NHL Franchise Boys

The Colorado Avalanche are the 2022 Stanley Cup champs!

Some notable numbers related to the 2022 Playoffs…

3 – Cup titles the Avs have in their history, beginning in Quebec (as the Nordiques) in 1979 and moving to Colorado in 1995. All three have come while the team was in Denver, winning their first in the season after moving (1996). Colorado won its second five years following the first, before the 21-year hiatus up to this season.
1 – Players who have won the Hobey Baker Award (best NCAA hockey player), the Calder Trophy (top NHL rookie), the Norris Trophy (best all-around defenseman), the Conn Smythe Trophy (playoff MVP), and Stanley Cup. That player is Cale Makar.
29 – Points Makar had in the playoffs this year, third-most of any player and six more than the next-closest defenseman (Adam Fox, New York Rangers). The 23-year-old scored eight goals and tallied 21 assists in 20 postseason games, including three goals and four assists in the Stanley Cup Final.
33 – Playoff points Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid had this year, the most of any player. After winning the Art Ross Trophy as the highest point-scorer during the regular season, the 25-year-old registered 10 goals and 23 assists in 16 postseason games. Teammate Leon Draisaitl finished second with 32 points (seven goals, 25 assists) in 16 games.
9-1 – Colorado’s record away from home this postseason is the third-best road record in a single playoff in NHL history. Only the 2012 Los Angeles Kings and the 1995 New Jersey Devils, who both went 10-1, posted better records.
54 – Wins by home teams this postseason, tied for fourth-most all-time. Colorado was the only team to finish the playoffs with a winning record on the road. The next-best away team was the Lightning, who went 6-6 outside of Tampa (and two of those six were in their home state of Florida).
85 – Goals scored by the Avalanche in the 2022 Playoffs, 18 more than the next-closest team (Lightning). They also led all teams in goals per game (4.25) and power play percentage (32.8).

The Canadiens won the lottery for the first overall pick at the 2022 NHL Draft, which will be held at the Bell Centre on July 7 and 8. The Canadiens haven’t picked first since 1980 when center Doug Wickenheiser. However, let’s talk old Forum Ghosts and Guy Lafleur (RIP)…

• Habs fans gave a 10-minute standing ovation in his memory
• Habs last game of the regular season scored 10 goals, with 10 minutes remaining in the game
• Habs jersey #22 (Caufield) scored his first career hattrick that very night
• Guy Lafleur’s jersey number with the Remparts was #4
• Guy Lafleur died April 22 (04-22)… #4 passes torch to #22
• Guy Lafleur was the 1st overall pick in 1971 … 51 years ago
• Shane Wright wears #51 with the Frontenacs
• Shane Wright had 10 points in eight playoff games after the lottery was determined

Coincidence or Destiny???

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman presided over the 2022 NHL Draft Lottery earlier in the afternoon, which was later presented by Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly on TV. Bettman didn’t seem too happy that Montreal got the 1st pick. In previous years, he announced the winner with excitement, but this year he seemed a little disappointed. We all know that he wants the Arizona franchise to succeed, perhaps he was really rooting for them to get the pick. Watch and listen for yourself…