Curse of the Presidents' Trophy
Hockey players are a peculiar sort. While winning a conference championship or the Presidents' Trophy for best record in the league will bring a trophy to a franchise, players are hesitant to celebrate by grabbing said award. Superstition dictates that the Stanley Cup is the only trophy worth lifting so many, though not all, won't lift any other team award.
However, much like when people look at NFL odds, there are always surprises that pop up during hockey's grueling postseason tournament. This season, the Boston Bruins are +300 to win the cup and won a league-record 65 regular season games to run away with the Presidents' Trophy. History shows, however, that the Bruins' path to the final is anything but a given.
Here's a look at the history of the trophy and why it may be wise to look for value elsewhere when betting on the NHL playoffs in this or any season.
Recent Drought for Top Teams
Misfortune hasn't waited long to haunt recent winners of the Presidents' Trophy. The last winner of the trophy to reach the conference finals was the New York Rangers during the 2014-15 season. The Chicago Blackhawks were the last Presidents' Trophy winner to capture the Stanley Cup during the 2012-13 season.
One particularly difficult run for Presidents' Trophy winners happened with the Washington Capitals. The Capitals had the league's best record in both the 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons. Washington would end up being upset in both seasons by their long-time rival Pittsburgh Penguins, who would go on to win the Stanley Cup in both seasons.
Most humiliating of all the defeats may have come for the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2018-19 season. The Lightning was bounced in the first round by Columbus.
Canadian Rivalry Got Trophy Off to Hot Start
The Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames each traded, winning the award and eliminating each other from the playoffs during the first four seasons it was up for grabs. Edmonton won the Presidents' Trophy in 1985-86 and were eliminated by the Flames. The Oilers, led by superstar Wayne Gretzky, would win both awards the next season.
In 1987-88, the Flames would win the Presidents' Trophy, then get upended by Edmonton in the playoffs. Calgary would sweep both titles the next season. After two of the first four winners brought home the Stanley Cup, eight of the next winners fell short.
The 1993-94 New York Rangers were the only team to break through and win during this stretch.
Best Run in Presidents' Trophy History
While most teams have fallen short once the playoffs started, winnings from 1998 to 2002 saw an unprecedented level of success. Only the 1999-2000 St. Louis Blues, who were upset in the first round by the San Jose Sharks, fell guilty of the jinx.
But the '98-99 Dallas Stars, '00-01 Colorado Avalanche, and '01'-02 Detroit Red Wings all chased in to win the Stanley Cup. The Red Wings would complete the same feat again during the 2007-08 finals.
What Makes Hockey Different than Basketball
Basketball is a sport typically dominated by teams with star players. While some champions, the Detroit Pistons under Larry Brown in the early 2000s, were able to overcome their lack of star power, basketball teams typically win because of their immense talent at the top of the lineup. Hockey is a different game entirely.
The puck can take weird bounces on the ice, and in a tight game, that can make the difference in a series. With hockey, teams can also be undone by hot goaltending. If another goaltender continually stands on his head, it can undo other strong teams because they can't figure out a way to score.