Tonight’s hard-fought Eastern Conference Finals victory by the Boston Bruins assures one thing: The Capitals are moving up… on a list they’d rather not be on in the first place.
The Vancouver Canucks have never won a Stanley Cup. The Boston Bruins last won in 1972. Therefore, regardless of who wins the 2011 Stanley Cup, the Capitals will find themselves in 6th place on the list of teams with the longest Stanley Cup droughts.
Along with the Canucks, three other teams have existed longer than the Caps without winning a Cup: Los Angeles, St. Louis, and Buffalo. The Toronto Maple Leafs top the list of Cup impotence — one could argue that they actually win the 42-year tie with the Blues and Kings, since those two teams have neverwon, but I’d argue the contrary: At least the Blues and Kings made it to the Finals at least once in the past 42 years.
Here’s hoping the Caps never move up even one more spot on this list, and that soon they graciously let the Flyers and the others on their tail pass them by.
Team | Last Stanley Cup | Subsequent Stanley Cup Final losses |
Stanley Cup drought |
---|---|---|---|
Toronto Maple Leafs | 1966–67 | 42 seasons | |
Los Angeles Kings | never (inception of franchise in 1967–68) | 1 : 1992–93 | 42 seasons |
St. Louis Blues | never (inception of franchise in 1967–68) | 3 : 1967–68, 1968–69, 1969–70 | 42 seasons |
Buffalo Sabres | never (inception of franchise in 1970–71) | 2 : 1974–75, 1998–99 | 39 seasons |
Vancouver Canucks | never (inception of franchise in 1970–71) | 2 : 1981–82, 1993–94 | 39 seasons |
Boston Bruins | 1971–72 | 5 : 1973–74, 1976–77, 1977–78, 1987–88, 1989–90 | 37 seasons |
Washington Capitals | never (inception of franchise in 1974–75) | 1 : 1997–98 | 35 seasons |
Philadelphia Flyers | 1974–75 | 6 : 1975–76, 1979–80, 1984–85, 1986–87, 1996–97, 2009–10 | 34 seasons |
I’ve followed the Caps for most of their existence (and the Blues before then) so I know all about playoff frustration.
Both, Stranger? That seems almost masochistic… you have my condolences. At least you’re not a Leafs fan too, eh? 🙂
Kings might be off that list within 5 years, 10 at most, if their recent upward trend continues.
That list is a depressing sight for sure. I’m pulling for the Canucks in the finals. Have some family and friends in Boston and I have no desire to hear it from them 😉
@SPORTS I’m with you — Boston (the city, not the Bruins) had more than its share of sports championships over the past decade… would much rather see the ‘Nucks bring home he hardware.
Graciously stepping aside would be the gentlemanly thing to do.
I’m so excited to watch these finals series games. I hope I could see a good game to both teams. Good luck to both teams.