Game Sevens

I was watching both an NBA & NHL playoff game last night, and there was a noticeable difference in atmospheres. The NHL game was a Game 6, and yet had that feel it was the deciding game of the Stanley Cup. Sure, it ended up being a blow-out, but you could see the effort till the final whistle from both teams, never letting up.

On the other hand, I watched Game 5 of the Cavs-Celtics series. The Cavs should already have this wrapped up by now, because the Celtics are an old team, who barely got by the first round. Somehow on the Cavs' home court, the Celtics BLASTED them, and made it appear LeBron & Company gave up after the 3rd Quarter. They were just jacking up 3-pointers and looking like they could care less what the final score was. It ended up being a blow-out as well but felt like I was watching a pre-season game.

Tonight we'll see the display of heart in the Game 7 match-up of Pens/Canadiens(Habs) and Game 6 of Bruins/Flyers. Hockey, is without a doubt the one game where 1 man can decide the outcome. Sure, the referees definitely can alter the outcome by dishing out penalties. However, the Goaltender is without a doubt, the most important and impressive position in sports.

Both of these games will come down to the goalies. M-A Fleury (think B.A. Barracus) needs to transform into the 2009 version on himself and stop letting in the some soft goals. It also doesn't help when you've lost your two best defensemen since last year, and replaced them with offensively-minded ones. His opponent, Halak (he's earned the one name moniker) is putting on another show, and quite frankly, scares the sh*t outta me. He started for the Slovakian team in the Olympics and has been displaying why since Game 5 of the Caps-Habs series. If the Pens don't get at least 2 goals past him, it's over. The Habs will pull their second upset in the past few weeks.

Tune in tonight to see the passion, desire and competitiveness that can only be found in NHL Playoff games. No other sport can compare to the non-stop action and excitement.