Stanley Cup Playoffs is what life is about (no disrespect to non-hockey followers who are missing out on having heart palpitations, over the greatest game on earth). I feel for my Canadian friends, no Canadian teams represented in the playoff since 1970. It's sacrilege not to hear O Canada at this time of year, although they can always take solace from the fact that the majority of teams are made up of Canadians (refer to Chicago and its Canadian captain, Jonathan Toews who has hoisted 3 cups in the last 5 years).
At the start of the 2015/16 regular season (cite to blog posting from October 7, 2015), I made bold prediction that my beloved team (Minnesota Wild) would meet the Dallas Stars in the Western Conference finals. Unfortunately it will become a reality, but having them meet in the first round is a nice consolation, allows me to prance around town donning the Wild jersey earlier than expected. I understand Dallas is still not exactly hockey central, however it's getting enough traction that I expect to be heckled like a panhandler downtown (enough reason for Dallas to be considered as a future Olympics host city).
My other prediction of a Minnesota/Pittsburgh cup final is still a possibility, though may experts would suggest being struck by lightning has more probability. One can only hope, after the torture of seeing Chicago and LA hoist the last 4 cups, it's time for a fairy-tale champion. If it's not going to be the state of hockey, then let it be San Jose, St. Louis or Washington. Three teams who have been consistent for many years, but failed when it comes to playoff success. I am no fan of American cities that disrespect hockey (at the best of times), however, the aforementioned have rabid supporters who can actually follow a puck without relying on slow motion replays.
As of 6 pm tonight (central time, for those of you playing at home), I will start my descent into 'hockeyitis'. Only a nuclear apocalypse will keep me from losing sleep over the greatest religion of all, hockey on ice.
