Canada's Team: The Answer

Here we are, the eve of the 2014 NHL Playoffs. Above is my bracket for the NHL's bracket challenge, I'm taking a risk with the BJ's heading it to the East finals, but hey, YOLO.

(Did I use that right?)

But have we decided who is Canada's Team yet?  So far it's Chicago.

Part One.  Part Two.

1. Chicago Blackhawks 11
2. Montreal Canadiens 6
3. Philadelphia Flyers 5.5
4. Columbus Blue Jackets 3
5. Minnesota Wild 2
6. New York Rangers/Detroit Red Wings (tie) 1
7. Phoenix Coyotes 0.5
8. Dallas Stars 0
9. Tampa Bay Lightning -5
10. LA Kings -12

Like, runaway favourites.  Today we're looking at the final six, and it should be tough competition if Canadianness is linked to NHL success.  Away we go.

                                                                                                                   

#6 Pittsburgh Penguins

Are they in Canada? No, they are in Pennsylvania, which is near-ish to Canada, but it lies on the wrong side of Lake Erie.  (as if there's a right side) -1

Ah, beautiful Lake Erie

What's the average temperature? Cold, it's in the north east and sites on a couple rivers. Good combo for just plain cold. +1
Does it snow there? Yes it does, averaging a metre per year +1
Are there Maple trees? Yes, everyone in north east N.America is lucky enough to be blessed with reminders of Canada everywhere. +1
Is there a Tim Hortons nearby? Pittsburgh is lucky enough to have one of Canada;s greatest exports.  +1

Roster Breakdown: 12 USAers, 10 Canadians, 2 Finns, 1 Russian, 1 German, 1 Czech, and 1 Brunei-born son of a US Ambassador, but chose correctly (that is Canada) 35.% Canadaian.  Under 40% Canuck, yet CBC puts them on Saturday nights instead of the Canadiens.
Captains? Captain: Sidney Crosby, Super-Canadian/Hockey Robot (3G, 1S) Alternates: Chris Kunitz, Canadian (1G, 1S) & Evgeni Malkin, Russian (2G, 3S, 3B) & Brooks Orpik, USAer (1S) They need an extra Alternate in Chris Kunitz to make up the the enigmatic Russian +2
Coach? Disco Dan Blysma, American -1
General Manager? Ray Shero, American -1
Owner? Mario Lemieux, hockey legend, Knight, scorer of five goals give ways. Oh., also Ron Burkle. SO + 0.5 for half Canadian ownership.
Starting Goaltender? Marc-Andre Fluery, who is, sadly, Canadain, +1
Most Points? Sidney Crosby, with 104 points (36G 68A) +1
Is their sweater Canadian enough? 

Black & Gold, the colours of Pittsburgh sports.  Not over Canada though.  Plus Penguins are from the South Pole, which is the opposite pole of Canada.  -2 for two things not Canadian.

Total Score: 3.5

Sorry CBC, but Pittsburgh is just not Canada's Team. Despite the best Hockey AI science could create, the Crosbot is not enough. 

Cheering for them as a Canadian is like: Hoping the obnoxious guy who's new to your school, but pretends to be a lifelong alumnus, becomes valedictorian.

                                                                                                                   

#5 San Jose Shorks Sharks

Are they in Canada? No, Sadly, the bay area is not yet part of Canada.  Yet. -1
What's the average temperature? Like, 12 degrees.  While not terrible, it's uh, pretty damn good. +1
Does it snow there? Nope. Average snowfall is 0 +1 (the weather on 15/4/14 may have influenced me here)
Are there Maple trees? Yes, members of the Acer family flow into Northern California. +1
Is there a Tim Hortons nearby? Yes, you can get Tim Hortons Coffee there. +1
Roster Breakdown: 15 Canadians, 10 USAers, 2 Czechs, 1 Finn. 53.6% Canadian
Captains? Captain: Joe Thornton. Canadian (3G, 1S) Alternates: Patrick Marleau, Canadian (4G, 1S) & Dan Boyle, Canadian (3G, 1S) - Boy with leadership like this how have they not won before? I bet they all wear the right hats too. +3
Coach? Todd McLellan, Canadian, once played pro hockey in the Netherlands. +1
General Manager? Doug Wilson, Canadian, anti-jerk coach guy. +1 and +1 for the work in de-emphasizing the "win-at-all-costs" mentality with kids coaching. 
Owner? An American sports owning group. -1
Starting Goaltender? Antti Niemi, Finn -1
Most Points? Joe Pavelski, American, 41G, 38A -1
Is their sweater Canadian enough? 

