You might remember that amongst the end-of-season quotes from Brian Burke, the ones that apologized for the Toronto Maple Leafs’ performance this season, he slipped in a doozy that should really be examined more closely now. It went something like this:
“I don’t want to sneak into the playoffs in eighth place and then get smoked in the first round.â€
So, what exactly has happened in the first round of the current playoffs? Well one No. 8 seed has already advanced, beating the Presidents’ Trophy award-winning Vancouver Canucks. The eighth seed in the East, the Ottawa Senators, are also one win away from advancing.
Does that sound like sneaking in and going out quietly and quickly?
The NHL playoffs are unlike those in any other sport. All it takes is a hot goalie, a lucky bounce or two or a single opportune call and any team can win. Upsets happen every year yet people are suckered into loading up on top seed players in their playoff pools. How those Canucks and Penguins working out for you now, Kurt Larson?
As long as you have a ticket to the show, you have a chance to win it all, Burkie. Do you even watch the playoffs during the spring, or are you too busy working on your golf swing already?