Finally It's For The Cup!

Here's hoping this series removes the stench of two uncompetitive Conference Finals, and that ABC doesn't get too much in the way of its own telecast.

“Who is it again tonight?” - my mother asked as she shuffled her way into my living room just prior to the start of the Eastern Conference Final’s fifth and deciding game last week.

“Carolina - Montreal” I said.

“Oh God no… I can’t watch Montreal again…” came my mother’s reply.

Same momma - same.

Yes, it’s been a bit of an odd playoffs to be sure, but we’ve finally arrived at a place many would have predicted prior to the season starting. The Carolina Hurricanes are who we thought they were.. and they ran over a Montreal Canadiens team whose luck had most certainly runout in that last series.

Out west - there were a few teams capable of getting out - and those damned renegades in Vegas made up one of them and here they are - again. Sure - they were on lots of short lists when the season began - but few who believed this might again be their year when the season started would have predicted Carter Hart would be in goal and John Tortorella would be standing behind the bench.

You ask me - the two are tied together.

But however we got here - here we are - two weeks away from the end of a very long odyssey that began in earnest for all 32 teams last July.

And our Dallas Stars have a rooting interest - sort of - as they try and avoid the “Ultimate Loser” moniker. You know that one? You lose to the team who loses to the team who loses to the team who loses to the Stanley Cup Champion. Yepper - if Carolina wins we’re that team. Wonderful.

Add a little - how must Stars owner Tom Gaglardi be feeling right now watching Logan Stankoven and the Canes on this trot?

ABC has the series - ESPN’s crew - and that gives us plenty to kick around.

C’mon - let’s get ready for some hockey!