The 2011 Stanley Cup finals schedule could last anywhere from four to seven games. But no matter when it ends or who wins, the trophy will be awarded to a long-suffering franchise when all is said and done. Truly, these finals are uncharted territory, as either the Vancouver Canucks or Boston Bruins will finally become champions after four decades of waiting.
Historically, the Canucks and Bruins couldn't be more different, as Boston is one of the legendary "Original Six" NHL franchises. Vancouver has often played second or third fiddle in Canada, as the Canucks may be best remembered sometimes for the ugly uniforms of the 1980s.
Yet Vancouver and Boston share the same pain this time of year, or at least they used to. While the Canucks have never won a Stanley Cup in their 40+ years of existence, and have lost in two past finals appearances, the Bruins have waited almost as long to win a title again.
Boston last won it all in 1972, when it took its second championship in three years under Bobby Orr. But ever since an upset loss to Philadelphia for the 1974 Cup, the Bruins have continuously fallen short. In fact, this year marks the first time the Bruins even made the conference finals since 1990.
Even the Canucks have gotten closer to a championship since then with its seven-game defeat to the Rangers in 1994. But for the last few years, both Boston and Vancouver have gotten close to the next step, yet have come up just short. The Canucks did so with two straight playoff defeats to the Blackhawks, while the Bruins were humiliated by blowing a 3-0 lead to the Flyers last postseason.
This year looked to be another sad chapter for the franchises, as Boston went down by 2-0 to Montreal in round one, while Vancouver almost blew a 3-0 lead of its own to Chicago, of all teams. Yet after each club won Game 7 in overtime, they propelled themselves to the finals -- although the Bruins needed another seven games to get past the Lightning.
Last year, Chicago actually won its first crown in 47 years over a Philadelphia team that is still on a 35-year dry spell. But this year, there is a clear difference between a franchise like Boston, which has some cups to its name, and a franchise like Vancouver, which has never won one title.
Though the nation of Canada might be even more starved, it hasn't had a pro hockey champion since the 1993 Canadians. But for Canada, going 18 years without a title feels more like 40 years, which makes it fitting that the Canucks, of all teams, could end the country's suffering.
One long-suffering club still has to wait one to two weeks before lifting the Stanley Cup. But the first step will come with Game 1 of the finals Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.
Sources
Sporting News- "Canucks-Bruins preview: For one team, a drought will end"
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