1954 Stanley Cup Final
Last Stanley Cup Final with a Game 7 overtime.
The 1954 Stanley Cup Final matched the Detroit Red Wings against the defending champion Montreal Canadiens, marking the fourth consecutive year these two teams met for the championship. This series was the second all–Detroit–Montreal Final of the 1950s. After building a 3–1 series lead, Detroit let Montreal tie the series, but the Red Wings recovered to win Game 7 and claim the Cup. It was Detroit’s second championship in four years and the sixth in franchise history. As of today, no Stanley Cup Final since 1954 has had a Game 7 decided in overtime.
Montreal reached the Final by sweeping the Boston Bruins in four games. Detroit got there by beating the Toronto Maple Leafs four games to one.
The series-winning goal came from Tony Leswick at 4:29 of overtime in Game 7. It was one of the strangest Cup-clinchers ever: Leswick’s shot deflected off the glove of Montreal’s Doug Harvey and into the net. After the goal, the Canadiens left the ice immediately without shaking hands with Detroit. This was only the second time in NHL history that a Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final went to overtime; the first was in 1950, when Detroit beat the New York Rangers. As of 2025, this remains the last Stanley Cup Final to feature an overtime Game 7.
CBC’s coverage of games 3 through 5 began about an hour late, joining in progress at 9:30 p.m. Game 6 also started on tape delay, joining at 10 p.m. (again, one hour after the puck drop). Game 7, however, was broadcast nationwide from the opening face-off at 9 p.m. Because it fell on Good Friday, no commercials aired; Imperial Oil was the sponsor.
After Detroit’s 2–1 overtime win in Game 7, NHL President Clarence Campbell presented the Stanley Cup to Red Wings captain Ted Lindsay.
The following Detroit players and staff had their names engraved on the Cup for 1954:
Earl Johnson’s name appeared on the Cup despite his playing only one regular-season game; he spent the rest of his career in the minors. On October 10, 1953, goaltender Terry Sawchuk was injured during a game, and assistant trainer Ross Wilson played goal for the final 16 minutes. Dave Gatherum was called up from the minors and played goal on October 11, 16, and 17 for the injured Sawchuk, recording one win, one tie, and one loss.
- Series result
- Detroit Red Wings defeated Montreal Canadiens 4–3
- Game 7 winner
- Tony Leswick at 4:29 of overtime
- Series lead blown
- Detroit blew a 3–1 series lead
- Previous ot game 7
- 1950, Detroit vs. New York Rangers
- Broadcast sponsor
- Imperial Oil
- First woman engraved
- Marguerite Norris
Lore & Background
Tony Leswick scored the series-winning goal at 4:29 of overtime in Game 7. Leswick's goal was one of the strangest Stanley Cup-winning goals in history, as his shot was deflected off the glove of Montreal's Doug Harvey and into the net. The Canadiens immediately skated off the ice without shaking hands with the Red Wings. This was the second time in NHL history that Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final was decided in overtime; the previous time it happened, in 1950, Detroit beat the New York Rangers in the Finals. As of 2025, this is the last Stanley Cup Final to have an overtime Game 7.
Reader's Guide
The 1954 Stanley Cup Final is historically significant as the last Stanley Cup Final to feature a Game 7 decided in overtime, a distinction that has held for over seven decades. The series saw the Detroit Red Wings overcome a 3–1 series deficit to defeat the defending champion Montreal Canadiens. The winning goal, scored by Tony Leswick, is remembered for its bizarre nature—deflected off the glove of Montreal defenseman Doug Harvey. The aftermath was notable for the Canadiens' refusal to shake hands. The series also featured unique broadcasting arrangements: CBC joined games 3–5 and 6 in progress, but carried Game 7 nationwide from the opening face-off on Good Friday night with no commercials. The engraving of the Stanley Cup included several unusual entries: Marguerite Norris became the first woman engraved on the Cup; Dave Gatherum, a spare goaltender who played only three regular-season games, had his name included; and Earl Johnson was engraved despite playing just one regular-season game. Later re-engravings omitted some names and introduced a misspelling of coach Tommy Ivan as 'THOMAS NIVAN COACH.'
Did You Know?
- Marguerite Norris was the first woman to be engraved on the Stanley Cup in 1954.
- Dave Gatherum set an NHL record for the longest shutout sequence by a goaltender to start a career, 100:21 minutes, which stood until 2011.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 1954 Stanley Cup Final between Detroit and Montreal?
The Detroit Red Wings defeated the defending-champion Montreal Canadiens four games to three to claim their sixth franchise championship. It was Detroit's second Cup in four years and the fourth straight season the two rivals met in the Final.
How was Game 7 of the 1954 Stanley Cup Final decided?
Tony Leswick scored at 4:29 of overtime to give Detroit the winning goal. That overtime finish made it the last Stanley Cup Final Game 7 to go to extra time, a record that still stands today.
Why is the 1954 Stanley Cup Final remembered as one of the most dramatic series ever?
Detroit squandered a commanding 3-1 series lead before Montreal forced a decisive seventh game. The combination of the blown lead and the overtime finish in Game 7 gives the series its legendary status in Canadiens and Red Wings lore.
Who was the first woman to have her name engraved on the Stanley Cup?
Marguerite Norris became the first woman ever engraved on the Cup following the 1954 Final. Her inclusion marked a milestone in the trophy's tradition of honoring those connected to the championship team.
What was the broadcast sponsor for the 1954 Stanley Cup Final?
Imperial Oil served as the broadcast sponsor for the series. The sponsorship helped bring the dramatic seven-game contest to a wider Canadian and American television audience.
More in Montreal Canadiens games 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced