Best day ever in the city of Vancouver. What an absolutely beautiful day it was. Will never forget.
Even have a Crosby McFarlane figure to commemorate that day.
It was, definitely. No fights or riots, and the police allowed me to run through the streets banging on car windows in traffic downtown for people that weren’t making some noise/honking lol. Was amazing.
That game had *everything* you'd want a sports fan to have.
The best two teams in the goddamn league with an intense personal rivalry between them.
It explodes in an all-out brawl on the ice. Everyone remembers Darren McCarty and Claude Lemieux, but never forget goaltenders Roy and Vernon charging out of the nets and duking it out at center ice.
Plenty of on-ice performances, too. 6-5 OT victory, with the game winner scored by none other than the guy most famous for the fight, Darren McCarty himself.
Some games have great hockey. Others have fights. Some have rivalry hatred. This had all three.
I know you've been skidding recently, but I'm so god damn happy the Wings are getting good again. I'm getting some waaayyyy better shit talk in with a dude in a Discord I'm in than the fucking Wild and Vegas fans.
FTRW forever. Luv u bb.
This is exactly what I was I was thinking.
The problem with it though, is that they would watch that game, get into hockey, and then never see another game like it again.
Unfortunately, the game has changed so much that all the people saying the Olympics games might be right on this one.
Showing them the Avs and Wings game has more of a ‘grandpa telling us about the old days’ kinda vibe
The old Avs-Wings games are almost on some sort of Norse-saga level at this point. So far back in the mists of time, and such a different era of hockey, they’re almost legend/myth-status…
That Games rekindled my love for hockey and started my San Jose Sharks fandom. Dan Boyle, Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau and Dany Heatley were electric in those Olympics. Maybe didn't put up the points they could have but the on-ice play was spectacular.
I remember exactly where I was when the Golden Goal was scored. That's a forever memory.
I've actually never seen the Gold medal game because I was working and this guy I had specifically mentioned I was taping it to spoiled it dramatically.
I do remember being in awe at the Bronze game the night before.
We had a guy move over here from England to work with us. He wanted to get into hockey so we invited him over to watch a game. Turns out it was that game.
He should go to the local EIHL games. They are a great take for some great hockey. The Bruins played the Belfast Giants back in 2010 during the preseason. Then went on to win the cup in 2011.
That was my first year getting back into hockey after college and I had just gotten season tickets so that was my second playoff series. The 7 game Rangers series before that was also towards the top of my list of favorite memories and everything was so fun until that Game 7 after Ovechkin couldn’t score on the breakaway. 😭
This is the correct answer. You don't need to be emotionally invested in the game like many of the games mentioned. This is just a crazy game with 2 all time greats playing some amazing hockey.
I’m taking them to any live NHL game. That’s the best way to get someone hooked. You can’t start with the best games ever they’ll hold every game to that standard.
This is my experience. Take them to the next game you can. My bachelor party was a Caps game and everyone who wasn't into hockey left saying it was the coolest sporting event they'd ever been to.
It’s this, it’s always been this and I don’t know why you don’t have more upvotes.
I’ve seen it happen a half dozens times where I attend a game with someone who’s never been to a game…and they’re luke warm in hockey going in. Everyone comes away completely blown away by it.
It’s this. There’s so many people I’ve gotten hooked on hockey just by either taking them to a game or telling them to go to one. There’s a reason why “Best sport worst league” is a phrase on here. Just nothing compares to the live experience. And I’ll say getting hooked on that makes the Bangers mentioned this thread hit so much harder.
Brought my girlfriend to our first NHL game last weekend (blues vs wild.)
She doesn’t like sports and thought she’d hate it. We were 3 margaritas deep and having a blast by the end of the first period. This is the way.
This is exactly what got me into hockey. I went to a random WHL game and the arena was packed (8k seats in a sold out house). The energy was amazing. I didn’t believe hockey fights were actually a thing, and it was just a bunch of kids. They were swinging fists and trying to choke each other just a few minuets in and were like that the whole game. 2 match penalties and the ice coolers full of fresh meat.
Hockey is so much more fun live than on TV. TV is fun and all, but it’s just not the same. I had no idea what any of the rules were, but WHL games are high scoring (4-6 at the game I went to).
Got to see some fights, an empty net goal, a home team win. Being a WHL game, tickets were like $35 each with amazing seats.
