The night the lights went out in The Garden, the Cup was in the building.
It was Game 4 of the 1988 Stanley Cup Final, and the Oilers looked to sweep the Bruins in Boston. But in the second period, unfathomably, a power outage darkened Boston Garden. The game was suspended. So, everybody flew to Edmonton, site of Game 5, for a redo of Game 4, which the Oilers went on to win.
That was the last time the Cup was awarded on Edmonton ice, and perhaps the most bizarre circumstance for a Stanley Cup ceremony ... until this year, when the Cup will again be awarded on Edmonton ice.
But probably not to the Oilers. Or a team that beats the Oilers. Or in front of fans.
Edmonton's Rogers Centre will host the 2020 Stanley Cup Final, the ultimate games of "bubble hockey." Some team will make rare, weird history _ but history nonetheless _ by hoisting the Cup this fall in Edmonton. Like this hockey season or pandemic year, nothing will seem normal about it ... except to maybe the first man lifting the Cup, since he did it last year, too.
Yes, captain Alex Pietrangelo and the St. Louis Blues have the ingredients to repeat as Cup winners. No, it won't feel like last year's. But hey, at least last year already happened.
There are other title-contending teams in this tournament. The Bruins, losers in 1988 and in 2019, had the most points in hockey when the pandemic shut down the league. When the games return in early August, many will point to the Bruins as favorites to avenge last season and win it all this season. Colorado is a fascinating club, too. So is Tampa Bay. But the Blues are uniquely positioned because they're the defending champs whose bodies weren't penalized by the short offseason that often plagues potential repeaters. And, as mentioned in this column space before, the return of the injured Vladimir Tarasenko could emulate the 1967 postseason return of the Cardinals' Bob Gibson ... who also beat Boston to win it all. The Blues are also extremely equipped at the blue line. And they have two goalies on their game. And they have Ryan O'Reilly. And they have a style of play that can wear down teams, which is perfect for a long series.
Could there be a Blues parade the day of a Cardinals evening playoff game?
And can you socially distance a parade route?
The Blues return to official practice on Monday with more answers than questions _ though, one pretty big question looms, in reference to the identity of the quartet of players who went to a bar and went home with the coronavirus. But camp will last a little over two weeks, so those players will likely be recovered by the time to head to the bubble. Western Conference teams, as you probably know by now, will be based in Edmonton, while Eastern Conference teams will play in Toronto. Edmonton, Alberta, isn't necessarily some sort of dream destination, but later this year, it will be the destination of dreams.
There are some reasons to worry about the Blues possibly not repeating. For instance, the Blues will play three round-robin games to determine their top-four seeding (I hate this format), while their opponent-to-be will have to win a five-game series against another playoff team. So the Blues' opponent will be tested and feeling confident against a Blues team waiting for its first playoff puck-drop.
And yes, history says it's very hard to repeat, but historically, no Cup champ got four months off during a season. See, some suggest a Cup champ begins its next season fatigued, since the players played so many rounds in the postseason (and then ordered so many rounds in the offseason). But in August of 2020, all teams are similarly rested. So talent should take over. And the Blues sure have a bunch of it. The return of Tarasenko (who, incidentally, had 10 points in his first 10 games before his shoulder injury this season) will ignite an offense already percolating with playmakers. Some player worthy of a top-six spot _ possibly Robert Thomas or emerging scorer Zach Sanford _ will end up on the third line with Tyler Bozak.
But the defense will be the reason they contend again this season. Only four teams allowed fewer goals per game. Pietrangelo's ability to thwart plays on one end and make plays on the other is otherworldly. Colton Parayko has become hockey's equivalent to a shutdown corner in football. Vince Dunn, who will get a big pay increase this offseason, has emerged fearless this year on defense. And here's thinking that Justin Faulk, more than most players, will benefit from the time off. He struggled in his first season for St. Louis. It's hard, understandably, going to a new club late in training camp. And not being the marquee defenseman. And having to fit in with a tight-knit group that just accomplished history. And having to live up to expectations of a fan base skeptical of his seven-year contract (and some fans who think he was acquired because the Blues don't foresee bringing the popular Pietrangelo back). So, yeah, a clear head for Faulk could be just what the defenseman needs to head into this "new" season, even though it's the same season.
It was 32 years ago when Wayne Gretzky and the Oilers swept the Bruins, winning Games 1, 2 and 4 in Edmonton.
This year, a team will win four Cup Final games in Edmonton.
Could be the defending champs from south of the border.
