In the past 14 seasons (since 2006-07) only the Vegas Golden Knights touched the bowl in 2018. They lost in five games to the Washington Capitals, who famously handled the Prince of Wales Trophy after winning the Eastern Conference. Alex Ovechkin even
made it a centerpiece in his home
.
Blues forward David Perron, who played for the Golden Knights last season, was in favor of Pietrangelo's decision to not touch the trophy.
"I experienced it last year so it's a very similar feeling...I was just glad to see Petro didn't touch that trophy because we touched it last year and it didn't work so hopefully it changes something this year," Perron said.
In the Stanley Cup Final, which will begin on Monday, the Blues will face the Boston Bruins, who
opted to leave the Prince of Wales Trophy alone
after completing a sweep of the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday.
Prior to the Golden Knights, the Nashville Predators (2017) and Sharks (2016) each did not touch the bowl and lost in the Stanley Cup Final.
That followed four straight years of the Western Conference winner not touching the bowl and winning the Cup (the Los Angeles Kings in 2012 and 2014 and the Chicago Blackhawks in 2013 and 2015).
St. Louis won the Clarence S. Campbell Bowl in 1968-69 and 1969-70 when it was awarded to the West Division regular season champion. It switched to the Western Conference playoff winner in 1993.
---
Listen: Stanley Cup Final preview from NHL Fantasy on Ice podcast
