Previewing the Possible 2021 Stanley Cup Final Uniform Matchups

27 teams down, 4 to go.

Welcome to the 2021 Stanley Cup Semi-Finals! Nope there’s no conference finals this year, but despite reports saying it wasn’t going to happen, a last minute change of heart will still give us the always popular presentation of the Campbell Bowl (Canadiens/Golden Knights) and Wales Trophy (Islanders/Lightning) to those who advance to the Final.

With four teams remaining this means we now have four possible 2021 Stanley Cup Final matchups that could happen. With SportsLogos.Net being a site which focuses on how a game looks perhaps moreso than the actual content or result of the game we’re going to take a look at the possible logo and uniform matchups we could see in this year’s finals.

TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING VS
VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS

Last 5 Games…
February 20, 2020: Tampa Bay Lightning 2 at Vegas Golden Knights 5
February 4, 2020: Vegas Golden Knights 2 at Tampa Bay Lightning 4
February 5, 2019: Vegas Golden Knights 3 at Tampa Bay Lightning 2 (SO)
October 26, 2018: Tampa Bay Lightning 3 at Vegas Golden Knights 2
January 18, 2018: Vegas Golden Knights 4 at Tampa Bay Lightning 1

If you’re a fan of the most talented teams meeting in the finals, well then I guess this is the final you’re rooting for. The Tampa Bay Lightning coming off a Stanley Cup Championship last year against the Vegas Golden Knights, the four-year-old franchise who’s yet to experience a poor season. Not only would this be the second-straight finals appearance for Tampa Bay, it would also be the second consecutive all-Southern U.S. final after 125 years of it never happening before.

As for the uniforms, here you’re getting the most simple colour scheme and logo possible vs. black, graphite, red, and glimmering metallic gold. Couldn’t be more opposite but ensures that there’s something for everyone here, the modern vs the traditional.

SHOP: Vegas Golden Knights 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs merch
SHOP: Tampa Bay Lightning 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs merch

These have been two of the more consistently successful regular season teams over the last several years. Both clubs have made it to Stanley Cup Finals in the past four seasons (Vegas, 2018 and Tampa Bay, 2020). Tampa Bay last hoisted the Cup less than nine months ago, while Vegas has yet to have the honour.

MONTREAL CANADIENS VS
TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

Last 5 Games…
March 5, 2020: Montreal Canadiens 0 at Tampa Bay Lightning 4
January 2, 2020: Tampa Bay Lightning 2 at Montreal Canadiens 1
December 28, 2019: Montreal Canadiens 4 at Tampa Bay Lightning 5
October 15, 2019: Tampa Bay Lightning 3 at Montreal Canadiens 1
April 2, 2019: Tampa Bay Lightning 2 at Montreal Canadiens 4

Here’s one of these “only in 2021!” finals in which we have two teams who, in a usual season, would both play in the same division and therefore would not be able to meet in a Stanley Cup. Despite the frequent meetings between these teams in regular times, the Habs just can’t beat these guys, in their last 10 games against each other, the Bolts have won 9 times. Montreal hasn’t won a game in Tampa Bay in over four years, their last on April 1, 2017.

These two clubs also met a few times in previous Stanley Cup Playoffs, most recently in the 2015 Conference Semi-Finals when the Lightning won in six, previously the Habs swept the Bolts in the first round in 2014, this was revenge for Tampa Bay doing the same to Montreal in the second round in 2004 on their way to their first Stanley Cup Championship.

As for the uniforms, well, it kinda looks like Canadiens vs. Maple Leafs, so that’s an automatic win in terms of a good-looking uniform matchup. Tampa Bay’s simple blue-and-white scheme pairs well with anyone so obviously meeting up with Montreal’s classic look will be an eye-pleasing experience for the viewer.

SHOP: Montreal Canadiens 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs merch
SHOP: Tampa Bay Lightning 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs merch

Montreal’s the all-time leader having won 24 Stanley Cups in their franchise’s 110+ year history, Tampa Bay has two titles over their nearly 30 seasons and are looking to be the first team to win back-to-back Cups since the 2016-2017 Pittsburgh Penguins.

NEW YORK ISLANDERS VS
VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS

Last 5 Games…
February 15, 2020: New York Islanders 0 at Vegas Golden Knights 1
December 5, 2019: Vegas Golden Knights 2 at New York Islanders 3 (OT)
December 20, 2018: New York Islanders 2 at Vegas Golden Knights 4
December 12, 2018: Vegas Golden Knights 3 at New York Islanders 2
January 25, 2018: New York Islanders 2 at Vegas Golden Knights 1

You gotta figure one of these years either of these teams are going to make their way through to a Stanley Cup (or in the Islanders case, at least the Final). They’re always sniffing around the door but hustled away by the bouncer just as they try to get a glimpse inside.

SHOP: New York Islanders 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs merch
SHOP: Vegas Golden Knights 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs merch

As I mentioned in our post about possible Cup Final uniform matchups last year, this is not a uniform pairing I would look forward to. The Knights’ gold and that hint of red just doesn’t work well up next to the Islanders’ orange. Of course this is simply my opinion, but this is easily 4th of the 4 remaining matchups in terms of uniform pairings.

MONTREAL CANADIENS VS
NEW YORK ISLANDERS

Last 5 Games…
March 3, 2020: Montreal Canadiens 6 at New York Islanders 2
December 3, 2019: New York Islanders 2 at Montreal Canadiens 4
March 21, 2019: New York Islanders 0 at Montreal Canadiens 4
March 14, 2019: Montreal Canadiens 1 at New York Islanders 2
November 5, 2018: Montreal Canadiens 4 at New York Islanders 3 (SO)

Where are all my fans of 1976-1984 NHL hockey? Hey! Here’s your final! The battle of the two dynasties finally happening 40-some odd years later. The Montreal Canadiens won four straight Cups from 1976-1979, the New York Islanders followed that up immediately with four of their own from 1980-1983 (and a berth in the Final in 1984). Three times during that span the two met in the Conference Finals, the Habs winning the first two (1976 & 1977) and the Islanders in 1984. The last time these two met in the playoffs was during the Canadiens’ run to their 1993 Stanley Cup Championship when the Habs knocked out the Isles in 5 games during the Wales Conference Finals.

What makes the “Battle of the Dynasties” idea even better is that both clubs are back wearing essentially the same uniforms as they did during that era. Two classic uniforms, the Habs relatively untouched since the 1940s, the Islanders wearing basically the same as they did in 1972 (yeah, they had a few rough years along the way, but they found their way home). Is this my favourite possible uniform matchup left? I think it might be!

SHOP: New York Islanders 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs merch
SHOP: Montreal Canadiens 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs merch

So, that’s it! These are your four possible 2021 Stanley Cup Final matchups remaining, one of the above will happen and that uniform matchup will forever be locked into the memories of their respective fanbases when they try to remember the good parts of the early 2020s.

So, you’ve all heard my opinion, it’s now time to share yours! Vote in the poll below for your favourite possible 2021 Stanley Cup Final, and, please let’s try to keep it focused on the actual *uniform matchup* rather than just picking whatever team you like or you hope wins. This is for science, people!

[socialpoll id=”2759539″]

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