Pittsburgh’s Cup hopes rest with Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby

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Here are the March and April records of the eight Stanley Cup champions since the lockout season of 2004-05. Also, the Pittsburgh Penguins corresponding records for March and April in the same season follow.

The 2012-13 Chicago Blackhawks went 9-5 in March and 10-2-2 in April. The Pens went 15-0-0 and 8-4-0.

The 2011-12 Los Angeles Kings went 10-4-1 in March and 1-0-2 in April. The Pens went 11-3-1 and 3-1-0.

The 2010-11 Boston Bruins went 7-4-4 in March and 3-2 in April. The Pens went 8-4-2 and 4-0-0.

The 2009-10 Chicago Blackhawks went 7-7-2 in March and 5-0-1 in April. The Pens went 8-4-3 and 3-2-0.

The 2008-09 Pittsburgh Penguins went 10-1-2 in March and 4-1-1 in April, winning the Stanley Cup!

The 2007-08 Detroit Red Wings went 10-2-1 in March and 2-1 in April. The Pens went 10-4-1 and 1-1.

The 2006-07 Anaheim Ducks went 10-3-2 in March and 1-0-2 in April. The Pens went 12-3-2 and 2-1-0.

The 2005-06 Carolina Hurricanes went 9-5-2 in March and 4-3-2 in April. The Pens went 5-8-1 and 3-4-2.

The 2013- 14 Pittsburgh Penguins are 5-3-1 thus far in March of 2014.

(All stats courtesy of http://www.hockey-reference.com)

The 2009-10 Blackhawks put up the worst monthly numbers of any champion, going 7-7-2 in March of 2010. They followed that up by going undefeated (5-0-1) in April, however.

The 2005-06 Hurricanes went 13-8-4 over the final two months of 2006, compiling the worst overall record of any post-lockout champion in April and May. Boston going 10-6-4 in 2010-11 wasn’t much better.

All in all, it’s easy to see that most champs do play well heading into the postseason. The 2008-09 Penguins, for example, lost just two games in regulation over the final two months.

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Treasure Life!
JT
@JohnToperzer
@PiratesTalk