from Ron Cook of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette,

If this spring’s Stanley Cup playoffs have taught us anything, it’s that things always could be worse.

We could be living in Canada, following its NHL teams. No Canadian team has won the Cup since Montreal did in 1993. In the 30 years since then, only six Canadian teams have reached the final. And hockey is supposed to be their sport?

We could be in Toronto, following the Maple Leafs. They beat Tampa Bay in the first round this season — their first playoff win in 19 years — before losing to Florida in five games in the second round. Almost unbelievably, they haven’t won the Cup since 1967. Would someone please tell me why Kyle Dubas is such a hot commodity as a general manager?

We could be in Edmonton, following the Oilers. They have the best player in the world in Connor McDavid and a top-10 player in Leon Draisaitl, but they can’t win in the postseason. They went to the Western Conference final last season before being swept by Colorado but took a step back this year, losing to Vegas in six games in the second round. McDavid and Draisaitl aren’t getting any younger. The four Cups the Oilers won during the Wayne Gretzky era seem like a lifetime ago.

We could be in Montreal, following the Canadiens. They have missed the playoffs in four of the past six seasons. Their Cup win in 1993 is the most recent of their 23 championships.

We could be in Boston, following the Bruins. They set the NHL record with 135 points this season but were beaten by Florida in the first round in seven games despite leading, 3-1, in the series. They have won one Cup since 1971.

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