Black and Teal aren't very Canadian colours, nor is a shark.  Unless there's a beaver riding said shark.  Although, with the wacky concepts Hockey Canada lets Nike comes up with I'm sure Teal will be a national colour soon.  Let's call it even.

Total Score: 6

Woah, a California team ties Montreal! Good for the Sharks, shame on your Canadiens.

Cheering for them as a Canadian is like: Rooting for a team that looks fantastic on paper, you know their top players by name, they dress sharp, but just can't put it together and win, dammit!

So it's like cheering for Canada at the World Jrs.

                                                                                                                    

#4 St. Louis Blues

Are they in Canada? No, they're in Missorah. And I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before Canada recognizes Missourah  -1

Does it snow there? Yes, it does, it upsets the dinosaurs greatly. +1

Are there Maple trees? Sugar, Black, Red, and Silver maples. FOUR KINDS WOW! +1
Is there a Tim Hortons nearby? They will if they don't already! +1
Roster Breakdown: 14 Canadians, 7 USAers, 4 Swedes, 2 Russkies, 1 Czech. 50% Canadians
Captains? Captain: David Backes, USAer (1S) Alternates: TJ Oshies, American & Alex Steen, Swede, Barret Jackman, Canadian (1G, 2B) & Alex Pietrangelo, Canadian (2G, 1S) - huh, the only two with Golds are the Canadians... +2
Coach? Ken Hitchcock, much feared Canadian +1
General Manager? Doug Armstrong, Canadian +1
Owner? St. Louis Blues Hockey Club, inc. So uh....no? -1
Starting Goaltender? Ryan Miller, Amercian, Silver Medalist. -1
Most Points? Alex Steen, Swede 33G, 29A - Alex Steen? As in "Leafs traded him for Lee "my brother is a dink" Stempniak? " -1

Of course

Is their sweater Canadian enough? 

Double Blue & Gold.  Colour combos of the CFL, but not Canada.  They can have half a point for that. +0.5

Total Score: 3.5

I always had an interest in St. Louis, but I'll admit, I usually forget they exist.  If not for Pietrangelo being an ex-IceDog I probably would have forgotten to put them on the list.

Miss you!

What cheering for them as a Canadian is like: Hey remember when Wayne Gretzky was on the Blues?  Yeah most people don't. 

                                                                                                             

#3 Colorado Avalanche (I can't believe they're so high in the standings)

Are they in Canada? No, they are pretty much in the middle of the US -1

What's the average temperature? Pretty average for hockey cities. +1
Does it snow there? Oh yes, they earned that Avalanche name. +1
Are there Maple trees? A search of the colorado state forest service list of tree says...no, surprisingly. -1
Is there a Tim Hortons nearby? Google says no, Yelp says you have to go to Saskatchewan. -1
Roster Breakdown  20 Canadians (yeah, really), 3 USAers, 1 Swede, 1 Czech, 1 Russian 76.9% Canadian
Captains? Captain: Gabriel Landeskog, Swede (1G, 1S) Alternates: Cody McLeod Canadian & Paul Statsny, USAer (1S, 1B). Only one Canadian out of TWENTY as leaders? That's a bad Patrick Roy! Bad! +1
Coach? Patrick Roy.  Yes, that Patrick Roy. Canadian, mad man. +1
General Manager? Greg Sherm- no, I can't play along, It's Joe Sakic. +1
Owner? American, booooo -1
Starting Goaltender? Semyon Varlamov, Russian. -1
Most Points? Matt Duchene, 23G 47A, Canadian. +1
Is their sweater Canadian enough? 

Maroon and Blue, again, almost red, but not.  half a point for that. 0.5

Total Points: 1.5

I expected more out of a team thats basically all Canadian.  Shameful, really. They even have lots of Canadian fans, since kids are big bandwagon jumpers and they were pretty damn good the minute they left Quebec.  Which I also fiund funny.  Leave Quebec, win a cup.  Maybe thats what the Habs need to do to get #25.  Swap places with the Bulldogs.

Cheering for them as a Canadian is like: You know that one guy in your hockey league that hasn't been doing very well, and you know he could do better then he has an amazing season and even though he's not on your team you want him to do well?  Yeah ,that's what cheering for this years Avalanche is like.

Oh also, the IceDogs used "Why Not Us" In 2012 as a rally cry. Change it, guys, change it.

