Probably root for the Ducks

First: Rickhouse loses the last of the remaining TUP hockey fans

Crowding my newsfeed last night were Blackhawks related statuses praising Kane, the team, the NHL playoffs, the sport of hockey, and -- perhaps a little troubling -- rabidly encouraging a Redwings-'Hawks series. People are shouting "Bring on the 'Wings!" as if we've taken it to them with authority these last few decades are so... but, uh, no.

Call me crazy, but I'm pulling for the Ducks.

As easy as it is to get swept up in how cool the 'Wings/'Hawks series would be -- and it would be pretty damn cool -- I'd like to lean on the side of mathematical probability. Sure, if I could script the playoffs Hollywood-style (knowing the outcomes), I'd love the see the 'Hawks stick it to the 'Wings on their way to the finals. But this is real life, and right now I'm seeing Chicago fans rooting against home ice advantage. Are you kidding me?

And while I'm admittedly no hockey expert, the Redwings have looked damn good in the playoffs, and I couldn't be happier if the 'Hawks were somehow able to dodge that series.

Though...

There's certainly something to be said about trumping a rival en route to a title. We saw this happen when the Bulls hurdled Detroit in '91, the Colts bested the Pats in '06, and who could forget the most classic example of the Red Sox taking it to the Yankees in Game 7 of the 2004 ALCS?

Still, while it'd be nice, it's certainly not a requirement. Thus, I encourage everyone to root for the Ducks. Remember: it's easier the easy way out! And who, in sports and in life, doesn't want that?

It probably it doesn't matter -- I'm sure the 'Hawks will end up playing the Redwings anyway.

* * *

A few things...

- I am so glad we have the NHL playoffs. Watching the White Sox is just excruciating right now.

- If the suffering of Chicago hockey fans was sexual frustration, Kane's third goal (around the :55 second mark) was a big, giant orgasm.

- Sure, making the playoffs and advancing through the first round was fulfilling, but the 'Hawks are in the Western conference finals now. This is all starting to feel very real.

- DA DA DA DA DA DA DA DA DA DA DA DA DA