I am not feeling the playoffs this year. At all. I thought maybe it was just the first round - too many teams, too many sweeps - but it's definitely carried over into the second round at least so far. Usually by this point I've latched onto either a team or a player but this year I have the blahs big time. I think I'd like Boston to win it all but so far that hasn't really translated into watching them that frequently or that closely. I haven't made it through many games in entirety and even when I have, I've spent a lot of that time not looking at the TV. Heck, I even went upstairs to take a nap during an OT game today! (Though in fairness to me, I feel very strongly that marathon OT games should be played at night. It's just not the same when the sun is still out.) I was hoping to make it through the postseason before I started blogging about completely random stuff in between hockey news but I'm not sure I'm going to make it. Just so you're forewarned.
What about you guys? How are the playoffs treating you? Who ya cheering for? Anyone new caught your attention?
10 comments:
I've been really enjoying the playoffs this year. I sort of felt the same way you do last year. I think I was just too depressed over the Sabres. This year I'm still not even completely sure who I'd like to see win the Cup. Even though I really like Detroit, I don't think I'd like to see a repeat. So I'm rooting for Anaheim for that reason and because they've just been real exciting to watch.
GO HAWKS GO!
I was totally apathetic about the first round, much like you are describing. I was super busy, and the few nights that I could have watched hockey-any hockey, I didn't.
But now that my life has slowed down a little, I've discovered that the Blackhawks/Canucks series is REALLY EXCITING! They are both speedy, young, tough teams with a lot to prove post-season-wise and it's made for 2 great games so far. I've yet to see anyone else play this post season, but that's a good place to start.
I'm pulling for the Wings too, cuz they've always been my "other" team, and it would be great to see a Red Wings/Blackhawks conf final- there is nothing like the atmosphere between those 2 teams. :)
In the East I dunno- I hate Boston and the Hurricanes almost equally- I guess I like Carolina just a little bit more, but they are both gross. I despise the hype about Sid but somehow dig Ovie so I guess I want Washington to win out in the east. I haven't see any of those games yet but I probably will. Playoff fever has hit me and I'm finally ready for it.
Wow that was a lot more than my original thought of "love the Blackhawks because they are fun and Patrick Sharp is pretty" but there ya have it. :) Hope you find a playoff team to enjoy, just to get into hockey again, cuz it's a loooong time 'til October!
I'm rooting for teams like the Canes and Caps. My indifference is the only thing that's making me not feel so dirty.
I've been pleasantly surprised by the Canucks. I think it's an equal mix of the players, Opera Man leading the "Oh Canada" sing-a-long, and Jim Hughson's game calls on CBC.
And the Detroit / Anaheim series is the war that I thought it was going to be, which makes it fun to watch.
I'm not as into hockey this year since I'm half way around the world and the games are on either while I'm sleeping (sleep can be hard to get around here) or working. I'm more pulling for teams to lose than win -- I wanted the Rangers, the Flyers, and the 'Canes gone (2 down, one to go) in the EC, and I'd love to see the Red Wings bumped off out west. I loosely pull for the Penguins since I do live where their AHL team is based back home. (and even playoff tickets are very cheap there -- $30 for 4th row last year)
I haven't been that into the playoffs this year. It really is a carryover from the regular season, which I found to be generally boring hockey. It's too bad. Don't tell anyone, because I could have to turn in my hockey fan card, but I have watched a lot more of the NBA playoffs than the NHL. The NBA playoffs have been far more compelling and interesting.
I am really concerned about the direction the NHL is going. They are way too tolerant of lazy obstruction and uninspired trapping, dumping and chasing. And by chasing, I mean dumping and going off an a change. That was a contributing factor to the first lockout. I don't know what staying on this current path will lead to. Good for teams like Detroit and New Jersey, the two dominant teams of the past 15 years. They play disciplined within their unspeakably safe systems and win. Good for them, good for their fans. But if someone like me finds it unwatchable, how does the league expect to bring in new fans with it?
I've been enjoying this year's playoffs, probably a little more than last year. Last spring, I was too vested in begging for Drury / Briere / Campbell to get eliminated ASAP, just so I wouldn't have to endure the "I Told You So" nonsense due to the fawning man-crushes harbored by Vogl & Gleason.
Now that most people have come to realize those 3 don't walk on water and their teams' success isn't a "Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc" oversimplification, I can actually enjoy watching some good hockey.
But it still helps to have SOME schaudenfraud wishes to root for, such as:
- Rangers collapsing and getting Avery's mug off TV as soon as possible (done)
- Seeing Sidney whine about more injustice in his poor career. Saturday, he left himself wide open to get concussed by Ovie, but #8 missed the killer check opportunity.
- I want someone to pummell Osgood just one time, so for once the "offense" will live up to his reaction. Seriously, my nickname for Osgood is "Jewelweed", because he flops & explodes from the slightest touch.
- Out of the East, I have to root for Washington, just so the other 3 cities' fans can have a dose of sporting frustration. Things have been much too easy for Boston Area fans in the last decade, and the Steelers are enough to wipe out any sympathy I have for Pirates fans (unless you're a "Pirates Only" fan). And we're nowhere's near far enough removed from 2006 for Carolina fans to take a break from NASCAR and pretend to love hockey again.
Right now, I really think this is Anaheim's Cup to lose. After wiping out San Jose and playing Detroit so well on the road, how can they not feel like they're playing for the Cup in the second round? And to think that Pronger was being shopped around two months ago.
I agree with dave's comment although I get the feeling we are probably not talking about the same Hawks.
I haven't caught much of Boston this post season either, and I don't know why. The Ovechkin/Crosby series is a blast (go Ovie!) and I'm having fun rooting for Vancouver, especially since so many fans around here are on the Patrick Kane bandwagon.
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