                                                                                                     

 

#2 Anaheim Ducks

Are they in Canada? No, they're right next to LA, so we can probably just copy/paste those answers here. hold on. -1

What's the average temperature? 16.7 - A great temperature, but not what we're looking for. -1
Does it snow there? Well, Weather Underground says "According to the National Weather Service, measurable snow in Downtown L.A. has occurred only three times since California statehood, most recently on January 9, 1949". So, no, it doesn't -1
Are there Maple trees? Not naturally, no. -1
Is there a Tim Hortons nearby?  No, the closest location is Victoria, BC.It;'s just not hip enough. -1
Roster Breakdown 14 Canadians, 6 USAers, 3 Finns, 3 Swedes, 1 Italian, 1 Dane, 1 Swiss, 1 Teemu - 46.7% Canadian
Captains? Captain: Ryan Getzlaf, Canadian (4G, 2S) Alternates: Saku Koivu, Finn (1G, 4S, 4B) & Teemu Selanne, Finn (2S, 4B) - Only 1 Canadian, but I can't really argue with the A's.  But they don't get points. +1
Coach? Bruce Boudreau. Canadian. Do you know where he off-seasons?  Guess?  No, you're wrong. It's St. Catharines, ON for some reason. +1
General Manager? Bob Murray, Canadian +1
Owner? Henry Samueli, American, Felon -1
Starting Goaltender? Jonas Hiller, Swiss -1
Most Points? Ryan Getzlaf, Canadian 31G, 56A +1
Is their sweater Canadian enough? 

No, they aren't, they're jsut big black piles of nothing. -2 for being so bland.

Total Score: -5

Well, they fared much better than their neighbours the Kings, but not enough.  Maybe if they were still Mighty, maybe if I didn't hate their sweater for everything it's worth, but this team "meh"'s the hell out of me.

What cheering for them as a Canadian is like: You want Teemu to win in his last year.  Or you're a Habs fan who wants Saku to do well. Otherwise I don't know, you're in a coma?

                                                                                                                   

#1 Boston Bruins

Are they in Canada? No, they're in Massachusetts, which is pretty Canadian looking at it, but it's the most not-Canadian Canada looking place ever. -1

What's the average temperature? Cold.  It's cold in the winter, hot in the summer. But mostly cold with a heavy chance of masshole. +1
Does it snow there? Yes indeed it does +1

Are there Maple trees? Yes, they are lucky enough to be graced with our excellent trees. Though they may get drunk and try to kick them down +1
Is there a Tim Hortons nearby? No, they prefer Dunkin' Donuts. Oddballs. -1
Roster Breakdown (% Canadian must be over 50) 15 Canadians, 5 USAers, 2 Swedes, 2 Slovakians, 1 Czech, 1 German, 1 Finn 55.6% Canadian
Captains? Captain: Zdeno Chara, Slovakian (2S) Alternates: Patrice Bergeron, Canadian (5G) & Chris Kelly, Canadian & David Krejci, Czech - Soon Charas reign of terror over Bruins management will end, and they'll give the C to a true leader. +1
Coach? Claude Julien, Canadien +1. 
General Manager? Peter Chiarelli, Canadian +1
Owner? Jeremy Jacobs (pictured below) American, the devil on earth, fan hater, lockout lover. -1

Seen here visting a childrens hospital for lunch

Starting Goaltender? Tuuka Rask, Finn, apprently not worth as much as Andrew Raycroft. -1

Most Points? David Kreci, Czech -1
Is their sweater Canadian enough? 

Black & Yellow, colours of great Canadian teams as the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Kingston Frontenacs.  Okay maybe not great teams, but teams anyway.  No points lost to make up for bad company.

Total Score: 1

Boston, home of the start of the Americans Revolution, the extinction of the Fenway Flounder worth escaping the tyranny of King George.  I was hoping for a higher score, I do have a soft spot for the Bruins.  It was just not meant to be, B's.

Cheering for them as a Canadian is like: It's like swallowing all of your pride, biting your tongue, and smiling politely as the guy in front of you in line at Tim Hortons screams at the cashier for being out of Boston Creams.

                                                                                                     

Well those are our choices, what a bunch they are.  Let's run down the list.

