The annual 2-month period where everything stops in Canada in order to concentrate on the chase for Lord Stanley's mug begins on Wednesday. For once, Sidney Crosby's team, the Pittsburgh Penguins, aren't favoured. The smart money is on the Winnipeg Jets, led by their young Finnish superstar, Patrick Laine. Does anybody have a passing interest?

Nobody wants inside info on this so that you can run down to your local Ladbroke's and make a flier?

I'm a duck fan myself and I follow it best I can albeit with the time difference. Seen the jets play a couple of times and they were pretty impressive. Wish I could watch more games!

Go on, give us the inside info

Like I said, the smart money is on the Jets. Lots of good, young players, led by the second year player, Patrick Laine. They probably have the most complete squad, and get to meet Minnesota, who are average, at best, in the first round. Somehow, the expansion Vegas Golden Knights finished first in the West, but they should go out in the first round. Don't see them beating the Kings over a seven game series. If Winnipeg can get by the Predators, it should be clear sailing (and you'll probably get decent odds on them.)

And the Ducks have it tough against the Sharks. (Sharks love duck meat, especially the white.)

There's a North American Sports Network available in Britain which broadcasts lots and lots of NHL games, even Hockey Night in Canada, our national institution. You should sign up just in time for the play-offs.

Stanley Cup play-offs. The players don't get paid extra, except if they win it all, but, boy, do they ever turn it up a notch. Win the Cup, and you get your name inscribed on it. I guess that's incentive enough.

Hi Ontario, yes, I have a passing interest; but I would have had a passionate interest had Detroit Red Wings been in the playoffs. Detroit have had a poor season by their standards. Once they lost Datsyuk, they were down to 1 (ageing) elite player, Zetterberg. There may be young players coming along who may eventually become elite; but you would have expected more from such players by now – Mantha or Larkin, for example. I think also that the loss of their coach, Babcock, has had a major impact. Look at what he has done for Toronto in such a short space of time!

A general comment re watching the games: the volume of ads for me makes watching ice hockey (almost) unbearable. Imagine having ad breaks in football! The mere mention of it would precipitate a national strike.

Devils... At least making the final

The Leafs are my team... so I rarely have an interest!

Went to see Tampa Bay Lightning last year so kept an eye on them since. Will be watching this weekend!

The Stanley Cup is named after Lord Stanley of Preston. Stanley Park in Liverpool, which divides Goodison Park and Anfield, is also named after him.

claretabroad wrote:The Stanley Cup is named after Lord Stanley of Preston. Stanley Park in Liverpool, which divides Goodison Park and Anfield, is also named after him.

Who took SUCH an interest in it, he bought the Stanley cup in regent Street, organised the tournament and never bothered watching one!

Lord Stanley was the Governor General of Canada when he bought the Cup. He thought it would help unify the country, since playing hockey was almost the only thing both the French and English both participated in. Originally, it was an amateur competition, and became a challege cup. A team from Dawson City, Yukon challenged for it once. It took a month for them to get the game sight, they promptly lost the 2-game total goals contest by a lop-sided margin, and returned home a month later, partly by dog sled. You can't make this stuff up. The first winners were the Montreal AAA, but when the NHL formed in 1917, they promptly took over the trophy. A later governor-general's wife, Lady Byng, donated a trophy for most gentlemanly player, but nobody cares about that. upanatem, Detroit's drafted near the bottom for a long time. That's why they have no dominant young players. Babcock got out when the going was good (plus 8 million big ones a year). Smart guy.

And it's been 12 years now since Carolina made the play-offs. You have to be very dedicated to be a Carolina Hurricane fan.

Go Canucks go! Oh they didn't make it again. I'll cheer for the Jets.

Hey, vancouver. Are you a native-born Canuck-fan or a transplant? I'm picking the Jets, too. Should be a great series when/if they play the Predators.

And about the ad breaks. There are 3 every period. If you're not used to it (like watching football, which has no breaks), it can be annoying. For me, it's just an excuse to go to the bathroom or the kitchen.