Why you should love the Stanley Cup Playoffs

It's safe to say that if you're reading this, you've watched at least one minute of one period of one game of one series of the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs, and if you haven't, we're probably not more than a few hours away from the start of the next one.  It's also safe to say that many of you have probably watched at least a portion of an NBA Playoff game this year, too.  I am proud to say that I have not given into that.  But why should you love the Stanley Cup Playoffs, especially this year?  I've come up with a list of reasons.

***WARNING: This most may be considered offensive to some as it does not contain content involving the Oilers, Maple Leafs or Panthers.

• For the first time ever, the Nashville Predators are on national TV and not completely ignored due to an exciting young team that would go on to win the Stanley Cup.
• The above has absolutely nothing to do with the arrival of Carrie Underwood's husband to Nashville, thus giving Carrie air-time.  I think...
• Teams may be less likely to sit back and trap after watching the LA Kings and NY Rangers fail miserably at doing so and blowing large leads.
• You can't avoid him, it's only a matter of time.  You're going to see Pierre McGuire and his mouth full of words that don't make sense to the common person.
• The refs don't cut overtime short after 5 minutes and randomly award both teams three penalty shots that don't count towards anyone's stats.
• No matter who your favorite team is playing, you don't have to look at the hideous moustache of Trevor Gillies, since his team won't be a part of these annual festivities.
• If your team has been unfortunate enough to miss the playoffs, or was swept out in the first round, you can keep telling yourself, "They'll be here next year."
• If that last one applies to you and you're a Phoenix Coyotes fan, well...I'm sorry.
• If you happen to be watching the Philadelphia Flyers, you can make some quick money by betting a friend that goaltender currently playing for the Flyers won't be in the NHL next season.
• You can also make some money by betting that the Chicago goaltender will have the same number of points as Joe Thornton in the first round (which is currently true).
• If your team has a russian goalie, chances are he won't be returning to the NHL next season.  Although in some cases, he may be claimed by the Islanders...which is worse.
• Assuming his team is losing, asking a player what they need to do better in order to win will result in the same answer, "We need to get pucks deep."  This doesn't apply to the Canadiens.
• If you're wondering why Roberto Luongo had the best goals against average throughout the playoffs after two games, remember, the law of averages will play out to normalcy...very quickly.
• If you're wondering why the New Jersey Devils aren't in the playoffs this year, you might recall that this is their year to miss the playoffs, as they traditionally do every 14 years.
• If you love Octupi, go to Detroit.  They'll be on sale since nobody in Detroit can throw them onto the ice anymore.
• Why should you love the playoffs?  Because players who don't normally play defense may actually try and end up failing and giving the other team an empty net in double-overtime.