Inspired by a what-if thread on this site's NBA sub-forum (
http://hfboards.mandatory.com/threads/is-there-a-bigger-what-if-moment-in-nba-history.2383027/)................
Like let's say you could go and change the outcome of one moment, one play in the NHL that would have a big impact going forward, which one would it be and why so?
One play I honestly think would have had an interesting butterfly effect: Kirk McLean's save in the 1994 playoffs.
If that happens, we're rewriting things for a lot of teams:
Vancouver- How would history judge Pavel Bure/Trevor Linden/McLean if they don't have that memorable playoff run that did follow? And how is Canucks history redone without that Cup run? Maybe they overhaul the team if they have another early exit on the heels of 1992-1993?
Calgary- They would have had home-ice the rest of the West Playoffs (Remember, the same night as that game 7 was San Jose's shocking upset of Detroit) and considering the rest of the West (Dallas, San Jose, Toronto) and getting the first round playoff monkey off their backs. Plus, also, if they do make a deep run, does that probably mean they never do the MacInnis/Vernon trades from the summer of '94? (And if so, that might also change things for Detroit/St. Louis)
San Jose- They would have drawn Calgary in round 2. Might they have caught the Flames on an emotional hangover and maybe gone even further if the Flames had a bit of a letdown?
Dallas/Toronto- Considering how Vancouver quickly ran through these teams, might they have stood a better chance with no Bure/McLean standing in the way? In fact, if Reichel scores, they actually play each other in round 2!
NY Rangers- If they don't play Vancouver, are we sure the 1994 Cup Finals would have been as memorable as it became? Think of all the memorable moments we lose (McLean's game 1 masterpiece, Richter's save on Bure, the wild game 5 third period, that epic game 7) Would a possible Cup triumph in a shorter series or less dramatic battle have made it more or less iconic a moment?
Mike Keenan- If the Rangers don't win the Cup, does he maybe never try and weasel his way out with a Cup and try again
NY Rangers- Of course, maybe the curse still goes on if they don't win the Cup and they could be working on a 77 year drought.