The NHL 2013-2014 regular season is finished and, as hockey fans, we are left with many great memories and moments from this past postseason. We saw (many) comebacks, great goals, and fun storylines. We also saw the Los Angeles Kings, once again, get hold of Lord Stanley's Cup, making them back-to-back complete season champions (due to the lockout shortened 2013 season). We even got to see an overtime cup-clinching goal on home ice for the first time since 1980.
Here are some things we learned from this epic journey.
10) NO LEAD IS SAFE
In 2013, there were a total of eight victories in which a team trailed by 2 goals and then came back. This year, there were 10 in the first round alone. It was a common theme throughout the playoffs that if any team built a lead, it was going to be a struggle securing it. It seemed that teams were never counting themselves out and the game wasn't over until the final buzzer rang.
The Cup winning Los Angeles Kings knew all about comebacks, seeing as they completed the near-impossible feat of coming back in a series in which they were down 3 games to none. They knew never to count themselves out and they kept playing their hardest until they were successful. In the Stanley Cup Final, they even came back from two different 2 goal deficits to win.
In today's NHL, where offense rules, teams cannot just collapse into a defensive shell once they have a lead. They need to keep battling and make sure the opponent never gets back into things. This makes games more exciting and entertaining to follow and may be part of the reason Sports Illustrated thinks we're "hot" again.
9) MOTIVATION CAN COME FROM ANYWHERE
I said it in my second round review and I'll say it again.
The Rangers don't get anywhere this postseason if Marty St. Louis' mother doesn't pass kick the bucket.
And you should be okay with that.
Sure, it sounds awful to say it and it's not the most sensitive way to deal with it but it's basic fact. The Rangers were getting man-handled. They went to the funeral. And then a million articles about how they're such a tight group of friends and a true team surfaces as they turnaround a terrible performance against Pittsburgh.
And it's not the first time we see this. It even happened three times this season that a grieving hockey player performed in a big spot.
Tomas Tatar scored a goal after his father passed away.
Patrick Kane let his emotions out after a big game the day after his grandfather died.
And Matt Stajan scored a goal in his third game since returning after his son died.
Not only did the Rangers have Marty St. Louis as inspiration but also forward Dominic Moore who was playing with a heavy heart after his wife passed away last year. Moore netted the goal that sent the Rangers to the Cup Final.
On the other hand, in 2003 New Jersey Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur was going through a very messy divorce while in the playoffs and he somehow used that as motivation too for his success on the ice.
So, yeah. Whatever it takes.
8) BOSTON FANS STILL HAVEN'T CLEANED UP THEIR ACT
They said mean things to PK Subban and that isn't nice.
7) CBC CLOSING MONTAGE > ONE SHINING MOMENT
Every year after the Stanley Cup is awarded and celebrated, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation plays a closing montage of the playoffs that were. It's a tradition for Canadians everywhere to watch the exciting clips of plays and players for about 5 minutes, reliving the experiences and moments.
Or, as Americans hold the tradition, wait for it to be posted on youtube 15 minutes later.
And, once again, it was incredible. The guy who makes it (Tim Thompson, @b0undless on Twitter) is known for doing great work with these intros and montages and he nails it once again.
One more added wrinkle to the video is that it'll be the last time Hockey Night in Canada will be broadcasted through CBC after the massive Rogers deal. The song choice, Queens "The Show Must Go On" is almost too perfect for this one.
6) A NEW GENERATION OF STAR DEFENCEMEN
Step aside, Chara, Keith, and Weber. There's a new group of highly skilled NHL defencemen and they were all showcased in this year's NHL playoffs.
Guys like PK Subban, Ryan McDonagh, Drew Doughty and Ryan Suter were all in the spotlight and they all answered the bell as we now have a a new era of great d-men. Doughty and McDonagh went toe-to-toe in the Final and it was hard not to compare the two at every given moment. Subban also showed the world just how good he was.
This cast of a new generation of defence will shine for many, many seasons to come.
5) STOP TRADING AWAY TALENT
In this year's Stanley Cup Final, there were a group of players that were previously labeled as "losers". They were even shipped out of their respective homes because of this trait.
The Philadelphia Flyers traded away Jeff Carter and Mike Richards because, as they put it, there was no way the team was going to win with them. Rick Nash of the New York Rangers was also labeled as someone who couldn't lead a team through a deep post season. And let's not forget Marian Gaborik who was sent all over America because he just wasn't dedicated enough to win the Cup.
Well these players proved to everybody that they have what it takes and perhaps a great lesson is learned from here. These made up labels are pointless. If you're lucky enough to have a talented player on your team, what's the point of trading him? This year teams saw their former star players win somewhere else and that's stupid of them.
