NHL Consecutive Stanley Cup Losses

Since the Stanley Cup was dedicated to NHL's top team in 1926, only five franchises (Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, Boston Bruins, St. Louis Blues) have qualified for consecutive Cup Finals and lost each time.  

Nine times the losing streak was limited to two years though twice a three year streak struck (Toronto 1938-1940, St. Louis 1968-1970).  The charts below describe these streaks by team and years, and vice versa.

Team	Years
Toronto	1935-1936 (2), 1938-1939-1940 (3), 1959-1960 (2),
Detroit	1941-1942 (2), 1948-1949 (2), 1963-1964 (2)
Montreal	1951-1952 (2), 1954-1955 (2)
Boston	1957-1958 (2), 1977-1978 (2)
St. Louis	1968-1969-1970 (3)

Years	Team
1935-1936	Toronto
1938-1940	Toronto
1941-1942	Detroit
1948-1949	Detroit
1951-1952	Montreal
1954-1955	Montreal
1957-1958	Boston
1959-1960	Toronto
1963-1964	Detroit
1968-1970	St. Louis
1977-1978	Boston

The Tampa Bay Lightning was eliminated in the opening round of the 2023 postseason thus negating any chance of losing in consecutive Cup finals.

* See also NHL Consecutive Stanley Cup Wins.
* See also NHL Consecutive Stanley Cup Rematches.