This was the first Stanley Cup championship for Chicago since 1961, which had been the longest active Cup drought; the Toronto Maple Leafs’ 43 year title drought now stands as the longest active streak in the NHL. In addition, the Blackhawks become the fourth major Chicago sports team to win a championship since 1985, joining the 1985 Chicago Bears, the Chicago Bulls dynasty of the 1990s, and the 2005 Chicago White Sox.

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The 1981 Stanley Cup Final was contested by the Minnesota North Stars making their first Finals appearance and the defending champion New York Islanders, in their second-ever Finals appearance. The Islanders would win the best-of-seven series four games to one, to win their second Stanley Cup. This would be the last all american finals for a decade.

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