This week, an under-.500 Cinderella Rangers team from 1950 nearly clinched their fourth Stanley Cup championship but fell short by a half inch due to a mistaken last-second face-off change that ultimately doomed their championship challenge.
The Rangers weren’t considered Stanley Cup contenders in 1950. Coached by Lynn Patrick, they barely made it to the playoffs with a regular-season record of 28-31-11.
Their first-round opponent, the Montreal Canadiens, led by Maurice “Rocket” Richard and goalie Bill Durnan, seemed unbeatable. But Patrick assigned Pentti Lund to contain Richard, and the Rangers shocked everyone by winning the series.
In the Stanley Cup Final against the Detroit Red Wings, the Rangers were again the underdogs. Despite being down 2-1 after two home games, they rallied in Detroit, utilizing their strengths, including Lund’s line and Chuck Rayner’s outstanding goaltending.
Game 4 left Detroit stunned, but penalties cost the Rangers Game 6, leading to a series-tying victory for the Red Wings.
In the decisive Game 7, the Rangers had a 2-0 lead, but penalties and a critical face-off change led to their downfall. Detroit scored in the second overtime, ending the Rangers’ championship hopes.
Coach Patrick’s unexpected move in the face-off ruined the Rangers’ playoff run and eventually led to his departure from the team.
Patrick’s decision to leave for Boston also had a lasting impact on the Rangers, as they struggled to reach the playoffs without him. Meanwhile, Patrick found success with the Bruins, while the Rangers faced years of postseason drought.
The devastating outcome of Game 7 haunted the Rangers for years, especially Rayner, who still remembered the moment decades later.
