No Crosby, no Toronto Maple Leafs, no problem. The first round of the NHL playoffs has been more than worthwhile for all hockey fans.
Nearly two weeks into the playoffs I now have the hockey channels program into my brain and score checking and channel surfing has become almost second nature no matter the cable company or satellite dish I find myself watching hockey on. It seems like every night, every game is one you don't want to miss as a fan of the playoffs.
Why is it hockey fans always say the first round is the most exciting?
I think the simple answer is you never know what to expect in round one. There are so many storylines coming into a series, of past achievements, regular season stats, and matchups, but really in the end none of that matters. It is the will to win and fact that no hockey game has ever been won on paper and even the furthest underdog has a shot.
The Roberto Luongo saga and Vancouver's slump had made the most storylines. No one can overlook Pittsburgh being able to at least force a game seven without Crosby and Malkin and no powerplay whatsoever. There's also the story of Detroit possibly winning the final game in Phoenix ever. Also the most storied playoff matchup with the Habs and Bruins is a battle and is everything fans expected and then some.
Last year, "History will be made" playoff commercials were great and represented a turning point of a team's playoff run. Already this year there are no shortages of suggestions for historic playoff moments.
What if Nashville had made it to the second round before and wouldn't be as desperate?
What if Joe Thornton over-achieved in past playoffs and had nothing to prove?
What if Dwayne Roloson didn't have playoff experience and wasn't traded?
What if Ovechkin still took two minute shifts and didn't bye into the Capitals' system?
What if Chicago couldn't find diamonds in the rough to play net?
Before the Tuesday night games between Vancouver and Chicago and Montreal and Boston were played there were 12 overtime games already. There is nothing like NHL overtime-playoff hockey and when it is in a do-or-die game the mistakes and harmless shots are only magnified.
Although I am in five hockey drafts and don't know who to cheer for, getting behind the Sharks is a fairly easy choice, as former North Stars coach Todd McLellan has got the Sharks swimming in the right direction after round one although most people have to be surprised by the push Los Angeles gave them without their best player and Gretzky sitting in the stands watching and not playing. I think for now even if there isn't a team you cheer for or a team you cheer against however you look at it the hockey this year is perhaps the most exciting in recent history.
