louis (who was instrumental in Tampa's cup run) makes a cameo on the background.

Andreychuck wore number 25, while St. Louis wore 26.

Back-to-Back Champs...

Matt Murray
2016-17 Upper Deck #144

In what's being called the closest thing to a "dynasty" in today's NHL, the Tampa Bay Lightning become the first team to repeat as Stanley Cup Champions since the Pittsburgh Penguins (2016 & 2017).

Chris Osgood
1999-00 O-Pee-Chee #84

It was nearly two decades since the back-to-back victories by the Detroit Red Wings (1997 & 1998) and Pittsburgh Penguins (1991 & 1992).

Bill Ranford
1990-91 Upper Deck #42

Even the Edmonton Oilers, who won 5 Championships over 7 seasons (from 1984-1990) never actually won more than two years in a row.

Butch Goring
1983-94 O-Pee-Chee #7

The New York Islanders' four consecutive Cups (1980-1983) will probably stand for quite some time.

In those four seasons, they remarkably lost only three games during the Finals. Another impressive stat is four different Islanders players winning the Playoff MVP. (Trottier, Goring, Bossy, Smith)

The Isles' Championships were actually preceded by four consecutive Stanley Cups by the Montreal Canadiens (1976-1979) coached by Scotty Bowman.

Lightning Strike Twice...

Andrei Vasilevskiy
2019-20 Upper Deck #272

With a 1-0 victory in Game 5 over Montreal, the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrated their second Stanley Cup victory in as many years.

Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy was named Playoff MVP.

He also becomes the first goaltender in NHL history to record a shutout in 3 consecutive series-clinching games. This includes winning 2-0 over Carolina in the second round, and a 1-0 victory over the NY Islanders in the third round.

Prolongation...

Patrick Roy
1993-94 Upper Deck #49

Hoping to see Montreal extend the Stanley Cup Final series against Tampa, just for the sake of seeing more championship hockey.

Snapshot from 1993, the last time the Montreal Canadiens were in the Stanley Cup Finals...

Patrick Roy has Wayne Gretzky on the doorstep, appearing to thwart a scoring chance by The Great One.

Quite possibly the coolest looking card from 1993-94 Upper Deck. Excellent composition.

Just happened to notice the Montreal defender barely has any tape on his stick. Also conveniently happens to be an Upper Deck advertisement on the boards.

Also note the Stanley Cup badge visible on Roy's jersey. Got me wondering exactly when they decided to eliminat the color orange from the badge design... Seems 2004 was the very last time that orange was used. Returning from the lockout, a new design emerged in 2006.

Sacre Bleu...

Ryan Callahan
2014-15 Upper Deck #422

Because hockey and summertime go together like cold pizza and warm beer, the Tampa Bay Lightning and Montreal Canadiens are playing for the Stanley Cup.

My favorite card featuring these teams. A frantic moment on the doorstep as Ryan Callahan tries to get past the backup goaltender (whom I believe is Dustin Tokarski). All the defencemen (Subban and Markov) can do is watch...

Sadly, none of these players still play for these teams. (Subban is with the New Jersey Devils, while Tokarski is a member of the Buffalo Sabres)

"There's No Canada Like French Canada..."

The Lightning hoisted the Cup last year, while the Canadiens have historically won nearly a hundred times.

Victory or defeat, Montreal citizens will undoubtedly destroy part of their own town...

Edmonton VS Winnipeg

Shayne Corson
1993-94 Parkhurst #338

The Edmonton Oilers played six playoff series in eight years against the old Winnipeg Jets (now the Arizona Coyotes).

The re-incarnated Jets are celebrating their 10th year in Winnipeg...
(It's taken me this long to stop thinking of them as the Atlanta Thrashers)

Taking a look at my cards that feature an Edmonton against Winnipeg matchup, and this one has got to be my absolute favorite... Liked it as soon as I saw it.

Jets goaltender (Bob Essensa) manages to pull off a poke check on the doorstep.

Toronto VS Montreal

Larry Hillman
1991-92 Ultimate Original Six #36

2021 marks the first time in 42 years that the NHL's two oldest teams will face each other in the postseason...

Great snapshot, especially considering the era.
Bodies flying, no helmets...

Good old time hockey at it's finest!

Vegas VS Minnesota

Mark Stone
2019-20 Upper Deck MVP #49

It still looks weird to me...

The Vegas Golden Knights against the Minnesota Wild in the 2021 Playoffs.

Another expansion team matchup. The relatively shiny new Golden Knights managed to make it all the way to the Finals during their very first year (2017-18).

The Vegas Golden Knights have never missed the Playoffs during their short existence, and have emerged the series winner 5 times.