1. Chicago Blackhawks 11
2. Montreal Canadiens/San Jose Sharks (tie) 6
3. Philadelphia Flyers 5.5
4. Pittsburgh Penguins/St. Louis Blues 3.5
5. Columbus Blue Jackets 3
6. Minnesota Wild 2
7. Colorado Avalanche 1.5
8. New York Rangers/Detroit Red Wings/Boston Bruins (tie) 1
9. Phoenix Coyotes 0.5 Didn't make the playoffs
10. Dallas Stars 0
11. Tampa Bay Lightning/Anaheim Ducks (tie) -5
12. LA Kings -12

There we have it Canada, you have to cheer for Chicago. So says the list.  They're clearly the most Canadian team in the world, and if there's one thing the privately owned corporation that the NHL is, it's about national pride!

Wait, wait, I'm told we have a late comer to the competition.

#0 Mystery Team

Are they in Canada? They are in Canada, the United States, Russia, Germany, anywhere a waffle is drowning in maple syrup, anywhere Rush is blasting out a stero, anywhere jeans are being paired with a jean jacket un-ironically. +1

What's the average temperature? 98.5, the temperature of life. +1
Does it snow there? Only when it's aesthetically pleasing or there's tobogganing to be done 
Are there Maple trees? Everywhere you look +1
Is there a Tim Hortons nearby?  There is never one out of reach +1
Roster Breakdown 26 Canadians - 100% Canadian
Captains? Captain: Sidney Crosby, Canadian (3G, 1S) Alternates: Johnathan Toews, Canadian (6G, 1S) & Shea Weber, Canadian (4g, 1S) +3
Coach? Mike Babcock, Canadian +1
General Manager? STeve Yzerman, Canadian +1
Owner? Everyone, from babies to great grandparents. Except PQ voters. +1
Starting Goaltender? Carey Price, Canadian +1
Most Points? Drew Doughty, Canadian 4G, 2A +1
Is their sweater Canadian enough? 

Red, White, some gold. Oh yeah these babies are Canadian.  That back one is even an ad for Petro Canada! +3

Total Score: 15.

What cheering for them as a Canadian is like: Breathing. Eating. Sleeping

Well, with 15 points it looks like the 2014 Mens Olympic Hockey team is our winner!

Congratulations guys, you are Canada's Team!

                                                                                                             

Enjoy the playoffs everyone. If you're NHL team is in, congratulations, enjoy the roller coaster of emotions.  If not, just watch & enjoy the games without any of the worry, or pick any team.  It could be your back up team (Penguins), it could be the team of that one really awesome player you want to see do well (Anaheim), it could be a team that has players you loved in Jr (St. Louis). It could be a team someone else in your family loves (Boston/Montreal).

Whatever your reason, cheer on, enjoy the games, and if you're a Leafs fan, cheer for a Boston collapse. 

Canada's Team 2: Maple Boogaloo

So yesterday we took a look at the first 7 choices Canadians had to rally around as a country to "bring the cup back where it belongs", because really, isn't that what the NHL is all about? Proving which country's...um...Florida, is bigger?

Well we certainly know who's flag pole is bigger

So far based on scores our standings as "Canada's Team" sit like this:

1. Philadelphia Flyers 5.5
2. Columbus Blue Jackets 3
3. New York Rangers/Detroit Red Wings (tie) 1
4. Phoenix Coyotes 0.5
5. Dallas Stars 0
6. Tampa Bay Lightning -5

I really don't want the Flyers to win. Let's hope today's bunch smarten up.

This is a world I do not want to live in.

                                                                                                                               

#10 - Minnesota Wild

Are they in Canada? No, but look at it. Minnesota is practically Canada.

Rocks, Trees, Water, yep that's Canada.

What's the average temperature? 0. The average temperature during hockey season is 0. Ice everywhere!+1
Does it snow there? Oh yes it does. +1
Are there Maple trees? Every tree in Canada is pretty much in Minnesota. +1
Is there a Tim Hortons nearby? Yes there are, they even sell Minnesota Wild TimCards +1
Roster Breakdown (% Canadian must be over 50) 13 Canadians, 6 USAers, 4 Minnesotians, 4 Finns, 2 Swiss, 2 Swedes, 1 Russian. 40.1% Canadain
Captains? Captain: Mikko Koivu, Finland (2G, 4S, 5B) Alternates: Zach Parise, USAer (2G, 1S) & Ryan Suter. USAer (3G, 1S). NO Canucks. And I was just starting to like you. -3
Coach? Mike Yeo, Good ol Scarborough Boy. +1
General Manager? Chuck Fletcher. Montreal born & raised. +1
Owner? Craig Leilpold, American, Canadian hockey hater.  -1
Starting Goaltender? Bryzgalov? Backstrom? Who knows at this point. It's not a Canadian so whatever. -1
Most Points? Jason Pominville, 29G, 28A - Canadian through and through. +1
Is their sweater Canadian enough?

