The 2000 Stanley Cup Championship

Lore & Background

The turning point of the Final came in Game 4 at Reunion Arena, where the Devils forced overtime to stay alive, eventually winning a dramatic Game 6 on the road to seal the series. Key performances from Jason Arnott, who scored the Cup-winning goal in double overtime, and Martin Brodeur's stellar goaltending were instrumental. This victory secured the franchise's second title in six years, establishing the 'Devils' as a model for defensive hockey in the late 90s.

In Their Own Story

The air inside Reunion Arena was thick with tension as Game 6 reached its final minutes. The Dallas Stars were on the attack, desperate to force overtime and keep their hopes alive, but the Devils' blue line stood like an immovable wall. Scott Stevens absorbed a brutal hit along the boards, sending a silent message of resilience to his teammates. In the dying seconds, Patrik Eliáš found space in the slot, his stick snapping through traffic. The puck hit the net, and the arena erupted—not for Dallas, but for the visitors who had traveled 1,500 miles to steal their crown.

Reader's Guide

The Originals era began with the franchise's relocation from Colorado in 1982, a period of rebuilding that laid the groundwork for future success. Under Lou Lamoriello's management, the team focused on drafting young talent and building a strong defensive core. This era was defined by Larry Robinson's coaching philosophy, which prioritized structure and physical play over flashiness. The Three-Peat Dynasty concluded with a third title in 2003, solidifying New Jersey's place among the NHL's elite. This period featured legendary figures like Scott Stevens, Ken Daneyko, and Martin Brodeur, who became the face of the franchise for over two decades.

Did You Know?

• Jason Arnott scored the game-winning goal in double overtime of Game 6 to clinch the championship against Dallas.
• Martin Brodeur made 24 saves in Game 6, but the final score was 2-1 in double overtime, not a shutout.

Historical Context and Matchup Dynamics

The 2000 Stanley Cup Final marked a unique chapter in NHL history as the first championship series contested entirely between relocated franchises. The New Jersey Devils, representing the Eastern Conference, faced off against the Western Conference champion Dallas Stars, who were also the defending champions from the previous year. This matchup highlighted a shifting landscape in professional hockey where teams had successfully rebuilt their identities after moving cities. Both clubs entered the Final with significant momentum; Dallas had secured the Pacific Division title and defeated the Colorado Avalanche in a grueling seven-game conference final rematch. Meanwhile, New Jersey overcame substantial odds as the fourth seed, famously rallying from a 3-1 deficit against the top-seeded Philadelphia Flyers to reach the championship round. The series featured legendary goaltenders Martin Brodeur for New Jersey and Ed Belfour for Dallas, alongside head coaches Larry Robinson and Ken Hitchcock respectively. Ultimately, the Devils' victory was historic not only for their second title but also because it represented a rare instance where two teams that had previously won Cups after relocation met in the final battle.

The Road to the Championship

The real test came in the Eastern Conference Finals against top-seeded Philadelphia; trailing three games to one, New Jersey forced a Game Seven and became the first expansion-era team to rally past that deficit after the semi-finals. Meanwhile, Dallas cut through Edmonton and San Jose with five-game series before surviving another seven-battle war against Colorado. Even though Dallas held their division title, New Jersey's higher point total earned them home-ice advantage in the Final. That edge mattered: the Devils seized early momentum to set up a wild finish.

Pivotal Moments and Game Decisions

The six-game series was characterized by intense goaltending battles and narrow margins that defined the outcome. New Jersey opened strong with a decisive 7-3 victory in Game One, where Petr Sykora and Jason Arnott combined for eight points while Ed Belfour struggled before being replaced by Manny Fernandez. Dallas responded immediately in Game Two, with Brett Hull scoring twice to secure a vital 2-1 win that tied the series. The Devils regained control in Games Three and Four, capitalizing on defensive errors from Dallas to take a commanding 3-1 lead. However, desperation struck in Game Five, which became infamous for setting a new record as the longest scoreless tie in Final history at over one hour and forty-six minutes before Mike Modano scored in the third overtime to keep Dallas alive. The series concluded in double overtime of Game Six, where Jason Arnott deflected a shot past Belfour to seal the championship. This victory capped off Scott Stevens' dominant performance, earning him the Conn Smythe Trophy for his unmatched physicality and leadership.

Legacy, Records, and Engraving

The 2000 Final reshaped records for both clubs. For Dallas, losing meant becoming the first defending champion since 1984 to fall in the Finals, a pattern that continued before their next run in 2020. On the Devils' side, this win locked in their status as era-defining contenders, making it two Cups in five years under Larry Robinson's command. The Trophy engraving told its own story: while Scott Stevens accepted the Cup from Commissioner Gary Bettman, New Jersey successfully lobbied for special exemptions to add four players who fell short of standard playing-time rules due to regular-season or playoff absences. Krzysztof Oliwa also etched his name in history as the first Polish-born and trained player to claim a Stanley Cup, doing so despite missing the entire postseason with an injury. This series proves how chaotic play-offs can get when you have a team built to survive any city.

Gallery