The Stanley Cup Playoffs: The Best In Sports

A post by "Chris Stratton" To see more posts click here

A perfect storm of aggression, elation, and intensity.

So for my first post I chose to talk about something near and dear to my sports loving heart: Hockey Playoffs. This post is directed at all the “sports connoisseurs” out there who in their infinite wisdom continue to write hockey off as “a Canadian sport” or “unwatchable”. Fire up the hdtv. Go to a bar and watch. I dare you. Better yet, go to Verizon and see firsthand what makes hockey playoffs unlike any other in sport. I can guarantee that you will be hooked. But if you still don’t believe me I’ve come up with 5 reasons you should reconsider:

1. Hockey combines the best aspects of every other playoff system.

Let’s look at what makes the playoffs so exciting in the “major” American sports. In football, everyone loves the intensity of a playoff game for the hard hitting and dramatic moments created by the single elimination format. Baseball thrives on creating dramatic story lines over the course of a 7 game series and the nature of the game is incredible at building tension into specific moments. Basketball playoffs are a showcase for incredible individual performances that elevate players into an elite level of respect adulation.

The Stanley Cup (the trophy awarded to the champions) Playoffs are a masterful mix of the above elements. The hard hitting and intensity of football is heightened by the fact that the pace of playoff hockey can only be described as “a chaotic ballet”. Imagine if NFL teams played 7 times in a row? Can you imagine the bad blood that would be built up by game 3? Hockey series are contested over 7 games, and just like baseball, the story lines that build up only add to the palpable excitement and intensity that each game already has. Basketball playoffs are a platform for legendary performances and this is mirrored in hockey. Especially goalies. Every year a goalie elevates his game to otherworldly heights and stands on his head to stop everything sent his way.

2. The Atmosphere.

Hockey fans are some of the most loyal and dedicated in sports. The arenas become an entity all their own in the playoffs, almost breathing to the rhythm of the game; gasping with every near miss, erupting with every big hit, and exploding with each goal. Imagine the intensity of a Fedex Field crowd after a Skins TD against Dallas, yet squeezed into a tiny arena…….

3.  The traditions and rivalries.

The playoff beard. The post series handshake. Refusing to touch the conference trophy. Getting your name etched into the cup for eternity. There are too many traditions that make the playoffs special to begin to discuss here. Philadelphia vs. Pittsburgh, Boston vs. Montreal, Washington vs. Pittsburgh, Colorado vs. Detroit….the rivalries are plentiful and fierce. Almost every possible series has a history that adds spice to the prospect of seven hard-fought games.

4. Fighting

Whether you love it or hate it, fighting is an integral part of the playoffs. The bad blood that boils between these teams during the regular season is spilled all over the ice during a playoff series. The scorers score, the defensemen defend, and the fighters drop the gloves. Messages are sent and playoff series can swing on a big hit or a timely fight. The way the crowds react to a fight, you’d swear you were in the coliseum in Rome.

5. The Washington Capitals and Alexander Ovechkin

Now let’s get the story straight. I’m a lifelong Philadelphia Flyers fan. Saying that, as a Washingtonian and hockey fan, the Capitals are a blessing. Watching a hungry, young hockey team on a nightly basis and having access to an atmosphere like the Verizon Center in this town is priceless. This team is going to be a contender for a long time and if you haven’t already, I suggest you get on board. If that wasn’t enough, the Capitals have one of the best hockey talents to enter the NHL in a very long time in Alex Ovechkin. This kid is flat out electric. As a Flyers fan, he absolutely scares the shit out of me. Washington will always be a Skins town, but they could very soon have some company.

There it is….I hope I’ve convinced you to give this amazing sport a chance.

….udothedishes