Props to the Paparazzi: The Stories Behind the Most Memorable NHL Photos

Every good story has a picture–whether that be an actual photo captured on camera or a mental image a story illustrates in our heads. When we were children learning to read, pictures brought the words on the pages to life. Images are powerful storytellers.

Hockey is obviously one of the most fast-paced sports. Athletes are skating across the ice at over 20 mph. Slapshots are flying into the net at over 100 mph. Players are getting into scuffles. Goaltenders are performing near-acrobatic feats to stop pucks from going deep into the net. Yet, as fast as the game is, photography is a way to capture priceless moments that tell hockey’s story. Here are some of the most memorable NHL photos from the past 60 years.

The Sweet Taste of the First Conn Smythe

Courtesy of Bruce Bennett Studios/Getty Images

Pouring champagne into the Stanley Cup has been a tradition for a long time. Back in 1965, Montreal Canadiens captain Jean Béliveau was no stranger to it. In fact, he had already won five Stanley Cups at that point in his career (and he would later go on to win five more before officially hanging up his skates). If he’d already won so many cups, what made 1965 more special? Well, the NHL had come out with a new award for the MVP of the Stanley Cup Playoffs: the Conn Smythe Trophy. Béliveau was honored as the first recipient; that champagne must have tasted extra sweet.

Bobby Orr Takes Flight

Courtesy of Ray Lussier/The Boston Herald via AP, File

Let’s take a trip down memory lane to the 1970 Stanley Cup Finals. The Boston Bruins are looking to sweep the St. Louis Blues, having already won three games. However, this game is looking a little more difficult for the Bruins. Despite being behind, the Blues aren’t giving up so easily. The game is headed into overtime. Just 40 seconds into the additional period, defenseman Bobby Orr takes the puck to the net and beats Blues goaltender Glenn Hall, right as he’s getting tripped by Blues defenseman Noel Picard, sending him airborne. Though Orr is sailing through the air, he knows he’s helped bring the Stanley Cup back to Boston for the first time in 29 years and pumps his fists to the sky.

Bolland’s Buzzer Beater

Courtesy of Brian Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images

Though the Chicago Blackhawks are currently in the midst of the rebuild, from 2010 to 2015, they were on top of the NHL. During that five-year period, the Blackhawks won three Stanley Cups. Any hockey fan from Chicago will tell you it was the prime time in the team’s history. It was a breath of fresh air before various scandals broke the news. During the 2013 Stanley Cup Finals, the Blackhawks and the Bruins were in a battle for the Cup. It was Game 6 of the series. Though the Blackhawks had already won three games, it was imminent the Bruins were going to take the win and tie the series. However, with less than a minute remaining, left winger Bryan Bickell tied the game 2-2, turning the tide for the Blackhawks. Maybe, just maybe, they could win the game. Then, 17 seconds later, right before the buzzer went off, center Dave Bolland scored the series-clenching, Cup-winning goal.

Giving Flower His Flowers

Courtesy of Getty Images

March 27 marked the end of an era as two greats faced each other for the last time. Minnesota Wild goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury–known by fans as “Flower”–took to the ice for one of his final games before he officially retires at the end of the regular season. Throughout his 21-year NHL career, the 2003 first-overall NHL draft pick has played and won the second-most games among all NHL goalies, with 1,048 games played and 573 wins, respectively. He is also tied at eighth for the most shutouts in history with 76.

On March 27, the Wild played the Washington Capitals. Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin–2004 first-overall NHL draft pick and who has broken Wayne Gretzky’s record for most career goals–is regarded by many to be the greatest NHL player of all time. When Fleury was playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins, he and Ovechkin were stiff rivals. In fact, Ovechkin has scored more goals against Fleury than any other goaltender in the NHL.

Fleury tallied a win this game, and Ovechkin didn’t score any goals on him. However, rather than just leaving the ice, Ovechkin called his teammates back out to pay their respects to one of the most beloved players in NHL history. Though they had a long rivalry, that didn’t matter at the final buzzer. All that mattered was respect. It takes a great to know a great.

Though there are countless photos that capture incredible moments in NHL history, these are a few that have special stories to tell. They are a testament that history is being written through every moment being captured. As hockey fans, players, or anyone who has a tie to the game, we need to celebrate the wins, savor the taste of victory and hug our friends. We don’t know what tomorrow holds, but at least let’s capture the good moments.

Edited by Jenna Mandarano