You Bett-man!

There are so many reasons why NHL hockey is incredible right now, and why these playoffs have me locked in:

1. Pittsburgh Penguins

These guys are just plain fun to watch. A team full of kids with unbelievable amounts of skill, and a harder work ethic than you'll find on any other team. Seriously, in game 1 against the Sens, it looked like the Sens were absolutely shocked at the speed of play. I can't count how many times a Sens D-man would start skating up through centre looking to create a play only to be picked from behind by Staal, or Malkin, or Crosby, or Kennedy, or even Gary Roberts. Their goals are pretty, their power-play is devastating, and the simple level of star-power harkens back to the days before I was watching hockey, when Gretzky and Messier and Kurri and Coffee were suiting it up for the same team every night.

2. Dion Phaneuf

This guy is Scott Stevens but with a bigger shot and a more style. He lays guys out in every corner of the rink, and even better in open ice. Plus, than he scores while you're lying on the ice like a tool, just to add to the insult.

3. Ovechkin

I can't believe this guy. I've never seen anybody so excited to play. It's one thing that he's such a monster with the puck, but the fact that he does it with a huge smile on is face... he's like a big kid. If we end up with a Pens/Caps series in one of the next rounds I'm gonna take the week off work. That would probably be one of the best ever.

4. The fact that we once again have legitimate superstars in the NHL means that we once again have legitimate enforcers. As soon as Chris Neil gets a hand up on Crosby, he's immediately mugged by at least 3 guys. I swear, it's like these kids have just busted open the trap, cause they're too fast to be defended by it, and the result is just this whole new level of intensity.

5. The Bell Centre

Do yourself a favor and watch a montreal game. They have the best crowd in all of hockey, bar none. 5 minutes into the game and they're all on their feet, singing 'olay!' and going crazy every time somebody gets drilled. After so many years of watching New Jersey win games in front of a crowd of 3000 strong, it feels like Canadian hockey is alive again. If/when these guys go deep (Conference finals) the roof is gonna blow off. Seriously, picture a Pens/Canadians Eastern Conference Final!!! How intense would that be?? Two arenas full of utterly crazy fans, massive parties, lots of star-power and goal-scoring, two hot goalies... man.. I'm holding out hope.


Granted, if it ends up being Dallas vs. Minnesota for the prize, than this entire blog goes to crap.
J