It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year - For Hockey Fans!
It's obviously a bummer when your team (Wings) doesn't make the playoffs, but there's no question that the Stanley Cup Playoffs provide a level of intensity that is very entertaining.
Two series that I'll be following in the first round will be the Bolts and the Leafs and the Oilers and Kings. The Lightning sent the Leafs to another 1st round exit last year, barely beating them in Game 7, 2-1. I like the Lightning because Stevie built their team and my son used to play for Coop in St. Louis (NAHL). Then again, they've won their Cups and it would be nice to see someone else win one. Toronto is like the Detroit Lions of the NHL. It's been forever since they've won a Cup and their lack of playoff success is comical in a sadistic sort of way.
Then you've got McDavid and his other-worldly talent leading the Oilers against the solid Kings.
Any other rooting favorites out there? Boston was pretty dominant this year. Do you think the Bruins will win it all?
Always root against the Maple Leafs. Extend their torment to the ends of time.
Can I ask why? I feel bad for the Leaf fans (being a Lion/Browns fan I share their pain) and Toronto is pretty cool city.
The Leafs winning the cup would be the Canadian version of the Lions or Browns winning the Super Bowl in terms of a city-wide celebration.
Why? Simple. Maple Leafs fans are the most arrogant fans going. It's like they invented the game. The only thing they have over Yankees fans is they are not from New York.
It's hilarious to me they still pine for Punch Imlach.
leafs fans make that team hateable. they talk like they have the history of Les Habitants
and yes, they have more cups than Detroit (13 v 11) but the most recent one was in 1966 during the original 6 era
aside from the fans, Toronto is a great town, the leafs have a phenomenal jersey and color scheme, etc. I still hope they lose every game ever. them and the blackhawks.
there’s another level of hatred for the Avs
There are many more fan bases that make me hate their team than Leafs fans. Penguins fans jump to the top of the list!
April 18th, 2023 at 12:00 PM ^
Penguins fans jump to the top of the list!
Yep.
1. Cindy is a diver... and JR is right about him.
2. Never forget 2009 when Malkin should have been suspended for a game by rule, Bettman waved it, and the Pens went on to skate the Cup.
The Habs beat the Wings in 1966. The Leafs beat Montreal in 1967 with Terry Sawchuk in goal. I rooted for Toronto during the playoffs in 1978 when I was there on a trip. They beat the Islanders in 7 games, and it was pretty exciting to hang out in the bars among the fans. Mike Palmateer was outstanding. Other than that experience. I have never wanted them to win a game.
Schadenfreude
Have you met Maple Leafs fans? There is also a -lot- of hate for the Wings in Ontario; especially when you get closer to Michigan.
LGRW
I get it. And my mind agrees with you, as a Lions fan, and I feel I should have more empathy for Leafs fans.
I don't know why but I just think it's funny that they probably have the largest fanbase and want to win so badly and have tried everything including giving Babcock that huge contract. Maybe it's the same part of me that finds the video of the lady golfer hooking two drives into the same place in the crowd hilarious.
"Make her cut it out!"
Leafs fans make their team immensely hateable. They feel that winning the Cup there would be infinitely grander for every player than doing so literally anywhere else.
Just listen to them, then you'll know why.
I dislike every team whose mascot isn’t the Red Wings. I hope the series go seven games, triple OTs in every game - with a 1-0 final score - and, the underdogs advance.
There are a few teams that have earned their way to the top, or bottom (depending on your frame of reference), in my “contempt heap”. The Avalanche is at the top of that list….
P.S. - oh, for the days when an octopus and eight legs meant something. It was a long, long time ago - a time known as "Original Six", or "pre-expansion".
And - if the Wings are in the playoffs - I completely agree. I can't recall the number of times I watched the Wings play a Western Conference playoff game from River Shannon (in Chicago) - because it wasn't broadcast on the cable I had. And - speaking of "no recollection" - the number of beers I enjoyed during those games was significant. (With safety in mind - it was a two block walk to my home - so, I never got behind the wheel after celebrating a Wings win..)
Im always curious if people still hate the Aves or not. I totally get it. I was more against the Avalanche than even the Buckeyes in the 90's. But I feel like its been about 2 decades since the Wings & Aves played a meaningful game against one another so my disdain for them has completely faded into apathy.
fuck them then, now, forever
Claude Lemieux made sure I will always hate the Avalanche forever...don't care how long ago it was.
Exactly…
So we all can agree then. Go Kraken. Go Matty.
...Says the last remaining Seattle Pilots fan.
My contempt still runs pretty deep, even though the LeMieux hit was 27 years ago. I had to stuff it about a month ago when my sons were in town and we went down to LCA to watch the Wings-Avs game. Son #2 became an Avs fan while he was stationed at Fort Carson, CO.
I couldn't believe how many Avs jerseys I saw at the Wings game. Then I realized there's a whole new generation that doesn't even remember the Wings being any good.
Then you've got Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar, two very special players. So I'm softening a bit, but the hatred is still there.
One of my favorite hockey moments, Patrick Roy, Brendan Shanahan,
and the Statue of Liberty play:
April 17th, 2023 at 11:25 PM ^
In my mind, May 31st 2002 SLAMMED THE DOOR SHUT on the Avs/Wings rivalry. It ended decisively, TKO Red Wings.
I know they had another playoff series in 2008, but that was a sweep and the Avs were completely outclassed.
