They Kane. They Shaw. They Crawford.
Via: Bill Smith / Getty Images
From the first puck drop to the very last, this NHL season belonged to the Chicago Blackhawks in a way that went beyond even the usual prominence of an elite team. It wasn't so much about dominance (although the team was obviously very good) as it was the fact that they were nearly always the biggest story in the league. It was a start-to-finish run of milestones, comebacks, and dramatic highlights.
After being eliminated in the first round of the playoffs last year, the Hawks came out of this season's 34-game-long lockout looking ferocious, starting the season off with a 5-2 whomping of the reigning Stanley Cup champions, the Los Angeles Kings, in the Kings' own arena.
Victory party spoiled.
Via: Harry How / Getty Images