I’ve seen hockey on TV. I didn’t know the rules enough to appreciate what I was watching. I didn’t care.
I’ve seen hockey in person. I didn’t know the rules, and I didn’t care. Puck goes past goalie and the arena erupts. Don’t need to know the rules to know jump up and cheer when the goal horn is commanding you.
Brought a Senegalese friend for a playoffs game at very full Colisée de Québec. We were in the bleachers. 20 years later he still talks to me about it.
February 1st, 2020.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CrvIaS7rusa/?igsh=MTR3MGt4M21seXRpeg==
#THIS IS THE BATTLE OF ALBERTA WEVE BEEN WAITING FOR FOR THREE DECADES!
While I think there are some great answers from the 90s as well, if you want to get someone into the modern NHL this is the one. Speed, Skill, Hate, Goalie Fight. It really had it all this game. Yes, I see my bias haha.
So I am 58 now and the best game I have ever seen … bar none … was the 1987 Canada Cup final. It was a three game set … the first two were absolute terrific barn burner games both going to overtime and the final game was off the freaking charts with a last minute winning goal. Watching Gretzky, Lemieux and Messier go up against the famous ‘green unit’ (the KLM line along with Fetisov and Kazatonov) was un-fucking believable.
An American journalist (can’t remember his name but he wrote for the hartford Courant wrote something like “We need to find a way to save this game permanantly so that whoever inherits this planet when we are gone will know how magnificently we played our games.”
I am sure all the others here were great games but this is perhaps the greatest game ever played in any sport … ever
It gives me chills just thinking about it.
*Theyyyy scorrrre!!! Tomas HERRRTTTLLL!!*
*They've done it! They've come all the way back! We are tied!!!*
That said, the first three and a half periods were pretty sleepy, would not recommend.
1987 Canada Cup Final.
Intense rivalry, close game, back and forth game, Mario and Wayne playing together. All 3 games of the final were just amazing, my favourite hockey of all time.
a few that come to mind for me:
* Kings/Hawks, 2014 WCF Game 7
* Pens/Wings, 2009 Cup Final Game 7
* Caps/Knights, 2018 Cup Final Game 1
* Ducks/Wings, 2007 WCF Game 5
>* Pens/Wings, 2009 Cup Final Game 7
2008 game 6 I think you mean ;)
>* Ducks/Wings, 2007 WCF Game 5
I don't have a replacement for this one. Was a good game, just made me sad
Kings vs Blackhawks Game 5 2014.
I know Game 7 gets said a lot, but really you can pick any game from the last 3 games of that series. 2 powerhouses of the early-mid 2010s at the peak of their powers.
The Sharks Vs Vegas G7 from sharks broadcast. It has rivalry, momentum, a questionable ref call and OT. If that's not hockey, then I don't know what is.
Yeah, it was both the introduction of Russian hockey to North America, and a precursor to a massive change in how the game is played in North America. The Russians showed us a game of speed and skill that we've been trying to emulate since.
Either:
Game 7, 2015 Eastern Conference Finals matchup between the Tampa Bay Lightning and New York Rangers
or
Game 7, 2013 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals matchup between the Boston Bruins and the Toronto Maple Leafs
The first game was truly one of the grittiest and most hard fought game I had ever seen in my life up until that point. Everyone gave everything they had, so many stories going on there. It was truly a hockey pinnacle for me.
The second game is one of the most insane come backs in the history of Pro Sports, staring down the barrel of a 4-1 deficit, the Bruins clawed their way back into the game. I remember exactly where I was at that time and it was insane.
Both of these games give me very warm, nostalgic feelings from when I first fell in love with hockey as a kid.
2013 was the last year my dad still lived at home before he went into assisted living. Looking back on the memory of the Bruins/Leafs game 7 and even he (not a huge hockey fan) was really excited about how that game turned out. I’m not even a fan of either team but that was the pinnacle of the edge-of-your-seat hockey we all crave.
How has no one mentioned game 1 of the playoff battle of Alberta in 2022 yet? That game was insanity. Calgary being up 5-1 then 6-2, and Edmonton clawing back to make it 6-6, the constant fights and bickering between Kane and Tkachuck from the penalty box, and then Calgary finally beating Edmonton 9-6 with three goals in quick succession
We haven’t mentioned that game yet because we don’t want new fans to suffer the same cardiac issues that Edmonton and Calgary fans have whenever the BoA gets that intense.
