Great Day For Hockey, Ain't It?

Sure is, cowboy.

The NHL playoffs are here, though you might not know it as the NHL is often overshadowed by the much higher rated NBA. For some reason the playoffs for both of these leagues tend to happen around the same time, which is rather unfortunate. But, to be fair, both the NBA and NHL playoffs take FOREVER. Seriously, I'm a baseball fan and despite the MLB continuing to extend the baseball playoff season it typically lasts one month: October.

The NBA and NHL, on the other hand, start their playoff seasons in April and a champion is crowned in...early June. Maybe late May. Folks, that's a LONG agonizing time to be rooting for your team to make it to the big game. And I thought the MLB playoffs were hard on my heart - that's only one month of agony!

The problem is, each series is a best of 7. In MLB baseball, we have a one game wild card playoff, then a best of 5 division series, a best of 7 championship series, and best of 7 World Series. Also, the baseball playoffs are shorter because they can play games in succession. The NBA and NHL have an off day between each game, which extends the series. It's necessary, I'm sure, given the intensity of these sports, but it does mean that a best of 7 series lasts 2 weeks instead of 1 for MLB.

Despite this, I am enjoying the NHL playoffs so far. Hockey is a sport that I admit I didn't really get into until my adult life. As a kid,  hockey just wasn't a sport that my family tended to follow. This is despite the fact that the St. Louis Blues were kind of a big deal. I had friends who were fans, and talked about the great Brett Hull, but I just never got into hockey.

My knowledge of hockey, up until more recent years, could be summed up by the images below:

The original NES ice hockey introduced me to high sticking and icing penalties.

Brett Hull and Wayne Gretzky - remember that hot minute that Gretzky was on the Blues?

Best. Movie. Ever.

In other words, my hockey knowledge? Little to non-existent. I can't say that I'm anywhere near an expert on this sport, nor will I ever be. But, it's a fun sport. I've had the opportunity to attend a number of live hockey games in the past few years and if you've never been to a live hockey game - GO. Hockey just cannot be appreciated on TV. It's hard to follow the puck on TV for one, and there's just nothing quite like hearing the sound of hockey players slamming up against the glass in person. Hockey fights are more fun in person. The sound of the horn after the home team scores a goal is better in person. Power Plays are better in person. Well, except for the Power Play dance. Sorry, St. Louis fans. I just can't handle the Power Play dance. It's a bunch of white people trying to raise the roof and I just...can't.

What is this madness? #FAIL

Seriously. With antics like this how on earth does the NHL not get more national coverage?

So, we're in the beginning of the playoffs and of course, I'm following the St. Louis Blues. First up? Long-time rivals the Chicago Blackhawks. Most people are familiar with the long-running Cardinals-Cubs rivalry, but the Blackhawks-Blues rivalry runs nearly as deep. The Cardinals are on the winning end of the baseball rivalry, and the Blackhawks are on the winning end of the hockey rivalry.

The Blues have had some pretty good teams in the past few years, raising St. Louis Blues fans hopes that we'll finally experience the joy of Stanley Cup glory. They currently lead the series against Chicago 2-1, after 2 exciting OT wins in St. Louis and 1 disappointing loss in Chicago (seriously, that goal was WEAK).

As expected, this Blues-Hawks series has been intense. We've had a triple OT game, seconds goals, fights and injuries. Blues captain David Backes was knocked out of game 2 after a horrid hit/collision by Blackhawks Brent Seabrook. Seabrook is currently serving a 3 game suspension for said hit.

If the Blues win tonight, they could head back to St. Louis with a 3-1 lead in the series and be in a great position to advance to the next round and get closer and closer to finally winning a Stanley Cup for the franchise. Teams featuring hockey greats such as Bernie Federko, Brett Hull, Al McGinnis and Wayne Gretzky (though short lived) couldn't do it.

Can this finally be the year Blues fans?

"Do me a favor. Kick some Hawk butt."