"The real SCF" throughout the years

[The Macho Man]

You mean 2016 not 2017. I thought about Pens/Bolts in 2016. That was a series that, like the Panthers/Leaf series this year, should not have gone 7 games but it was the most closely contested high level series that year so there is an arguement. I do not think the Caps/Pens series that year should be included. The 2018 Bolts/Caps series felt a bit of the same as 2016; again closely contested but the Caps shut them down in the last two games.

The Pens/Caps 2018 had huge narrative attached to it which added a shine to it. If that series went to a Game 7, I am not sure you could have scripted a higher level of a history of futility to overcome in NHL history. The pressure on the Caps would have been huge. That OT goal by Kuzneznov is one of the biggest non-SCF OT goals in NHL history.

Oh I wasted 600 bucks for tickets to Game 6 so I know how it went in 18. Probably right on 16/17 - one of those two seasons was the one where Tampa missed and everyone got hurt but my brain forgets which that was.

Also, im pretty sure Tampa was the betting favorite in 18 to boot.

Its just a narrative thing to add weight to the Crosby/Ovi rivalry and *a bit* of attempting to paper over Ovis rather disappointing/mundane playoff results for the majority of his career.

 

[WarriorofTime]

I remember seeing people saying this alot about the meetings between Chicago and LA in 2013 and 2014

2013 was a tournament of champions. Both conference finals featured the four most recent champions. I don’t think that there was a sense that the west was more important. Although I think Chicago vs. Pittsburgh was viewed as most likely SCF outcome.

 

[The Macho Man]

Sorry to belabor this, but here are betting odds for 2018 throughout the season.

Tampa was the favorite throughout the year starting November 1. And again, Tampa led 3-2 in that series.

 

[Hockeyholic]

1988 Oilers vs Flames. If the Flames won, they win the cup. We know what Edmonton did.

It was mentioned earlier...03 ECF. I don't think so. My main reason is Giguere vs Lalime in the SCF. Anaheim took NJ to 7 as well with Brodeur.

2002 WCF is obvious. Colorado would not have lossed to the Canes.

 

[Hockeyholic]

This harkens back to the late 90's/early 2000s when the West had two great teams for many years in the Avs and Wings facing off in the WCF and beating the crap out of each other before winning easily against an East team.

I think you can argue that the WCF from '96 to '99 was the "real" SCF then again in 2002.

I think the Kings/Hawks in 2014 was the best example of this, and then maybe the Caps/Pens in 2017 or 2018.

Habs/Bruins in 1979 stands out too.

Was there a change in division alignments that year?

I ask because Montreal/Boston played in the previous two SCF --77/78. Then, they are playing in a conference finals.

 

[Hockeyholic]

I don't think you can say that 1997 was like this at all.

The Flyers were favorites going into the finals, I would assume they'd also be the same against Colorado had they won (in any case it would have been close).

Also the Rangers though in retrospect it's easy to see all the issues, still were having a good reputation as a mid nineties powerhouse.

Yes, in the year after with the east series being Buffalo vs Washington, it was more clear that either of Detroit or Dallas would be the favorite, and in 2002 it was obvious again, but 1997 is the complete opposite and can't be lumped with the other sweeps of the time.

In retrospect, can you imagine a Roy vs Hextall/Snow SCF? Yikes...

 

[seventieslord]

Was there a change in division alignments that year?

I ask because Montreal/Boston played in the previous two SCF --77/78. Then, they are playing in a conference finals.

The playoffs were set up in a way that anyone could theoretically play anyone by the semis. Habs and Bruins were in different divisions for all those three seasons though.

Basically, 5-12 played a preliminary round and the winners faced 1-4 (division winners, actually) in a quarterfinal. the winners of those four series were then re-seeded 1-4 for semifinals.

So it's just the way it worked out that season. Isles were 1st overall, and played the Rangers who were the worst team remaining, so the 2nd place Habs and 3rd place Bruins were a semifinal. Had the Isles lost in the quarters, Habs would have been the #1 team left and Bruins #2.

The previous two years Montreal-Boston finished 1-2 and 1-3 overall so it was impossible for them to meet anywhere other than the finals.

 

[frontsfan2005]

The Western Conference finals were the "real" Stanley Cup for a few years in the late 90's/early 00's:
1996 - Avalanche vs. Red Wings
1997 - Red Wings vs. Avalanche
1998 - Red Wings vs. Stars
1999 - Stars vs. Avalanche
2002 - Red Wings vs. Avalanche

In each of those years, the Western Conference champion was a heavy favourite in the finals and they eventually went on to win the Cup against a much worse opponent (no disrespect to the 96 Panthers, 97 Flyers, 98 Capitals, 99 Sabres and 02 Hurricanes, obviously all good teams, but it would have been a major upset if any of these teams won the Cup.)

Other than the Devils, who won in 2000 and 2003, and went to game seven in the 2001 finals, the Western Conference was a powerhouse.

If the Nordiques stay in Quebec, are able to keep the team together (and make the Roy trade) or move to an eastern city instead of Denver, they likely make the finals in 96, 97, 98, 99, 01 and 02.

 

[PistolPete]

The Western Conference finals were the "real" Stanley Cup for a few years in the late 90's/early 00's:
1996 - Avalanche vs. Red Wings
1997 - Red Wings vs. Avalanche
1998 - Red Wings vs. Stars
1999 - Stars vs. Avalanche
2002 - Red Wings vs. Avalanche

In each of those years, the Western Conference champion was a heavy favourite in the finals and they eventually went on to win the Cup against a much worse opponent (no disrespect to the 96 Panthers, 97 Flyers, 98 Capitals, 99 Sabres and 02 Hurricanes, obviously all good teams, but it would have been a major upset if any of these teams won the Cup.)

Other than the Devils, who won in 2000 and 2003, and went to game seven in the 2001 finals, the Western Conference was a powerhouse.

If the Nordiques stay in Quebec, are able to keep the team together (and make the Roy trade) or move to an eastern city instead of Denver, they likely make the finals in 96, 97, 98, 99, 01 and 02.

You forgot about Ottawa.

 

[connellc]

Detroit Colorado 2002 for sure. Everyone in the NHL pretty much knew it, even during the conference finals (Carolina vs Toronto).

 

[PistolPete]

Detroit Colorado 2002 for sure. Everyone in the NHL pretty much knew it, even during the conference finals (Carolina vs Toronto).

Yeah, Detroit was quite dominant- 8 wins and 16 more points than even third place Toronto.

 

[MVP of West Hollywd]

Both Kings series felt over before the finals, but 2012 Blues and Coyotes aren't worth picking over Devils and Canucks are too early.

2016 Penguins vs Lightning (maybe disrespectful to the Sharks)
2018 Capitals vs Lightning
2021 Lightning vs Islanders

It's more fun storyline wise to say Penguins/Capitals in the 2016/2018 but Lightning series came later and were credible team who had gone farther in the playoffs than the Capitals, and even if you say it's fraudulent they went to 7 both years it still means something. Islanders talent wise don't seem a match for Lightning but it was at least their 2nd straight CF while Montreal going all the way never felt like it was going to happen, likewise for Vegas. I think Nashville was pretty dangerous in 2017 and deserve real finals status, I also think they played one of the best of finals losers that went less than 7 games.