It was a heartbreaking loss last night for Minnesota. Playing the best team in hockey, they came so close to forcing a game seven, but it was not to be as Patrick Kane scored in Over Time.
Again.
If it wasn't live action, people would be sick of this repetitive script.
Still, full credit to the Hawks who overcame having the best roster in hockey to defeat the upstart Wild, a team that has an interesting mix of veterans and youth, and who, after a couple of years of teasing, looks poised to move into the mix of teams considered contenders.
The Hawks will take on either the Ducks or Kings in the Conference Final and one of the three most boring and unsurprising teams will compete for the Cup. (Now actually, all three teams are interesting to watch, but what I mean specifically here is that it is boring - for people who just like hockey but have no vested interest in the teams remaining - to see these same teams winning again and again. Though, I only speak for myself. Lots of people like to see good teams rewarded and that is completely understandable and logical.)
Personally, I was looking forward to a Minnesota/Montreal Final.
Over in the East, the Penguins blew a 3-1 series lead to the Rangers of all teams. The Rangers to me, for much of the year, didn't even look like a playoff team. Certainly if you had asked me at the start of March, I would have said they are a worse team than the Leafs, and we all know how they finished. Anyways, I was surprised that the Rangers got by Philly and surprised they didn't get destroyed by the Penguins.
I suppose that if you have a legitimate hall of fame goalie and a Ryan McDonagh on your team, anything is possible.
One reason I like the Rangers- besides it being boring in the Chicago way to see the Pens winning - is that hopefully their success can put an end to all the ridiculous talk about Captains and Leadership.
Remember when trading Captain and Leadership Guru Ryan Callahan was going to "rip out the heart and soul" of this team? Remember when trading him was so stupid because he was one of the best cheer-leaders, I mean Leaders, in the NHL?
Yeah, me neither.
Anyways, I like the Rangers, I hope they do well. One scary thing is that despite undeniably solid play, Rick Nash has zero goals and is likely due for some increased luck and possibly an explosion of offense in the next round.
Here's hoping the Canadiens can take down the Bruins so we can be guaranteed to at least have one team in the Finals that will make it worth watching.
Thanks, as always for reading.
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