5 Things That Make The NHL Playoffs Better Than March Madness

By Jerry Landry

5 Things That Make The NHL Playoffs Better Than March Madness

Raising Stanley Cup Trophy NHL Playoffs Boston Bruins — Is March Madness truly the nation’s wildest and most unpredictable sporting event? Here are five reasons why it’s not and why the NHL Playoffs should take a bow to claim the crown.

5. Lower Seeds Make The Finals All The Time!

Jonathan Quick LA Kings NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs

5. Lower Seeds Make The Finals All The Time!

Jonathan Quick LA Kings NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs — The No. 8 Los Angeles Kings won the cup in 2012, the 2006 Edmonton Oilers forced a Game 7 in the Stanley Cup Finals as a No. 8 seed, the Anaheim Ducks made it to the 2003 finals as a No. 7 and the Philadelphia Flyers made it to the finals as a No. 7 in 2010. This is the byproduct of seven-game series no less, which means the upsets are even more spectacular.

4. No “Overall No. 1” Is Safe

NHL New York Rangers President's Trophy

4. No “Overall No. 1” Is Safe

NHL New York Rangers President's Trophy — Only eight out of the 28 Presidents' trophy winners have gone on to hoist the Stanley Cup in the same season. That’s just a 28.5 percent success rate for those of you scoring at home.

3. The Players Hit Each Other

NHL Checks Edmonton Oilers Carolina Hurricanes

3. The Players Hit Each Other

NHL Checks Edmonton Oilers Carolina Hurricanes — The NHL is raising concussion awareness and tightening calls on obstruction, but the game is still very physical. Touch one of Willie Cauley-Stein’s tattoos and you could get teed up. Tattoo Sidney Crosby and you might get a standing ovation.

2. The Game Sounds Much Better

Chicago Blackhawks vs Detroit Redwings NHL Rivalry

2. The Game Sounds Much Better

Chicago Blackhawks vs Detroit Redwings NHL Rivalry — What better acoustic harmony is there than skates, sticks and ice? Whether hearing the puck rattle along the boards or hearing the boards rattle, hockey is nearly as fun eyes-closed as it is eyes-open.

1. The Penalty Shot

NHL Penalty Shot Shootout Vancouver Canucks

1. The Penalty Shot

NHL Penalty Shot Shootout Vancouver Canucks — Do we ever see everyone just clear off the court except for two guys who will battle in a make-or-break moment? There’s no better showdown than the NHL penalty shot. Speedster on goalie, marksman on stonewall, triple-deke versus the glove -- now all we need are sudden-death shootouts included for the playoffs.

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