Stanley Cup Flashbacks: 1943: Detroit Plays Black Jack, Wins Stanley Cup

The year is 1943, the year of Black Jack Stewart. In a time prior to the arrival of Gordie Howe, Ted Lindsay, Terry Sawchuk and Red Kelly, the devastating body checker Stewart leads the Red Wings to the Stanley Cup.

His very tough style of play that saw him lead the playoffs in penalty minutes had a telling effect in the Toronto series. Despite all the time in the penalty box he averaged over forty minutes per game and found time to set up the winner in game five 4-2 win over Toronto and had the first goal and an assist in opening 6-2 triumph over Boston. He was one of the main reasons Detroit let in only five goals in four games to Boston.

Carl Liscombe and Sid Abel would lead the Wings offensively in the playoffs, with a league leading 14 and 13 points, respectively. Little known Johnny Mowers was in nets for the Wings, redeeming himself nicely after the 1942 Stanley Cup finals meltdown.