The “It’s Time For War” mini-series is still in a bit of an intermission, so bear with me for the next two posts. While I like to write about both serious and humorous topics, I am a man of many interests. The NBA and NHL are two of those interests. With the playoffs kicking off, I thought I’d give a little bit of my perspective concerning them. I do not profess to be an advanced sabermetric expert on either sport, so I will not be providing any power rankings. However, I will rank the teams in order of how much I would like to see them win their respective titles. You might find some of my reasons ridiculous. To that I respond, “You shouldn’t be surprised.” With that said, here are my NHL rankings.
16. Pittsburgh Penguins: Perhaps it is my hatred of all things Pittsburgh. Perhaps it is my disdain for Sydney Crosby’s facial hair growing ability (or lack thereof). Whatever the reason, I absolutely cannot stand the Penguins. They are one of two NHL teams that I actively root against. The other is…
15. Detroit Red Wings: If the Penguins are my Public Enemy #1, the Wings are Public Enemy #1A. I don’t like the city of Detroit. I don’t like their stadium and its ridiculous prices for Little Caesars. I don’t like their players, and there is something troubling about Mike Babcock. I refuse to watch a minute of another Wings/Penguins Cup Final.
14. Boston Bruins: I really had nothing against the Bruins until Zdeno Chara’s hit on Max Pacioretty. Don’t mess with the Habs.
13. Anaheim Ducks: I don’t like the Ducks for a few reasons. First of all, they are no longer mighty. Secondly, as a rule, I root against NHL teams based in California. Finally (and most importantly), I haven’t forgiven them for the 2007 Cup Finals.
12. New York Rangers: I do not like New York teams. Too often I see them trying to buy a championship, only to fall flat. I don’t think the Rangers have much of a chance against the Caps anyways.
11. Vancouver Canucks: While as a rule I generally root for Canadian teams to appease my repressed love for our neighbors to the north, I don’t like the Canuckleheads. There’s something about the way they play and the way they carry themselves that I am put off by. Their coach particularly bothers me as well.
10. Philadelphia Flyers: This ranking is more indicative of how I feel about Philadelphia sports fans and their use of terms such as “boojawn” than about the team itself. I respect that they’re mired in a Cup drought and are looking to break it. That said, I wouldn’t be bothered by anything they do in these playoffs.
9. Nashville Predators: The Preds’ relatively low ranking is a product of my dislike for Gary Bettman. The expansion of the late 1990s was particularly pointless, and I don’t think of Nashville as being a rabid hockey town in the same way that I do Winnipeg, Hartford, or Quebec. A decade later and I still think of the Predators as an expansion team.
8. Phoenix Coyotes: You may be wondering why I don’t have the Coyotes ranked lower. For one, I hope that the former Winnipeg Jets become the future Winnipeg Jets. I also feel bad for the players and the way their ownership situation has been handled. I like their goalie, and I hope they take out the Wings.
7. Los Angeles Kings: I am completely apathetic to this team and this organization. I don’t like them, but I don’t dislike them. That is why they are ranked here.
6. Tampa Bay Lightning: While I’m not sold on hockey in Florida, I really like Steven Stamkos. He is an exciting player to watch, and he did wonders for my fantasy team. The fact they are playing the Penguins in the first round makes me like them that much more.
5. San Jose Sharks: It doesn’t feel like there is as much pressure on them this year, and I hope that works out for them. They have a supremely talented roster, and while I don’t like the way Dany Heatley left Ottawa, I wouldn’t mind seeing success for the Sharks.
4. Washington Capitals: The Eastern Conference version of the Sharks. If they don’t get to at least the conference finals this year, I don’t think they ever will with this current roster. I like Ovie more than I like Crosby, and I hope the Caps make at least a respectable run.
3. Buffalo Sabres: I do admit I’m slightly swayed by the awesome buffalo they have on their uniforms, but I’m more swayed by the fact that when Ryan Miller is on his game, there’s nobody better. If he can lock down the goal, the Sabres have a shot.
2. Chicago Blackhawks: My hometown team is going to have a tougher go of it this postseason. The run to the Cup was amazing last year, but I don’t think they have enough in the tank. Of course, I could be wrong, as they still have a large amount of the star power that got them the victory last year.
1. Montreal Canadiens: The last couple years I have really grown to love the Habs almost as much as I love the Senators. If there’s going to be a team to bring the Cup home to Canada, it should be the team who has won more titles than any other NHL team. Carey Price will be key to their playoff success. I’m also selfishly hoping for another playoff tune from Annakin Slayd.
No comments:
Post a Comment