Like its sister sport, the NBA - which will start its playoffs mid-week, this was a rough season. The last one ended with a bubbl3e in Edmonton in late September. It was a disjointed 56-game season srating early January. The league was ripped up and re-set with an all Canadian division, and a schedule where teams only played those in its division, most of this mandated on the league due to the border restrictions with Canada. Just like last season, I'm sure people will have their opinions on how "real" this season was, but what definitely felt real was the first set of playoff games.
Last seasons playoffs were fine and had some great moments but also were played in sterile bubbles. Despite the highest attendance being 9k (50% capacity in Florida) these felt like playoff games. The fans had the same nervous energy, the same explosion of joy with home team goals, the same noise emanating when their team crunched a bit hit or got a huge save. It all felt real, even normal dare we say.
**quick aside: also normal, the NHL being ridiculously weird and dumb at times, making the Canada division hold off on starting the playoffs to ensure the Canucks play three meaningless games**
Let's start from the last game first, the Battle of Florida, which truly was one of the best early round playoff games I've ever seen. Two teams that don;t like each other with a great amount of physicality after teh whistle (though nothing dirty). Tons of open ice, end to end, 78 total shots, 9 goals, with each team trading off runs of two goals to go 1-0, 2-1, 3-2, 4-3, 5-4. Brilliant performacnes by the best players on each team (Kucherov, back from hip surgery, with three points; Hedman with three points, Point with two goals, Huberdeau with three points, Barkov with two points). Great goaltending despite teh final score. All of it in front of the most well attended hockey game in 14 months. All of it was excellent.
But while that game was too good, the rest of the weekend wasn't too bad either. I didn't watch too much of the opener, but had the great story of 40-year old Craig Anderson pitching a brilliant performance in relief. The Islanders and Penguins have a low-key little rivalry, and while the Penguins lost, we got to see an unreal hand-eye goal from Crosby. And while the Wild v Knights game was 1-0 it was also really fun and open with just brilliant goaltending from both Fleury and Talbot.
Last August through September, having the NHL and NBA playoffs each night was such a beautiful little bright light in a dark, dark time. Now this returns, with the NBA quick on its heels, in what should be the start of a brighter time in our world. Thigns are returning to normal, and nothing is ever as normal as the Stanley Cup Playoffs being absolutely breathtaking
BTW, I will be adding a Pt. 2 of this post come Wednesday once all series have kicked off.
