I got curious about the start dates of the Stanley Cup Final because I seem to remember it always starting on the same day of the week and recently it has been Monday. The NHL seems to be a bit cyclical on which day of the week they want the final round to start. I'm not sure if it is coincidental of there is a rhyme or reason. I looked back several years and kept seeing common days so I went all the way back to 1989 and here is what I've found:
Monday starts: 2018, 2017, 2016, 2007, 2006
Wednesday starts: 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 1991
Saturday starts: 2010, 2009, 2008, 2001, 1997, 1995
Tuesday starts: 2004, 2003, 2002, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1996, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1990
Sunday start: 1989
- 1989 and 1991 seem to be abnormal
- They tried to start on Tuesday for many years, with a couple of Saturday starts
- They tried Monday a couple of years then switched to Saturday for three years.
- Wednesday started 5 years in a row
- Monday for the last 3.
Is this all coincidental? What is their reasoning? They don't like starting on Sunday, Thursday or Friday though and until recently they didn't like Wednesday or Monday.
Lots of other considerations, like how many days break between the Conference Finals and the Stanley Cup Final each year? When did the regular season end that year? Arena previously had a booking? All of those could play into how they like to start the Final round but it does seem they like a particular day and try to stick with it for a while.
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