In 2010, the Chicago Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup in rather dominant fashion. In 2012-13, the team won its second Stanley Cup in four seasons. However the team will not be the first to repeat since 1997-98 when the Detroit Red Wings achieved the feat. Here are the highs and lows of the Chicago Blackhawks' 2013-14 season.
The Montreal Canadiens had a remarkable season in which the team not only made it into the playoffs but also got all the way to the Eastern Conference finals. Along the way, the team continued to get terrific play from its elite netminder, its top defenseman and even made a huge splash at the trade deadline. Here is a look at the highs and lows of the Montreal Canadiens' 2013-14 season.
With Montreal eliminated, no Canadian hockey team has won the Stanley Cup since 1993. This is by far the longest drought in for the nations rich hockey history.
Also, NXT "Takeover" results, former Ring of Honor champion Kevin Steen heading to the WWE, Ronda Rousey possibly making an appearance at "SummerSlam" and the Von Erichs are the subject of an upcoming ESPN "30 For 30" documentary.
Sidney Crosby has often been considered the greatest player in the world of hockey having won numerous scoring titles, the Hart Trophy on a few occasions and a Stanley Cup to his name, however, there is one award that Crosby has not managed to attain: the Conn Smythe trophy for Stanley Cup playoffs MVP, having been overshadowed by teammate Evgeni Malkin.
In 2009-10 Tim Thomas went from being the hero in the Boston Bruins net, to being the backup to a youngster known as Tuuka Rask. Rask was seen as Boston's goalie of the future and few could blame him. Thomas was in his late 30's while Rask was in his early 20's. However, Thomas was coming off a Vezina-winning season the year before and many had expected him to hold the fort a bit longer for the Bruins. He was pushed back into the backup role throughout 2009-10 and it seemed like the team would cut ties with him during the summer. It turns out the Bruins made their best move of recent times by sticking with Thomas and giving him one final chance. And he made the most of it. Not only did Thomas reclaim the top spot in the Bruins' net, but he led them to the promised land for the first time in several decades.
The NHL Conference finals got underway this past weekend, an indication that the Stanley Cup playoffs are already halfway finished. The playoffs are always a time for major players to step up and lead their teams on stellar runs to the promise land. Over the last few years, a number of major star players have managed the feat. One of them has been Los Angeles Kings' goalie Jonathan Quick. He was the Conn Smythe winner in 2012 for helping the Kings make history as the first eight-seed to win the Cup. Here is a look at Quick's phenomenal postseason.
The NHL Conference finals got underway this past weekend, an indication that the Stanley Cup playoffs are already halfway finished. The playoffs are always a time for major players to step up and lead their teams on stellar runs to the promise land. Over the last few years, a number of major star players have managed the feat. One of them has been Los Angeles Kings' goalie Jonathan Quick. He was the Conn Smythe winner in 2012 for helping the Kings make history as the first eight-seed to win the Cup. Here is a look at Quick's phenomenal postseason.
The New York Rangers and Montreal Canadiens will face off in the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time since 1996 when New York won the series in six games. However, there is a great deal more at stake this season as both sides will do battle in the Easter Conference Finals.
The Minnesota Wild was always considered a dark horse to make a deep run into the playoffs. Despite possessing some high-end talent and youth, there were questions about the side's experience and goaltending and whether it could overcome these deficiencies to be a potential contender. Those questions were answered on Tuesday May 13 when the side was eliminated from contention in Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals. Here is a look at some of the best and worst moments of the team's 2013-14 season.
Since the inception of the Presidents Trophy in 1985-86, only seven of the winners have managed to become Stanley Cup Champions. The Boston Bruins earned the honor during the 2013-14 season but were unable to become the eighth Presidents trophy holder to win the Stanley Cup champion. The team was eliminated in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup playoffs by the Montreal Canadiens. Here is a look at the highlights and low points of the Bruins' season.
Another season. Another choke from the Pittsburgh Penguins. While they are no where near the level of the San Jose Sharks and Washington Capitals in terms of choking, Sidney Crosby and the Penguins are building quite a resume. Here is a look at the highs and lows of the 2013-14 season for Pittsburgh.
Game 7 between the Pittsburgh Penguins and NY Rangers is on the horizon. The Rangers managed a shocking comeback in Games 5 and 6 after looking listless against a dominant Pittsburgh side. But the Penguins have seemingly capsized and no player has been more emblematic of that fall than Captain Sidney Crosby.
On Wednesday evening it all seemed like the NY Rangers were going to exit the Stanley Cup playoffs. The team had been thoroughly dominated by Pittsburgh Penguins in Games 2, 3 and 4; the Rangers had only managed to score one goal in three games and looked listless in Game 4. In that game, the Rangers struggled to create any cycle in the Penguins zone and only recorded 15 shots on goal. For their efforts, they were serenaded with boos by their fans. Fast forward to Sunday evening and the Rangers had accomplished the seemingly impossible. The team had forced Game 7 and now have Pittsburgh right where they want them. Why? Because the Rangers are arguably one of the best Game 7 teams in recent history.
