Why I love the NHL

I haven't followed hockey for years. In fact, until the last season, I probably watched a dozen Islanders games since graduating college. Between the lack of televised games and the complete lack of ESPN attention, it is easy to forget about professional hockey. I'll never argue that the NHL matters a tenth as much as NBA, NFL, or baseball, but thanks to NHL network, Versus, and a smattering of Bruins games on NESN, I've watched nearly a game a night this seasons, and have remembered why the sport is fun.

1) Fast pace. The game is faster paced than any other sport, with a game getting done in 2.5 hours. With my lack of attention span, it's great. Moreover, the DVR allows any missed goals a quick replay, allowing me to divert my attention elsewhere.

2) Lack of personality. Sports personalities are great, but there's only so much I want to hear about Tiger, Tom Brady, Payton Manning, A-Rod, Kobe, etc. I'll watch them in amazement, but when it comes down to it, the individual focus that ESPN and other media outlets give to individual athletes for deeds in and out of the game becomes too much to bear. Outside of Crosby and Ovechkin, the average person likely couldn't name another two NHL players without some serious thought. This makes for an interesting game, because even the league superstars don't dominate all pre and post game talk, can't dominate the ice the entire game, and don't feel as if they are all that matters about the game.

3) Anybody's game. The home-ice advantage is big in the NHL, but it never quite feels it; not the way home field in the NFL does, not even the way it does in baseball or basketball. Sure, the Islanders have sucked on the road this year, but the worst team can go in and beat the best team any given night. There's not a single game I have watched with any certainty of outcome. Even a two goal lead isn't enough to say "It's all over" until much later in the game.

4) Relevance. The New York Islanders are finally relevant to hockey again. I'm not proclaiming any deep playoff run for them this year, or maybe not even a spot. However they're out of the cellar with a plethora of young prospects. They're in the playoff picture, with some serious talent, and an amazingly skilled Dwayne Roloson in goal, filling in for Rick DiPietro who has been out for a year. John Tavares, the number one pick in last years draft, is tied for lead in points and a surefire rookie of the year candidate. I'd guess within 2 or 3 years, he'll be in that top 10% of elite players, with his scoring ability, speed, and youth (he's 19).



5) Live Hockey! Well, not the NHL, but AHL. I've seen four games this year right on the glass, for less than what I would have paid for a decent seat at Fenway Park. With the huge amount of roster movements between AHL and NHL, I've been able to see a bunch of players who have been or will be on NHL rosters this year. No other sports developmental leagues can say that.



Hockey will never be relevant again, but as far as a fun sport to follow day by day, it's really done it for me this year.