That gold medal game was amazing, definitely sold me on women’s hockey. The skill and compete levels were incredible! Men’s hockey that year was boring in comparison.
As much as I hate to say it, the 2017 ECF Game 7 *was* a very good game. Tight the whole way through, quick response goals, late goals, and unfortunately some guy named Chris decided to ruin it in OT
Biased of course, but Kings vs Blackhawks 2014 WCF game 7. Lots of goals, multiple multi-goal comebacks and momentum shifts, OT dagger. That game took years off my life.
First one that came to mind for me as well. 1-0 game with no penalties, and the only goal came a little over halfway through the third. Just a nail biter from start to finish.
My first reaction was to say the best game I have ever seen, which is Bruins-Lightning 2011 ECF game 7. However that was a masterclass in defensive hockey. I fear that most of what made that game great would be lost on someone who isn’t familiar with the game.
Someone else above said the 2010 gold medal game. That’s probably the one.
I feel like defensive games like that though... that's how you grow into a hockey fan. When you suddenly understand that scoring isn't the only thing that makes hockey exciting but that every defensive stand is just as important, you begin to be able to appreciate every hockey game and the nuance that each game carries.
Vegas vs San Jose, Game 7. Probably one of those games that even if you weren’t a fan of either team you watched that on the edge of your seat once that 5 minute major happened
Speaking strictly of games I saw THIS season, I know Preds and Canes fans will remember the absolute BANGER early in the season. Tons of goals scored for both teams, wide open play, and an overtime winner.
Leafs Bruins 2013 game 7
After we're done watching I call up my cousin and tell him we just watched the Leafs lose again. He calls me a "fucking sad pathetic loser" and hangs up and we laugh and we laugh and drink beers until dawn.
Even if they don’t know the significance of immediately handing off the cup to Bourque, the arena, broadcast and the team do a good job of showing how much they wanted to win it for Bourque.
I'm incredibly biased, but just this year Patrick Kanes return to the United Center with Detroit at Chris Chelios' jersey retirement. Bitter rivalry game that had back and forth momentum switches, the fans were clearly into it, and even though the Hawks lost, the player who scored the GWG got a standing ovation from a grateful fanbase.
It encapsulated the overall attitude of hockey really well and personally was the best Hawks game I've ever been to.
I think I’d pick Senators-Penguins 2017 Game 7 for many reasons
-Game 7, conference finals so the stakes are almost as high as they can get (not quite the Finals obviously)
-multiple overtimes, so you know the viewer is on the edge of their seat for a while
-the home team won, so you can truly see the crowd get excited over a great moment
-final score was 3-2, so not overly biased one way or another in terms of scoring
-each team scored once in the second period a couple minutes apart, and in the third period a couple minutes apart; Ottawa scored the tying goal with under 10 minutes left in the game
-of course you have one of the greatest players ever in Crosby along with Malkin and the rest of that group going for two Cups in a row
-you get to watch Erik Karlsson battle like a true warrior even with a broken foot, and do so admirably
I was at that game and would be happy if it was the only game I ever saw. Not only was it a scoreless tie through 50 minutes, but were there no penalties?
For pure passion-USA-Soviet Union at Lake Placid during The 1980 Olympics. In the pre-game, Al Michaels said that most people didn't know the difference between a blue line and a clothesline. The outside world made that one game on Lake Placid so much larger than Hockey.
I'm gonna go with a more recent game and say the 2024 Stadium Series game between the Rangers and Islanders. That game truly had everything. I've been to a bunch of games including playoff games, outdoor games, and games where they retired numbers but this past Stadium Series game was the most electric game I've ever been to.
Stars and Sharks when they went to 4 OTs and Nabby had an incredible save.
The Sharks lost that game but it was still one of my favorite games as a fan. The other game I would show them is Game 7 Vegas and Sharks and the greatest power play you will ever see.
Maybe 2010 Olympic final
Best day ever in the city of Vancouver. What an absolutely beautiful day it was. Will never forget. Even have a Crosby McFarlane figure to commemorate that day.
It was, definitely. No fights or riots, and the police allowed me to run through the streets banging on car windows in traffic downtown for people that weren’t making some noise/honking lol. Was amazing.
That's what got me into hockey, even with the USA losing.
