One Girl One Puck: Weekly Wrap-Around: Playoff Stress, Superstitions, and Rooting for the Underdog

Weekly Wrap-Around is a new feature that basically will give you a rundown of this weeks musings in the NHL. I will also talk about whatever is on my mind, and anything hilarious I may come across.

"Are you there God? It's me Ryan. Please don't let me become a hilarious internet meme." Woops!

Well folks it's the end of the first week (and a half) of playoff action in the NHL. Some teams are looking to finish off their series and move on, while others are teetering close to looking up tee times. It's a very exciting time of year, and also a very stressful time of year. As a fan of a team that creates a culture of learned helplessness, success often come at a price. That price is mounds of stress. Whether your team is doing the impossible, or simply doing nothing, stress at this time of year is unavoidable. So I've come up with a create way to help combat the physical effects of stress on the body.

Punch a Picture of Raffi Torres
I think even fans of the Coyotes will be able to get behind this one.

Punch it you'll feel better!

Seriously do you think this guy will ever really learn his lesson? Can he really change? Well I may not know the answers to that, but if you're pissed off feel free to tape a picture of Raffi to something (probably something soft) and punch away. Here's a picture for you guys, print it out and feel the stress melt away.

Punch Me!

Playoff Superstitions
I'm sure we all have our own superstitions when it comes to the playoffs. I know that every year I grow out my nails. I call it the female fan equivalent of the playoff beard. The thing is nails are a pain in the ass. I'm assuming it's a nuisance the same way a beard would be. I hate them, but I've been rocking this out for the past few seasons, and I'm terrified of cutting them. Of course my team hasn't made it out of the first round in two years, and I have no idea how long my nails would get if they happen to go far into the playoffs. I'm already pissed when I try to type on my iPhone, and also when I shift gears in my car. Seriously I have no idea how crazy my nails are gonna get they grow so damn fast!

This is what I imagine would happen.

Oh the things us crazy hockey fans come up with. Superstitions are a way of life during the playoffs, because remember if you don't wear the same shirt you were wearing the last game your team will lose. It's all your fault don't forget that. Damn Playoffs!

The Year of the Underdog?

No not that Underdog! Jeez!

So far it seems there is a pretty good chance of some serious upsets in this years playoffs. If all the series in the West hold on the way they are now we're looking at a second round of the Kings, Blues, Coyotes, and Predators. That's pretty crazy considering these teams would be knocking out the Canucks, Sharks, Blackhawks, and Red Wings. All four of those teams are facing a 3-1 deficit, but still can't be counted out. Those four have long been considered the powerhouse teams of the West, and a first round exit of all four would be a shock. The East has also had it's fair share of underdog stories. The Panthers, Senators and Capitals are tied 2-2 in each of their series, so it looks like no one is really safe. The Flyers are also on the brink of knocking out the perennial favorite Penguins. It seems that rooting for the underdog this season may pay off, literally anybody go to Vegas and make a bet? It's also making all the so-called experts look pretty silly, which is always fun to watch.

Parting Thoughts
HfBoards has already begun it's yearly Playoff Photoshop thread, and it's glorious. They're the ones responsible for the awesome David Krejci Kool Aid man gif, and the glorious Kesler tumbleweed meme. It's already on it's second thread, and it seems my good buddy Drew Doughty has become quite popular over there. Here's a taste of some of the good stuff.