The 1969-70 Boston Bruins? What they’re most remembered for is captured in a single photograph (or the equivalent film snippet), showing Bobby Orr leaping through the air after scoring the Stanley Cup-winning goal in Game 4 of the Finals against St. Louis.
The 2000-01 Colorado Avalanche? It’s the sequence of captain Joe Sakic handing off the Stanley Cup to Ray Bourque, whose two decades of anticipation show on his face as — with Denver Post photgrapher John Leyba and others shooting away — he holds and thrusts it aloft.
That, plus homage to teams’ dynastic runs, are what struck me when looking over the list of the single-season “Top 20 Greatest NHL Teams” selected in fan voting in conjunction with the league’s 100th anniversary.