Image via Complex Original
Everyone loves the beginning of spring. It signals the start of the MLB season, the NFL draft, and the beginning of the NBA playoffs. We got it all covered, right? Wrong. There’s another major event that doesn’t get near the viewership and embrace it deserves, the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs. If you’ve ever seen a game, you know there is absolutely nothing like the intensity of playoff hockey. Fans of any sport will claim that the playoffs is always more intense than the regular season, and it’s not that their wrong, it’s just that the NHL takes it to the next level.
Every save, every shot, every pass is scrutinized, because you never know just how many scoring opportunities you’re going to get in the postseason. Every bonehead penalty draws the collective gasps of fan bases everywhere, and every fight is like going to war. The fans are insane and the atmosphere is unparalleled, but if you still require more convincing, check out these 10 Reasons to Watch the NHL Playoffs.
Written by Adam Silvers (@silversurfer103)
10. Constant Action, No Timeouts Here
Each team only gets one timeout a game, so you better use it wisely. A coach will often take it if he feels like his guys need a rest, the opposing team has them on the ropes, or a specific play is being set up late in the game. Just imagine if the NBA only had two timeouts a game. This makes the action end to end with minimal stoppages and commercial interruption, and honestly, who really wants to watch more commercials? Things literally turn on a dime in the blink of an eye in the Stanley Cup playoffs, so we advise you to tune in and keep your eyes peeled. You're sure to be in for one hell of a show.
9. The Playoff Beards/The Handshake
Two long-standing traditions of the NHL playoffs are the fabled playoff beard and the respect shown with the post series handshake. The handshake is an opportunity to man up despite the fact you may have just lost a hard fought seven-game series. You may have hated your opponent for seven games, taken and given cheap shots along the way, but you always show respect and look your opponent in his eye and shake his hand. How many NBA dudes are uniformly doing that after losing a series? There is no greater show of sportsmanship than the Stanley Cup playoffs.
As far as the beard goes, James Harden ain't got nothing on these guys. Hockey players definitely don't trim their ish, it's just how long can we keep these going while doing our best viking impressions. A spectacle in itself.
8. It's Something to Watch in between NBA Games
If the rest of the reasons we offered up aren't getting you any closer to trading hardwood for ice, then you should simply watch the NHL playoffs because it's something to flip to in between all those NBA timeouts. It's no secret that five minutes left in regulation leads to 20 minutes of waiting to find out who will win. So during this year's NBA playoffs, when your forced to decide between heating up some more chili cheese nachos or going on a beer run, you might as well tune into the NHL action. We think you'll thank us on all accounts.
7. "Because It's The Cup"
Honestly, does it get any better than this? This series of ads by the NHL does a great job of giving a glimpse into just how intense the playoff games get. Round by round the intensity increases, and perhaps like no other sport, the emphasis is purely about the team award at the end. Individual accolades and All-Star selections are coveted in the NBA, in the NHL it really is all about the Stanley Cup. How many casual NBA fans even know the championship is called the Larry O'Brien trophy? You'd probably be surprised. Everyone knows the Stanley Cup. Why? "Because it's The Cup."
6. The Fans Are Absolutely Mental
Hockey fans are a lot like European soccer fans in that they're both absolutely mental when it comes to supporting their clubs. Perhaps a large part of it has to do with the end-to-end action that, while exhilarating, only results in a few scoring plays a game.
Sometimes fans have to wait until the third period just to see a zero-zero deadlock broken. Each team only get's one timeout for the entire game, and stoppages other than between periods are at a premium, so you best believe fans aren't going anywhere during the period. Better not break the seal to early at a playoff hockey game, or you may just miss the game-winner. Not to mention the obscenities and beer that seem to be thrown in every direction. If celebrations are wild, just check out how some fan bases chose to react to defeat. Yikes!
5. Everyone Puts their Body on the Line
Hockey players have always had the reputation of being tough SOBs. Taking pucks in the face, diving in front of 90-mph slap shots like secret service agents taking one for the president, they're dedication to selflessness knows few bounds. Like many other aspects of the game we love, this only intensifies come playoff time.
Every man on the ice knows that his block, or failure to, could result in the ultimate sacrifice. Think Ian Laperriere has any regrets about blocking this shot against the Devils in the 2010 playoffs? Well, maybe he does, but he'd probably do it again given the same situation.
4. Goaltenders Know Every Save Matters
Any hockey aficionado will tell you that in order to have sustained success throughout the season, and the playoffs, you build your team from the net out. A good goalie is crucial if you're looking to make any sort of run in the postseason. Every save is magnified 100 times over compared to the regular season, and every goalie gaffe could be punishable by elimination. Epic battles between the pipes are like an incredible pitching duel in baseball, or a mano-a-mano isolation play in basketball. Look no further than Jonathan Quick, of last year's Stanley Cup Champion Kings, to realize the importance of a solid keep.
3. Sudden Death Overtime Heroics
Is there anything more heart wrenching than having duked it out for the better part of three hours only to find yourself one goal away from utter joy or absolute heartbreak? Overtime in the playoffs can be done in a matter of seconds, or it can last a few hours.
There are no penalty shootouts like in the regular season, just 20-minute period after 20-minute period, until a goal is scored. Huge top halves of innings can take place in baseball extras, a team can go on a 10-0 run to really take control in an NBA overtime, but in hockey you can dominate for most of the period and still give up that goal that sends you packing. Have we enticed you yet?
2. Is there Anything Better than Game 7?
Sure there are game sevens in the NBA and MLB postseasons, but any sports fan will tell you there is nothing like the drama of a game seven in the NHL playoffs. Guys have been skating their hearts out for six games, and are broken and bruised, game seven is just as much a test of wills as it is pure skill.
The crowd at a game seven is absolutely electric, look no further than the Capitals Rangers series in last seasons Eastern Conference Semifinals. Madison Square Garden absolutely erupted when Brad Richards scored the opener just 92 seconds into regulation. You get close to 200 combined points in an NBA game, you could get as little as one goal in an NHL game. Now that's drama.
1. Never Count Out an Underdog
If last year's postseason taught us anything, it's that there's no reason an eight seed can't make a run at the cup. Sure, last year's run by the L.A. Kings en route to hoisting the Stanley Cup was nothing short of a Cinderella story, but that doesn't make it that out of the ordinary.
Need some proof? Since the NHL switched to it's current playoff format in 1994, the number eight seed has knocked off a number one seed 10 times. Last year's conference finals featured an eight, six, three, and one seed. Overall, the conference semis had 21 overtime games. Talk about a level playing field. We all know the Miami Heat are going to the Finals, and will probably win, not nearly as sure of a bet to be found in hockey.