Montreal entered the Stanley Cup final against Tampa Bay as a decided underdog.
Losing Game 1, 5-1, certainly didn't change that.
The Canadiens have overcome considerable adversity during these playoffs, however -- remember, Toronto had a 3-1 lead on them during the opening round, only to have Montreal run off three consecutive victories -- and probably can take some solace in knowing that improbable upsets are an integral part of sports lore.
The majority seem to happen in one-time competitions. Think, the USA's victory over the Soviet Union in the Miracle On Ice game at the 1980 Olympics. Buster Douglas beating Mike Tyson to become heavyweight champion of the world. Appalachian State winning a football game at Michigan in 2007. The New York Jets stunning Baltimore in Super Bowl III.
And that's hardly a comprehensive list.
Of course, there have been shocking results in some multi-game series, as well.
The Pirates' victory over the New York Yankees in the 1960 World Series might be the consummate example, but it's hardly the only one. Think of how the two-time defending champion Penguins were knocked off by the New York Islanders in 1993, or how upstart San Jose took down Detroit in the Stanley Cup playoffs a year later.
Coincidentally or otherwise, all three of those series went the seven-game distance, which suggests there usually isn't an easy path to felling a heavily favored opponent.
Regardless of how the Stanley Cup final ends, Montreal has put together a remarkable run, but looking back on it will be a lot more fun for the Canadiens if they somehow manage to win four of the remaining six games.
Will they?
Probably not.
Tampa Bay is more talented and deeper, and benefits from the intangibles that go with being a defending champion.
So, yeah, bet on a civic celebration in Tampa sometime next month. Just don't forget that upsets happen every now and then, often when they are least expected.
YOUR TURN: What do you regard as the greatest upsets -- in a one-time battle and/or a series of games -- in sports history?