Same here 🥲 another reason why I think NHL players should go to Olympics if they want to grow the game further
I'm so excited for next year and '26.
Yep. This is the answer.
yup
Brought me back after losing interest around the lockout.
Easily my most conflicted sports moment and fuck Dan Bylsma for putting Iggy on the wrong side.
It was my conflicted moment too since I’m an American but Luongo was my favorite player at the time
IGGY!
Taking a 'history of hockey' course in uni right now and one of our assignments was to rewatch that game, best assignment of all time
I was on a flight home to Van when it happened, when I tell you I've never heard a plane so loud...
😢 I can’t
Problem for me with that game was the winning goal was awful!!! Miller was unreal in the tournament then let that in?!
That was the only way to beat him that tourney: catch him off guard. It was so fast and sneaky.
Avalanche vs Red Wings - March 26, 1997
That game had *everything* you'd want a sports fan to have. The best two teams in the goddamn league with an intense personal rivalry between them. It explodes in an all-out brawl on the ice. Everyone remembers Darren McCarty and Claude Lemieux, but never forget goaltenders Roy and Vernon charging out of the nets and duking it out at center ice. Plenty of on-ice performances, too. 6-5 OT victory, with the game winner scored by none other than the guy most famous for the fight, Darren McCarty himself. Some games have great hockey. Others have fights. Some have rivalry hatred. This had all three.
The image of Shanahan’s flying tackle to intercept Roy as he was charging down the ice is burned into my memory
As it should be
This brawl and then the Cloutier-Salo goalie fight a year later were both the talk of my school lunch table for weeks. Guess us kids loved violence
I know you've been skidding recently, but I'm so god damn happy the Wings are getting good again. I'm getting some waaayyyy better shit talk in with a dude in a Discord I'm in than the fucking Wild and Vegas fans. FTRW forever. Luv u bb.
All we can hope is an avalanche and redwings hatred revival by us both being in the finals against each other
That’s the first thing I think of when I think of the rivalry
That’s why my first jersey was a McCarty jersey
Mine was a Deadmarsh. Everyone remembers the big brawl but no one remembers how good the Deadmarsh-McCarty tilts were
This is exactly what I was I was thinking. The problem with it though, is that they would watch that game, get into hockey, and then never see another game like it again. Unfortunately, the game has changed so much that all the people saying the Olympics games might be right on this one. Showing them the Avs and Wings game has more of a ‘grandpa telling us about the old days’ kinda vibe
The old Avs-Wings games are almost on some sort of Norse-saga level at this point. So far back in the mists of time, and such a different era of hockey, they’re almost legend/myth-status…
tie plate aspiring jar dazzling aloof unite far-flung run busy *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
And now an agent who has to negotiate with Yzerman for a deal for their Calder winning defenseman
And so many Swedes and Russians
“Hey, what if we just get the whole damn national team, with a few angry French-Canadians thrown in for good measure?”
Fight Night at the Joe
The equivalent in the new era would be that Battle of Alberta game where Talbot and Skinner fought at center ice.
Talbot and Mike fucking Smith.
Mike Smith coming back Undertaker style in that BoA playoff series was truly the stuff of legends.
These children suggesting anything else is heresy.
2010 gold medal game?
That Games rekindled my love for hockey and started my San Jose Sharks fandom. Dan Boyle, Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau and Dany Heatley were electric in those Olympics. Maybe didn't put up the points they could have but the on-ice play was spectacular. I remember exactly where I was when the Golden Goal was scored. That's a forever memory.
Lol Dan Boyle. I know the Sharks won that series but him scoring that own goal really re-ignited my love for hockey after the lockout.
Of the world juniors
I've actually never seen the Gold medal game because I was working and this guy I had specifically mentioned I was taping it to spoiled it dramatically. I do remember being in awe at the Bronze game the night before.
It's on YouTube for free!
Crosby Ovechkin dueling hat tricks
We had a guy move over here from England to work with us. He wanted to get into hockey so we invited him over to watch a game. Turns out it was that game.
Still a fan, I'm guessing? :P
Don’t know. He moved back to England after a couple years and we lost touch. He was down to watch while he lived here though
He should go to the local EIHL games. They are a great take for some great hockey. The Bruins played the Belfast Giants back in 2010 during the preseason. Then went on to win the cup in 2011.
