So it comes down to an Ottawa vs. Anaheim series to decide it all, does it? Makes sense I suppose since the historic rivalry between these two clubs.
I mean lets take a look at all the story lines we can spend our time talking about… Chris Pronger for instance.
Chris Pronger has recently undergone some heat for refusing to play for the Edmonton Oilers. And although Edmonton failed to make the playoffs altogether, Ottawa can be considered a neighbor to the Oilers considering the distance between the two cities is merely measured in kilometers, rather than miles.
Then there is Scott Niedermayer to talk about. Choosing to bid goodbye to the New Jersey Devils in order to play with his brother Rob. And despite the fact that New Jersey and Ottawa are two completely different franchises, both of them sport red and black jerseys. And this might be hard to believe, but some of the Ottawa Senators players, also have brothers.
How about pathetic team names? Not sure what strikes more fear in me, Canadian politicians or water fowl?
The Ducks, formerly owned by Disney, might forever be known as a Mickey Mouse organization, whereas Ottawa’s known to be the home of Daniel the Swedish rat.
Oh the list goes on and on between these 2 rabid rivals. So much so that it does not matter that the two haven’t actually faced each other since the Ducks emblazoned the mauve and teal, while the Sens looked like a bunch of skating barber poles.
The NHL in it’s infinite wisdom has chosen a schedule in which it’s teams would face their divisional rivals 8 times a season. Thus each team playing 48 divisional games in total. And therefor 1440 divisional games are played throughout the entire league.
By comparison, there was only 5 divisional games in these playoffs. All of which were played between the Sens and the Sabres.
So what’s the point?
Really, there isn’t a whole lot for any hockey fan without close ties to the Sens or the Ducks to give a ‘rats’ ass what happens in the next 4 to 7 games. Some cling to their countries flags as a reason to choose, but that’s because there is nothing else we can possibly think of.
Zzzzzzzzzzzz…
