HAWK TIME

Over the first 82 years of their existence, the Chicago Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup three times. For much of that time, the National Hockey League consisted of only six teams.

Now it has 30. And now the Blackhawks are considered a dynasty, having won the Stanley Cup three times in six years.

They clinched their latest title on Monday night, beating the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-0 to take the best-of-seven series in six games. Defenseman Duncan Keith won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP, and for good reason.

Over six games, the Lightning scored only 10 goals, and seven of those came in two games. In the final three games of the series, they were held to a total of two goals.

It was Keith who scored what would be the game-winner against Tampa Bay, putting his own rebound past Lightning goalie Ben Bishop late in the second period for a 1-0 lead.

The Blackhawks won the Cup in 2010 and 2013 before adding this season’s. Previously, having joined the NHL in 1926, they were champions in 1934, 1938 and 1961. They had last clinched the Cup on home ice in 1938.

Dynasty isn’t a term to be tossed around lightly in sports. It connotes a rare and continuing excellence. But feel free to use it where these Blackhawks are concerned. Even before the last bottle of champagne was sprayed, the oddsmakers had already installed them as favorites to repeat.

Post By: Larry Weisman, a longtime sportswriter for USA TODAY, blogs for Twistity.com. Follow him on Twitter @MrLarryWeisman.