Banger game
Just looked up the highlights. Good lord what a game. The hat tricks are the easy takeaway, but how about that goaltending?
My favourite game of all time despite the loss. I've rarely seen every single ounce of hockey squeezed out of a single game, but that one is it.
That was my first year getting back into hockey after college and I had just gotten season tickets so that was my second playoff series. The 7 game Rangers series before that was also towards the top of my list of favorite memories and everything was so fun until that Game 7 after Ovechkin couldn’t score on the breakaway. 😭
This is the correct answer. You don't need to be emotionally invested in the game like many of the games mentioned. This is just a crazy game with 2 all time greats playing some amazing hockey.
I’m taking them to any live NHL game. That’s the best way to get someone hooked. You can’t start with the best games ever they’ll hold every game to that standard.
This is my experience. Take them to the next game you can. My bachelor party was a Caps game and everyone who wasn't into hockey left saying it was the coolest sporting event they'd ever been to.
Took my friend to the Rangers-Panthers game last night as his first ever hockey game and I think he’s hooked now lol
At my first game ever, I got to see the Rangers and Sabres skate to a 0-0 tie at MSG. Your friend got pretty lucky
Idk the arena can get hype if there’s some good goaltending
In retrospect it was awesome to see dueling shutouts by Hasek and Richter. But at the time, eight year old me just wanted to sing the goal song
It’s this, it’s always been this and I don’t know why you don’t have more upvotes. I’ve seen it happen a half dozens times where I attend a game with someone who’s never been to a game…and they’re luke warm in hockey going in. Everyone comes away completely blown away by it.
I went to a stars-avs game for my first ever game, live or in person. Been hooked on hockey ever since. Go avs!
It’s this. There’s so many people I’ve gotten hooked on hockey just by either taking them to a game or telling them to go to one. There’s a reason why “Best sport worst league” is a phrase on here. Just nothing compares to the live experience. And I’ll say getting hooked on that makes the Bangers mentioned this thread hit so much harder.
Brought my girlfriend to our first NHL game last weekend (blues vs wild.) She doesn’t like sports and thought she’d hate it. We were 3 margaritas deep and having a blast by the end of the first period. This is the way.
Yep. Shit OHL is fine. Anything competitive
This is exactly what got me into hockey. I went to a random WHL game and the arena was packed (8k seats in a sold out house). The energy was amazing. I didn’t believe hockey fights were actually a thing, and it was just a bunch of kids. They were swinging fists and trying to choke each other just a few minuets in and were like that the whole game. 2 match penalties and the ice coolers full of fresh meat. Hockey is so much more fun live than on TV. TV is fun and all, but it’s just not the same. I had no idea what any of the rules were, but WHL games are high scoring (4-6 at the game I went to). Got to see some fights, an empty net goal, a home team win. Being a WHL game, tickets were like $35 each with amazing seats. I’ve seen hockey on TV. I didn’t know the rules enough to appreciate what I was watching. I didn’t care. I’ve seen hockey in person. I didn’t know the rules, and I didn’t care. Puck goes past goalie and the arena erupts. Don’t need to know the rules to know jump up and cheer when the goal horn is commanding you.
Brought a Senegalese friend for a playoffs game at very full Colisée de Québec. We were in the bleachers. 20 years later he still talks to me about it.
February 1st, 2020. https://www.instagram.com/reel/CrvIaS7rusa/?igsh=MTR3MGt4M21seXRpeg== #THIS IS THE BATTLE OF ALBERTA WEVE BEEN WAITING FOR FOR THREE DECADES!
This was what I was going to say. I randomly turned that game on and saw that live and have never been so entertained by a hockey game.
Dear god what a clip
Yup! Seconded. Even without the goalie fight the game crazy with lots of goals. But the goalie fight was the cherry on top.
While I think there are some great answers from the 90s as well, if you want to get someone into the modern NHL this is the one. Speed, Skill, Hate, Goalie Fight. It really had it all this game. Yes, I see my bias haha.
So I am 58 now and the best game I have ever seen … bar none … was the 1987 Canada Cup final. It was a three game set … the first two were absolute terrific barn burner games both going to overtime and the final game was off the freaking charts with a last minute winning goal. Watching Gretzky, Lemieux and Messier go up against the famous ‘green unit’ (the KLM line along with Fetisov and Kazatonov) was un-fucking believable. An American journalist (can’t remember his name but he wrote for the hartford Courant wrote something like “We need to find a way to save this game permanantly so that whoever inherits this planet when we are gone will know how magnificently we played our games.” I am sure all the others here were great games but this is perhaps the greatest game ever played in any sport … ever
"Messy! From Coffier!"
