New York Rangers

The Rangers joined the NHL in 1926 and won the Stanley Cup in their second season (1928), followed by additional championships in 1933 and 1940. The team played at the original Madison Square Garden and featured stars like Frank Boucher, Bill Cook, and later the Colville brothers. The 1940 Cup victory, however, would be the last for 54 years, beginning one of the most famous championship droughts in sports history.

The Rangers struggled through much of the Original Six era, often overshadowed by the dominant Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Detroit Red Wings. Despite playing in the world's most famous arena, the Rangers were unable to consistently field championship-caliber teams. The drought became a source of both frustration and gallows humor among the team's passionate New York fanbase.

The expansion era brought some of the Rangers' most beloved players, even as the Cup drought continued. Rod Gilbert, Jean Ratelle, and Vic Hadfield formed the 'GAG Line' (Goal-A-Game) in the early 1970s, reaching the Stanley Cup Final in 1972. The Rangers also reached the Final in 1979 but lost to the Montreal Canadiens.

Mark Messier's arrival via trade from Edmonton in 1991 was the catalyst for change. Brian Leetch emerged as one of the best defensemen in hockey, and Mike Richter provided elite goaltending. The team was loaded with talent and experience, but the weight of the 54-year drought hung over every season. General manager Neil Smith built a roster designed to win immediately, setting the stage for the most memorable championship run in franchise history.

The 1994 Stanley Cup run is one of the greatest stories in hockey history. After posting the league's best record, the Rangers faced elimination against the New Jersey Devils in the Eastern Conference Final before Mark Messier guaranteed a Game 6 victory and delivered with a hat trick. The Rangers then defeated the Vancouver Canucks in a thrilling seven-game Final, with Messier hoisting the Cup at Madison Square Garden.

Brian Leetch won the Conn Smythe Trophy, and the victory set off a celebration in New York City that rivaled any in the city's sports history. The 54-year curse was finally over. However, the team struggled to sustain success after the Cup, spending lavishly on free agents but failing to return to the Final. The franchise eventually committed to a full rebuild in the early 2000s, tearing down the roster and starting fresh.