“You know that the Vancouver Canucks are not in the playoffs, right? Why bother watching the games or series if you can’t root for your own team?” 

These are the questions that I have been asked every day since the 2017 NHL post season began. Yes, I know my team is NOT in the post-season this year, tell me something that I don’t know. You want to know why I will ALWAYS watch the NHL playoffs regardless of whether my team is in it or not?

The simple answer is: playoff hockey is the best, it’s a beast of it’s own whether it includes my team or not. Playoff hockey is incredible, pure and simple. As a hockey fan, how could I not enjoy it?

Would I have loved it even more if I was able to watch and root for my own team this post-season? Absolutely, but that does not mean that I will not enjoy the magic that is the playoffs. My love of the game goes beyond just my own team. Yes I will always be a Vancouver Canucks fan through and through, but I am also a fan of the game itself whether my team is involved or not. Give me all the games, all the overtime, all the unpredictability and everything in between that leads to the Stanley Cup Finals.

16 teams entered the fight on April 12. 2 teams remain to finish the battle for the Stanley Cup beginning on May 29. Will the Nashville Predators incredible post-season play lead them to their first Stanley Cup victory? Will the Pittsburgh Penguins be the first team to repeat as champions in back to back years since the Detroit Red Wings (’97 & ’98)?

Nashville has had incredible goal-tending along with a strong defense and players in every position stepping up every single game. Pittsburgh despite being without some of their core players have found a way to win in every situation. Both have what it takes to win and no matter which way this final 2017 playoff series closes out, we are in for one heck of a finish.

If you are like me, a fan watching with no loyalties to either side, which team are you hoping to see hoist the cup this year?

As always, until next time, nuck said.

Sarah E.L.

P.S. Canucks fans, don’t forget, as the off-season goes on, I’d love to feature as many FAN stories as possible. For more information for how you can have your story featured, click the link: https://nucksaid.com/2017/05/16/true-blue-2017/