Philadelphia and Washington are set to meet in a highly-anticipated opening round matchup. (CP Images)
I recently heard a well-known, national NHL analyst provide this preview of the Washington/Philadelphia series: "There is going to be blood all over the ice."
Nice way to describe a hockey series? No way!
Before you start questioning my manhood, I will tell you I have been watching hockey for over 45 years and love a lively fight, a good hard hitting game, as long as the teams play within the rules of the game. I have lived through the 'Bruise Brothers' era, have witnessed first-hand the Broad Street Bullies and have always appreciated what the 'enforcers" of the game do on a night-to-night basis.
But painting a picture of "blood on the ice" is not my cup of tea. Was this person trying to stir up interest? Did someone tip him off regarding the strategy one or both teams will employ? Instead of hearing how the Flyers would try to stop Alexander Ovechkin or how both teams have some serious momentum going into this series, I get a Don King impression!
Our game has so much going for it right now and the 'bloody' side of the game doesn't need to be promoted. Yes, it is part of the game, but no, it should not be the focal point when describing an upcoming series that has many other storylines to offer. Next time try using skill, hard hitting, intensity, instead of the blood talk. Your message will be much easier to comprehend.
Home Ice Advantage?
Last night, the 2008 NHL playoffs opened with four games. In three of them, the home ice advantage teams fight for during the regular season was lost. Just like that, three of the top seeded teams lost their ice! You can bet every coach playing tonight or tomorrow at home will be reminding his squad just how important having the home-ice advantage is. On the other hand, the visiting teams will be pointing to the games last night and saying, "if they can do it, so can we!"
Being a Detroit Red Wings fan, I can't tell you the last time the Wings opened the playoffs on the road. But I can tell you they have lost the home ice advantage more times than they have retained it before going on the road for Games 3 and 4. I have always thought opening on the road is an advantage—less pressure, more relaxed and the fans won't get on you if you happen to stumble right out of the gate.
I like the idea of the higher seeded team having the choice of opening on the road if they so desire. A format of 2-3-1-1 would be my ideal scenario. The "better" team opens on the road for two games, comes back home for three, then back on the road for Game 6 and home again for Game 7.
The decision to use that format should be an option for the higher seeded team. I bet some would take advantage of it and would not mind opening on the road, allowing them to get into 'playoff mode' while still having Game 7 at their home arena.
See you on Monday when the quarter final match-ups should be a little more defined.