That is the slogan the NHL is using for this year’s playoffs.I though it was an interesting slogan, if not a tad unoriginal because history is made in the playoffs every year. The magnitude tends to vary from year to year, but you can safely say that something historic happens during the playoffs each year.I’m sure the marketing folks couldn’t be happier with the events of this years playoffs, especially in the Eastern Conference.
The Philadelphia Flyers made the greatest comeback in team history to beat the Bruins in game seven on Friday night.I was at the Greene Turtle in Columbia watching that game with players from my beer league team, two of which are huge Flyers fans.I found it interesting, that even when the B’s were up 3-0, (that’s right, Philadelphia came back from down 3-0 in game 7) the Flyer fans, like the team, weren’t panicking, and their confidence was rewarded.The comeback wasn’t stirring, or dramatic, the Flyers just kept pushing and getting the dirty goals they needed to get even.Simon Gagne capped the comeback with one of the prettiest goals you will ever see, and the bar erupted in cheers.It was a seriously fun evening.
I find it even more entertaining that the Flyers now get to take on the eighth seeded Canadians. Never in the history of the current eight team per conference playoff format, have the seven and eight seeds ever met.
The Habs are another team that people are referring to as a “team of destiny” after eliminating Washington and Pittsburgh.Hopefully the remaining games of this series will be more entertaining that the Flyers 6-0 thumping of the Canadiens last night. Montreal had to see this coming as the Flyers were on a serious roll, and Halak was well overdue to lay an egg.Game two will tell a lot about how that series goes.
Lastly, don’t overlook the Sharks.San Jose is also looking to get into uncharted territory by getting to the Cup finals.The Blackhawks will make it very difficult, which will make for a fun series.The ‘Hawks took Game one in San Jose 2-1 yesterday afternoon.
Keep watching, who knows how much more “History Will Be Made”.
The Canadiens improbable comeback against the Capitals capped off a first round for the ages in the NHL playoffs last night.The final toll looks like this:
In the east, Montreal, an eight seed, took out Washington, the number one overall seed. The Flyers are a seven seed and they took out the Devils, who were a two. The sixth seeded Bruins eliminated the third seeded Sabres, and the Penguins were the only higher seed that moved on in the East, taking down Ottawa in the four vs. five matchup.
Out west things were a little less unpredictable. The Sharks beat the Avalanche in the one vs. eight matchup. The Blackhawks beat the Predators in the two versus seven, and the Canucks beat the Kings in the three versus six. The only upset was the Red Wings beating the Coyotes in the four against five series. A lot of people don’t really consider that an upset considering the hot streak the Red Wings were on going into the playoffs.
The first round was incredibly competitive and exciting. There were no series sweeps, in fact each series went a minimum of six games.I see that as good for the league, good for the fans and especially good for the sport.Sports leagues generally seem to be aiming for the type of parity you see in the most recent seasons of NFL football, and it looks like NHL hockey is certainly moving in that direction.I find that exciting as a highly involved fan of the sport.
The second round starts tonight in San Jose, the matchups are as follows:
San Jose Sharks vs. Detroit Red Wings: Can the Sharks shake off the ghosts of playoffs past and get to the conference finals?This year is probably their best chance in the last three.
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Vancouver Canucks: The Hawks knocked out Luongo and the Canucks in the second round last year. Vancouver has stated that they are looking for revenge. This has the potential to be a very nasty series.
Montreal Canadiens vs. Pittsburgh Penguins: If the Canadiens can get through the Caps in round one and the Pens in round two, there may not be any couches left unburned in Montreal.It’s another tall task though as Crosby and the Pens are stacked for another cup run this year.
Boston Bruins vs. Philadelphia Flyers: What a great rivalry series this is. The Bruins have a chance to redeem themselves from a short playoff run last year, and the Flyers are playing with house money.It will be interesting to see if Brian Boucher can carry the banged up Flyers through another round.
There are still enough teams in play that there should be a game on television each night of the week.Most of the weeknight games can be found on Versus, which is also back to being available to DirecTV subscribers.So make some time to watch a game or two, you never know, you might see something historic!
They are printing playoff tickets and selling division champion shirts and hats in D.C. The Capitals are the first team this year to sew up their division and a playoff berth. It will be interesting to see if they can keep up the level of intensity for the rest of the regular season.
The Sharks are still in first out west, but are staring right down the barrel of a first round match-up with a quickly strengthening Red Wings team. Will this be another short run for San Jose? If so, will it cost GM Doug Wilson his job?
The Canucks finally return home after a fourteen game road trip with an Olympic break in the middle. They lead the northwest division by six points over Colorado who is looking more and more like a team that could make some noise come playoff time. The Flames and Blues are going to need very strong finishes and someone above them to falter if they plan on playing deep into April this year.
The battle for the eight seed in the Eastern Conference will probably go down to the last few days. The players are the same as last week, as the Rangers, Bruins, and Lightning are making a push. The Bolts gained valuable points with a rare road win in Washington on Friday night, and are my pick to bump the Rangers for that spot.