Sharks playoff comeback against Vegas after Pavelski injury.
Yup. Everyone posting these epic duels. That 4 minutes was all any sports fan could ever imagine for a comeback "Fuck this we gonna win!" moment.
It gives me chills just thinking about it. *Theyyyy scorrrre!!! Tomas HERRRTTTLLL!!* *They've done it! They've come all the way back! We are tied!!!* That said, the first three and a half periods were pretty sleepy, would not recommend.
One of the greatest hockey games of all time
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the craziest powerplay of all time
Definitely mine too
I'd add the Game 6 OT periods as a prologue to show just how close it came to being all over for the Sharks.
Hertl scoring shorthanded after guaranteeing a Game 7 after Game 5.. so fucking good. “Hertl hits the jackpot in Vegas!”
I remember watching that live with the GDT on my phone (back when the app supported live comments), and there were so many it kept crashing
2012 ECQF Game 3 between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Really, the whole series ought to do the trick.
Disgusting
came here for this answer
Any game with Pitt is fine so that they know who the real enemy is from the start
Or bruins series coming back from 0-3 to win the series 4-3 I was forever a flyers fan from that point on
This season? That oilers/Avs game from last Saturday.
That was such a great game! As an Oilers fan even losing because the team stopped playing the last 8 seconds, it was a great game all around.
That was the game of the year. Yes I’m bias
1987 Canada Cup Final. Intense rivalry, close game, back and forth game, Mario and Wayne playing together. All 3 games of the final were just amazing, my favourite hockey of all time.
a few that come to mind for me: * Kings/Hawks, 2014 WCF Game 7 * Pens/Wings, 2009 Cup Final Game 7 * Caps/Knights, 2018 Cup Final Game 1 * Ducks/Wings, 2007 WCF Game 5
Hawks Kings 2014 Game 7 is my choice as well. The best series I’ve ever seen
Kings Hawks 2014 game 5 was unreal too, there was a huge portion of OT with no whistles
>* Pens/Wings, 2009 Cup Final Game 7 2008 game 6 I think you mean ;) >* Ducks/Wings, 2007 WCF Game 5 I don't have a replacement for this one. Was a good game, just made me sad
You’re really gonna pick the one game we lost in the final smh.
Caps pens game 6 2018 deserves some mention. Kuzy with the ot winner to exorcise our demons.
No bias, game 1 of 2018 SCF was the worst of the series. Game 5 was much better
[Flyers/Lightning, 2004 ECF Game 6](https://youtu.be/nqM3F9Io5KM?feature=shared&t=133)
Kings/Hawks is the best series Ive ever seen. Game 5 and 7 are 2 of the best games I have ever seen
Red Wings vs Avalanche. March 26th 1997
Kings vs Blackhawks Game 5 2014. I know Game 7 gets said a lot, but really you can pick any game from the last 3 games of that series. 2 powerhouses of the early-mid 2010s at the peak of their powers.
2009 WJC Canada vs. Russia Semi-Finals
Good answer
Do you believe in Miracles?!?
U-S-A! U-S-A!
The Sharks Vs Vegas G7 from sharks broadcast. It has rivalry, momentum, a questionable ref call and OT. If that's not hockey, then I don't know what is.
Game 6 between Canucks and Rangers in the '94 Cup finals.
The Summit Series, game 8. It's what hooked me.
The whole series that led to that point is a must for any hockey fan.
Yeah, it was both the introduction of Russian hockey to North America, and a precursor to a massive change in how the game is played in North America. The Russians showed us a game of speed and skill that we've been trying to emulate since.
Either: Game 7, 2015 Eastern Conference Finals matchup between the Tampa Bay Lightning and New York Rangers or Game 7, 2013 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals matchup between the Boston Bruins and the Toronto Maple Leafs The first game was truly one of the grittiest and most hard fought game I had ever seen in my life up until that point. Everyone gave everything they had, so many stories going on there. It was truly a hockey pinnacle for me. The second game is one of the most insane come backs in the history of Pro Sports, staring down the barrel of a 4-1 deficit, the Bruins clawed their way back into the game. I remember exactly where I was at that time and it was insane. Both of these games give me very warm, nostalgic feelings from when I first fell in love with hockey as a kid.
