1938 Stanley Cup Finals vs Maple Leafs
The 1938 Black Hawks won the Stanley Cup despite a losing regular-season record.
The Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 1938 Stanley Cup Final, winning the series 3–1.
Quick Facts
- Series result
- Blackhawks defeated Maple Leafs 3-1
- Key player (chicago)
- Johnny Gottselig
- Carl Voss
- Mike Karakas
- Key player (toronto)
- Not Busher Jackson (traded before season)
- Series duration
- 4 Games
Lore & Background
In 1937–38, the Black Hawks had a record of 14–25–9, almost missing the playoffs. They stunned the Canadiens and New York Americans on overtime goals in the deciding games of both semi-final series, advancing to the 1938 Stanley Cup Final against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Black Hawks goaltender Mike Karakas was injured and could not play, forcing a desperate Chicago team to pull minor-leaguer Alfie Moore out of a Toronto bar and onto the ice. Moore played one game and won it. Toronto refused to let Moore play the next, so Chicago used Paul Goodman in game 2 and lost. However, for the third and fourth games, Karakas was fitted with a special skate to protect his injured toe, and the team won both games. It was too late for Toronto, as the Hawks won their second championship.
Reader's Guide
The 1938 Stanley Cup Final was a best-of-five series. The Black Hawks won games 1, 3, and 4; the Maple Leafs won game 2. Key players for Chicago included Johnny Gottselig, Carl Voss, and Mike Karakas.
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