Last time Rangers won the Stanley Cup: Revisiting the 1994 championship with Mark Messier, Brian Leetch

The Rangers are one of the oldest franchises in the NHL. The New York is one of the league's Original Six members, operating since 1926.

One would think with that kind of longevity, the Rangers would have numerous Stanley Cups in its recent history. You'd have to think again.

New York may be one of the most storied organizations in professional hockey, but winning the Stanley Cup is not exactly the team's forte. A majority of the team's success came during the NHL's early years, when league membership was still in single digits.

It's been three decades since the fans of the Broadway Blueshirts erupted in celebration at Madison Square Garden for a Stanley Cup win. But when was the last time the Rangers hoisted hockey's most coveted trophy? And how many times have they won?

The Sporting News takes a look at the Rangers' last Stanley Cup win and the team's history in the Stanley Cup Final.

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When was the last time the Rangers won the Stanley Cup?

The Rangers last won the Stanley Cup in 1994. In that year, the organization snapped its 54-year championship drought, defeating the Canucks in seven games to win the NHL championship.

That was the same postseason as the Messier "guarantee" in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Devils. The Rangers captain scored a hat trick in the third period to avoid elimination, followed by Stephane Matteau's overtime winner in Game 7 to clinch a spot in the Stanley Cup Final. 

In the final series against Vancouver, the Canucks took Game 1 in overtime before the Rangers ripped off three consecutive wins, going up 3-1 in the series. Vancouver forced a Game 7 with victories in Games 5 and 6, however, New York's destiny would not be denied. In the winner-take-all finale, the Rangers defeated the Canucks 3-2, thanks to goals from Messier, Adam Graves and Brian Leetch. 

Leetch earned the Conn Smythe as playoff MVP after leading all skaters in postseason scoring. Despite playing as a defenseman, the Rangers blueliner recorded 11 goals and 23 assists for 34 points, averaging just under 1.5 points per game en route to the Cup win. 

How many Stanley Cups have the Rangers won?

In total, the Rangers have hoisted the Stanley Cup four times — but just once in the last 80 years.

The organization's first three championships all came during the early ages of the NHL. New York won its first Stanley Cup in 1928, followed by another one in 1933 and a third in 1940. After that, the team went more than half a century without a championship.

N/A* — The Conn Smythe for Stanley Cup playoff MVP was not awarded until 1965

When was the last time the Rangers played in the Stanley Cup Final?

The last time the Rangers played in the Stanley Cup Final was in 2014 against the Kings. Los Angeles won the series 4-1.  

New York needed seven games to get by two division rivals in the first two rounds, going the distance against Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. In the Eastern Conference Final, Henrik Lundqvist outdueled Carey Price and Montreal, as the Rangers won in six games to move to the Stanley Cup Final. 

The Rangers' magic ran out against the Kings, who won the franchise's second ring in a span of three years by knocking off New York in five games. Los Angeles defenseman Alec Martinez scored the game-winning goal in double overtime of Game 5 to give the Kings the Stanley Cup. 

Rangers Stanley Cup Final history

In total, the Rangers have played in 11 Stanley Cup Final series. The organization has a record of 4-7 in those series. 

A majority of the team's finals appearance came before the league expanded in 1967. In fact, since the NHL grew from its Original Six teams, the Rangers have played for a Stanley Cup just four times, and only once this century. 

Here is a breakdown of New York's history in the Stanley Cup Final.