Canadiens at Toronto: This "Game of the Year" is not over-hyped
Remember the Yanks and Red Sox playoff game of 1978 (Yes, Sox fans the Bucky Dent game)?
Hockey offers up it's own equivalent of that game tonight as the Montreal Canadiens visit Toronto to place the Maple Leafs. With one game left in the season, the game will probably determine which team goes into the playoffs or which team stays home (There is a scenario where the NY Islanders can qualify, excluding the two Canadioan rivals).
While the sport has lost alot in recent years - i.e. the teams have not met in the playoffs since 1979, there has not been a truly competitive series between them since 1967. Moroever, far fewer players are Canadian and the teams no longer play in the Gardens and the Forum, this game is as close to the real deal as it is likely to get.
Although both teams have too many flaws to go deep into the playoffs, the intensity of the Montreal-Toronto rivalry makes it a game for the decades.
This is a game that most of Canada will pause to watch. Expect monster ratings on La Soiree du Hockey and Hockey Night in Canada (rekindling stromng feelings about Don Cherry - we still miss Danny Gallivan and Dick Irvin, but even in the old days this would have been a Bill Hewitt game).
About the game, I wish I could say I felt good about Canadiens heading into this, but my gut tells me that the home ice advantage will make the difference for Toronto, who have fpr the most part been the better team in play between them.
Check back tomorrow for one Montreal fan's post-game online therapeutic excercise.
In the meantime, it's interesting note that no matter how much those in charge of the new NHL have doine to undermine the game, on a night like this all that is almost overlooked. What could be better than a meaningful Saturday night game in April coming from Montreal or Toronto.
So notwithstanding shoot-outs (points for losses), expansion, abandonmnet of Canada for places like Nashville and Phoenix, etc. for tonight, at least, count me in. Don't try getting in touch with me between 7 and 10 p.m.. I'm busy.
Hockey offers up it's own equivalent of that game tonight as the Montreal Canadiens visit Toronto to place the Maple Leafs. With one game left in the season, the game will probably determine which team goes into the playoffs or which team stays home (There is a scenario where the NY Islanders can qualify, excluding the two Canadioan rivals).
While the sport has lost alot in recent years - i.e. the teams have not met in the playoffs since 1979, there has not been a truly competitive series between them since 1967. Moroever, far fewer players are Canadian and the teams no longer play in the Gardens and the Forum, this game is as close to the real deal as it is likely to get.
Although both teams have too many flaws to go deep into the playoffs, the intensity of the Montreal-Toronto rivalry makes it a game for the decades.
This is a game that most of Canada will pause to watch. Expect monster ratings on La Soiree du Hockey and Hockey Night in Canada (rekindling stromng feelings about Don Cherry - we still miss Danny Gallivan and Dick Irvin, but even in the old days this would have been a Bill Hewitt game).
About the game, I wish I could say I felt good about Canadiens heading into this, but my gut tells me that the home ice advantage will make the difference for Toronto, who have fpr the most part been the better team in play between them.
Check back tomorrow for one Montreal fan's post-game online therapeutic excercise.
In the meantime, it's interesting note that no matter how much those in charge of the new NHL have doine to undermine the game, on a night like this all that is almost overlooked. What could be better than a meaningful Saturday night game in April coming from Montreal or Toronto.
So notwithstanding shoot-outs (points for losses), expansion, abandonmnet of Canada for places like Nashville and Phoenix, etc. for tonight, at least, count me in. Don't try getting in touch with me between 7 and 10 p.m.. I'm busy.
posted by eric model | 3:18 AM
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