Boring is a fair term, but it’s not always what you think…

Make no mistake; the Stanley Cup Playoffs are incredible. As hockey fans, many of us pride ourselves in saying that we have the best playoffs in major sports, that our trophy is the hardest to win and that watching the postseason make heroes out any player never gets old.

But nothing is ever perfect and looking at these playoffs as hockey fans first, many people have expressed feelings of boredom with some series that we have had.

Most complaints were about how horrible the Panthers Devils series was to watch. @mattbrigidi, @dematt10, and @flyrfn114 all said that the series was very boring, made them want to slam their head against a wall, and was pretty much like a root canal.

The misconception is that low scoring 1-0 games or 2-1 games make for boring hockey. This is false. People are saying that the Phoenix LA series is going to be a snooze fest as will the series between the Devils and Rangers/Caps. Sure, both could be true and a lot of the games out west are bound to be low scoring but that is not what makes a playoff game boring.

Think of game 4 of the 1996 Stanley Cup Final. Patrick Roy vs. John Vanbiesbrouck. The Avalanche won 1-0 in 3 OT’s. Sure the Stanley Cup was won that night which made it more special, but the game was incredible to see two goaltenders battle it out like that

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ftIr7enZf0

If we are lucky, the WCF this year will look a lot like that. Smith and Quick both look unbeatable.

So how can there be a thing such a boring hockey when a 1-0 game can still be one of the best games ever?

Look to the New Jersey Devils. It is not an insult because they are a highly talented team and could definitely win the Stanley Cup this year, but they do not make it pretty. Their defensive ways are what make them so unbearable to watch at times even as your favorite team is playing them. What could make the WCF games differ is the number of scoring chances and the intensity caused by a large number of saves, scrums, and heated battles along the boards in all areas. The Devils clog up the neutral zone and make for low shooting games and flat out boring hockey. At the same time that a 1-0 game can be exciting, a 3-2 game can be boring.

It’s all about style and intensity.

@realdeal411 says it best: Some think low scoring equals boring but it doesn’t always. Plenty of chances, physical play and uptempo hockey make for excitement.  But on the flip side, there can be boring hockey. Take for example, the first Rangers/Caps game. There were only 32 shots the whole game.  Most fans thought it was boring. So yes, it’s rare, but possible.

@cubishboy makes excellent points as well: From a fans perspective, if a series doesn’t have much emotion (scrums, physical play,pre/ post game talk) I think it can become mundane.

There has been some boring hockey these playoffs, but it does not mean that that is what all that’s left to come is. Some of us like myself and @joeyhurricane are burnt out and drained personally, but once the next round begins, we may have some exciting hockey.

But you are probably better off looking for that great playoff action in a 1-0 game between the Kings and Coyotes rather than a 3-2 game between the Devils and Rangers/Caps.