Reasons to like Pens, Preds
Ottawa’s elimination makes for another all-American Cup final, but there are plenty of reasons to watch
BRUCE GARRIOCH
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. Pittsburgh
1. The city itself
If you’ve never been, make a trip.
It’s not New York, it’s not Los Angeles and it’s not Fort Lauderdale, but there’s just something about Pittsburgh that can appeal to a weary traveller.
It’s been described as one of North America’s best-kept secrets. It’s where the Three Rivers converge and you can take a walk across the countless bridges that will take you in to downtown on a sunny afternoon to just enjoy the beauty.
There’s great shopping, great nightlife and the fans are passionate about their sports teams. Easy to cheer for Pittsburgh.
2. Sidney Crosby
Yes, there are mixed feelings in Ottawa after he nearly took off the end of Marc Methot’s finger on March 23rd, but the Penguins’ captain is still the best player in the league.
He has a chance here to lead the Penguins to their third title since 2009 and people are starting to wonder if maybe Pittsburgh should be called a dynasty.
Crosby is smooth with the puck, he’s a force to be reckoned with, and he scored the winning goal for Team Canada at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver in 2010 and he wore the ‘C’ in the Sochi when the country defended its title.
3. Phil Kessel
He’s hard to like, but he is a former member of the Toronto Maple Leafs and this would be his second title since he was cast aside by the Centre of the Hockey Universe.
Nobody would have ever envisioned Kessel as a huge competitor at this time of year, but he’s certainly emerged as one. He took the Cup back to Toronto last summer and maybe he’ll get the chance for a repeat.
That shouldn’t bother Ottawa hockey fans one bit even if the Penguins did eliminate the Senators.
4. Jacques Martin
It took the former Senators’ coach 30 years to reach the Cup final last spring and now he’s back for a second straight year.
The native of nearby St. Pascal, Ont., brought the coveted chalice to his small town last year and people flocked to the ball diamond to get a photo with Martin.
He’s never forgotten his roots, he had plenty of success in Ottawa and he’s a brilliant hockey mind. Martin is the kind of guy people like to cheer for. Nashville
1. Mike Fisher
He has been gone from Ottawa since 2011 but he’s certainly not forgotten.
Dealt to the Predators so he could be his wife/country superstar Carrie Underwood, Fisher has roots in the community and replaced Weber as the club’s captain.
There’s not a mean bone in Fisher’s body — off the ice — and he’s just the kind of person you want to have success. A good family man, a 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.