Ranking the top 5 greatest NHL dynasties of all time

Ranking the top 5 greatest NHL dynasties of all time originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . The Sporting News, established in 1886, is celebrating its 140th birthday with a year-long series honoring the greatest moments, teams and players from the last 140 years .

We’ve also released SN’s entire archive for free , empowering hockey fans to download iconic print covers of Wayne Gretzky and Gordie Howe or explore endless rabbit holes to read how your favorite teams were covered in the moment. The hockey portion of our 140 celebration continues with our picks for the top-five greatest NHL dynasties of all time. 5.

(tie) Montreal Canadiens, five Stanley Cups from 1956 through 1960; and Detroit Red Wings, three Cups from 1997 through 2002 It’s difficult to pick out only five dynasties for this The Sporting News list, because they’re all special in their own way. The Canadiens ’ run of five consecutive Cup wins was their longest championship stretch of the Original Six Era. Although the Habs only had two playoff series to win in each of their five Cup wins in that stretch, Montreal did beat some very good Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins teams in the Cup final over that half-decade stretch.

Meanwhile, the Red Wings’ run of three Cups in six years is all the more impressive because it came at a time when the NHL was regularly expanding and headed toward the 32-team league it is today. Detroit GM Ken Holland worked brilliantly with iconic coach Scotty Bowman to dominate the league. And although Detroit won another Cup in 2008, their run from ’97 through ’02 holds a special place in the hearts of Wings fans.