Advancing past the Oilers and into the Conference Finals will complete a rare feat for the NHL, making the Canucks the fourth of four division winners to make the NHL's final four. It's a feat that hasn't been seen in the NHL since 1980 when the league had no salary cap and just 21 teams total.
Through 1980, first-place division winners also received a first-round bye, making their path much more accessible. Since then, three of four division winners have been in the conference finals on ten occasions.
The Canucks certainly hope they can help make that history, and fans may have to wait quite a while to see all four division winners in the Conference Finals again.
It's certainly a testament to the parity the league tries to achieve between teams.
POLL | ||
18 MAI | 707 ANSWERS NHL issues a statement on the Canucks moments before game six Are you shocked it's been over 40 years since division winners have made up the entire final 4? | ||
Yes | 486 | 68.7 % |
No | 221 | 31.3 % |
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