What is the name of the NHL's championship series?

The NHL’s championship series is the Stanley Cup Finals, officially styled in the singular as the Stanley Cup Final. It is the last round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, matching the Eastern and Western Conference champions.

The series awards the Stanley Cup, a trophy donated in 1892 by Lord Stanley of Preston, Canada’s governor general. It began as a challenge trophy for amateur clubs before professional teams became eligible in 1906. After several league changes, the NHL assumed control of the Cup in the 1920s.

Since 1982, the championship round has been a best-of-seven series. The first team to win four games becomes NHL champion. “NBA Finals,” “Super Bowl,” and “World Series” are championship events from other major North American leagues, not hockey.

The Montreal Canadiens have won the Cup more often than any other franchise, with 24 championships. The Stanley Cup Final is also distinct from the earlier playoff rounds, which determine the two conference finalists.