The National Hockey League has appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated — either the main mag or on a commemorative issue — 114 times, according to the SI Vault archive. Sometimes, it was a quick mention on a cover story dedicated to Tiger Woods another sports story. Other times, hockey was given the spotlight.

The Stanley Cup Playoffs have been featured around 35 times, including Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers on a striking cover from April 2012. While some weren't exactly iconic, they all had their charms.

Here are the 10 best Sports Illustrated Stanley Cup Playoff covers.

Check out our year-by-year coverage of how SI treated different Cup champs. And here … we … go.

10. Montreal Canadiens vs. Los Angeles Kings (6/14/93)

"In the Stanley Cup" indicates the editor thinks it's like the World Cup, but that's OK. This cover is notable for having the most Canadian of Canadian teams — the Montreal Canadiens — given the spotlight over Charles Barkley and Michael Jordan; and also for featuring Tomas Sandstrom with that face, in which he looks like someone hit his how-do-you-do with a Taser. (Buy Reprint Here)

9. Henrik Lundqvist (4/15/12)

An image from all the way back in the NHL Premiere series game in Stockholm, but one hell of an image. Hank giving an intense look to the puck as it approaches him, as if he's worried the rubber disc may attempt to use his conditioner. Loses some points for depicting a shot that actually reaches Lundqvist, which has yet to happen in the 2012 Playoffs. (Buy Reprint)

8. Chicago Blackhawks, Cup Champions (6/20/10)

This was the regional cover for the Blackhawks' drought-ending Cup victory, as Stephen Strasburg was given the national cover. Any cover featuring Jonathan Toews' playoff foliage is a good one, but "AT LAST! BLACKHAWKS" is about as memorable as the befuddled goal calls when Patrick Kane ended the series. (Buy Reprint)

7. Montreal Canadiens vs. Philadelphia Flyers (5/24/76)

The best sports photos tell a story, and Larry Robinson bruising his way through a Flyers' face is all you need to know about the Sweep of '76. (Buy Reprint)

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