Corey Perry won't have lost in this year's Stanley Cup Final

Last night’s Maple Leafs victory was the talk of the entire field hockey world, and with good reason.

Every year, Leafs fans expected a different fate, and every year, that was never the case.

The curse of the first round is finally a thing of the past in Toronto.

But that’s not the only curse that ended last night.

With the Tampa Bay Lightning’s first-round defeat, Corey Perry’s Stanley Cup Final losing streak came to an end at three consecutive years.

The former Montreal Canadien won’t have to suffer another collapse so close to the goal.

Perry lost in the Cup Final with the Dallas Stars in 2020 to the Tampa Bay Lightning in six games, before signing with the CH in the summer.

With the Tricolore, Perry again reached the Stanley Cup Final, but it was the same result, a loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, this time in five games.

In the end, Perry figured that if he couldn’t beat the Lightning, he’d better join them, and signed a two-season contract with Tampa Bay.

Unfortunately for Perry, the same scenario played out again, as he once again lost in the Stanley Cup Final with a third different team, losing 4-2 to the Colorado Avalanche.

This year, the scenario will be different for Perry, who was eliminated in the first round last night by the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The first Stanley Cup Final without Corey Perry in four years.

Vi får første stanley cup finale på 4 år uten Corey Perry, som jo har tapt 3 på rad #nhlnor https://t.co/h9HH7yJH8m

– Marius Husby (@sportsjourn) April 30, 2023

Now, what’s next for Perry?

His two-year contract with Tampa is now up, which means he’ll be a free agent this summer.

What will the 37-year-old forward decide to do?

Will he decide to retire, or will he try to sign a new one-year contract to try again for a second Stanley Cup in his career?

In my opinion, Perry will do everything to be back in the NHL next season, whether it’s with the Lightning or any other team.

Perry’s a fighter, and he’s still got some energy left in the tank.

His five points (two goals and three assists) in six playoff games against the Leafs proved it.

Even if it was harder for Perry in the regular season (12 goals and 13 assists for 25 points in 81 games), I think some teams will be interested in adding such a veteran to their team.

Stay tuned.

In a flurry

– Third straight win (all competitions) for Montreal CF.

+3 on the road 📈

Make that three straight wins across all competitions. #CFMTL pic.twitter.com/qeX9MZWMqw

– CF Montréal (@cfmontreal) April 30, 2023

– Bryce Duke’s first goal with the CF.

Bryce Duke puts it away and gives @cfmontreal the lead late in the first half! pic.twitter.com/kONzETKE1G

– Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 30, 2023

– Choinière scored CF’s other goal.

Our second goal, scored by Mathieu Choinière!

We double our lead in first half stoppage time 👊

#SKCvMTL | 0-2 | #CFMTL pic.twitter.com/HorxRwkMrY

– CF Montréal (@cfmontreal) April 30, 2023

– What Ilya Samsonov had to say after yesterday’s win.

Ilya Samsonov: “I feel tired right now … inside I’m so excited. It’s a big deal for us. Special for our group. This series over. Thank you Tampa. Tampa Bay is nice team. Hard series for us. A lot of emotion. Thank you fans. You guys unbelievable & we just prepare next round”

– Mark Masters (@markhmasters) April 30, 2023

– The Bruins are not as dominant as they were in the regular season.

Bruins dominating all season long yet not a line in here.

Also noteworthy is Tolvanen who was a waiver wire pickup and passed every weak team until Seattle. https://t.co/1dIWb3jjay

– Brian Wilde (@BWildeMTL) April 30, 2023