The Leafs and Canadiens will be kicking off the 2010-2011 NHL season tonight in the T-dot. And once again the same burning questions come to mind.
First off, why is the indisputably worst team in the NHL always given home advantage for the first game of the year? I don't get it, other than the fat wallets in the land of New York wannabes are calling the shots. If anything it should be the Habs at home hosting the Laffs. You'd think they earned it.
Secondly, when will the Canadiens coaches and players get it through their heads that the Leafs really, really hate them? I'm no sports prognosticator, but chances are tonight's game will see the Leafs fly out of the gate, running and gunning while the Habs stand around with that bewildered look wondering who put a bee in their bonnets. Hello guys, it's a rivalry. It's about time you got with the program on that.
Thirdly, when will Leaf fans stop cheering for crap? Leaf nation is the first to get on Habs fans for booing their on-ice product, sometimes overzealously, and yet they continue to worship at the alter of a management group that happily takes their money in exchange for season after season of mediocrity. Hell, at least we complain about it.
Fourthly, while I'm on the topic of Leafs fans, seriously could they be more obnoxious? Just because their team has a reputation for stinkin' up the joint, doesn't mean they have to take their bitterness out on the rest of the world. If the price of a delusion of greatness is to become wild-eyed, trash-mouthed, vitriol-spewing, screaming banshees, I think I'll go with a healthy dose of reality when it comes to the expectations of my team.
Fifthly (is there such a thing) must we have to endure Bob Cole droning on with his pro-Maple Leaf rhetoric every time these teams meet? I'm all for legendary broadcasters but really, it's time you and Lloyd Robertson took that fishing trip you've been promising yourselves. Thank God for RDS.
Sixly (okay, now it's getting silly) can we get it clear that a Leafs victory tonight does not mean it's time to plan the parade route? Yes, we know it's fun to beat up the Habs from time to time, but it's a long season kids. Manage your expectations. Trust me, if you were in the Habs camp, and they were to win, the fans and media would still find something to be concerned about. Overly critical, maybe, but ask yourselves what your team was doing last May? If it involved dimpled balls and plaid pants, perhaps it's time to direct your angst at the people in charge.
Finally, before fans on both sides get all up in one another's grills, can we at least agree on one thing? Gary Bettman is a dick.
Now watch and enjoy.
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