The New York Rangers opened the 1940s by lifting the Stanley Cup for the third time since entering the NHL in 1926. New York wouldn't win again for 54 years. The Boston Bruins' Cup win in 1941 made it six consecutive championships won by U.S.-based teams, but by the end of the decade the trophy had taken up residence north of the border. The Toronto Maple Leafs won the Cup in historic fashion in 1942 with the only rally from a 3-0 deficit in Stanley Cup Final history. The Detroit Red Wings, victims of that comeback, redeemed themselves a year later, but the Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens combined to take the final six titles of the decade. Toronto capped that run with three straight championships, giving the Maple Leafs five in eight years.
Stanley Cup Champions 1940-1949
Maple Leafs own decade with five Cups; Canadiens win twice
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