The NHL Wishes Upon Its Stars
The NHL has hit the jackpot. Much like the NBA did last year in getting the Lakers and Celtics in the Finals, the NHL got its dream matchup: Crosby versus Ovechkin.
The second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs will feature the league’s most intriguing matchup. As the Penguins take on the Capitals, the NHL has a golden opportunity to market a series featuring its two biggest stars. I can only hope that they do not miss a chance to expand the brand.
If the NHL cannot market this matchup…
When I was growing up it was commonplace to speak of the four major professional sports: the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL. Unfortunately leading up to and following the strike a few years ago, it is safe to say that nationally speaking the NHL has fallen to a distant, distant fourth. Part of the reason is the suits are not able to market the NHL as a mainstream sport. I have seen that more than the others hockey is an “exclusive” sport. There is certainly an inner circle of hockey fans, whereas almost every person (male or female) walking down the street can give a thought or two about the NFL.
That is very unfortunate, because in my opinion hockey is easily the best live professional sporting event to attend. I love going to all sports games, but nothing matches the intensity of live hockey. Baseball, basketball, and football all have plenty of downtime during the game. When you attend a hockey game, the action is non-stop while the players are on the ice. It also has the almost soccer-like importance of each goal. This is not to say that the other sports are unenjoyable in person, as I love to attend Steelers and Pirates games as well. But hockey, well, has the edge.
This is why I hope the NHL has a huge success with this playoff series. I hope it draws in new fans with the exploits of the league’s two biggest superstars. I hope that both fans new and old can enjoy their own Crosby or Ovechkin arguments in sports bars and living rooms across the nation. If any series can draw in potential new fans, it is this one.
As for the argument itself, I cannot speak objectively. I am a lifelong Penguins fan. I was raised by a hockey-loving father who would dominate me in NHL 94 for the Sega Genesis before we sat on the couch to watch the Penguins dominate the competition. Unfortunately I only vaguely remember the Penguins winning Stanley Cups because at the time I was four. However I have tasted the bitter defeat in the Finals and I want nothing more than to taste sweet victory for the Penguins in the future.
It is then no surprise that I think Crosby is the better player. This season was arguably his worst as a pro and he only trailed Ovechkin by 7 points and was the third overall scorer in the league. This year we have seen the worst that Sidney Crosby has done. Meanwhile, Ovechkin might win the MVP. Therefore I think that Crosby’s best is better than Ovechkin’s best. Ovechkin is a great player, and certainly the best shooter in the game. Crosby had an up-and-down year but he is bringing it in the playoffs, and this series allows both players the opportunity to show their skill.
The best player in the world right now.
The argument almost does not matter because Evgeni Malkin is better than both of them, but ignore that and we can enjoy a series between the two rivals. I expect Crosby and Malkin to come up big for the Pens right now. I have loved what I have seen from the Jordan Staal line, and if they continue to work as hard as they have been the goals will come. When you are watching the series, count how many times Bill Guerin makes a bad decision. So far I am at zero. His veteran play has been huge for the Penguins.
The main key, as it always is in the playoffs, is goaltending. The Penguins have a distinct advantage in this area with the playoff-tested Fleury going against a rookie in Varlamov. Hopefully Fleury can also elevate his game to help lead the Penguins to victory.
Crosby versus Ovechkin. Winner goes to the Conference Finals, and is crowned current face of the league.
Pens in 6.
7 Comments
Let’s hope Crosby doesn’t buy into this. Really. Crosby plays his worst when he makes it personal. Coincidentally, this is my biggest criticism of Ovechkin – he’s not a team player. Hockey is a team sport. Individuals don’t win – teams win.
The NHL has an interest in pitting Crosby against Ovechkin, but the real matchup is Malkin and Ovechkin. Malkin is the better player in my mind – better by far than both Crosby and Ovechkin.
If Crosby doesn’t let Ovechkin into his head, and Malkin gets hot, the Pens win in 5 (that’s my prediction and I’m sticking to it).
The Penguins defense has to come up huge in each game of this series. In round one against the Flyers we saw both Letang and Gonchar get us into trouble because of poor defensive decisions. We all know how much jbomb touts “Defense Wins Championships,” let’s see the Pens get tough on D and stuff the Caps’ aggressive offensive game.
Getting into penalty trouble will destroy the Penguins. Although the penalty kill has been getting better, the Caps will jump on the opportunity to bury the Penguins under their own mistakes. Unless another Max Talbot fight will ignite the Pens to score 5 unanswered goals, it’s not worth racking up penalty minutes.
A well-behaved, defensive-minded Penguins team will crush the Caps in 5 games.
@Mr.I: I agree Crosby plays poorly when he tries too hard. He needs to keep the media and Ovechkin out of his head, and just play his game. Some people complain that he gets a little chippy in games, but I appreciate his toughness.
@The Bounce: You are right that I firmly believe defense wins championships. I think our defense does need to step up, along with Fleury as I mentioned.
This is going to be a difficult series for us as the Capitals finally turned it on at the end against the Rangers, like we know they’re capable of. Mr. I, Ovechkin is a team player in my opinion, just because he shoots ALOT and enjoys the spotlight, if you watch he goes nuts whenever his teammates do anything, enjoying it just the same as if he does it. He does what he needs for his team to win, which I think defines a team player. This is evident by their record. Also, you didn’t mention Semin, who is almost as deadly as Ovechkin and will play a huge role in the series.
Our defense played very sloppy against the Flyers, and if we continue to play that way against the Capitals I think that they’ll eat us right up, since their offense is much more dangerous in my opinion.
Defense wins championships. I think that’s slightly overrated. Yes it’s evident that you need to stop the other time, but our offense can’t shut down this series against a rooking goaltender for Washington. I’m anticipating a high scoring series, with non stop end to end offense. In order for us to win this series it’s not going to be our defense stopping their offense, it’s going to be our offense out scoring their offense. Which we’re capable of.
Malkin, as of now, is the best player on earth in my opinion as well. I think he’s going to feel more pressure than Crosby. Crosby is the face of the league and knows what this match up means, he’s an insane competitor and he’s not going to let the media affect his play, at all. Really Malkin and Ovechkin are the two that should be highlighted, since Malkin is the one Ovechkin head hunted for every game this season, supposed ex-friends both from Russia, is a much better story as well I
Jesse said a well-behaved, defensive-minded Pens team will crush, and I have to disagree and say a well-behaved, offensive-minded Pens team will crush. If we played disciplined in our zone, and let our team still attack the way they are capable, the aggressive style Bylsma implements, then we should be able to offensively destroy the Capitals overall weak defense and scared goaltender, scoring at least three-four goals a night.
If all goes well, the Penguins in six.
I just woke up from a nap, so I apologize for all the typos.
pens in 8.
@Luke: I think today’s game illustrated how defense would win. We could not possess in the Washington zone because of their attacking defense (more later in the game than in the beginning).
Secondly, Washington was able to get plenty of chances because our defense was playing poorly. Fleury made some spectacular saves today that he should not have had to make. And as far as discipline goes Cooke’s penalty showed a lack of discipline and directly lead to Ovechkin’s goal.
Still, if the Pens can get the split I will be happy with the first two games.
Leave a comment
Guidelines
Please keep your comments on topic and in good taste. I will delete any comments that are vulgar, off-topic, or otherwise inappropriate.