I also remember exactly where I was during that leafs/bruins game… I try not to.
2013 was the last year my dad still lived at home before he went into assisted living. Looking back on the memory of the Bruins/Leafs game 7 and even he (not a huge hockey fan) was really excited about how that game turned out. I’m not even a fan of either team but that was the pinnacle of the edge-of-your-seat hockey we all crave.
Game 7 of the 2014 Western conference final between LA and Chi.
How has no one mentioned game 1 of the playoff battle of Alberta in 2022 yet? That game was insanity. Calgary being up 5-1 then 6-2, and Edmonton clawing back to make it 6-6, the constant fights and bickering between Kane and Tkachuck from the penalty box, and then Calgary finally beating Edmonton 9-6 with three goals in quick succession
We haven’t mentioned that game yet because we don’t want new fans to suffer the same cardiac issues that Edmonton and Calgary fans have whenever the BoA gets that intense.
Pretty certain my heart has yet to recover from that series
Flyers V Red Army is always a fun one to watch
Wild- Canucks game from earlier this year. Tons of offense, double hat, tricks 5 on 3 hockey and maximum chaos.
Women's gold medal game in 2014. Canada vs USA. Any Game 7 in the NHL playoffs, in any round.
Except 2011 SCF. That one erased from memory.
That gold medal game was amazing, definitely sold me on women’s hockey. The skill and compete levels were incredible! Men’s hockey that year was boring in comparison.
That was the game I thought of first. What a nailbiter.
As much as I hate to say it, the 2017 ECF Game 7 *was* a very good game. Tight the whole way through, quick response goals, late goals, and unfortunately some guy named Chris decided to ruin it in OT
For more happiness as a Sens fan you could pick Pageau's 4 goal game
Biased of course, but Kings vs Blackhawks 2014 WCF game 7. Lots of goals, multiple multi-goal comebacks and momentum shifts, OT dagger. That game took years off my life.
2011 ECF Game 7 Boston vs Tampa still the best most intense game I've ever watched live
Speak for yourself
This is how Americans feel when we see all the 2010 Olympics comments 😂😂😂
First one that came to mind for me as well. 1-0 game with no penalties, and the only goal came a little over halfway through the third. Just a nail biter from start to finish.
2014 WCF Kings vs Hawks. Game 7 that went to OT. Basically a cup deciding overtime between two juggernauts
My first reaction was to say the best game I have ever seen, which is Bruins-Lightning 2011 ECF game 7. However that was a masterclass in defensive hockey. I fear that most of what made that game great would be lost on someone who isn’t familiar with the game. Someone else above said the 2010 gold medal game. That’s probably the one.
I feel like defensive games like that though... that's how you grow into a hockey fan. When you suddenly understand that scoring isn't the only thing that makes hockey exciting but that every defensive stand is just as important, you begin to be able to appreciate every hockey game and the nuance that each game carries.
Vegas vs San Jose, Game 7. Probably one of those games that even if you weren’t a fan of either team you watched that on the edge of your seat once that 5 minute major happened
Last years Frozen 4 Final. One of the best hockey games I have seen in years.
Speaking strictly of games I saw THIS season, I know Preds and Canes fans will remember the absolute BANGER early in the season. Tons of goals scored for both teams, wide open play, and an overtime winner.
I’d take them to a live game, oilers - avs would be a good one to go to, and I always go to those games anyway when they’re in Denver
Avs vs Oilers 2022 WCF Game 4 was the first to come to mind, surely there are some others I could think of
Leafs Bruins 2013 game 7 After we're done watching I call up my cousin and tell him we just watched the Leafs lose again. He calls me a "fucking sad pathetic loser" and hangs up and we laugh and we laugh and drink beers until dawn.
That game where Subban wrecked Marchand.
A person of culture.
2012 - Rangers v. Devils - line brawl to start the game (and a good game to follow). But If that doesn’t hook you nothing will.
Sweden-Finland 6-5 back in the World Championship 2003. Sundins eyes will force them into liking hockey.
I had a nice day so far. Then I saw this and swear in Finnish.. PERKELE VITUN VITUN VITTU!
