It was contested between the Montreal Canadiens and the two-time defending champion Detroit Red Wings in the fourth Detroit-Montreal series in the 1950s, the two teams having met in the previous two years as well as in 1952; Detroit won all three.
The Canadiens were appearing in their sixth consecutive Finals, the Red Wings their third.
The Canadiens avenged their previous three losses to Detroit, as they defeated the Red Wings in five games to win their second Stanley Cup in four years.
Detroit defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 4–1 to reach the final.
[1] Jacques Plante held the Red Wings to just 9 goals in the five games.