Sixteen reasons to check out the NHL playoffs
By DJ Gallo
Page 2
The Stanley Cup playoffs begin tonight. (Hi, Canada!)
I love the NHL postseason. But many American sports fans do not. So as a public service to the many casual fans or non-fans out there, I've put together some stories you might be interested in and could compel you to pay attention to this year's playoffs.
Serious hockey fans, beware -- this is written at an elementary level. There is very little insight into the game (which is normally sooooo my specialty), just very basic story lines written in simple language that non-fans can easily comprehend.
Bruce Bennett/Getty Images
Lou Lamoriello might not be above putting himself in net in lieu of Martin Brodeur.
I have written 16 such items, because there are 16 teams in the playoffs. Can you say "16," everyone? No, "six-teen." Sound it out. Six-teen. Sixteen.
Good. Let's begin.
1. GM on the hot seat: Lou Lamoriello; coach on the hot seat: Lou Lamoriello
New Jersey Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello fired head coach Claude Julien with three games left in the season and installed himself on the bench, even though the Devils were 47-24-8 and in line to win the Atlantic Division. Needless to say, if the No. 2 seed Devils fail to win the Stanley Cup or at least reach the conference finals, Lamoriello will have a lot of explaining to do. And if the Devils are eliminated, look for Lamoriello to get in a heated argument with himself for failing to pick up a scorer at the trade deadline.
2. Wade Dubielewicz also deserves a 15-year contract
Islanders franchise goaltender Rick DiPietro, he of the 15-year contract, has been on the shelf since late last month with post-concussion syndrome. That left the net to AHL journeyman Wade Dubielewicz, who played superbly down the stretch as the Islanders grabbed the last seed in the East. But if Dubielewicz struggles against the top-seeded Sabres, the Islanders don't have too many other options. In fact, their best option might be to go to general manager Garth Snow. Hmm
