Yesterday the Chicago Blackhawks wrapped up the Presidents’ Trophy, but will they secure the Stanley Cup?
The Presidents’ Trophy is recent years has very rarely resulted in bringing home the Stanley Cup. The Blackhawks are looking to avoid being another statistic.
In the four season span of the 1998-99 season through the 2001-02 season, three of the four Presidents’ Trophy winners took home the Stanley Cup.
1998-99: Dallas Stars (won the Stanley Cup)
1999-00: St Louis Blues(lost in the Western Conference Quarterfinals)
2000-01: Colorado Avalanche(won the Stanley Cup)
2001-02 Detroit Red Wings(won the Stanley Cup)
In the nine seasons since only one team has claimed the Presidents’ Trophy and the Stanley Cup in the same season.
2002-03 : Ottawa Senators(lost Eastern Conference Finals 4-3)
2003-04: Detroit Red Wings(lost Western Conference Semi-Finals 4-2)
2004-05: No Season
2005-06: Detroit Red Wings (lost Western Conference Quarterfinals 4-2)
2006-07: Buffalo Sabres (lost Eastern Conference Finals 4-1)
2007-08: Detroit Red Wings (won Stanley Cup 4-2)
2008-09: San Jose Sharks (lost Western Conference Quarterfinals 4-2)
2009-10: Washington Capitals (lost Eastern Conference Quarterfinals 4-3)
2010-11: Vancouver Canucks (lost Stanley Cup Finals 4-3)
2011-12: Vancouver Canucks (lost Western Conference Quarterfinals 4-1)
2012-13: Chicago Blackhawks (TBD)
The Blackhawks have dominated this season, but so have many other teams on this list. Chicago could go out in the first round to a veteran Red Wings team or the Blue Jackets who are riding hot goal-tending.
Only the Blackhawks can decide if they will become another Presidents’ Trophy winner or they will rise above it.
John Machurek is the Senior NHL Writer for The Inscriber Digital Magazine. Follow him on Twitter @JohnnyMacNHL and e-mail him at JohnnyMachurek@TheInscriber.com