How the road team fares in Stanley Cup Finals Game 7 history

by FrankD on Jun 10, 2009 8:00 PM EDT in News Comment 40 comments

If not for the team's effort Tuesday night this post would not exist. Yet here we are edging closer to Game 7. The defining moment of what has been a long, arduous and at times even questionable season is exactly two days away from the time of this post.

As you may have noticed, no team has won on the road in this series. Given that pattern it would almost seem as if Detroit has the advantage at home in Game 7. Pittsburgh's last win at Joe Louis Arena came on November 11, a 7-6 win in which Jordan Staal netted a hat trick.

I wanted to look back on all the previous Game 7s in Stanley Cup history, more specifically the history of champs winning on the road.

Year	Home	Away	Winner
1942	Toronto	Detroit	Toronto
1945	Detroit	Toronto	Toronto
1950	Detroit	New York	Detroit
1954	Detroit	Montreal	Detroit
1955	Detroit	Montreal	Detroit
1964	Toronto	Detroit	Toronto
1965	Montreal	Chicago	Montreal
1971	Chicago	Montreal	Montreal
1987	Edmonton	Philadelphia	Edmonton
1994	New York	Vancouver	New York
2001	Colorado	New Jersey	Colorado
2003	New Jersey	Anaheim	New Jersey
2004	Tampa Bay	Calgary	Tampa Bay
2006	Carolina	Edmonton	Carolina

Unfortunately, as you can see, only two teams in the history of Cup-clinching Game 7s have won on the road. The 1971 Montreal Canadiens were the last team to do it in Chicago - and that's after they dropped the first two games on the road. The most interesting part about the '71 Habs is that up until their Cup-winning game in Chicago, every other game of the series was won by the home team. Sound familiar?

[Edit] On only three occasions, 1955, 1965, and 2003, all games in a best-of-seven series were won by the host team.

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uh oh…

by BDON911 on Jun 10, 2009 10:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

oi, mr. pecimism…

no more posts about road team game 7 wins. sheesh!

like i said in another psot, the pens know what it takes now to win a must win game in the joe. the deboclie known as game 5 showed them that. they also know what the wings can bring in an elimination game, see game 6. it will be a brawl for sure but the pens do have what it takes to win in det.

" I AM CAPATIN CHAOS, and this is my trusty Sidekick cato. Say hello Cato"
Dom Deluise 1933-2009, Cannonball run

by oldtimehockey09 on Jun 11, 2009 12:23 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

You know i was going to put a disclaimer in this saying how I wasn’t out to be the Debbie Downer here. Just a little look at some facts. I don’t really consider myself a stats person because I’ve seen guys who hit below .200 in baseball get game-winning hits, basketball players with less than an 60% three point percentage hit buzzer beaters and guys who score less than 10 goals a year win games. I’m more a believer in clutch play. Stats aren’t something I bank a lot in but still like to look at, if anything, for the history factor of it all. I wouldn’t be writing on this site if I didn’t think Pitt will make themselves the third team in NHL history to win a G7 on the road.

Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.

by FrankD on Jun 11, 2009 12:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

oh i know, just trying to lighten the mood abit is all.

" I AM CAPATIN CHAOS, and this is my trusty Sidekick cato. Say hello Cato"
Dom Deluise 1933-2009, Cannonball run

by oldtimehockey09 on Jun 11, 2009 1:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Anyone else want it to be Friday yet?

"Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force; like fire, a troublesome servant and a fearful master. Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action." - George Washington

by Hockey Beard in SLC on Jun 11, 2009 12:24 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

not if this post holds true to form!

" I AM CAPATIN CHAOS, and this is my trusty Sidekick cato. Say hello Cato"
Dom Deluise 1933-2009, Cannonball run

by oldtimehockey09 on Jun 11, 2009 12:29 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

but

in all seriousness. hasnt it been like 25 years since a team came from a 0-2 hole to win the cup? plus you have this list showing how the road team has fared in the past game 7’s. not to mention the western conferances recent trend of cups. i say those signs all point towards those trends breing broken

" I AM CAPATIN CHAOS, and this is my trusty Sidekick cato. Say hello Cato"
Dom Deluise 1933-2009, Cannonball run

by oldtimehockey09 on Jun 11, 2009 12:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pens have done so much this season to defy the odds.

-Came back down 0-2 to win against the Capitals.
-Made the playoffs as the #4 seed, when in February, they were on the verge of missing the playoffs.
-Came in with a rookie coach who only took them to the Finals.
-Down 0-2 in this series, only to force a Game 7.

If the Pens win on Friday, it’ll be the ultimate statement.

Where hockey injuries in San Diego are thumb blisters from playing too much NHL 09

by Will Bulldozer on Jun 11, 2009 1:18 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

points at will

i likey sharks fans….

very good points

" I AM CAPATIN CHAOS, and this is my trusty Sidekick cato. Say hello Cato"
Dom Deluise 1933-2009, Cannonball run

by oldtimehockey09 on Jun 11, 2009 1:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

So how's that for defying the odds?

The ultimate statement. Woot!

