Though having an unfair advantage at this moment, given the Red Wings lost the first game of their series against Nashville, unlike many in the Detroit area, my prediction was the Predators would ultimately prevail in the series. Watching the first game merely reinforced that notion. The Wings seemingly haven't recovered from their regular season ending swoon, and I don't see them flipping some magical switch to turn it around in the next few games.
Some "locals" have said history is on Detroit's side. After all, that franchise has won a few Stanley Cups in the not so distant past, and Nashville has only won one playoff series in the history of their own franchise. That's all nonsense, of course, because what happened years ago is irrelevant. That was then, and this iis now, and that's all the matters.
If one buys into that logic, then one would also have to assume the New York Yankees would win the World Series every year, because they're arguably the most storied franchise of them all. Somehow, it doesn't always work that way.
Let's cut to the chase. Even if the Red Wings come back and beat the Predators in the opening round of the playoffs -- in their heart of hearts -- does even their most die-hard fan or over kool-aided reporter really think they have a legitimate shot at going on to eliminate two more superior teams from the west -- then conquering whatever beast from the east survives, to win the Stanley Cup? REALLY?
It's not going to happen for one simple reason. They're not good enough. Upsets can happen in a single game, but given the four best of 7 gauntlet series' they would have to skate through and survive to capture Lord Stanley's prize -- not a chance. And in the world of pro sports, isn't a championship all that supposedly matters?
Maybe not. There's someone else who has a keen interest in how far the Red Wings get in the playoffs. That would be their owner, one Mike Ilitch, the Little Caesar's pizza magnate. No doubt, like the fans and reporters, Ilitch would like nothing better than to have his team win another championship, but there's another reason going on too.
Major league baseball, the NFL, and the NBA all have "revenue-sharing" agreements when it comes to dividing up the money pool accumulated from fan attendance at games. That applies in the regular season, and the playoffs as well. The NHL is a little different. During the regular season they do pretty much the same thing, but once the playoffs start, the rules change. It's every owner for himself. Whatever "gate" they take in at their home venue -- they get to keep all to themselves. Given sold out arenas at ramped up playoff ticket prices -- that's big bucks. While fans and reporters would likely love to see their team "sweep" the opposition in 4 straight games, nothing is better for an owner than having the series prolonged for at least another home game, or two, in which their team finally prevails. Cha-ching. On to the next round, where they're guaranteed at least two more. That can buy a lot of cheese and pepperoni, or maybe even a free agent. Ba-da-boom.
But the Red Wings winning the Cup this year? Sorry, but massive amounts of Kool-Aid won't make it happen. Besides, Kool-Aid is owned by Kraft. Last time I looked the magnate of THAT empire was named Robert Kraft, the owner of the New England Patriots. Not sure about pepperoni, but that man surely knows his cheese.
So here's the deal. I'll get on the Red Wings' Stanley Cup winning bandwagon when I see Robert Kraft throw an octopus on the ice at Joe Louis Arena.
Until then, I ain't buying it.
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