4) BRYZGALOV IS HERE TO STAY
Goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov is like a cockroach. He's like a nagging cough you can't get rid of. Like a debt you simply can't pay off.
And he's not leaving.
On June 25, 2013, the Philadelphia Flyers used their compliance buyout on the colourful netminder and it seemed no team was willing to take a chance on him. The goaltender known for his quirkiness was without a job in the NHL.
So the Las Vegas Wranglers of the ECHL signed him and he was there.
But then the Edmonton Oilers happened.
The Oilers needed a goalie and turned to the crazy veteran for help.
After a couple of starts with their AHL affiliate, Bryzgalov was on the club and played kind of okay.
Okay enough that the goaltender cursed Minnesota Wild traded for him.
The 2014 Minnesota Wild started out with Niklas Backstrom in net before he got injured and they turned to MS hero Josh Harding who was dominating the dojo before his MS flared up and they had to use Darcy Kuemper with John Curry as his backup. So they got Ilya Bryzgalov just in case anything happened to Kuemper.
And, because of course, Kuemper got hurt and Bryzgalov was thrown into game 7 of the first round series vs the Colorado Avalanche.
Bryzgalov made just 1 save and won that game 7 before playing not too terribly against Chicago.
We'll never be Bryzgalov-free.
3) DANGEROUS/DIRTY PLAYS HELP WIN GAMES
The NHL is a dangerous league. 12 men skating at nauseating speeds in a confined area with swords permanently glued to their feet is often a recipe for disaster.
Injuries are unavoidable. Especially when there is sometimes dirty play afoot.
And maybe this should be the strategy for some NHL teams. Because it can lead to success.
In game 2 of the St. Louis Blues-Chicago Blackhawks series, defenceman Brent Seabrook knocked out St. Louis captain David Backes along the boards. Backes went on to miss games 3 and 4 of the series but that wasn't the only impact the hit had on the series. Although the Blackhawks ended up losing that game, it seemed to reenergize the defending champs after 2 lackluster games. After this game the Hawks returned to normal self and swept the Blues, winning it in 6.
In the Minnesota Wild-Colorado Avalanche series, Wild forward Matt Cooke put a nasty knee on Colorado d-man Tyson Barrie. Barrie was put on the shelf for 4-6 months and missed the rest of the series. Barrie is one of the Avs best d-men, playing big minutes and also being a solid offensive player. This injury really shortened Colorado's bench and is one reason Minnesota was eventually able to pull out the series win.
And while the jury is still out if this hit was dirty or not, the Chris Kreider-Carey Price collision is another example of an injurious play which essentially decided a series. Whether you think Kreider did it on purpose or not, the reckless play ended the series for Carey Price and the Montreal Canadiens never quite recovered.
Injuries happen. It's a guarantee. But these instances arguably decided the series for these teams. While some teams try to get this out of the game, maybe it's a good idea for others to use it as strategy. Then maybe people will remember what enforcers are for.
2) CALIFORNIA LOVE
For the NHL, California was an interesting landing spot. The state has a rich sports history so the NHL tried to pounce and it took a while but it may finally start clicking.
First they had the outdoor game earlier this season between the Los Angeles Kings and the Anaheim Ducks from Dodgers Stadium. The event was a booming success and people were already asking when the next outdoor California game was going to take place (and the answer is apparently 2015).
Then we got all three making the playoffs and, because of the new playoff format, that pretty much guaranteed we'd get 2 different California battles.
And they did not disappoint.
The Kings 3-0 comeback against the Sharks was an all time classic. Then the So-Cal matchup the next round with Anaheim was pretty entertaining as well. Also the fact that the Cup made its return to Los Angeles really helped things too.
All this added up to reveal that the LA ratings for the Cup Final games soared from the 2012 Cup run. More people were interested, the Cup was given the spotlight, and, seemingly, for the first time, it seemed hockey finally is in California to stay. (but that still doesn't mean the media can't screw everything up)
1) THE WINNER OF SPEED V SKILL V SIZE
The NHL is a copy-cat league. When the New Jersey Devils suffocated the league with their defensive trap system in the later 90's, it appeared almost every team was trying to build their team that way.
When the Philadelphia Flyers were briefly successful in 2010, teams realised that it's still possible to be good without a real goaltender so some teams tried to copy that.
When the Hawks won their Cups, teams recognised that skill was the superior element and that size wasn't really necessary.
So the question remains. In the era dominated by 3 main qualities, which one reigns supreme? Is it speed, skill, or size?
And after this Los Angeles Kings victory I think it's clear.
All 3 of them.
The Kings were somehow able to construct a roster that had an abundance of these three dominating factors.
