Reasons to like Pens, Preds
PITTSBURGH — It’s Steel City vs. the Music City in the Stanley Cup final.
Heartbroken Ottawa hockey fans are singing a hurtin’ tune Friday after the Senators were eliminated in the Eastern Conference final with a 3-2 double-overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins just before the clock struck midnight Thursday to book a spot in the Stanley Cup final against the Nashville Predators.
Instead of Game 1 of the Cup final being played Monday at the Canadian Tire Centre, the Penguins will take on the Predators at the PPG Paints Arena with an 8 p.m. puck as the road will begin to see if Pittsburgh can retain the title it won last spring.
No, the people of Ottawa won’t have nearly as much interest with the Senators eliminated from the picture, but there’s still good reasons to cheer for whichever team comes out as the champ this spring. quality person and a tremendous competitor who gives everything he’s got.
Here’s hoping he’s healthy enough for Game 1.
2. P.K. Subban
How can’t you hope this guy wins a Stanley Cup?
He’s one of the most dynamic players and personalties in the game.
The Montreal Canadiens never should have dealt him for Shea Weber.
It was a mistake and it could have been a lot worse for GM Marc Bergevin if the Predators had faced the Senators in the Cup final with fans from Montreal making the two-hour trek here to see Subban against Ottawa.
Subban has played a big role in transforming the Predators into a contender.
3. Broadway Boulevard
This is the part that sucks about Ottawa not going to the final,
The Broadway in Nashville isn’t even close to the Broadway in New York City.
The street, located just outside the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, is lined with Honky Tonks (renamed Hockey Tonks for the final, I’m sure) where aspiring talent goes to play every night for whatever they can gather in the tip jar.
Drop by Tootsie’s or Legends Corner, listen to a band, and then grab some BBQ at Jack’s before calling it a night. Be warned, the time passes pretty quickly and before you know it’s 2 a.m.
4. Anthem singers
They’ve had some of the best versions of the Star Spangled Banner in these playoffs.
For the most part they’ve been bringing in big country music stars to sing the anthem — including Vince Gill and Underwood.
It’s brought the Predators notoriety in these playoffs and you have to think the tradition will continue in the final.
It’s fun, it’s different and it’s working.