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HomeSportsHart AttackHARTLEY MILLER’S HART ATTACK – April 22, 2016 EDITION 572

HARTLEY MILLER’S HART ATTACK – April 22, 2016 EDITION 572

The first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs is heading into the home stretch. Each year one can argue that the Conference quarter-finals provide the most excitement, entertainment and enthusiasm.

Sure if your team makes the Stanley Cup final, obviously that championship series will hold more weight, but there are a number of factors that make round one, the Sweet 16, the most compelling:

MULTIPLE GAMES EACH NIGHT: Not every game is a masterpiece, but there are a few to choose from which hold one’s interest; somewhat similar but on a smaller scale to what helps make the NFL successful on Sundays in the fall. Clicking the channel from one game to the next can add to the drama and keep the viewers on edge.

LURE OF THE UPSET
: With more opportunities in the opening round, the lower ranked teams have their best chance of defeating the higher seed. In all likelihood, there is at least one stunning surprise, if not more, but we can only guess which series will produce the “shocker.” Could Nashville actually knock out heavily favored Anaheim? It looked promising after the Predators won the first two games on the road but now the series is 2-2. Can the Sharks hold on to a 3-1 lead and eliminate the Kings?

MEMORIES ERASED: Whether you are the top seed or the team that barely qualified as an eighth seed, the first round offers one important intangible-HOPE. Yes, the memories of the 82 regular season schedule and previous playoff failures are erased as teams begin 0-0.

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Pure hockey: Yes, the playoffs do not provide gimmicks like three point games and shootouts. They compete until there is a “true” winner for as long as it takes, not a skills competition. Real overtime, with no time limit, keeps us up late but the lost sleep is worth the extra entertainment value. Usually the most overtimes occur in the first round but this year just four of the 34 playoff games have gone beyond regulation time.

More storylines: Did anyone think that rookie Matt Murray (Pittsburgh) would be outplaying Henrik Lundqvist (NYR) in the net? How about four back-ups, including Murray, all winning their first start of the 2016 playoffs? The others are Niemi (Dallas), Andersen (Anaheim) and Neuvirth (Philadelphia). In addition, don’t try to tell anyone you thought Florida’s Reilly Smith would have eight points after four games and would lead the NHL with a plus seven rating.

The Pool: Hockey pools are more fun in the opening round because all participants start at full strength. In other words, after the draft everyone thinks they have picked the best team, but those thoughts are quickly put to rest once teams and players are eliminated. If you have 12 players on your fantasy hockey pool team to start but are quickly down to four by round two, the disappointment leads to frustration and a possible lack of caring.

The weather: Even though there are no Canadian teams in the hunt and B.C. is experiencing a warmer than normal spring, hockey is still foremost on our mind in mid-April but several weeks later, there’s a lawn to cut, camps to seek, sunshine to bask in and a barbecue that awaits. The hotter the temperature outside, the cooler reception to hockey inside.

The first round provides more geographical rivalries that again spark interest.

Be honest, once your favorite team(s) is eliminated, the passion to watch the other teams play lessons significantly. It is only human nature. This doesn’t mean, rounds two to four, aren’t worthy of one’s attention especially since there is more on the line the further a team advances. The Stanley Cup playoffs are an institution, but there is still that mystique about the first round that offers a uniqueness that demands our special attention.

From the Quote Rack:

Kobe scored 60 points in his last game in front of a celebrity filled crowd. In fact, I think Jack Nicholson was guarding him.

New York sports talk host Mike Lupica

The San Antonio Spurs (prior to Tuesday’s 94-78 win over Memphis) honored a couple celebrating their 75th wedding anniversary. Fitting as their honeymoon was during Tim Duncan’s rookie year.

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Contributor Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com

Steph Curry’s ankle is now the most watched that didn’t belong to a Cincinnati Bengal.

Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California

Johnny Manziel is reportedly being sued for trashing a $4.5M house that he rented in Los Angeles. The house was actually worth $9 million before Johnny moved in for 2 nights.

Comedy writer TC Chong of Vancouver http://alwaysfunny.com/


And in case you missed it
:

Reuters reports police found a man hiding inside an apartment dishwasher. Obviously it wasn’t A-Rod; this season he’s been practically invisible near the plate.

Comedy writer RJ Currie www.Sportsdeke.com

Hartley Miller is the sports director and morning news anchor for 94.3 the Goat. He also is the 94.3
radio color commentator for P.G. Cougars home games. His column appears Fridays on
myprincegeorgenow.com. Send along a quote, note, or anecdote to [email protected]
Follow him on twitter: @Hartley_Miller

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