They had 7 players in the top 10 hitters of the postseason, they had guys like Drew Doughty doing things like this, and they had speedy guys on the roster like Tanner Pearson and Marian Gaborik.
So go ahead, NHL franchises. Try to put together a roster you think is the fastest, strongest, or skilled. The 2014 Los Angeles Kings will just continue being perfect.
Here are some things we learned from this epic journey.
10) NO LEAD IS SAFE
In 2013, there were a total of eight victories in which a team trailed by 2 goals and then came back. This year, there were 10 in the first round alone. It was a common theme throughout the playoffs that if any team built a lead, it was going to be a struggle securing it. It seemed that teams were never counting themselves out and the game wasn't over until the final buzzer rang.
The Cup winning Los Angeles Kings knew all about comebacks, seeing as they completed the near-impossible feat of coming back in a series in which they were down 3 games to none. They knew never to count themselves out and they kept playing their hardest until they were successful. In the Stanley Cup Final, they even came back from two different 2 goal deficits to win.
In today's NHL, where offense rules, teams cannot just collapse into a defensive shell once they have a lead. They need to keep battling and make sure the opponent never gets back into things. This makes games more exciting and entertaining to follow and may be part of the reason Sports Illustrated thinks we're "hot" again.
9) MOTIVATION CAN COME FROM ANYWHERE
I said it in my second round review and I'll say it again.
The Rangers don't get anywhere this postseason if Marty St. Louis' mother doesn't pass kick the bucket.
And you should be okay with that.
Sure, it sounds awful to say it and it's not the most sensitive way to deal with it but it's basic fact. The Rangers were getting man-handled. They went to the funeral. And then a million articles about how they're such a tight group of friends and a true team surfaces as they turnaround a terrible performance against Pittsburgh.
And it's not the first time we see this. It even happened three times this season that a grieving hockey player performed in a big spot.
Tomas Tatar scored a goal after his father passed away.
Patrick Kane let his emotions out after a big game the day after his grandfather died.
And Matt Stajan scored a goal in his third game since returning after his son died.
Not only did the Rangers have Marty St. Louis as inspiration but also forward Dominic Moore who was playing with a heavy heart after his wife passed away last year. Moore netted the goal that sent the Rangers to the Cup Final.
On the other hand, in 2003 New Jersey Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur was going through a very messy divorce while in the playoffs and he somehow used that as motivation too for his success on the ice.
So, yeah. Whatever it takes.
8) BOSTON FANS STILL HAVEN'T CLEANED UP THEIR ACT
They said mean things to PK Subban and that isn't nice.
7) CBC CLOSING MONTAGE > ONE SHINING MOMENT
Every year after the Stanley Cup is awarded and celebrated, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation plays a closing montage of the playoffs that were. It's a tradition for Canadians everywhere to watch the exciting clips of plays and players for about 5 minutes, reliving the experiences and moments.
Or, as Americans hold the tradition, wait for it to be posted on youtube 15 minutes later.
And, once again, it was incredible. The guy who makes it (Tim Thompson, @b0undless on Twitter) is known for doing great work with these intros and montages and he nails it once again.
6) A NEW GENERATION OF STAR DEFENCEMEN
Step aside, Chara, Keith, and Weber. There's a new group of highly skilled NHL defencemen and they were all showcased in this year's NHL playoffs.
Guys like PK Subban, Ryan McDonagh, Drew Doughty and Ryan Suter were all in the spotlight and they all answered the bell as we now have a a new era of great d-men. Doughty and McDonagh went toe-to-toe in the Final and it was hard not to compare the two at every given moment. Subban also showed the world just how good he was.
This cast of a new generation of defence will shine for many, many seasons to come.
5) STOP TRADING AWAY TALENT
In this year's Stanley Cup Final, there were a group of players that were previously labeled as "losers". They were even shipped out of their respective homes because of this trait.
The Philadelphia Flyers traded away Jeff Carter and Mike Richards because, as they put it, there was no way the team was going to win with them. Rick Nash of the New York Rangers was also labeled as someone who couldn't lead a team through a deep post season. And let's not forget Marian Gaborik who was sent all over America because he just wasn't dedicated enough to win the Cup.
Well these players proved to everybody that they have what it takes and perhaps a great lesson is learned from here. These made up labels are pointless. If you're lucky enough to have a talented player on your team, what's the point of trading him? This year teams saw their former star players win somewhere else and that's stupid of them.
4) BRYZGALOV IS HERE TO STAY
Goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov is like a cockroach. He's like a nagging cough you can't get rid of. Like a debt you simply can't pay off.
And he's not leaving.
