I don't watch much NHL hockey anymore (I did cheer on the UofA Golden Bears this weekend in their question for a national title) but interest will pick up a bit for the playoffs. I'll cheer for Pittsburgh and Boston in the east (against Toronto) and Vegas and Minnesota in the west (against Anaheim). A Boston/Pittsburgh vs. Vegas final would be nice.
I don't hate them like I used to. The cap has forced ownership to be smarter with their money and assets and I think they've done a great job. They put a solid management team in place, got one of the best coaches in the game, tanked at an appropriate time and developed some good young players.
I think their D will hold them back in the short term, but I do like watching them.
I do. I hate the market and the team. The further they get into the playoffs the more the TSN and RSN coverage becomes all about them. I don't cheer for any Canadian team to win but if I had to choose between the Jets and Leafs I would rather see the Jets have some playoff success. Best case scenario is that both teams get eliminated in the first round.
Same as a lot of people. I will watch most games in first round and likely into the second. The first round of the nhl playoffs is the best, fastest and hardest hockey you can watch, in my opinion. After this year of slow, boring, frustrating flames hockey, it might be a welcome reprieve.
1) Watch the Panthers (hopefully) in the playoffs. They have a good shot at things still with games in hand and a super-soft schedule down the stretch. I really think that not only will the make the playoffs, they have the potential to upset a top team in the first round.
2) Toronto Raptors playoffs. The team looks legit for the first time in....well, forever. Now I hope they can actually follow through in the playoffs and make it to the finals. That's a pretty great TEAM this year, emphasis on team and not just 2 stars doing the bulk of the work.
3) Getting more sleep. Honestly the games are on late enough for me that it will throw off my sleep when I'm getting up with little kids in the early morning. Less late night hockey means a happier and well-rested Cali.
4) Toronto Blue Jays. I will only casually watch the odd baseball game early in the season. I rarely follow early because the Blue Jays rarely start a season strong, so I've learned my lesson over the years to stay away until after May.
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"You know, that's kinda why I came here, to show that I don't suck that much" ~ Devin Cooley, Professional Goaltender
I'll be cheering against the leafs, Anaheim & Florida (if they make it), and for the Jets. There aren't many playoff teams I'm all that interested in this season; still, the first round is always a great show, especially if there's a lot of OT.
I don't mind Vegas winning a round, but making the Finals? That would be absurd. Has a first-year team ever done that in any major league sport?
I don't hate them like I used to. The cap has forced ownership to be smarter with their money and assets and I think they've done a great job. They put a solid management team in place, got one of the best coaches in the game, tanked at an appropriate time and developed some good young players.
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They won a lottery, and their cap management was borderline incompetent until last season. Screw the leafs.
I think I’ll spend the majority of my time complaining on CP about the flames and how much they suck and how I don’t care anymore, even though I post about it like 20 times a day.
And in every single oot playoff thread I’ll feel the need to point out that a) we would’ve gotten thrashed by whichever teams are playing had we actually made the playoffs and b) how much our system and coach sucks compared to whichever teams are playing.
Seriously though, I enjoy playoff hockey when the flames aren’t in it. Since I’m not consumed by our own series, I get to sit back and enjoy the storylines that develop. When the flames are in it, I care a lot less about any other series going on because I’m solely emotionally invested in the flames. I can’t really enjoy the playoffs from a neutral perspective until we’re out and even then, I’m usually cheering against whoever beat us. Unless they play Edmonton.
Not going to lie. I have hardly watched the Flames this year. The boring brand of hockey coupled with being losers, hasn't been fun for me. I've been doing other stuff with the time. However going into playoffs I will probably be watching more hockey as playoff hockey is always exciting.
Baseball and surfing after work for me. If Flames are out, my NHL season is over. I will follow the scores casually but won't be watching any of the games.
I will root for New Jersey and watch a ton of playoff hockey.
__________________ I am in love with Montana. For other states I have admiration, respect, recognition, even some affection, but with Montana it is love." - John Steinbeck
I follow every game of the Flames throughout the season with occasional glances at Vancouver and Edmonton for interest sake. If the Flames do not make the playoffs I will definitely follow and will develop a liking for one team or the other in every series. Eventual I will choose a favourite for the final. I am a hockey fan, not just a Flames fan.
