The Legend: Maxime Talbot

The Scenario: Game 7 of the 2008-2009 Stanley Cup Finals

The Accomplishment:  Outscoring Detroit to ensure they do not win the Stanley Cup

When the Wings won game 5 via shutout, most people thought the Pens were DOA.  Crosby and Malkin were not doing much, and the Wings were a damn talented team.  Pitt won game 6 not surprisingly since it was at home, but game 7 was in Detroit, and they were very good on home ice.  Cue Maxime Talbot.  His first goal, the direct result of a misplayed puck beat Osgood five hole to put Pitt up 1-0.  The second was a thing of beauty.  A laser beam that went top shelf over the "Hall of Fame*coughyeahrightcough*" bound Chris Osgood to put Pitt up 2-0.  They would win the game 2-1.

The best part of this whole scenario is the story of Marianne (oh yes I did go there) Hossa.  Last season he left the team that finished runner-up in the cup finals to play for the team that won the cup, his reasoning being he had a better chance to win a cup with Detroit than with Pittsburgh.  Does this remind you of anyone?  Like for example a front-running, band wagon jumping hockey fan (from let's say Detroit)?  You literally had a guy leave a good team for the team that just won.  If that isn't ironic for 3/4ths of all Detroit fans after 1996 I don't know what is. The best part is he was worthless in the finals, a fact that may have been overlooked if not for Maxime Talbot.

So I salute you Mr. Talbot, for not only ensuring the cup did not return to Detroit (other than for them to have it rubbed in their faces last night) but for also ensuring bandwagon fans and bandwagon players get their comeuppance.