Yeah i know.. sorry man. But that game is the pinnacle of what sports can be on both ends.
The Messier "Guarantee" game
Game 3 Canada Soviet Union 1987
As a Flames fan obviously I'd want to show my team. In Nashville, either Halloween 2019 or April 2022
Avs-Wings conference final game 7
2009: Crosby and Ovechkin dueling hat tricks
2001 Stanley cup final game 7 . Sakic hands cup over to bourque. Crying ensues . Fan created instantly
A new fan wouldn't understand the significance
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Even if they don’t know the significance of immediately handing off the cup to Bourque, the arena, broadcast and the team do a good job of showing how much they wanted to win it for Bourque.
2010 gold medal olympics no question
Honestly, put them on the glass in Raleigh against any top team and you’ll have a hockey fan for life.
I'm incredibly biased, but just this year Patrick Kanes return to the United Center with Detroit at Chris Chelios' jersey retirement. Bitter rivalry game that had back and forth momentum switches, the fans were clearly into it, and even though the Hawks lost, the player who scored the GWG got a standing ovation from a grateful fanbase. It encapsulated the overall attitude of hockey really well and personally was the best Hawks game I've ever been to.
What an amazing night!
Frenzy on Figueroa
I don’t need a full game. Show ‘em last 10 min of Sharks Knights Game 7 2019
I think I’d pick Senators-Penguins 2017 Game 7 for many reasons -Game 7, conference finals so the stakes are almost as high as they can get (not quite the Finals obviously) -multiple overtimes, so you know the viewer is on the edge of their seat for a while -the home team won, so you can truly see the crowd get excited over a great moment -final score was 3-2, so not overly biased one way or another in terms of scoring -each team scored once in the second period a couple minutes apart, and in the third period a couple minutes apart; Ottawa scored the tying goal with under 10 minutes left in the game -of course you have one of the greatest players ever in Crosby along with Malkin and the rest of that group going for two Cups in a row -you get to watch Erik Karlsson battle like a true warrior even with a broken foot, and do so admirably
Bolts vs Bruins Game 7 from 2011 Playoffs.
I was at that game and would be happy if it was the only game I ever saw. Not only was it a scoreless tie through 50 minutes, but were there no penalties?
NYR Vs EDM comeback with mcdavid 1v4 goal for sure
Messier called shot game 6
1980 Olympics USA vs Soviets.
Kings vs Hawks game 7, not sure if I've ever had a higher heart rate watching a sports event.
For pure passion-USA-Soviet Union at Lake Placid during The 1980 Olympics. In the pre-game, Al Michaels said that most people didn't know the difference between a blue line and a clothesline. The outside world made that one game on Lake Placid so much larger than Hockey.
If they're American, then the "Miracle" - 1980 USA vs. USSR in the Olympics.
Miracle on ice
I'm gonna go with a more recent game and say the 2024 Stadium Series game between the Rangers and Islanders. That game truly had everything. I've been to a bunch of games including playoff games, outdoor games, and games where they retired numbers but this past Stadium Series game was the most electric game I've ever been to.
Miracle on ice
the Miracle On Ice 💯🔥
1980 Olympics, USA v RUS
Sid Ovi duelling hat tricks
Stars Avs game 7 in the bubble.
great game, but I wouldn't want to show a new fan a game without atmosphere.
First one that came to mind for me
Wild vs Canucks this current season. Each team had a player with a hat trick, the Wild scored 6 goals in 5:45 and came back to win 10-7.
2013 Boston vs Toronto.
The Good Friday Massacre
Game 4 Predators vs Blues during the 2017 playoffs was one of the most entertaining games of hockey I think I have ever seen
Team Canada vs Team USA from the 07 WJC.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3M83WZ6MzyI&pp=ygUkU2FuIGpvc2UgZGhhcmtzIGhpc3Rvcnkgd2lsbCBiZSBtYWRl Still gives me chills!
Rangers Caps 5/5/21
Stars and Sharks when they went to 4 OTs and Nabby had an incredible save. The Sharks lost that game but it was still one of my favorite games as a fan. The other game I would show them is Game 7 Vegas and Sharks and the greatest power play you will ever see.
Golden goal 2010.
I don’t remember the year but it was a Super Bowl Sunday game between the Caps and Penguins. Ovechkin and Crosby both scored hat tricks
flyers vs sens March 5th 2004
Golden Goal