The 1952 Stanley Cup Finals was contested by the Detroit Red Wings and the Montreal Canadiens in the first of the four Detroit-Montreal Finals series of the 1950s. The Canadiens were appearing in their second straight Finals series, while Detroit was returning after winning in 1950. The Red Wings swept the Canadiens, shutting them out twice and allowing one goal in each of the other two games. By doing so, the Red Wings became the first team to go perfect in the playoffs.

Paths to the Finals

Detroit defeated the defending champion Toronto Maple Leafs 4–0 to reach the Finals. Montreal defeated the Boston Bruins 4–3 to reach the Finals.

Game summaries

Terry Sawchuk posted two shutouts in his Cup Finals debut. Gordie Howe scored two goals in his Cup Finals debut. The Red Wings went through the playoffs perfect, a feat that has been replicated only once since: in, the Canadiens went 8–0 against first the Chicago Black Hawks and then the Maple Leafs en route to their record fifth consecutive Stanley Cup.

Stanley Cup engraving

The 1952 Stanley Cup was presented to Red Wings captain Sid Abel by NHL President Clarence Campbell following the Red Wings 3–0 win over the Canadiens in game four. The following Red Wings players and staff had their names engraved on the Stanley Cup 1951–52 Detroit Red Wings

Stanley Cup engraving