Chicago Blackhawks win 2015 Stanley Cup
The Chicago Blackhawks are officially a modern-day dynasty, winning their third Stanley Cup in six years tonight. This series will forever be remembered as one of the tightest in NHL history. Tonight’s game was the first decided by more than one goal. This was the first time in 77 years the Blackhawks were able to celebrate their victory on home ice. The United Center is rocking and rightfully so. This is special.
The Blackhawks have proven they can win the big games, while playing any style hockey thrown at them. Tampa Bay played well, but they will be regretting several missed scoring opportunities throughout the Stanley Cup Final. Especially with the job they were able to do containing the superstars of the Chicago Blackhawks for most of the series. Chicago’s experience and depth in the end overwhelmed the young Tampa Bay Lightning. Throughout the playoffs Tampa Bay was getting much-needed offense from their top players. In the final both sides counselled those options out.
As I said, experience, leadership, belief, and ability are the ultimate ingredients in the making of a dynasty. The Chicago Blackhawks have these qualities in spades. This group of players will forever be etched in history! The Chicago Blackhawks are simply the NHL’s model franchise. It is incredible how this team has been a threat to win every single year for at least the last five to eight seasons.
It is the sixth Stanley Cup championship in Blackhawks history, having won three times in their first 82 seasons. Keith was a unanimous choice for the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP, becoming the ninth defenseman to win it. Keith became a member of the 700 minutes club. There are only five defensemen in this category in NHL playoff history and they are all Hall of Famers.
It is the third title for eight members of the Blackhawks, and for coach Joel Quenneville. Toews, Kane, Keith, Brent Seabrook, Niklas Hjalmarsson and Bryan Bickell were drafted by the Blackhawks, Patrick Sharp joined in a trade in 2005, and Marian Hossa signed as a free agent in 2009. Each has been an integral member of the closest thing the NHL has seen to a modern dynasty.
In a salary-cap world, what the Chicago Blackhawks have done is simply amazing! This series was by far their hardest challenge. Potentially this franchise will have a new look next season. However, one thing will remain the same; they will be the favourites to win the Stanley Cup. If your players possess this amount of warning character you will always be in the conversation.
Congratulations, to the Chicago Blackhawks, enjoy yet another summer with the Stanley Cup!