A Team-Less Fan’s Guide to the Conference Finals

Things have not gone your way this year. Whether it’s seeing your team flounder at the bottom of the standings only to have a lottery pick snatched away, or having to watch as your league-leading team was swept in the first round, the pain is the same. With that dark cloud above your head, you’ve just had a tough time getting excited about the 2019 Stanley Cup, especially as it enters into the semi-final matchups.

However, I’m here to tell you that all hope is not lost. There’s much excitement to be had in this season’s postseason, you just need to know where to find it. For fans missing their favourite franchise, I have put together a handy guide so you can pick a new (temporary) team to support in these strange playoffs.

You Love Drama

Compared to the other major sports leagues in North America, the NHL is one of the least dramatic. The players have rather subdued personalities, and the biggest controversy lately has been the Americanizing of the game. Even when there is drama, such as the issues surrounding concussions and CTE, the conversations are hushed and pushed under the rug. True drama is hard to find. That’s why, to you, Brad Marchand is a blessing in disguise.

As a member of the Boston Bruins, Marchand has become one of the NHL’s most-hated players. He’s been suspended and fined on multiple occasions for dirty hits, dangerous slew foots, and malicious spears, but has also gotten away with just as many controversial acts. One of the most infamous occurred last season, when Marchand licked Ryan Callahan of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

After the following uproar, Marchand took a step back, trying to not be as devious, but it didn’t last long. Against the Columbus Blue Jackets, he stomped on Cam Atkinson’s stick in a faceoff, then punched Scott Harrington in the back of the head long after a whistle. He punctuated his performances with comically short post-game interviews.

Marchand specializes in getting under opponent’s skin, but many fans and opposing players see his tactics as going too far. Despite the measures the league has taken, he seems undeterred, and will most likely get more antagonistic as the playoffs wear on. So, should you be a drama-loving hockey fan, you’d best cheer for the Bruins against the Carolina Hurricanes, just for the chance to see Marchand do something really stupid.

It’s likely that Joe Thornton would retire after hoisting the Cup, which would provide cap relief to re-sign Joe Pavelski, Gustav Nyquist and Karlsson. That means Karlsson could be offered a nice little raise to stay in San Jose and chase a back-to-back championship. Just like that, the Senators would have another first-round selection, which would be crucial in their rebuild.

While it’s true that San Jose has also not won the Cup before, they’ve only waited since 1992, where as the Blues have waited an additional quarter century. The Sharks have also had some controversy with penalties and recalled goals, but nowhere near the amount generated by the Bruins. They also can’t qualify for underdog status, as they came into the playoffs with home-ice advantage. But those who support the Senators have no other choice – San Jose needs to win the 2019 Cup.

There is, of course, no right or wrong answer to cheering for a team. If hockey fans have learned anything this season, it’s that anything can happen. So why support a team with a great story? Whether it’s drama, an underdog, a fellow Canadian, or hoping the Senators get a little extra help, the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs offer something for everyone.