Stanley Cup Playoffs Begin Today–(Some #’s Notes)

The Stanley Cup Playoffs commence with two round of 16 games today, (the East overall 7th ranked Islanders at the overall conference “2,” but also Metropolitan Division “2,” behind the top ranked New York Rangers, Carolina Hurricanes, followed by another Toronto (Maple Leafs)/Boston (Bruins) ‘offs clash.

Boston, fourth overall in the Eastern Conference and second to Florida in the Atlantic Division, has won the last 6 ‘offs meetings vs Toronto.

Three original 6 teams, all cited above (the Rangers, Bruins and Leafs) qualified for the ’24 ‘offs with Detroit (Red Wings) despite battling gallantly and essentially out, because “Wash” (Capitals) was afforded an empty net opportunity vs Philly, due to the latter’s ‘offs qualifying situation, Chicago (Black Hawks) and Montreal (Canadiens) missing out.

Numbers “nuttiness”–the last digit of the last year an “original” team skated/won the Stanley Cup has (1-5) and 7. Boston 2011, Detroit 2002, Montreal 1993, New York 1994 and Chicago 2015. Toronto has neither won the title or reached an NHL final since 1967.

Before that, the Leafs won 4 crowns in 6 seasons (’62-’64) and ’67.

Four other 2024 ‘offs qualifying teams give us #’s 0, 6, 8 and 9 for last digits in their last or in 3 of the 4 cases, only title.

Those teams are Edmonton (Oilers) in 1990, who won their 5th title in 7 seasons, putting them in rare, great air, however, have none since and Carolina (2006), Washington (Capitals) 2018 and the West top seed, Dallas Stars (1999).

The great player, Mark Messier, pictured above was a key, if not the most important member of both the ’90 champion Oilers and ’94 Cup winning Rangers.

Additionally he played on 4 other title teams with the Oilers.