Stanley Cup Playoffs are the Best Sports Finale

Continued from Page 1 – Why NHL Playoffs are the best

I love the never ending competition and the handshake line at the end of the series.

The Hockey Writers agree:

What is more intense that a game seven in the Stanley Cup Playoffs? Think about the current Eastern Conference Finals. The New York Rangers and the Tampa Bay Lightning are all tied up at three games apiece. Friday night in Madison Square Garden, a winner will emerge and advance to the Stanley Cup Finals.

Are you kidding me? These two teams have gone at it like titans, trading blows, momentum and determination every time they have hit the ice. And it all comes down to one game, 60 minutes to live to play again or to go home a loser. Yes, I’m planning to watch. How could you not?

The pinnacle of excitement may be a game seven in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but not far off is overtime hockey. If there was not enough excitement and tension for sixty minutes, just add another twenty and another until somebody scores. There is absolutely nothing like it in other sports.

Baseball has extra innings which is certainly compelling, and football does have overtime periods, too. But, the all-out effort that NHL teams give in regulation time gets ratcheted up even more in playoff hockey overtime. It’s edge of your seat excitement and pressure.

Matt Beleskey did this against the Blackhawks Monday night, early in the overtime period.