Is the Curse Real?
04/20/2023
By: Matthew Cahill
Panthers Shock Bruins (6-3) to Even Series Heading Back to Florida
Things are officially interesting in Boston. After a historic season that saw the Bruins break both the all-time single-season wins and points records, they entered the postseason as heavy favorites to hoist the Stanley Cup trophy in June. However, their first-round opponent might have something to say about that. Led by Brandon Montour the Florida Panthers exploded for four goals in the third period of game 2 to take down Boston and pick up a huge road victory, knotting the series at one win apiece. It was just the second time all season that the Bruins lost at home by more than one goal.
Will the Presidents’ Trophy Curse Continue?
Since its inception in 1986, only eight Presidents’ Trophy winners have gone on to actually win the Stanley Cup. The most recent team to win both in the same season was the Blackhawks in 2013, meaning it’s been ten years since it’s happened. Last night’s loss probably means nothing in the grand scope of this series, Boston will very likely still advance. However, if the winningest regular season team of all time fails to bring the Cup home, the aura around the Presidents’ Cup cure would be heightened astronomically.
Stanley Cup Playoff Highlights (Game 2s)
Hurricanes def. Islanders (4-3, OT)
Updated Stanley Cup Playoffs Bracket
Additional Storylines
NHL.com: Bunting Suspended 3 Games, out for Maple Leafs Starting in Game 2
ESPN: ‘Catastrophic’ Turnovers Doom Bruins in Game 2 Loss to Panthers
Photo: Maddie Meyer / Getty Images