Largest shutout victory in a Stanley Cup Final game: Where the Avs' 7-0 win in Game 2 ranks all time

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A statement was made Saturday night as the Avalanche thumped the Lightning 7-0 in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final. 

Colorado came out flying, scoring three goals in the first period on their way to the home victory. Valeri Nichushkin and Cale Makar each had two goals while Darren Helm, Josh Manson and Andre Burakovsky had the other goals for the Avs. 

It was a beating that was not expected after an exciting Game 1 that went into overtime, resulting in a 4-3 win for the Avs. Instead of a close contest, Game 2 was completely controlled by Colorado as it took advantage of turnovers and bad coverages by Tampa Bay. 

The seven-goal victory is one of the largest shutout wins in Stanley Cup Final history, but where exactly does it rank all-time? Here is a look at the largest shutout margins. 

SCF SCHEDULE: Dates, times, TV channels for Avalanche-Lightning

Largest shutouts in Stanley Cup Final history

The seven-goal shutout by the Avalanche against the Lightning was close to being the largest, but not quite. 

The Penguins beat up on the Minnesota North Stars in Game 6 of the 1991 Stanley Cup Final 8-0. Not only was the game bad enough, but it was also the series-clinching victory as the Penguins lifted the Cup in Minnesota. 

A 7-0 win has only happened one other time in a Stanley Cup Final game; in 1919 when the Seattle Metropolitans defeated the Canadiens by that score. 

The largest shutout victories in Stanley Cup Final history: 

TEAM YEAR RESULT GOAL DIFF
Pittsburgh Penguins 1991 Penguins 8, North Stars 0 8
Seattle Metropolitans 1919 Metropolitans 7, Canadiens 0 7
Colorado Avalanche 2022 Avalanche 7, Lightning 0 7
Pittsburgh Penguins 2017 Penguins 6, Predators 0 6
Montreal Canadiens 1965 Canadiens 6, Blackhawks 0 6
Montreal Canadiens 1947 Canadiens 6, Maple Leafs 0 6
Toronto St. Patricks 1922 St. Patricks 6, Millionaires 0 6

Highest goal differential in a Stanley Cup Final game

Not only is the seven-goal victory one of the largest shutout victories in a Stanley Cup Final game, but it's also one of the highest scoring differentials. 

The Penguins' eight-goal margin of victory remains first, but Game 2 was the fifth time in NHL history that a team has won by seven goals in a Stanley Cup Final game. Colorado has now done it twice, previously winning 8-1 in 1996 against the Panthers. 

MORE: How to watch 'Unrivaled,' ESPN's E:60 documentary on Red Wings vs. Avalanche

The Avs won the Stanley Cup that season. Perhaps history will repeat in 2022?

Here is a look at the highest goal differentials in a Stanley Cup Final game in NHL history. 

TEAM YEAR RESULT GOAL DIFF
Pittsburgh Penguins 1991 Penguins 8, North Stars 0 8
Boston Bruins 2011 Bruins 8, Canucks 1 7
Colorado Avalanche 1996 Avalanche 8, Panthers 1 7
Seattle Metropolitans 1919 Metropolitans 7, Canadiens 0 7
Vancouver Millionaires 1918 Millionaires 8, Arenas 1 7
Colorado Avalanche 2022 Avalanche 7, Lightning 0 7
Pittsburgh Penguins 2017 Penguins 6, Predators 0 6
Montreal Canadiens 1965 Canadiens 6, Blackhawks 0 6
Detroit Red Wings 1955 Red Wings 7, Canadiens 1 6
Montreal Canadiens 1947 Canadiens 6, Maple Leafs 0 6
Toronto Maple Leafs 1942 Maple Leafs 9, Canadiens 3 6
Toronto St. Patricks 1922 St. Patricks 6, Millionaires 0 6
Author(s)
Bryan Murphy Photo

Bryan Murphy is an NHL content producer at The Sporting News.