Well Canada is home to Santa Claus, but this are just too Christmassy for me. Canuckle Colours, but not enough. 0

Total Score: 2

Oh, just not enough for Minnesota. Gotta work on that leadership Wild.  I was rooting for Minnesota, because I assume every square inch of the place looks like cottage country and there's free cheese everywhere. But that may be Wisconsin, though aside from Vikings/Packers fans is there really a difference?

Cheering for them as a Canadian is like: Buying compliments brand chips.  Not quite the same as Lays, but an ok substitute.

How you'd know Dad's hours at the plant were cut back.

                                                                                                                                                            

#9 Los Angeles Kings

Are they in Canada? No, they're in California. Not even the good part, they're in Southern California. -1
What's the average temperature? 16.7 - A great temperature, but not what we're looking for. -1
Does it snow there? Well, Weather Underground says "According to the National Weather Service, measurable snow in Downtown L.A. has occurred only three times since California statehood, most recently on January 9, 1949". So, no, it doesn't -1
Are there Maple trees? Not naturally, no. -1
Is there a Tim Hortons nearby? No, the closest location is Victoria, BC.It;'s just not hip enough. -1
Roster Breakdown (% Canadian must be over 50) 13 Canadians, 5 Americans, 1 Slovakian, 1 Slovenian (they still haven't fixed that typo from last year), 1 Brazilian born, Indonesian, then Canadian raised, 1 Russian.  This has to be the least diverse team in the NHL. 59.1% Canadian
Captains? Captain: Dustin Brown, USAer (1S, 1B), Anze Kopita, Slovanian (SP) (1G, 2S, 2B in Div1) & Matt Greene, USAer. -3
Coach? Darryl Sutter. Canadian Hockey has produced as many Sutters as the US has Kennedys in politics. +1
General Manager? Dean Lombardi. American. -1
Owner? Phillip Anschutz, Sports team collector, American. -1
Starting Goaltender? Johnathan Quick, Silver medalist. -1

Most Points? Anze Kopitar, 29G 41A, Slovenian. Which after a google, is NOT Slovakia spelled wrong. Huh, learn something new. -1
Is their sweater Canadian enough? 

Black & White, like how most Canadians see Canada/US relationship.  -1

Total Score:  -12

A nice place to visit, wait, is it? I don't know, I've never been. I hear it's on fire a lot in the summer and has earthquakes and riots, and TMZ. I can't blame people for wishing an earthquake would make it float away into the Pacific.

Cheering for them as a Canadian is like: Walking barefoot on the beach in the summer. You know it's a bad idea, but you're just going to do it anyway.

                                                                                                                                      

#7 Montreal Canadiens

Are they in Canada? Yes. For now, but who knows what bug will get up their butt in the future (hint it's a lot of them, like a whole colony of ants). Also this Yahoo! Answers is funny +1
What's the average temperature? Fucking Cold.  +1

Does it snow there? Did you not see the picture above?  Here's another one.  +1

Are there Maple trees? The place is covered in them, until the Bloc has them all removed like a Canadian Flag in the House of Commons. +1
Is there a Tim Hortons nearby? There are.  Did you also know Quebecs language laws are the reason there is no apostrophe in the logo? It's true!  (There's no excuse for my poor use of them though) +1
Roster Breakdown (% Canadian must be over 50) 14 Canadians, 6 USAers, 2 Russians, 1 Dane, 1 Czech, 1 Austrian, 1 Swede, 1 Slovakian. 51.2% Canadian
Captains? Captain: Brian Gionta, USAer. Alternates: Josh Gorges, Canadian (1S) & Andrei Markov, Russian (1G, 1S, 3B) +1 - An American Captain? And you call yourselves the Canadiens. Well, I never. +1
Coach? Michael Therrien, Canadien. (Dammit now they have me spelling it wrong). Fun fact: Started coaching with the Canadiens, they fired him. Pittsburgh hired him and the team was bad with him as a coach, this is the Malkin/Crosby Penguins too, so they fired him, then went on to win the cup that same season!  Then Montreal re-hired him! Brilliant Strategy! But that's what you get when you handicap your choices. -1 for being stupid
General Manager? Marc Bergevin. Born & Raised in Montreal. He grew up with the team and loves them so much he'll let his Norris caliber D-Man be trashed by his coach. Brilliant Strategy! +1
Owner? Molson Family. Yes, the Molsons of Molson Canadian fame. Those guys. But no discount prices on beer in the Bell Centre. They need their ivory backscratchers +1
Starting Goaltender? Carey "2014 GOLD MEDAL WINNING STARTING GOALIE" Price +1
Most Points? Max Pacioretty, 39G 21A, American. (SO of course he was more goals than assists the puck hog). -1
Is their sweater Canadian enough? 

