The 2001 Stanley Cup playoffs, the championship of the National Hockey League (NHL), were played from April until June. The Colorado Avalanche defeated the New Jersey Devils to win its second Stanley Cup.
The sixteen teams that qualified, eight from each conference, played best-of-7 series for conference quarterfinals, semifinals and championships, and then the conference champions played a best-of-seven series for the Stanley Cup.
Defenseman Ray Bourque, who had a career-long tenure in Boston without winning the championship, finally won the Stanley Cup with the Avalanche. Bourque, captain Joe Sakic, defenceman Rob Blake, and goalkeeper Patrick Roy claimed the Stanley Cup for the final time in their careers. Roy was also awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff's most valuable player.
No hat tricks were scored in the 2001 playoffs, and goaltenders combined for a record 19 shutouts.
This is the recent time where most original 6 teams missed the playoffs: 4 (New York Rangers, Chicago Blackhawks, Boston Bruins, and Montreal Canadians)
Read more about 2001 Stanley Cup Playoffs: Playoff Bracket, Conference Quarter-finals, Conn Smythe Award, Playoff Scoring Leader
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