Perry has just revealed the identity of the person responsible for his departure from Montreal

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Jeff Drouin
June 17, 2022 (7:57 PM)

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For the third year in a row, Tampa Bay Lightning veteran Corey Perry is going to the Stanley Cup Final. After being on the losing side in his first two appearances, with Dallas in 2020 and the Habs last year, he's probably hoping to be on the winning side this time around.

While last season many Canadiens fans were disappointed to see him leave for the Lightning, my colleague Keven Mawn of Fanadiens.com reported one of the main reasons Perry decided to join the Lightning last summer.

In an interview just before Game 1 of the Finals on NHL Network, the former Canadiens' star mentioned that one of his former teammates with the Anaheim Ducks, Patrick Maroon, would have played a big part in his decision to sign with Tampa Bay.

"I talked to 'Patty' Maroon a little bit and I knew Tampa very well, having played two years in a row against them in the Stanley Cup finals. I saw everything they did against us (Montreal and Dallas). I saw the two-year offer and I jumped on it. I couldn't turn down a two-year contract. It wasn't about the money, it was just an opportunity to play more hockey. I want to keep playing."

Maroon's journey may have inspired his ex-teammate, who is making his fourth consecutive Final appearance, he was with the St. Louis Blues when they lifted the Cup in 2019.

Let's just say that, for now, Perry's gamble to join the Lightning is paying off, as he's having a good series so far with five goals and three assists in 18 games.

Will Perry emulate Marian Hossa and finally win the Stanley Cup after two consecutive failures in the finals?

We hope so.