The 1952 Stanley Cup Final was contested by the Detroit Red Wings and the Montreal Canadiens in the first of the four DetroitâÂÂMontreal Stanley Cup Final series of the 1950s. The Canadiens were appearing in their second straight Finals series, while Detroit was returning after winning in 1950.
The Red Wings swept the Canadiens in four games, shutting them out twice and allowing one goal in each of the other two games. The Red Wings had also swept the Toronto Maple Leafs to reach the Finals, becoming the first team to go 8âÂÂ0 in an NHL postseason, and became the first undefeated NHL playoff team since the 1928âÂÂ29 Boston Bruins went 5âÂÂ0.
Detroit defeated the defending champion Toronto Maple Leafs 4âÂÂ0 to reach the Finals. Montreal defeated the Boston Bruins 4âÂÂ3 to reach the Finals.
Terry Sawchuk posted two shutouts in his Cup Finals debut. Gordie Howe scored two goals in his Cup Finals debut. The Red Wings went through the playoffs perfect, a feat that has been replicated only once since: in , the Canadiens went 8âÂÂ0 against first the Chicago Black Hawks and then the Maple Leafs en route to their record fifth consecutive Stanley Cup.
The 1952 Stanley Cup was presented to Red Wings captain Sid Abel by NHL President Clarence Campbell following the Red Wings 3âÂÂ0 win over the Canadiens in game four.
The following Red Wings players and staff had their names engraved on the Stanley Cup
1951âÂÂ52 Detroit Red Wings