Winning the Stanley Cup is one of the hardest feats in professional sports. Winning it two years in a row? That’s a mark of true hockey greatness. As of 2025, only nine NHL franchises have achieved the rare and impressive milestone of winning back-to-back Stanley Cup championships.
The Elite List: NHL Teams With Back-to-Back Stanley Cup Wins
Let’s take a look at the teams that have etched their names into NHL history by winning consecutive championships:
| Team | Years of Back-to-Back Wins |
|---|---|
| Montreal Canadiens | 1956–57, 1958–60, 1965–66, 1968–69, 1976–79 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | 1947–49, 1962–64 |
| Detroit Red Wings | 1936–37, 1954–55 |
| Philadelphia Flyers | 1974–75 |
| New York Islanders | 1980–83 (Four in a row) |
| Edmonton Oilers | 1984–85, 1987–88 |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | 1991–92, 2016–17 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | 2020–21 |
A Closer Look at the Dominant Dynasties
- Montreal Canadiens hold the crown with the most back-to-back wins, dominating several decades with five different streaks, including a four-year run from 1976 to 1979.
- Toronto Maple Leafs were the NHL’s first dynasty, winning three in a row from 1947–49 and then repeating again in the early 1960s.
- New York Islanders are the only U.S.-based team to pull off a four-peat (1980–1983), a streak that cemented them as one of the greatest teams in league history.
- Tampa Bay Lightning are the most recent team to repeat, lifting the Cup in 2020 and 2021 during the COVID-affected seasons.
Why Back-to-Back Wins Are So Rare
In the salary cap era, with increased parity and grueling playoff schedules, going back-to-back is more difficult than ever. Injuries, roster turnover, and fierce competition mean that only teams with elite talent, leadership, and depth manage to repeat.
Final Thoughts
Only nine franchises in over a century of NHL history have accomplished the back-to-back Stanley Cup feat. It’s a testament to strategic front offices, superstar players, and iron-willed teams. As we look to the future, the question remains: Who will be the next team to join this elite club?