Commonly Called one of the greatest hockey sweaters ever, it even had a second rate cartoon made of it. 

But let's take a closer look.  It's mostly Red, which is great.  Also white, great times.  But whats that other one?  Blue?  Red, White, and Blue.  Hmmm....what else celebrates that trio....

TRAITORS!

-1 for that terrible addition to true Red & White

Total Score: 6

Montreal, a great place to visit. Great sloppy greasy food, a good atmosphere in the rink, and I find it terrifying to talk to anyone I don't know.  So far the leader for being Canada's team, but ugh, as a Leafs fan I can't stand the thought.

Cheering for them as a Canadian is like: Great, if you're already a Canadiens fan. Otherwise it's doing your patrotic duty to cheering for the Stanley Cup to BE BROUGHT HOME! OLE OLE OLE! /shotguns Molson Ex, puts on Black Face to "cheer on Subban", sets cop car on fire

Ah, Montreal in the spring.

                                                                                                                                            

#6 Chicago Blackhawks

Are they in Canada? No, they are on the shores of Lake Michigan, the only great lake the Americans won't share. -1
What's the average temperature? Everywhere from stupid hot in the summer, to stupid cold in the winter. Perfect Canadian Weather! +1
Does it snow there? So much that parking becomes scarce on the waterfront. +1

"Say Looting!"

Are there Maple trees? Indeed there are, but they leak butter instead of sap in the spring if local cuisine is to be believed. +1
Is there a Tim Hortons nearby? Yep, try the deep dish doughnut stuffed with polish sausage! +1
Roster Breakdown (% Canadian must be over 50) 11 Canadians, 6 USAers, 5 Swedes, TWO Slovakians (that has to be a record), 1 Dane, 1 Czech, 1 Finn, 1 Russian. 39.3% Canadian
Captains? Captain: Jonathan Toews, Canadian, even has his own lake named after him (6G, 1S) Alternates: Duncan Keith, Canadian (2G, 1S) & Patrick Sharp, Canadian (1G, 1S) - Lotsa good ol' Canadian Boys here. +3
Coach? Joel Quenneville, Canadian (barely, born at the edge of Canada in Windsor) +1
General Manager? Stan Bowman, son of Hockey Legend Scotty Bowman, seems to have his dads championship touch. Canadain +1
Owner? Rocky Wirtz, the anti-Wirtz, saviour of Chicago Hockey. American though. -1
Starting Goaltender? Corey Crawford, Canadian, and hearth throb. +1

Most Points? Patrick Sharp, 34G, 44A, Canadian +1
Is their sweater Canadian enough? 

Red & White are great colours.  Also capitalizes on Natives to help it's greatness, so thats pretty damn Canadian.  +2

Total Score: 11

Woah! We have a runaway leader here!  I can't say I would be disappointed to have to cheer for the Blackhawks. They have ex-IceDog Andrew Shaw who gave us this beautiful picture last spring:

Chicago is a place I've always wanted to see, plus they could be the next true dynasty in NHL. That would be awesome to see again, not a fake one like some want to call Detroit.

 Cheering for them as a Canadian is like: Hopping on a bandwagon with Timmies Chocolate Dipped for wheels, a Harvey's fry box for a wagon, and some moose pulling the whole thing along.

                                                                                                                                       

Wow, what a day.  Lots of possibilities here. Let's take a look at the rankings so far:

1. Chicago Blackhawks 11
2. Montreal Canadiens 6
3. Philadelphia Flyers 5.5
4. Columbus Blue Jackets 3
5. Minnesota Wild 2
6. New York Rangers/Detroit Red Wings (tie) 1
7. Phoenix Coyotes 0.5
8. Dallas Stars 0
9. Tampa Bay Lightning -5
10. LA Kings -12

We have some great teams left to review before the playoffs start.  Will Chicago reign supreme over power houses Boston, Anaheim, St. Louis, or Pittsburgh?

I hope so.