1970 Stanley Cup Final vs St. Louis Blues
The Bruins swept the Blues in four games to claim their third Stanley Cup glory.
The 1970 Stanley Cup Final stands as a monumental chapter in Boston Bruins history, marking the franchise's third championship title after a long drought since 1941. This best-of-seven series pitted the Eastern Division champions against the formidable St. Louis Blues, who had dominated the regular season with a league-best record. The series is remembered not just for its outcome, but for the sheer intensity of the rivalry and the heroic performances that defined an era of physical, fast-paced hockey.
- Series Result
- Boston Bruins won 4-0
- Championship Count
- 3rd in franchise history
- Key Opponent
- St. Louis Blues
- League Era
- Original Six (pre-expansion era conclusion)
- Coach
- Harry Sinden
- Captain
- Phil Esposito
Lore & Background
The sweep is often cited as one of the most dominant performances in Bruins playoff history. The Blues, despite their regular-season dominance, were unable to handle the pressure of the Boston Garden or the relentless forechecking of the Bruins' forward line. The series showcased the perfect marriage of Esposito's scoring touch and Bobby Orr's revolutionary two-way play on defense, creating a dynamic that St. Louis simply could not match.
In Their Own Story
The air inside Boston Garden was thick with smoke and anticipation as the final buzzer sounded. Phil Esposito raised his stick high, the black and gold jersey soaked in sweat and glory. Across the ice, the Blues slumped in defeat, their regular-season dominance shattered by a team that refused to yield. The trophy was lifted not just for the players, but for a city that had waited twenty-nine years for this moment of redemption.
Reader's Guide
The context of the 1970 Final was set against the backdrop of the Original Six era's final chapter before expansion would reshape the league. Boston entered as the underdog in some eyes, facing a St. Louis team with the best regular-season record in NHL history at that time. Key moments included Game One, where Esposito and Orr combined to dismantle the Blues' defense early, setting the tone for the series. The Bruins' speed overwhelmed St. Louis, particularly on their power play, which proved lethal throughout the four games. Bobby Orr's ability to quarterback the offense from the blue line was a primary factor in neutralizing the Hull brothers. The atmosphere at Boston Garden was electric, with fans creating a deafening roar that seemed to physically push the Bruins forward. This series remains unforgettable because it was a perfect sweep against a superior regular-season opponent, cementing the legacy of the 'Esposito-Orr' era as one of the greatest in franchise history.
Did You Know?
- The 1970 Boston Bruins became the first team to win the Stanley Cup after finishing second in their division during the regular season.
- Phil Esposito won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP, averaging over a point per game in the series.
- This was the last time the Boston Bruins and St. Louis Blues met in the Stanley Cup Final until 2019.
- Bobby Orr recorded an assist in every single game of the four-game sweep.
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