The Avs are in another conference now and they are just another team anymore. Shoot, I lived in Denver for a time - the Avs fans still hate the Wings but the best thing to do is to ignore them, acknowledging them as a current rival is beneath Wings fans. It's over, the Wings knocked their asses out, and the Leafs are enemy #1.
The playoff series in 2008 showed, without a doubt, that the rivalry between the Wings and Avs was long dead. Colorado winning the Cup last season didn't bother me one bit. Better them than a 3-peat by Tampa.
April 18th, 2023 at 12:01 PM ^
Im always curious if people still hate the Aves or not.
Yes.
Calendar doesn't matter.
Not hating the Avs is like rooting for ohio state.
Fuck the avalanche. Have tix to Kraken Avs game Saturday night. Can’t wait.
rooting interests by priority
#1 anyone beating the Avs cuz fuck them in perpetuity. go Kraken I guess
#2 I always root for the jets. no connection, but felt bad when they lost their franchise and great fan base in Winnipeg.
#3 is this the year Edmonton converts regular season success with the best player alive into a run to the cup?
#4 can Boston keep this up? i hope not because screw Marchand. but what an incredible season and Bertuzzi and Pasta getting a cup would be cool I suppose
#5 can the islanders hang with the Canes? Raleigh is a great place to watch an NHL game. fans there are awesome. arena is packed for a Thursday afternoon game. but I have a soft spot for the islanders
#6 last, and probably should be 2nd, is which goalie is going to stand on their heads. there’s usually one. it’s the only sport where one guy can single handedly drag a team to series victory
Stanley Cup playoffs is my favorite time of year. I watch every game.
The Islanders most certainly can hang with the Canes. If they will though. That’s a different story. Sorokin is great but I’m not sold on the rest of that team at all. I can see them winning a series though, for sure. Getting past the Canes and then the Rangers or Devils, that I don’t see.
#4 can Boston keep this up? i hope not because screw Marchand. but what an incredible season and Bertuzzi and Pasta getting a cup would be cool I suppose
My sentiments exactly. There isn't another player in the game I want to see get knocked into next week more than Marchand. But it's hard not to like the Bruin's depth. They're like the Avs were last year.
In response to your priorities:
1) Agreed. Matty Beniers for the win!
2) A Jets Stanley Cup would be fantastic. Kyle Connor taking a lap with the cup? Absolutely. Actually rooting for all Canadian teams--they're way overdue. I'm especially pushing for Edmonton, so that I can watch Connor McDavid (and Zach Hyman) play more games. Also, I don't have the hatred that many (most?) Red Wings fans have for the Leafs, and they're a fun team to watch.
3) See #2.
4) Agreed again. Hoping for an early Boston exit. Not a fan of any Boston teams now that Mr. Brady is no longer with the Pats. Entitled fans if there ever were any (oddly Minnesota Gopher hockey fans are a close second).
5) I have an old Islanders jersey, so why not? Also, Mathew Barzal is a lot of fun to watch.
6) As a seasoned Red Wings fan, I know this to be painfully true. Anyone else remember the mid 90's, non-Cup teams when the Wings would outshoot their opponent 2-1 and lose 2-1? My stomach turns just thinking about it.
Unlike you, I don't watch every game. However, I do tend to stay up too late this time of year. Makes for a long day in 4th grade (yes, I'm a teacher, not a student), but it's worth it. Enjoy the games!
I hate the style of play that Carolina employs. It's an attempt to bring back the dead-puck era. No thank you.
I'm rooting for an Oilers-Bruins SCF. Best team vs best player would make for the most compelling matchup.
But honestly, I'm okay with anyone but Toronto winning.
Suck it, Leafs.
Nothing better than the Stanley cup playoffs. I think this year the Leafs finally get out of first round Other then that let’s go Avs and go back to back!
The way the Bruins have played this year, it would be shocking not to have them make the finals. Win it though... I don't think so. Best players win. I see a nasty battle. Truly exciting sport to be had. Can't wait.
My rooting guide:
1. Who has Michigan alums
2. More alums, I care more
3. Hate the leafs and am sorry for any alum playing for them
4. Not a big ranger fan either, but they are still above the leafs
April 17th, 2023 at 11:20 PM ^
I guess I'll play this game since the Wings are obviously a lottery team again.
The East: Boston loses early because fuck Marchand and the city sucks... Presidents Trophy curse and all. Also fuck the Maple Leafs. Wouldn't mind seeing the Devils win the East with two of the Hughes brothers and being such a young, talented team. But youthful inexperience is generally a bad thing in the Stanley Cup playoffs. I've always been partial to the Rangers as I started rooting for them during their '94 run after the Wings/Osgood blew it in the first round against the Sharks. I'll let my Hughes fanboy side of my brain win out and take the Devils out of the East.
The West: Aves are going to be tough to beat, but fuck them. I think the Aves lose to a hot goalie, and that goalie will be Gustavsson in the 2nd round. So watch out for the Wild, who were meh down the stretch but got their top scorer (Kirill the thrill) back from injury. Hottest team in the west is Edmonton... 18-3 since March 1st and won their final 9 games of the regular season. So I'll take the Oilers (with the best player since Super Mario) to win the west.
Finals... best player in the world is too much for a young Devils team... Oilers in 6.
I just want to see another Bruins/Leafs series. Always brings out the hate in both teams. I would like to see a Leafs/Oilers final so Canada can finally have a Cup winner.
I don't currently have hatred for anyone that made the playoffs in the West. In the East, basically anyone but Boston, Tampa, or Toronto. So the Panthers could do me a huge favor and make it to the conference finals.
