For first time since 1970 no Canadian teams will be in Stanley Cup Playoffs
Posted Mar 31, 2016 06:22:14 AM.
Last Updated Mar 31, 2016 08:23:26 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The Stanley Cup playoffs will go ahead this spring without any of the seven Canadian teams taking part — the first time that has happened since the 1969-70 season.
Ottawa beat Winnipeg 2-1 last night but the Sens were mathematically eliminated when Philadelphia defeated Washington 2-1.
The Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Winnipeg Jets, Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks had already fallen short and will stand aside as 16 U-S-based clubs battle for the Cup.
Calgary defenceman Mark Giordano says while it is disappointing to not have a team from Canada in the post-season, there are still a “lot of great Canadian players on American teams.”
The only other time this has happened in N-H-L history was in 1970, when Toronto finished sixth and last in their division and Montreal was fifth, losing the final playoff spot to the New York Rangers on the final day of the regular season.
In 2014, Montreal was the only Canadian club in the playoffs, and in 2011 and 2012, there were only two.
