A curious correlation has emerged between playing a Game 7 overtime match against the Vancouver Canucks and advancing to the Stanley Cup Finals. Specifically, to date, winning the former has ensured an appearance in the latter.The Canucks met the Calgary Flames in three such overtime affairs and the Chicago Blackhawks once. Each time the victor qualified for the Cup Finals, hoisting once (1989) and losing three times (1994, 2004, 2011). Interestingly, each Cup Final loss also occurred in a Game 7.
| Year | Matchup | OT Winner |
| 1989 | Calgary over Vancouver | Joel Otto |
| 1994 | Vancouver over Calgary | Pavel Bure |
| 2004 | Calgary over Vancouver | Martin Gelinas |
| 2011 | Vancouver over Chicago | Alex Burrows |
In 2024, the Edmonton Oilers eliminated the Canucks in Game 7 of the second round of the playoffs, by a score of 3-2. Unfortunately, the match was settled in regulation time, though Edmonton did advance to the Cup Final losing to Florida in seven games. Vancouver did not qualify for the 2025 postseason, so we'll have to wait at least another year before a Game 7 overtime opportunity presents itself and this peculiar pattern can be tested again.
* See also NHL Stanley Cup Playoff Game 7 History.
* See also Today In NHL History - Kirk McLean's Game 7 Save.
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