Los Angeles, San Jose and Winnipeg were knocked out by the Knights en route to the Finals in 2018. After that incredible first year, Vegas was dealt a first-round elimination in 2019.

One of my very first Vegas Golden Knights cards was probably Mark Stone from 2019-20 Upper Deck MVP. Appropriate, as he's since been named Captain of the team.

Andrew Brunette
2003-04 Upper Deck #94

The Minnesota Wild (established in 2000-01) made a surprise run to the Western Conference Finals in 2003. This counts for 2 of the 4 playoff series victories in the team's history.

The Wild have defeated Colorado twice, with the other series wins coming over St Louis and Vancouver.

Digging into the earliest Minnesota Wild cards that I actually collected, Andrew Burnette's card caught my attention, having played for expansion teams Nashville, Atlanta and Minnesota.

He had two different stints with the Wild. From 2001-2004, and again from 2008-2011.

Colorado VS St Louis

Milan Hejduk
2002-03 Pacific #91

The Colorado Avalanche and the St Louis Blues 2021 Playoff series is just the second time that these teams have encountered each other in the Playoffs.

The last meeting was during the 2001 Western Conference Final. Colorado won the series in 5 games, but it was still entertaining to watch.

The Avs would of course go on to win the Stanley Cup. Milan Hedjuk had a league-leading 16 assists during the 2001 Playoffs.

Chris Pronger
2000-01 O-Pee-Chee #9

Chris Pronger of the St Louis Blues would come close to winning a Stanley Cup a few times before finally hoisting the prized trophy as a member of the Anaheim Ducks.

Carolina VS Nashville

Mike Commodore
2007-08 Upper Deck #184

The old guard in the Central Division (Dallas, Detroit and Chicago) are on the outside of the Playoff picture looking in...

Meanwhile, 2021 is the first time that the Carolina Hurricanes will encounter the Nashville Predators in the playoffs.

The Canes have a Stanley Cup to their name in 2006, which was preceded by another valiant attempt in 2002.

Carolina still seems relatively new team, at least for me... The Whalers became the Hurricanes in 1997-98 during the weather trend phenomenon (Lightning, Avalanche, Hurricanes).

In 2022, the Carolina Hurricanes are set to eclipse the number of years played as the Hartford Whalers.

David Legwand
2003-04 O-Pee-Chee #78

Guess I still consider Nashville to be "new". The Predators have been around for more than two decades, and the franchise has a trip to the Stanley Cup Finals under its' belt...

Card from 2004, the very first year that the Predators made the playoffs. Legwand is probably the franchise's most iconic player, and these white (home) jerseys are my favorite Preds uniform.

Florida VS Tampa Bay

Joe Cirella
1993-94 Leaf #269

2021 marks the first time that the two Florida-based expansion teams will face each other in the postseason.

The Florida Panthers went to the Finals in just their third year in existence...

They haven't had much luck in the playoff department since that magical year (1995-96), having missed the playoffs 10 times in 17 years. Yikes.

Petr Klima
1993-94 Upper Deck #526

The Tampa Bay Lightning went all the way during their tenth season (2003-04), and again in 2019-20.

Decided to dig up some cards depicting some early 1990s meetings between these two franchises.

Still missing the majority of that pesky Series 2 (93-94 UD). Just happened to have this one in my collection.

Pittsburgh VS New York Islanders

Ulf Samuelsson
1993-94 Fleer Ultra #204

The 2021 playoff matchup between the Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Islanders is the sixth playoff series between these teams. (previous playoff meetings: 1975, 1982, 1993, 2013 and 2019)

The Divisional Playoff bracket has also been re-instated for the 2021 season with the Islanders and Penguins in the "East Division".

The Pens and Isles were in the Patrick Division from 1981-1993.
From 1993-1998, the Penguins played in the "Northeast Division" while the Islanders were in the "Atlantic Division".

The teams were "re-united" in the Atlantic Division from 1998-2013, joining what became known as the "Metropolitan Division" from 2013-2020.












Historically, the Islanders have owned the Penguins in the Playoffs. Going into 2021, the Islanders had only lost a single series against the "mighty" Penguins... (Pittsburgh emerged as the victor in 2013)

This includes the historic 1975 series where the Isles came back to win in seven games over Pittsburgh after being down 3-0 in the series.

Vladmir Malakhov
1993-94 Pinnacle #104

Another memorable event in 1993 was the defending Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins up 3-1 in the series, only to fall to the Islanders who managed to survive elimination and win in seven.

