The Stanley Cup Playoffs have put a lot of effort into giving customers what they think they want, but so far it has been a kind of half-hearted proposal. He gave us the Penguins-Rangers three overtime hours on the 2nd, but a short list of 11 overtime games after he averaged less than seven minutes each. He promised us the first great battle of the Everglades, but he gave us a sweep from the father (Tampa) on the children (Florida). He promised us Alberta’s first big battle in 31 years, but the series only lasted five games after a gloriously sloppy first goal of 9-6. He gave us the Toronto Maple Leafs, but he also gave us the Leafs that disintegrated in the first round (you can decide which of these is what people wanted).
So Colorado-Edmonton in the Western Conference may be the Cup’s last chance to do really well this year. Nathan MacKinnon Vs. Connor McDavid for the crown of the best player on earth presented every year by the Internet dullards. Gabriel Landeskog against Leon Draisaitl for best assistant. Mikko Rantanen vs. Zach Hyman for the best guy you didn’t think you’d notice but you’ll be forced to. The best team largely considered the game against the team that was supposed to be the best team in the game since selecting McDavid seven years ago. Jared Bednar vs. Jay Woodcroft in the coaching battle you would never think of. Mike Smith vs. Mike Smith. If this does not last seven games and with multiple overtimes, we will be mistaken.
Compared to the Eastern Conference Finals, in which Tampa Bay, trying to win its third World Cup in three years, faces the New York Rangers, looking to win its third World Cup since the start of World War II. The West is the jewel it seeks. a crown. Lightning is like watching a snake eat: it’s not much fun except for the detachable jaw part. In addition, everyone is excited about the return of Brayden Point, whose core temperature never exceeds 63 degrees. And the Rangers are Igor Shesterkin eating more shots than any other goalkeeper for over 100 and Chris Kreider expecting a defender to pinch too aggressively.
Edmonton is the great superstar who fired his coach midway through the season because the Oilers were only the Oilers, in 10th place and just ahead of Vancouver and San Jose. Colorado is the one that is scared that it hasn’t reached that post-season level in 20 years.
But that doesn’t matter. You who don’t see much hockey because you think that still arguing about why Andre Iguodala was named MVP of the 2015 NBA Finals is more fun, you just want to know about MacKinnon and McDavid. You want to see them on the ice every minute there is ice to play on, and you want to be irrationally angry for every second of the 38 minutes per game they are not playing. You want to know what all the fuss is about and you’ve been told that these guys can tell you without exchanging a word.
It will not be so simple, to be honest. They both play a third of the game because asking for more is asking for too much, so you’ll have to do what you hate to do most: pay attention. Don’t worry too much about losing it, though; TNT will hit MacKinnon-McDavid through your holes with bathroom plungers. This time, however, the network can be forgiven for its stubborn pursuit of the painfully obvious. This is the best and last best moment of the Cup this season. Other than that, there is no pressure. All you have to lose is a summer without World Cups.