Every athlete dreams of competing on the grandest sports stages, hoping to etch their name in history by leading their team to victory. On Tuesday night, Sam Reinhart achieved that dream.
In Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final, Florida Panthers center Reinhart scored four goals, powering his team to a 5-1 win over the Edmonton Oilers and securing consecutive Stanley Cup championships. Reinhart’s four goals mark one of the highest tallies ever scored in a final game, joining only five other players who have scored as many in the Stanley Cup Final since its start in 1914.
(It’s important to note that Reinhart’s last two goals were scored on the empty net, but both were outside the Oilers’ attacking zone.)
As Reinhart and the Panthers celebrate in South Florida, let’s review the top 10 individual championship performances since 2020. These performances took place in series-clinching games across MLB, NBA, and NHL, and contributed to the players winning titles.
LSU QB Joe Burrow vs. Clemson (2020 National Championship): Burrow delivered an extraordinary game, passing 31 of 49 for 463 yards and tallying five total touchdowns, including rushing scores. His efforts helped LSU overcome a 10-point deficit and set records in the title game.
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The article continues to highlight notable championship performances from stars like Alabama’s Smith, NBA’s Antetokounmpo, Braves’ Soler, Rams’ Kupp, Warriors’ Curry, and soccer icons Messi and Mbappe in the 2022 World Cup final. It also notes Tatum’s strong showing in the 2024 NBA Finals and PSG’s young Doue’s impressive 2025 UEFA Champions League final performance.
Finally, it returns to Reinhart’s stellar four-goal effort in the 2025 Stanley Cup Final Game 6, marking him the sixth player ever to score four goals in a final game and the first to do so since 1957. His seven goals in the series were the highest since Wayne Gretzky’s feat in 1985.
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Fan Take: Sam Reinhart’s remarkable performance highlights the thrilling impact a single player can have in hockey’s most crucial moments. This game not only cements his legacy but also fuels excitement for future Stanley Cup Finals, showing that hockey’s biggest stages are where legends are truly made.
