This year’s Stanley Cup Playoffs was one for the history books.
And I’m not just talking about the Finals, which featured the same teams as the previous year for the first time in 20+ years. The whole run was epic, East and West. Yes, the big story line is the Red Wings falling to the Penguins, the opponents they bested last summer, but every round was chuck full of some great hockey. And honestly, this year’s playoffs probably helped draw more fans in than playoffs in years past.
We got to see Washington and Pittsburgh duke it out in the second round, which was a gift for everyone. Detroit renewed their storied rivalry with division-mates Chicago. And then there was Montreal, celebrating its 100th season, imploding in the first round as they faced their fellow Original Six member, Boston. This was one of my favorite playoffs in recent memory.
As a Red Wings fan, the Finals were indeed heartbreaking–but Pittsburgh deserved to win, especially in the fabled Game 7. They just played better. The Red Wings looked sloppy and nervous in Game 7, a far cry from the well-tuned powerhouse that spanked the upstart Penguins in Game 5 last weekend at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit. And every game was an epic battle (well, except for maybe Game 5). You saw some of the best hockey ever in this series–that’s why the final score of Game 7 was 2 to 1. The teams were that good, especially the goal tenders.
I was one who felt that if even the Red Wings had won the Cup, that Penguins forward “Geno” Malkin should have won the Playoff MVP. He was that good, and better than his highly touted team mate, Sidney Crosby. Malkin is the total package: he can skate, score and he has size. I like watching him play way more than Crosby.
Yes, I’m upset the Red Wings didn’t win–but I’ll live. The fact they even GOT to the Finals two seasons in a row is a staggering achievement. My one complaint, or even question, about the latter half of the series is why Red Wings coach Mike Babcock did not continue to play Red Wings rookie Justin Abdelkader. He had two goals in the first two games–and super star sniper, Marian Hossa had zero goals in the Finals. Abdelkader seemed to have the speed, along with Darren Helm, to keep up with the Penguins.
But next season is a chance to start again, and we’ll see what happens. That’s part of the fun. If anything, this loss–especially in a Game 7 at home–will fire up the Red Wings and inspire them to redeem themselves next season. I don’t hate that the Red Wings lost so much as I hate that Sidney Crosby won the Cup. Now, that’s all we’ll hear about forever, and ever. He’s already the NHL’s Golden Boy (for whatever reason), and this Cup win will make it even more so. Sigh.
