Is the Presidents` Trophy curse about to strike again this season?
The team earning the Presidents` Trophy, given to the NHL team with the most regular-season points, has not won the Stanley Cup for the last 11 seasons. Furthermore, none of these past 11 winners even reached the Stanley Cup Final.
Overall, in the 38 seasons the trophy has been presented, only eight winners have gone on to capture the Stanley Cup. As the Winnipeg Jets` first-round playoff series against the St. Louis Blues is currently tied at two games each, the possibility of the curse resurfacing looms.
Here are the eight teams the Jets hope to follow in defying the curse:
Chicago Blackhawks, 2012-13
The Blackhawks were the most recent team to achieve this feat. They won the regular season title in a season shortened by a lockout. Patrick Kane was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy after a playoff performance that included nine goals and ten assists.
Detroit Red Wings, 2007-08
The Red Wings dominated the regular season, winning the Central Division by 24 points and leading the league with 115 points and the best defensive record. Their leading regular-season goal scorer, Henrik Zetterberg, won the Conn Smythe Trophy after accumulating 27 points in the postseason.
Detroit Red Wings, 2001-02
Six years earlier, the Red Wings also won both trophies. They finished 18 points ahead in their division and 15 points ahead of the next best team in the league. Hall of Fame defenseman Nicklas Lidström earned the Conn Smythe, marking his third Stanley Cup victory with Detroit.
Colorado Avalanche, 2000-01
Colorado`s win, followed by Detroit`s the next year, is the only time in NHL history that teams won both the Presidents` Trophy and the Stanley Cup in consecutive seasons. Goaltender Patrick Roy secured his third Conn Smythe Trophy, a record that still stands.
Dallas Stars, 1998-99
Dallas excelled defensively, leading the league in fewest goals allowed, a trend that continued into the playoffs. Their offense was driven by centers, with Mike Modano leading the team in regular-season points and Joe Nieuwendyk earning the Conn Smythe Trophy.
New York Rangers, 1993-94
After beating their rivals, the New Jersey Devils, for both the Atlantic Division and Presidents` Trophy titles, the Rangers faced them again in the Eastern Conference Finals. They won a thrilling seven-game series that included three games decided in double overtime. The Rangers then won the Stanley Cup Final in another seven-game series against the Vancouver Canucks, with Conn Smythe winner Brian Leetch scoring the first goal in the decisive final game.
Calgary Flames, 1988-89
The 1988-89 season was largely a two-team race between Calgary (117 points) and the Montreal Canadiens (115 points). Fittingly, they met in the Stanley Cup Final, where the Flames defeated Montreal in six games. Defenseman Al MacInnis recorded 24 assists in the postseason and won the Conn Smythe Trophy.
Edmonton Oilers, 1986-87
Led by a dominant Wayne Gretzky, the Oilers achieved a 106-point regular season. Gretzky was at his peak, leading the NHL in goals, assists, and plus/minus, earning his eighth Hart Trophy. He was equally pivotal in the playoffs, tallying 29 assists as Edmonton secured their third Stanley Cup in five seasons.
