Why I hate the NHL Playoffs
Posted 12:50 AM ET | Comments 7
Yes, I know this is a hockey site and that the title borders on sacrilege. But, stick with me here and you'll understand.
Reason #1: When your team is eliminated from playoff contention, a little piece of you dies. For me being a Hawks fan, that happened sometime in December.
Reason #2: Speaking of the Hawks, watching the games showcases just how far they are from being a playoff team. I am certain that the would be completely embarrassed if they were on the ice with these teams. Most of the playoff teams are firing on all cylinders. All three or four lines are playing with heart and intensity.
Reason #3: I have loyalty issues. I am a big fan of Turco and of Luongo. So, how can I root for a team in the DAL/VAN series? Either way, one of my favorite goalies will be knocked out. I love watching Scott Niedermayer skate. But, I have never cared for Pronger. How can I root for the Ducks? I am anti-Detroit but they are up 2 games to none. But, Calgary hasn't played well enough to make me want to cheer for them.
Reason #4: I lose sleep. If the game is still going, I'm still watching. It's that simple. DAL/VAN are just about to start the first OT tonight. Watching the game and seeing the first game, there is nothing that leads me to believe that this game will end anytime soon. (UPDATE: Game over after less than 8 minutes in the first OT. Too bad. I was geared up for the long haul.)
Reason #5: To borrow the Versus phrase, I love the Do or Die of the playoffs. I am a competitive person. I played sports all my life. I still play. There is nothing like that intense feeling of knowing that if you lose it is over. The mixture of adrenaline, excitement, desire combined with the concern that the season could be over is amazing. But, I am not a professional athlete. I play in rec leagues. So, the same feeling isn't there. I miss that feeling.
Reason #6: Hockey is the greatest sport in the world. The only thing better than hockey is playoff hockey. Right now, any true sports fan should be buzzing about the playoffs. But, you'd be surprised by how many people don't even know it is going on. Even worse are the ones that know it is on but don't seem to care. In the Sunday Chicago Tribune, the NHL playoff article was about 3"x5". That's it. The weekly poker article was bigger. I'm not exaggerating. I believe I'll cancel my subscription tomorrow.
Reason #7: This may be pessimistic. But, playoff hockey means that we are just a few weeks away from no hockey. For months, it will be nothing but baseball. Now, I like baseball as much as the next guy. But, baseball is not hockey.
Reason #8: I get yelled at more during the playoffs. "Why are you watching hockey again?" "Come on, we want to go to dinner." Etc, etc. The wife and family just don't understand.
So, you can clearly see why I hate the playoffs. I mean really. Who would purposely put themselves through all of this stuff when they don't have to?
What time is the game tomorrow? Yeah, I'll be watching...until the very last whistle!
Reason #1: When your team is eliminated from playoff contention, a little piece of you dies. For me being a Hawks fan, that happened sometime in December.
Reason #2: Speaking of the Hawks, watching the games showcases just how far they are from being a playoff team. I am certain that the would be completely embarrassed if they were on the ice with these teams. Most of the playoff teams are firing on all cylinders. All three or four lines are playing with heart and intensity.
Reason #3: I have loyalty issues. I am a big fan of Turco and of Luongo. So, how can I root for a team in the DAL/VAN series? Either way, one of my favorite goalies will be knocked out. I love watching Scott Niedermayer skate. But, I have never cared for Pronger. How can I root for the Ducks? I am anti-Detroit but they are up 2 games to none. But, Calgary hasn't played well enough to make me want to cheer for them.
Reason #4: I lose sleep. If the game is still going, I'm still watching. It's that simple. DAL/VAN are just about to start the first OT tonight. Watching the game and seeing the first game, there is nothing that leads me to believe that this game will end anytime soon. (UPDATE: Game over after less than 8 minutes in the first OT. Too bad. I was geared up for the long haul.)
Reason #5: To borrow the Versus phrase, I love the Do or Die of the playoffs. I am a competitive person. I played sports all my life. I still play. There is nothing like that intense feeling of knowing that if you lose it is over. The mixture of adrenaline, excitement, desire combined with the concern that the season could be over is amazing. But, I am not a professional athlete. I play in rec leagues. So, the same feeling isn't there. I miss that feeling.
Reason #6: Hockey is the greatest sport in the world. The only thing better than hockey is playoff hockey. Right now, any true sports fan should be buzzing about the playoffs. But, you'd be surprised by how many people don't even know it is going on. Even worse are the ones that know it is on but don't seem to care. In the Sunday Chicago Tribune, the NHL playoff article was about 3"x5". That's it. The weekly poker article was bigger. I'm not exaggerating. I believe I'll cancel my subscription tomorrow.
Reason #7: This may be pessimistic. But, playoff hockey means that we are just a few weeks away from no hockey. For months, it will be nothing but baseball. Now, I like baseball as much as the next guy. But, baseball is not hockey.
Reason #8: I get yelled at more during the playoffs. "Why are you watching hockey again?" "Come on, we want to go to dinner." Etc, etc. The wife and family just don't understand.
So, you can clearly see why I hate the playoffs. I mean really. Who would purposely put themselves through all of this stuff when they don't have to?
What time is the game tomorrow? Yeah, I'll be watching...until the very last whistle!
fantastic blog, and agreed wholeheartedly...my wife says to me yesterday, after I watch the wings, the pens/sens and are just settling in for DAL/VAN, she says your kidding right?some people just dont understand
Great writing completly understand how you feel great insight looking forward to the rest of your blogs
Great blog, but I'm going to take a page out of one of the guys who commented before me, and turn into Praxstr. You just gotta sit back and enjoy them. I have my allegiances amd issues with the playoffs too, but it won't stop me from enjoying every game that I come across. My team has been eliminated too, but you have to forget all that and enjoy the best hockey in the world. But I totally appreciate where you're coming from. Keep it up.
Great blog, but I'm going to take a page out of one of the guys who commented before me, and turn into Praxstr. You just gotta sit back and enjoy them. I have my allegiances amd issues with the playoffs too, but it won't stop me from enjoying every game that I come across. My team has been eliminated too, but you have to forget all that and enjoy the best hockey in the world. But I totally appreciate where you're coming from. Keep it up.
I hear ya, Praxstr. It's really not that bad. Most of the time that I am watching a game, I am also playing with my kids.
HAHA!!! I love it!! This was my Sunday:1) Watch the Detroit vs. Calgary game. I hate Detroit so it is easy to cheer for Calgary.2) I watch the Senators vs. Penguins. 3) I just started playing hockey and so I went to my old man league and played our game4) Come home and flip the Ducks vs. Wild game on (I tivo'ed it). At this point my wife starts to complain that I've got a problem. She points out that she watched two games with me already today and shouldn't be put through another one. I laugh and tell her not to worry - there is still the Dallas vs. Vancouver game after the current game is over.5) I watch the Dallas vs. Vancouver game - it goes to OT and I think my wife packed her bags and moved out (actually she just went to bed). So seriously - how do we do this to ourselves. It can not be healthy to stick yourself on the couch for 4 games in one day. Well - at least there are only 3 games tonight. Woohooo!
Loved your "Why I Hate The Playoffs" blog! Reason #7 was my favorite. As a Hawks fan, I'm guessing you are looking forward to the 2007 draft. Good luck next season!