Back to the New York Rangers Newsfeed

The curse of 1940 was real and Rangers fans felt every second of it

One of the most infamous bits of hockey lore took place just years before World War II broke out, affecting the Rangers like no other franchise before or after

Stanley Cup 1902 | Hulton Archive/GettyImages

When the New York Rangers won their third Stanley Cup in 1940, it was thought they'd continue the string of success even as World War II loomed just two years until then. However, when celebrations were still ongoing, the team did something unforgettable.

Back then, the team was deciding between themselves and the other New York team, the Americans, who would stay at Madison Square Garden, then the third edition of the World's Most Famous Arena.