Where hockey injuries in San Diego are thumb blisters from playing too much NHL 09

by Will Bulldozer on Jun 13, 2009 12:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Im surprisingly optimistic

despite our poor performances in Detroit…they just seem the hungrier team, and if we can get some contributions from our stars, while grinding it out like game six, I think we can take it

Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.

by bren on Jun 11, 2009 1:53 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I am optimistic too. The Pens have just as good a chance. All the haters counted them out…..

by CGNC on Jun 11, 2009 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Meaningless

I’m going to borrow an old adage from finance that applies to sports: past performance is not an accurate predictor of the future. Yesterday has nothing to do with today, and a 1965 series between Montreal and Chicago has nothing to do with Pens/Wings circa 2009.

To prove the point, it’s equally unlikely Detroit wins from these same stats. FrankD points out that only 3 times has the home team won all the games. Well the away team won Game 7 2 times. With only 14 data points, that’s a statistically insignificant difference. Pens will win because only three times since WWII has the home team won all 7 games.

by CarlWeathersMustache on Jun 11, 2009 9:16 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

“The past is history, The future a mystery, but today is a gift, that’s why they call it the present.”

I got that from Kung Fu Panda, but I’m sure it predates that.

-David
sixminutecynic.blogspot.com
www.piratesmix.com.

by pascaldupweevil on Jun 11, 2009 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i don't buy into any of that hocus pocus

I completely agree with Carl: what other teams have done in other game 7’s in the past has no meaningful bearing on Friday’s game. If the Pens play a better game for 60 minutes they’ll probably win, and that’s that.

Detroit has to feel good about its chances, given the fact that they get this game at home and have played well at home all series. On the other hand, it does seem like EVERYONE expects Detroit to win this game, which could play to the Penguins’ advantage. I’m thinking of how well Carolina played in game 7 of their series against Boston (another game that everyone assumed the home team would win). In a sense the Pens are under as little pressure as a team can be in this situation, and that might help them play a loose, controlled game. It’s also worth noting that these Wings have never played in a Finals game 7 either, so these are slightly uncharted waters for them too.

Call me crazy, but I have a good feeling about game 7. The Pens have played the way they needed to play in this series, and I think they’ve got one more great effort in them.

P is for Latrobe.

by holiday park on Jun 11, 2009 9:42 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

ARGH i was gonna quote tomlin until i saw your post lol

i think i’ll just do it anyways

by t1mmy10 on Jun 11, 2009 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

111 games down 1 to go…now how bout this for reaching:>
on the 112th game when we need 1 win, on the 12th…112 coincidence or fate? i dunno but it sounds pretty good.

by JasonGoPens on Jun 11, 2009 10:20 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

even more of a coincidence game 5 was on june 6, d-day. which was an epic bloddbath for the pens…..crreepy

" I AM CAPATIN CHAOS, and this is my trusty Sidekick cato. Say hello Cato"
Dom Deluise 1933-2009, Cannonball run

by oldtimehockey09 on Jun 11, 2009 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It’s not impossible at all. The Pens have shown that they can play just as well and even better than the Wings. This is the last game of the season so the Pens just need to use everything they have during the game, they shouldn’t have anything left in the tank when the game is over….nothing.

by kcljar on Jun 11, 2009 11:24 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

How about these stats:

Finals Goaltending records at Joe Louis Arena through 3 games:
Fleury 0-3, 4.35 GAA, 0.857 SV%
Osgood 3-0, 1.67 GAA, 0.947 SV%

Fleury will have to have the game of his life for the Pens to win Friday. Either that or Osgood will have to lay the biggest egg of his life. And say what you will about Barry Melrose, his observation that Fleury just doesn’t look comfortable at Joe Louis is true.

I think it will be a close game but DET will prevail due to being able to get favorable matchups. Either way it has been a great series, very very close. Both teams have looked like world-beaters on one day and really weak the next.

I also predict the highest TV ratings for an NHL game in years. NBC, Friday night, Game 7, no basketball to compete with….yeah. And so as a hockey fan in general I’m hoping for a good game to get more fans sucked in: both new fans and those that lost interest after the lockout.

by CPT Hoolie on Jun 11, 2009 11:25 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

hoolie i think both goalies wil be inbetween . flower wont play out of his mind but he will keep the pens in it through out the game. osgood wont lay an egg but i dont think he will be as sharp as we have seen this series. the pens know how to win on the road, just not at the joe. they also know what the wings are going to bring in elimination and must win games. they picked those little tid bits up in games 5 and 6. pens skate with the cup on friday,4-2 win

" I AM CAPATIN CHAOS, and this is my trusty Sidekick cato. Say hello Cato"
Dom Deluise 1933-2009, Cannonball run

by oldtimehockey09 on Jun 11, 2009 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good call oldtime. I think it will be a 2-goal game as well but in the other direction, initially I thought 2-0 Wings but now I’m thinking 3-1 Wings.

Either way I’m hoping for a rematch again next year, be it best 2 of 3 or best 3 of 5.