On June 25, 2013, the Philadelphia Flyers used their compliance buyout on the colourful netminder and it seemed no team was willing to take a chance on him. The goaltender known for his quirkiness was without a job in the NHL.
So the Las Vegas Wranglers of the ECHL signed him and he was there.
But then the Edmonton Oilers happened.
The Oilers needed a goalie and turned to the crazy veteran for help.
After a couple of starts with their AHL affiliate, Bryzgalov was on the club and played kind of okay.
Okay enough that the goaltender cursed Minnesota Wild traded for him.
The 2014 Minnesota Wild started out with Niklas Backstrom in net before he got injured and they turned to MS hero Josh Harding who was dominating the dojo before his MS flared up and they had to use Darcy Kuemper with John Curry as his backup. So they got Ilya Bryzgalov just in case anything happened to Kuemper.
And, because of course, Kuemper got hurt and Bryzgalov was thrown into game 7 of the first round series vs the Colorado Avalanche.
Bryzgalov made just 1 save and won that game 7 before playing not too terribly against Chicago.
We'll never be Bryzgalov-free.
3) DANGEROUS/DIRTY PLAYS HELP WIN GAMES
The NHL is a dangerous league. 12 men skating at nauseating speeds in a confined area with swords permanently glued to their feet is often a recipe for disaster.
Injuries are unavoidable. Especially when there is sometimes dirty play afoot.
And maybe this should be the strategy for some NHL teams. Because it can lead to success.
In game 2 of the St. Louis Blues-Chicago Blackhawks series, defenceman Brent Seabrook knocked out St. Louis captain David Backes along the boards. Backes went on to miss games 3 and 4 of the series but that wasn't the only impact the hit had on the series. Although the Blackhawks ended up losing that game, it seemed to reenergize the defending champs after 2 lackluster games. After this game the Hawks returned to normal self and swept the Blues, winning it in 6.
In the Minnesota Wild-Colorado Avalanche series, Wild forward Matt Cooke put a nasty knee on Colorado d-man Tyson Barrie. Barrie was put on the shelf for 4-6 months and missed the rest of the series. Barrie is one of the Avs best d-men, playing big minutes and also being a solid offensive player. This injury really shortened Colorado's bench and is one reason Minnesota was eventually able to pull out the series win.
And while the jury is still out if this hit was dirty or not, the Chris Kreider-Carey Price collision is another example of an injurious play which essentially decided a series. Whether you think Kreider did it on purpose or not, the reckless play ended the series for Carey Price and the Montreal Canadiens never quite recovered.
Injuries happen. It's a guarantee. But these instances arguably decided the series for these teams. While some teams try to get this out of the game, maybe it's a good idea for others to use it as strategy. Then maybe people will remember what enforcers are for.
2) CALIFORNIA LOVE
For the NHL, California was an interesting landing spot. The state has a rich sports history so the NHL tried to pounce and it took a while but it may finally start clicking.
First they had the outdoor game earlier this season between the Los Angeles Kings and the Anaheim Ducks from Dodgers Stadium. The event was a booming success and people were already asking when the next outdoor California game was going to take place (and the answer is apparently 2015).
Then we got all three making the playoffs and, because of the new playoff format, that pretty much guaranteed we'd get 2 different California battles.
And they did not disappoint.
The Kings 3-0 comeback against the Sharks was an all time classic. Then the So-Cal matchup the next round with Anaheim was pretty entertaining as well. Also the fact that the Cup made its return to Los Angeles really helped things too.
All this added up to reveal that the LA ratings for the Cup Final games soared from the 2012 Cup run. More people were interested, the Cup was given the spotlight, and, seemingly, for the first time, it seemed hockey finally is in California to stay. (but that still doesn't mean the media can't screw everything up)
1) THE WINNER OF SPEED V SKILL V SIZE
The NHL is a copy-cat league. When the New Jersey Devils suffocated the league with their defensive trap system in the later 90's, it appeared almost every team was trying to build their team that way.
When the Philadelphia Flyers were briefly successful in 2010, teams realised that it's still possible to be good without a real goaltender so some teams tried to copy that.
When the Hawks won their Cups, teams recognised that skill was the superior element and that size wasn't really necessary.
So the question remains. In the era dominated by 3 main qualities, which one reigns supreme? Is it speed, skill, or size?
And after this Los Angeles Kings victory I think it's clear.
All 3 of them.
They had 7 players in the top 10 hitters of the postseason, they had guys like Drew Doughty doing things like this, and they had speedy guys on the roster like Tanner Pearson and Marian Gaborik.
So go ahead, NHL franchises. Try to put together a roster you think is the fastest, strongest, or skilled. The 2014 Los Angeles Kings will just continue being perfect.
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