The Stanley Cup was up for grabs, and it would also mark the end of Divisional Playoffs. Not only were teams separated by he newly formed "Northeast" and "Atlantic" Divisions, but the playoff format had eliminated the divisional brackets.

From 1993-2020 the top teams in each conference would be seeded seeded from 1 thru 8 (regardless of standing within their respective divisions).

Washington VS Boston

Zdeno Chara
2011-12 Score #61

My fascination with this 2021 playoff matchup is Washington's Zdeno Chara facing his former teammates in Boston.

This marks the fourth time that these franchises will meet in the postseason.

In previous meetings, the Bruins emerged as the victors in 1990 (en route to the Finals), with the Caps winning in 1998 (also making it to the Finals). The teams also met in a 2012 playoff matchup won by the Capitals.















A number of trades between these two franchises during the 1990s and early 2000s also managed to catch my attention, for whatever reason...

From nhltradetracker.com:

Steve Leach
1993-94 Pinnacle #73

After 6 seasons in Washington, Steve Leach played 5 seasons in Boston where he would score 159 of his 283 career NHL points.

Al Iafrate
1994-95 Select #80

The acquisiton of Al Iafrate was definitely exciting for Bruins fans...

Unfortunately, the big defenceman with the booming slapshot would only suit up for a dozen games with the Bruins. He missed a couple seasons due to injury, returning to play briefly with the San Jose Sharks.

Joe Juneau
1994-95 Topps/OPC Premier #100

Washington landed Joe Juneau in the Al Iafrate trade. Juneau would spend six seasons in Washington, scoring 234 points in 312 games with the Caps.

(Juneau would also play in Buffalo, Ottawa, and Phoenix before finishing his career in Montreal)

Adam Oates
1999-00 O-Pee-Chee #202

After nearly 6 seasons with the Bruins, Adam Oates became a member of the Washington Capitals, and would provide veteran leadership for the Caps during their 1998 appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals.

Sergei Gonchar
2002-03 Upper-Deck #175

In a season when the Bruins were already heavy favorites to win The Cup, the 2004 acquisition of Sergei Gonchar and Michael Nylander definitely seemed to improve the Bruins' chances...

However, the Bruins were defeated in the first round in a seven game series against their hated rivals, the Montreal Canadiens.

1993 Playoffs (Playin' Overtime)

Warren Rychel
1993-94 Upper Deck #93

From Wikipedia:

"These [1992-93] playoffs featured an NHL record 28 overtime games, of which the Canadiens set a playoff record for most overtime games won in one year with ten."

Jon LeClair
1993-94 Upper Deck #167

The eventual champion Montreal Canadiens actually found themselves down 2-0 in games to Ron Hextall and the Quebec Nordiques in the opening round of the playoffs.

Pivotal Game 3 went to overtime with the Canadiens prevailing, even after they had a goal disallowed (due to a high stick).

With the OT victory, the Montreal Canadiens had cut the series lead down to 2-1 in favor of Quebec Nordiques.

If Quebec had managed to score, Montreal would have found themselves in a stranglehold. The Canadiens managed to escape sudden death, and went on to win the series 4-2.

1992 Playoffs (Video Victory)

Sergei Federov
1991-92 Topps #401

History was made during the 1992 postseason series between the Detroit Red Wings and Minnesota North Stars.

With the North Stars leading the series 3-2, Game 6 went into overtime.

From Wikipedia:

"Video replay was used to decide a playoff game for the first time in game six of the Detroit–Minnesota division semifinal.

Sergei Fedorov of the Red Wings appeared to hit the crossbar behind Minnesota goalie Jon Casey during the first overtime, but after the North Stars iced the puck immediately afterward, referee Rob Shick called for a video review, which determined that the puck had entered the goal just below the crossbar and caromed off the frame at the back of the net. Fedorov was awarded the goal, giving the Red Wings a series-tying victory"

As the technology was relatively new, the commentators were talking about how it would be something if a video review were to determine the outcome of a playoff game. Today it's just the standard. Pretty much everyone playing in the NHL today grew up in the age of video replay.

The Wings would go on to win the series in Game 7.

Mike Modano
1992-93 Fleer Ultra #96

From Wikipedia:

"This was the final playoff series played by the Minnesota North Stars. The next time that the Stars franchise made the playoffs was in 1994 when they were known as the Dallas Stars. Game six [1992] was the final playoff game played at the Met Center."

1991 Playoffs (No Sweeping)

Mike Craig
1991-92 Upper Deck #125

Just an interesting tidbit about the 1991 NHL playoffs.

From Wikipedia:

"This was the first NHL playoffs without any series sweeps since the 1972–73 season. In addition, this season set the record for most playoff games played with 92, which stood until 2014"