Boston, Montreal, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are "duking" it out for the Eastern Conference title. The winner gets a trophy. Can you guess its name? (Hint: the Eastern Conference used to be the Wales Conference, from 1974 to 1981). Princes, Dukes and Lords notwithstanding, this story also includes a King.
The trophy originally cost $2500, dates from December 1925 and was the idea of England's future King Edward VIII (aka Duke of Windsor, Uncle Edward to Queen Elizabeth II and great Uncle Edward to Prince Charles, all House of Windsor, mind you).
This was the same Edward who abdicated the English throne, preferring to marry an American commoner and divorcee, Wallis Simpson. He also was the last King of Ireland. His younger brother George (Elizabeth's late husband) never inherited that crown. In Ulster, perhaps some old timers wish things had turned out differently.
Edward, the highest English lord of all (way up the ladder above that Stanley fellow who was only a Viceroy) sponsored the trophy for award to the then mostly Canadian National Hockey League. Its first recipient was the Montreal Canadiens, who beat the New York Americans in the final that year.
The following year, Madison Square Garden sponsored a competing team, named the Rangers after owner Tex Richards' home state cavalry. The Amerks franchise failed in 1942, which is considered to be the start of the NHL "Original Six" era.
This was the same Edward who abdicated the English throne, preferring to marry an American commoner and divorcee, Wallis Simpson. He also was the last King of Ireland. His younger brother George (Elizabeth's late husband) never inherited that crown. In Ulster, perhaps some old timers wish things had turned out differently.
Edward, the highest English lord of all (way up the ladder above that Stanley fellow who was only a Viceroy) sponsored the trophy for award to the then mostly Canadian National Hockey League. Its first recipient was the Montreal Canadiens, who beat the New York Americans in the final that year.
The following year, Madison Square Garden sponsored a competing team, named the Rangers after owner Tex Richards' home state cavalry. The Amerks franchise failed in 1942, which is considered to be the start of the NHL "Original Six" era.
In 1925, the Stanley Cup went to the Montreal Maroons. In those days, Montreal had TWO teams in the "National" Hockey League, and the Coupe Stanley was awarded to the winner of inter-league play against the Western Hockey League. The Maroons were coached by Lester Patrick (grandfather of Craig Patrick, who was the longtime GM of the Pittsburgh Penguins). They beat the Victoria Cougars.
The current trophy possessor comes from Pittsburgh. The Penguins have won the trophy two years in succession, repeating as Eastern Conference champions in back to back years. The first time (2008), they did not earn the Stanley Cup. Last year, the Penguins collected the big enchilada, overcoming the defending champion Red Wings in a full seven game series.
Which brings us right back to 2010. The Canadiens and Penguins are locked in a 2-2 series tie, trying to gain entrance to the Eastern Conference final. Of all four teams mentioned at the beginning of this piece, Montreal is the greatest surprise. The #8 regular season Habs are playing in May, when the top three seeds (Washington, New Jersey and Buffalo) have all washed out in the first round. #4 (Pittsburgh) is contending with #8 (Montreal) along with #7 and #6 fighting for the other Conference final spot. Something about this picture is upside down. Does the regular season really make a difference?
Pittsburgh and Philadelphia were expected to be strong contenders at the start of the season (although Philly played a lackluster regular season). Boston has become more competitive over the past three years, and their elimination of Ottawa in the first round was no surprise. But Montreal, with its plowing through the Washington Capitals and playing even with Pittsburgh, is the Cinderella story of these playoffs.
Montreal is in the party because of one player. Jaroslav Halak is turning in a career-high goaltending performance for Montreal. His save percentage, before tonight's contest, was 0.934 and in his "hot" games, he has been allowing 1 goal per game. He and Boston's Tuukka Rask are the top two netminders in the playoffs. Halak is on the eve of unrestricted free agency, and that means there will be a bidding war for his services once the playoffs are concluded.
Halak has been inconsistent. In three games against the Washington Capitals, he allowed 5 or 6 goals against. On April 30, the Penguins scored 6 goals. But in the other games, Halak has been a stone wall, allowing 1 or two goals. So far, Halak has not pitched a shutout.
In the Saturday contest, the Penguins established a lead with a power play goal in the first period at 18:18, scored by Quebecer Kris Letang. The Pens' power play has been dominant, with a 30% success rate. In the second period, Sergei Gonchar launched a missile from the right point. It beat Halak cleanly over his right shoulder, aimed perfectly at the top corner of the net.
Tonight, the Penguins played a physical game. Hits were frequent and hard. A few Montreal players had their bells rung. Ex-Penguin Hal Gill, a key defenseman for the Habs, went to the locker room. The Pens were able to get players in front the Montreal net. Even so, Montreal outshot the Penguins. The game boiled down to the goaltenders.
At the end of the game, the Pens drew a penalty, allowing a Montreal PP goal at 19:30. Fleury stopped 32 of 33 shots. Pittsburgh emerged with a 2-1 victory and a 3-2 series lead.
Going back to Montreal on Monday night, the Pens have the upper hand. If the regular season stats mean anything, if being a defending champion has an influence, then the Canadiens may be getting to the end of their party, when their coach turning back into a pumpkin. Will a glass slipper be found at the Bell Center on Monday? Only Jaroslav Halak has the key to that question.
Going back to Montreal on Monday night, the Pens have the upper hand. If the regular season stats mean anything, if being a defending champion has an influence, then the Canadiens may be getting to the end of their party, when their coach turning back into a pumpkin. Will a glass slipper be found at the Bell Center on Monday? Only Jaroslav Halak has the key to that question.
Hockey Rules.
P.S. No surprises in the West. The Red Wings have been dislodged from their perch by #1 seed San Jose. The only other teams in contention are #2 Chicago and #3 Vancouver. The two play tonight, with the Hawks up 3-1. Vancouver will pull out all the stops, if Bobby Loo has a good game. If not, the Western Conference finals might be decided tonight. Sharks vs. ??? For the purposes of east coast viewing, let's hope that Chicago can win one more game. Otherwise, there will be some late night TV for all of the Western finals.
P.S. No surprises in the West. The Red Wings have been dislodged from their perch by #1 seed San Jose. The only other teams in contention are #2 Chicago and #3 Vancouver. The two play tonight, with the Hawks up 3-1. Vancouver will pull out all the stops, if Bobby Loo has a good game. If not, the Western Conference finals might be decided tonight. Sharks vs. ??? For the purposes of east coast viewing, let's hope that Chicago can win one more game. Otherwise, there will be some late night TV for all of the Western finals.
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