Good luck staying sane the next 24 hours.

by CPT Hoolie on Jun 11, 2009 10:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

its oky, i have lots of coffee.

one star is going to step up question is what team. i honestly dont see hossa doing much but again he may shine. sid has been quiet and geno has been quiet for the last two games. some one is busting out. if its on the pens side does babcock make an adjustment to try and contain, allowing another star to go bonkers? does datsyuk start producing like a hart finalist? does osgood stand tall yet again? sad thing is someone is going to be a goat at around midnight tomorrow…just no telling who.

" I AM CAPATIN CHAOS, and this is my trusty Sidekick cato. Say hello Cato"
Dom Deluise 1933-2009, Cannonball run

by oldtimehockey09 on Jun 11, 2009 10:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

No matter the outcome, this has been an epic series, everything a hockey fan could want. Go Wings!!!!

by JazzyBBP on Jun 11, 2009 11:42 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

All the historical records don’t mean jack squat to the Red Wings and the Pens in 2009. Fun facts for the fans to bat around while we wait an extra day again for this series to reach its conclusion, but neither the Pens nor the Red Wings are putting any credence in what might have happened in 1942, or through the decade of the 50s (when it was the Wings in a Game 7 in Detroit).

Been a great series….and as a fan of one of the teams involved, I’ve got a feeling of confidence shot through with fear….and loathing of Gary Bettman for making me wait yet one more day….

by ahtrap on Jun 11, 2009 12:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I have 1 prediction

If Jordan Staal gets 1 goal or even an opportune assist in this game and the Pens win…we will have the youngest conn smythe winner since roy.

by AZpenzFan on Jun 11, 2009 12:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

its one game...that means anyone can win

as steelers HC Mike Tomlin once said:

I don’t by into that hocus pocus.

We only need to beat Detriot in one game. just so happens to be a SCF game 7, but whatev. we can do this.

by t1mmy10 on Jun 11, 2009 12:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

and you if wanna look at odds, the odds that the pens would make it back to the SCF were far worse than these

by t1mmy10 on Jun 11, 2009 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Crosby

Does anyone know if sid is hurt? I know all hockey players are at this time of year ! But his ice time and speed both are dwindling? I sure hope he and malkin can bury a couple tommorow night.
Lets Go Pens !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by slick wrister on Jun 11, 2009 1:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'll say it once and only once

PAST PERFORMANCE IN NO GUARANTEE OF FUTURE RETURNS

Bank on it (and suck it Wings fans)

LETS GO PENS!!!

by chicos_pants on Jun 11, 2009 1:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

so, uh, the fact that you won a game 7 in these playoffs on the road in utterly meaningless?

ok, I’ll take that :p

by ahtrap on Jun 11, 2009 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well ahem there are some exceptions.

Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.

by FrankD on Jun 11, 2009 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good point

It has absolutely no relevance here. Just as the small sample size severely undermines the argument about home teams having an inherent edge in this scenario. Teams earn home ice advantage by finishing higher in the standings of their respective conference in the regular season, a better sample size that a dozen or so historic game 7s played in varying eras. I’d argue that home teams have historically won more game 7s because they are typically the better team over the course of a season, and that often includes the playoffs.

We’ll just have to wait and see who the better team will be on Friday.

by chicos_pants on Jun 11, 2009 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

actually

I’d defend the thought, to some degree anyway, that it does have some relevance, because these Pens have been in this situation before, having to go and earn the victory at Verizon Center in the second round, and they did so in style.

Granted, the circumstances were different, in that in the second round, the Pens were the ones with an opportunity to close out in game 6, and failed to do so….

But the argument can equally be made for the Red Wings knowing something about being pushed to a seventh game and holding serve at home (against the Ducks, also in Round 2), so that’s probably a wash.

by ahtrap on Jun 11, 2009 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Pens flat outworked the Caps who might have gotten a little overconfident winning G6 in Pittsburgh.

No question . . . The Wings have experience and talent. The Pens have shown talent and determination and they’re building on their experience. Momentum is just so overrated — the more prepared, determined, executing and possibly luckier of the two will hoist the cup. We’d love to return the favor and show it off to the fans of Detroit

by chicos_pants on Jun 11, 2009 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This stat is not just for hockey...

As I posted somewhere else on this site this goes for more than just hockey. In all US professional team sports that involve a series style playoff structure (NBA, MLB, and NHL) this is RARE. I couldn’t get a hold of stats as far back as I wanted to but I can tell you that in all of these sports the road team has only won twice since 1971 in a game 7 of the championship series. And at the Joe? ha. Good Luck…

by evilwheel on Jun 11, 2009 9:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The Penguins have never lost a Game 7 on the road (4-0).

" I AM CAPATIN CHAOS, and this is my trusty Sidekick cato. Say hello Cato"
Dom Deluise 1933-2009, Cannonball run

by oldtimehockey09 on Jun 11, 2009 9:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The Penguins have never won a game 7 on the road in the finals…

by evilwheel on Jun 12, 2009 8:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Because they’ve never played a game 7 in the finals…derh.

"Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force; like fire, a troublesome servant and a fearful master. Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action." - George Washington

by Hockey Beard in SLC on Jun 12, 2009 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs