Pennants 2010

This is actually about where I came in. Well, not really. I followed hockey in the 60′s but in a way any Canadian kid would (HNIC and the men drinking beer and laughing after the game talking about Howe and Beliveau) during the era. I remember Orr’s goal in 1970 but not about how the Bruins got there and not on television (our TV broke, so I listened on the radio). I remember 1971′s playoff step by step, and was the member of the family who turned the TV on every night before the game. I miss those days, think about them this time of year. It’s probably one of the reasons we’re all hockey fans later in life: connections to the people and things from our past that are no longer with us.

Tonight we know two dance partners (Chicago, San Jose) and await the final two. We have a chance to see Montreal-Boston in the other semi, and as a consolation prize for history two prime expansion guests (Pittsburgh and Philadelphia). If this were the final round at the Masters, this group would represent Woods, Nicklaus, Arnie and Trevino. All. Star. Cast. In 1971, Ken Dryden blocked out the sun. Is Halak hockey’s Haley’s comet? Destiny awaits.

These are the pennant winners (SC finalists) since 1967′s expansion. Toronto’s wonderful streak continues unabated, like a twig on the shoulders of a mighty stream (thank you and we miss you, John Candy).

1. Montreal (11): ’68, ’69, ’71, ’73, ’76-’79, ’86, ’89, ’93
2. Boston (7): ’70, ’72, ’74, ’77, ’78, ’88, ’90
3. Edmonton (7): ’83, ’84, ’85, ’87, ’88, ’90, ’06
4. Philadephia (7): ’74, ’75, ’76, ’80, ’85, ’87, ’97
5. Detroit (6): ’95, ’97, ’98, ’02, ’08, ’09
6. New York Islanders (5): ’80, ’81, ’82, ’83, ’84
7. Pittsburgh Penguins (4): ’91, ’92, ’08, ’09
8. Dallas (4): ’81, ’91, ’99, ’00
9. New Jersey (4): ’95, ’00, ’01, ’03
10. Calgary (3): ’86, ’89, ’04
11. Chicago (3): ’71, ’73, ’92
12. New York Rangers (3): ’72, ’79, ’94
13. St. Louis (3): ’68, ’69, ’70
14. Anaheim (2): ’03, ’07
15. Buffalo (2): ’75, ’99
16. Carolina (2): ’02, ’06
17. Colorado (2): ’96, ’01
18. Vancouver (2): ’82, ’94
19. Florida (1): ’96
20. Los Angeles (1): ’93
21. Ottawa (1): ’07
22. Tampa Bay (1): ’04
23. Washington (1): ’98
24. Atlanta
25. Columbus
26. Minnesota
27. Nashville
28. Phoenix
29. San Jose
30. Toronto

Possible pennant winners in blogger bold. San Jose and Chicago have their ticket punched for the final four. Who will join them? History tells us talent weighs heavily, but strategy, heart, luck, timing and unknown rookies have a voice in the choir. If you don’t love tonight, you don’t love hockey.

Giants walk among us.