The Philadelphia Flyers have been putting on an absolute show against the stanley cup champion favorites, The Pittsburgh Penguins. In the first game of the series the Penguins took an early 3-0 lead. The Flyers showed incredible determination, and ended up coming back and winning this game in overtime. The following game, the Penguins took a 2-0 lead to start the game, but once again the Flyers fought back and ended up winning. In this game, there were numerous records set, including two separate hat-tricks by Flyers players (Claude Giroux & Sean Couturier). To go along with the hat-trick Giroux set a playoff record, by recording 3 assists giving him 6 overall points. While that is remarkable, Couturier's story might even be better. Couturier is one of the youngest players in the NHL, as he just turned 20 years old. That means he is younger than most kids in this class! If you can't appreciate that, than I give up.
If scoring does not do it for you, then you should tune into the New York Rangers vs. Ottawa Senators or Boston Bruins vs. Washington Capitals series. Both of these series have been filled with physical play that has warranted numerous ejections and even suspensions. If you are interested in the fighting aspect of the NHL, click on the link below to see how the Rangers game started yesterday.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8OmSl8tNik
Overall, I am asking for sports fans to give the NHL a chance. If you were to sit down for one whole game of the playoffs, I promise you that you will not be disappointed. Unlike the NBA, the NHL players actually try their hardest out their, and are willing to put their body on the line in order to increase their teams chance of winning. So please everyone, get rid of your notion that the NHL is a regional sport. Sit down, and watch one of these games, and I promise you, you will not regret it.
I have to agree besides March Madness the NHL playoffs are in my opinion the best postseason in sports. The traditions, the rivalries, and excitement are fantastic. The only thing I do miss though are the rivalries from the 90's, being a Wings fan I used the love the Av's Wings' Rivalry; those 2 teams combine for 3 straight cups (Avs 96, Wings 97&98) and the fights they had were just amazing to watch.
ReplyDeleteTo me, just like you said, there is nothing like the NHL playoffs, because it's The Cup
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOCXfu_mWyY <- 97 Brawl
While reading your post I couldn't help but think of a blog post from the other week about the redistribution of NHL franchises from areas with diminishing hockey fan bases to thriving hockey towns, as in the case of the WInnipeg Jets. I agree with you on the sheer excitement the Stanley Cup Playoffs brings. Being the only sport where fighting is deemed acceptable to an extent under the rules, the emotions and rivalries get quite heated - especially when a series drags out to 7 games. With that said, I don't see the NHL getting more exposure on ESPN or the major sports networks than it has been able to receive since the lockout. With the purpose being to make the game more exciting, I don't know if viewership dramatically increased after those alterations were made to how the game is played. Watch some hockey and give it a shot, yes, but in the end I'm all for putting the hockey where the people don't take it for granted...
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