Whether ESPN shows it or not, hockey is still a sport, and they still play for that cool trophy called the Stanley Cup

SCOTT JACOBS

I know it seems crazy now, but once upon a time I was addicted to hockey. The playoffs would start and I was hooked on every game, all the match ups, and best of all: I knew the players. I knew who the wizards on skates were. This was during the Fox/ESPN era, when Fox had that awesome glowing puck (something everyone seemed to hate, but I loved) and those awesome high scoring All Star games. ESPN had NHL 2Nite and that awesome National Hockey Night theme song. I remember flipping back and forth between ESPN and ESPN 2 on Thursday and Friday nights when the playoffs started, my eyes glued to the TV set. Back then there was no High Definition, and there was no TV feeds on cell phones. Back then there was just great hockey, with quality coverage. O I long for those days.

I always thought the NHL post-season was the best in sports (besides the NFL of course). I remember watching all the epic overtime games late into the night and just rooting for the game to never end. I remember watching Brett Hull’s foot in the crease cost Buffalo the chance at a Stanley Cup championship. I remember Detroit losing in the first round as the number one seed, and thinking there is so much parity in this sport. I lived for that Anaheim-New Jersey series back in the day, and I approached each game with eager anticipation.

Of course nowadays quality hockey coverage is a thing of the past. ESPN treats hockey worse then it treats amateur curling. It’s a three ring circus routine when ESPN covers hockey on Sportscenter. It has it’s own name: Marines Hockey Night. Barry Melrose is the last hockey guy left on the network. Sidney Crosby and Alexander Olvechkin are the only names they cover. I know nothing like what I once did about a once awesome sport.

But even knowing so little about the new stars of today, and turning a blind eye towards most of the season, I still anticipate the playoffs. Something about playoff hockey is just really exciting for me. Although the St. Louis Blues are no longer a playoff stalwart, and the Coyotes haven’t been relevant for many years, there are still many familiar aspects to the new version of hockey:

1. The Red Wings are still really really good
2. The Penguins are once again fueled by a superstar (Crosby)
3. The Capitals are once again in the Playoffs
4. Anybody can still beat anybody in a seven game series
5. A three letter named network still does the Stanley Cup (NBC)

Anyhow, here’s the 2008 playoff matchups and a little skinny on each:

EAST
1. Montreal vs 8. Boston
Do tell: The most prestigious team in the sport, one with more championships then any other team in pro sports, is once again one of the NHL’s top teams. An original six showdown that should be fun to watch.
The pick: Boston in 6

2. Pittsburgh vs. 7. Ottawa
Do tell: The Senators seem to be here every year without getting to the Cup. The Pens have a superstar in Sid the Kid that has the power to draw decent ratings. Crosby’s first playoff trip should be memorable.
The pick: Pittsburgh in 7

3. Washington vs. 6. Philadelphia
Do tell: From worst to sixth come the Flyers, and they actually have more points then the red hot Caps, who got home ice and a playoff berth after they did what the Canes couldn’t: beat Florida.
The pick: Washington in 4

4. New Jersey vs. 5. New York
Do tell: Doesn’t it seem like these teams hook up in the playoffs every year? Marty Brodeur is just awesome.
The pick: New Jersey in 5

WEST
1. Detroit vs. 8. Nashville
Do tell: This time last year the Preds were the best team without fans. This year, they’re the eighth seed that gets the unfortunate matchup versus marvelous Detroit. The Red Wings have been shocked in the first round before, but not this year.
The pick: Detroit in 5

2. San Jose vs. 7. Calgary
Do tell: Sharks are really talented, Calgary has a great goalie and the memories of a crushing Stanley Cup defeat to the Lightning the year before the lockout.
The pick: San Jose in 6

3. Minnesota vs. 6. Colorado
Do tell: Hockey crazy twin cities get home ice against the been there done that Avs.
The pick: Colorado in 7

4. Anaheim vs. 5. Dallas
Do tell: Ducks won the Stanley Cup last year with the smallest logo ever sighted on a jersey. This year they take that tiny logo against Dallas and the Starsssssssss.
The pick: Anaheim in 6

Finally, watch the playoffs if you can find them on Oxygen. I mean Versus (vs) and NBC. Whether you know the name or the game anymore doesn’t matter. Playoff hockey is simply as good as it comes.

Stanley Cup pick: Detroit over Pittsburgh

Write it down, but don’t hold me to it.

Popularity: 4% [?]