Thread by @bennetkelley

1/Tonight, for the 17th time in the last 50 years, the #StanleyCup champion returns to defend their crown. This time, the #TBLightning are going for that rare feat - a three-peat and #dynasty status.

2/Three-peats and dynasties themselves are relatively rare. Below is a tour of the dynasties from the last 50 years starting with the 1974 Oakland #Athletics completing a three-peat with a 4-1 win over the #Dodgers with this home run.

3/ In 1979, the #CanadiensMTL completed their second four-peat, winning 4-1 over the New York Rangers. #StanleyCup #Dynasty

4/ In 1983, the #NYIslanders completed a four-peat sweeping the #EdmontonOilers #StanleyCup #Dynasty

5/ In 1984, one dynasty fell to another, as the #NYIslanders lost their rematch with the #EdmontonOilers. While the Oilers did not threepeat, they won the #StanleyCup 5 times in 7 years. #dynasty

6/ In 1993, Michael Jordan and the #ChicagoBulls complete their first three-peat beating the #Suns 4-2 in the #NBAFinals. #Dynasty

7/ In 1998, MJ and the #ChicagoBulls win a repeat three-peat beating the #UtahJazz 4-2 in the #NBAFinals. #dynasty

8/ In 2000, the #Yankees win a #SubwaySeries 4-1 over the #Mets to complete the first three-peat since the A's. #WorldSeries #dynasty

9/In 2002, the last three-peat in major sports, #Kobe and #Shaq and the #Lakers sweep the New Jersey Nets in the #NBAFinals #Dynasty

10/In 2005, the #Patriots win back-to-back Super Bowls and 3rd in 4 years. No NFL team has three-peated in the Super Bowl era. #dynasty

11/ in 2018, the #Warriors sweep the #Cavs in the #NBAFinals for their 3rd title in 4 years. But for a Game 7 loss in 2016, they would have four-peat. #NBAFinals #Dynasty

12/ In 2019, #TBLightning tied an #NHL record for wins only to be swept in the opening round. They bounced back with repeat #StanleyCup wins and now can three-peat for the first time in the #NHL since before they were born. #dynasty

A win by #TBLightning would only be the 8th 3-peat in the big 4 sports leagues in the last 50 years and would cement them as a #Dynasty. @SportsHistoryHQ @HistoricallySp2.