Three straight Stanley Cup Finals appearances, three straight Stanley Cup Finals losses. Yup, with the Lightning losing to the Avalanche 4-2 in the Stanley Cup Finals this year, Corey Perry has now officially lost his third Stanley Cup Final in a row. Clearly, he’s been cursed by the Hockey Gods for being one of the biggest pests in NHL history.
So, how did Corey Perry get into this unfortunate situation? Well, let me give you a brief backstory:
After an extremely disappointing 35-win 2018/19 season for the Anaheim Ducks, the long-time Duck, Corey Perry, finally left the franchise where he spent 14 years to join the Dallas Stars for the 2019/20 season. Yet, the move was not all that statically great for the one time 50-goal scorer.
Only managing to put away 5 goals in that COVID-hampered season was a massive let down, even if his numbers had been declining regularly. But, for the Stars, that season was a fantastical whirlwind.
They clinched a Top-4 Round Robin finish to start the COVID-playoffs, brushed past the Flames in Round 1, squeaked by the Avalanche with a Game 7 OT winner for Round 2, and swept aside the Golden Knights to make their first Stanley Cup final in 19 years.
And Corey Perry actually played well in those playoffs, scoring 5 goals and putting up 9 points in 27 playoff games.
However, that was where the whirlwind turned into a deadly tornado. Dallas was thoroughly beaten by the Lighting to mark Corey Perry’s first Stanley Cup Finals loss. And then the Stars let Perry walk in Free Agency.
Okay, so, where did Corey Perry end up next? Why, it could only be the one place where pests and 50-goal scorers are equally revered. The Montreal Canadiens.
Corey Perry on the Montreal Canadiens matched like waffles and chicken. He was great for that young Habs team. Now, he only registered 4 goals and 10 points in the regular season, but his experience and veteran leadership guided the Habs to barley squeak into the playoffs for the 2020/21 season. And, just like the Stars, the Canadiens had a magical playoff performance that not even the most optimistic Montreal Canadien fan could have only dreamed of.
They knocked out arch-rivals Toronto in seven games, swept the Jets the next round, then beat the Golden Knights in OT (in Montreal, no less) in Game 6 to reach their first cup final since 1993. It was the redemption Corey Perry could have only imagined after the Finals loss to Tampa Bay a year prior.
But the Hockey Gods decided that Corey must suffer more as the Lightning once again destroyed his dreams of a second cup ring, smashing the Montreal Canadiens 4-1 in the series to win their second straight cup.
Alright, now where does Corey Perry go from here? Does he: A. Join another underdog, and guide them to the Stanley Cup Finals? B. Retire? C. Join up with the team that had beat him two years in a row?
Yes, we all know it was Option C. Hey, Corey clearly knew the saying “if you can’t beat them, join them”.
Unfortunately for Perry, (and to the delight of many LA Kings, San Jose Sharks fans, and every other fanbase of Anaheim’s Pacific Division rivals), his logic did not account for the fact that the team you join is far from guaranteed avoiding someone stronger in the playoffs.
The worst part for Perry was that last season was his best statistical season since the 2016/17 year. He scored 19 goals and 40 points to help the Lightning make their third final in a row. But, as we all know now, the Hockey Gods really have Corey Perry marked down on their blacklist, resulting in the Lighting losing in the playoffs for the first time in two years.
After the final whistle went, I watched as the Bolts players tapped Perry’s shinpads and were hugging him as he went off the ice. I get the sentiment of consoling the veteran players after a disappointing loss, but don’t they know any of Perry’s history?
I guess not. Well, they’ll get a full lesson when we all see Perry in an Avalanche jersey next year, once again clinging onto the hope of winning one last ring.
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