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HomeNewsHartley Miller’s Hart Attack – May 2, 2014 Edition 469

Hartley Miller’s Hart Attack – May 2, 2014 Edition 469

Each year the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs provides dazzling games from the players who are filled with raw emotion and passion. This results in remarkable highs and lows, and intangibles that add up to superior match-ups.

At this time last year, I was convinced there wasn’t much of a chance that the 2013 opening round could be topped. The one stat that stood out was 17 of the 47 games in the Conference quarter-finals went into overtime, breaking the record of 16 set the previous year.

Well, overtime games were down slightly, but the overall quality and intensity was unprecedented.

If comebacks are the barometer, this year’s first round provided the most entertainment. Of the 48 games played, 30 had the winning team come back from at least a one-goal deficit.

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A first round record 10 games had the winning team erase a two-goal deficit. The following are some other stats that emphasize how competitive the opening round turned out to be:

25 of the 48 games were decided by one goal. Seven others were one goal games plus an empty netter(s). In essence that’s 32 games that were decided at the end or a whopping 66.7 per cent.

14 games were determined in overtime, two of them needing multi overtime. For only the 13th time in Stanley Cup playoff history, one series (St Louis and Chicago) required four overtimes.

In the first five games of the Pittsburgh-Columbus series, the losing team had the lead.

There were only two short series; Montreal swept Tampa, although three of those four games were decided by just a goal. Boston won in five over Detroit, but that series had early interest when the Red Wings surprisingly won the first game on the road.

Three series were decided in six games and three others went the full seven.

Unlike years past, one never gets a true sense of what home ice advantage means. In 2012, home teams were just 39-47 in all four rounds but last year home teams were 59-27.

In the first round this year, home teams were 32-16 but just 12-10 in the Eastern Conference compared to a whopping 20-6 in the West.

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There are a number of factors that make the first round arguably the most exciting.  They include:

Multiple games each night: Not every game is a masterpiece, but there’s more than one to choose from to hold one’s interest; somewhat similar to what helps make the NFL successful on Sundays in the fall.

Lure of the upset: With more opportunities in the opening round, the lower ranked teams have
their best chance of defeating the higher seed.

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.

The Pool: Even hockey pools are more fun in the first 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.

Element of surprise: We knew Nathan McKinnon was a great rookie but could anyone have predicted in his first three home games he would tally 10 points, including an OT game winner?

Unpredictability: Penguins goalie Marc Andre Fleury is the epitome or enigma of never knowing what you will get from one game to another. In addition, who would have thought the Sharks would do such a Tank job against the Kings by becoming just the 4th NHL team ever to blow a 3-0 series lead ?

Even without the Maple Leafs (blowing a 4-1 lead in the 3rd period of game 7) or the Canucks (getting swept) to ridicule, this year’s first round was intriguing.

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Although Montreal was the first team to advance, the Americans teams were able to carry the torch in terms of entertainment.

Yes, there were many controversial game changing calls or non-calls that also heightened the hype.

Moreover, there were just enough goals, with an average of nearly six per game, to keep everyone alert. Many of the outcomes were 3-2 and 4-3, which are ideal scores.
 
Was LA-San Jose the best series ? Maybe it was Colorado-Minnesota. A case could even be made for Chicago-St Louis even though the Blackhawks and Blues did not play a 7th game. The point being, in the first round everyone has a different perspective.
 
The focus has shifted to round two. The better teams are left and the stakes are higher; yet subconsciously we know there will be a letdown. And the strange thing is, there is no way to avoid it.

From the Quote Rack:

I’d start with Sharks jokes. But isn’t that redundant? Even Cubs fans are feeling sorry for Sharks fans.

The NFL has come out with its 2014 schedule. This should give players ample time to schedule meetings with their probation officers.

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

Warriors assistant coach Darren Erman, who was let go by the team for secretly recording meetings, players, and coaches, is now with the Celtics—just around the corner from his ultimate destination, the Patriots.

An Oklahoma Little League team is raising money by auctioning off an assault rifle. Their catcher was quoted as saying that he can afford to give it up–he has five more.

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Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California

The Chicago Cubs did not invite suspected steroid user Sammy Sosa to their 100th anniversary celebration. He said “That’s ok, at least I didn’t hit all those home runs with pine tar on my neck.”

The Kentucky Derby is Saturday. This coincides with my personal annual “Run for the Roses” as I go to the florist to buy flowers for Mother’s Day.

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

The NCAA has approved unlimited snacks for athletes. Or as they call it in the CFL, a marquee player’s salary.

What do you call a power runner for the Fighting Irish arrested for DUI? The drunk back of Notre Dame.

Comedy writer RJ Currie www.Sportsdeke.com

And in case you missed it:

With the NBA Commissioner’s proper decision to ban LA Clippers owner Donald Sterling for life, one might suggest that the league has a “Silver” lining.

Hartley Miller is the sports director for radio station 94X. His column appears Fridays on hqprincegeorge.com. Send along a quote, note, or anecdote to [email protected].
Follow him on twitter: @Hartley_Miller

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