As the second round of the NHL playoffs continue, the New Jersey Devils and Ottawa Senators kick off their Eastern Conference semifinal Thursday night in what is likely to be a pretty intriguing series.
The Senators, if you ask the Canadian media, are one of two franchises still alive 
in the quest for the Stanley Cup and, as such, carrying Canadian hockey fans hopes of the mug returning north of the border for the first time in 14 seasons.
Truthfully, there are many Canadian hockey fans who are not on the "Let the Stanley Cup Come Back to Canada" bandwagon but suffice to say that, yes, the large percentage of fans who don't have a team to root for are likely pulling for someone up north to win the damn thing already.
However, Ottawa Citizen columnist Wayne Scanlan — a long serving sports columnist in the capital region — suggests in Thursday's editions that because it's been 15 years without an NHL championship in Ottawa that perhaps the edge could go to the Senators for being hungrier.
Now we've heard it all.
The argument, and we're paraphrasing here, goes that Ottawa wants it bad and, because they've got a whack of those coveted rings already, perhaps the Devils won't be as bound and determined as the plucky Sens. While it holds true that close but no cigar would serve to motivate this Ottawa club, it's difficult to argue that that thirst overrides the copious amounts of championship experience possessed by the Devils, arguably the most battle-tested team in the post-season.
It's hard to say if the article was an attempt to give hope to a Senators fan base that has been hurt in the past and is following a team likely not equipped to make a long Cup run again this spring, but suggesting Ottawa's edge could come because of desire is akin to convincing yourself Ryan Leaf was a better prospect than Peyton Manning because of the former's rocket arm. You're ignoring a whole lot more evidence to the contrary if you're in that camp.
There's no saying Ottawa isn't capable of pulling off this series. It would be far from stunning if it did. Still, there is empirical evidence that says the Senators are up against it and the play of Ray Emery is going to be far more significant than some intangible, abstract quality like "who wants it more." (I'm pretty sure New Jersey still wants it, FYI.)
There's a reason why we see the likes of the New England Patriots, New York Yankees (OK, not the best example recently), heck even the Carleton Ravens, come through in the games that matter. Ask around: You want the guys who have been there before.
Hunger all you want, but when the guy you're facing on the other end is Martin Brodeur — three rings, and that little Olympic gold medal as well — along with a bunch of guys who have championship rings to prove their mettle ... Well, let's just say I'm putting my money not on the hungry horse but on the one who has strapped on the oat bag and gotten a good grub-on once or twice.
DEVILS IN 6
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Devils may care
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4 comments:
I agree that the argument about the Devils not being too distraught about not winning the series (and Cup) is weak and demonstrates only one thing: the sports writers have exhausted every credible topic to cover in this series (and we've only played one game). Such is the life of a sports writer when they have a deadline to meet and a half-baked thought in their head. Meh.
I do think, however, that the Senators will take this series for the simple reason that no one expects them to. Last year, since Day 1, they were the favourites to win it all. And they played like it too ... in the regular season. Problem was that when the playoffs hit, they couldn't take their game to that "other level" most teams do. They thought they could get through based on their talent alone. They found out in a hurry they couldn't do this (and no, Dominik Hasek in net would NOT have made a difference). This year they stunk it up bad the first quarter of the season to the point that people wondered if they were going to make the playoffs (not I), that they should fire the coach (not I) and/or fire the GM (definitely I and I still do). But they got through it, had a rash of injuries and got through that too. Along the way they found their step. Now, without the pressure of being expected to win it all, and a city excited but still somewhat reserved because we're bracing to have our hearts broken again, they're focusing on themselves and not on what others expect of them. And they're playing like it. I don't know if they'll get to finals let alone win it, but I really believe they have what it takes to get to the conference finals. It should be a good match-up with Buffalo.
Incidentally, that "colour commentary" a couple blogs back: gold. I've watched it nearly everyday and still laugh. You really need to take that talent to bigger markets. Maybe you can replace Scanlon? Then again, that's not a challenge.
Long time no hear from the cap-city connection. yes, i also agree that ottawa has what it takes to win this series, but certainly believe it could go either way. them winning game 1 was huge, but you have to believe brodeur has better nights in for him. my whole thing is emery has played well but, for no reason i can actually legitimize, i just don't think he's the guy to take a team to the Cup. that's just me.
obviously my whole argument was with the idea that hungriness was going to be the edge. it's preposterous. if ottawa wins this series, and certainly that's believeable, it will have much more to do with emery and the defence, i believe, than it will with 'hunger'.
Devils in 6? You sure can pick 'em. ;)
You do get bonus points, though, for the vintage Devils logo.
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