Play NHL Stanley Cup Online

The NHL Stanley Cup is an annual championship trophy awarded to the National Hockey League (NHL) playoff champion. The cup is one of the oldest and most prestigious professional sports trophies in North America, and has been awarded since 1893. It is named after Lord Stanley of Preston, who was the Governor General of Canada at the time.

The Stanley Cup is made up of a silver chalice with two bands on the bottom, each with five spokes. The top band contains thirteen engravings which represent all of the teams that have won the cup since it was first presented in 1893. The bowl sits atop a barrel-shaped base that has been made out of mahogany and black walnut wood over time.

Each year, when a team wins the Stanley Cup playoffs, they are allowed to keep it for one year until it must be returned to the NHL Hall of Fame in Toronto for engraving with their name and year they won it. During this time, players from winning teams often take turns carrying it around or drinking champagne from it during their victory celebrations.

When a team wins their fourth consecutive championship, they are allowed to keep the original cup instead of returning it to be engraved each year. This rule was put in place after Montreal Canadiens won five consecutive championships between 1956-1960 and kept only one cup throughout that span.

To win the Stanley Cup playoffs, teams must go through four rounds: first round (best-of-five series), second round (best-of-seven series), conference finals (best-of-seven series) and finally, the Stanley Cup finals (best-of seven series). After each round, teams must win four games before they advance to the next round while losing three games will eliminate them from contention for that season’s championship title.

In addition to being awarded to winning teams each season, there are also several individual awards given out during post-season award ceremonies such as Conn Smythe Trophy for most valuable player during playoffs; Frank J Selke Trophy for best defensive forward; Lady Byng Memorial Trophy for most gentlemanly player; Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for perseverance and dedication; Calder Memorial Trophy for rookie of the year; Vezina Trophy for best goaltender; Hart Memorial Trophy for MVP during regular season; Jack Adams Award for coach of the year; James Norris Memorial Trophy for best defenseman; Mark Messier Leadership Award given annually to an individual who excels both on and off ice; Art Ross Trophy given annually to highest scoring player in regular season play; Maurice Richard Trophy awarded annually to leading goal scorer in regular season play and Lester B Pearson Award presented annually by NHLPA members to outstanding performer voted by players themselves.

The Stanley Cup continues to be one of hockey’s most coveted prizes as teams strive each season to become champions and take home this iconic trophy as evidence of their success.