This is your best music-related reference yet.

Posted by Nathan on 04/08/08 at 08:11 AM ET

You are just pumping these posts out today- impressive!

Posted by Christy from Ann Arbor, MI on 04/08/08 at 08:32 AM ET

Can you imagine a Detroit/Montreal SC Final?!  A dream come true.

Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 04/08/08 at 08:46 AM ET

you fail to mention that the “pocket rocket” swiped the puck in with his glove hand.

habs vs. wings a dream come through.  having been at the Olympia for classic battles between these two storied teams in the 50’s it would be absolutely awesome.

to this day I’m not sure there were many better power play units than; beliveau, (rocket)richard, dickie moore, boom boom geoffrion and doug harvey...deadly.

Posted by rocketman on 04/08/08 at 09:21 AM ET

A Detroit-Montreal final would bring me to tears.  I’m serious.  It would have so many benefits.  I think ratings would be good.  All the pre-2006 hockey fans would come out of the woodwork to watch a classic final.  It would be a good set of games, with two teams with a lot of skill.  And the best benefit, I think the significant increase in buzz and attention would be a clear indicator that Gary Fu$&#xin;g Bettman’s new NHL is a farce.  People could point at Carolina-Anaheim finals, compare them to the spectacle and majesty of a Detroit-Montral final, and clearly show how his plans have stained this league.

Posted by TDeters on 04/08/08 at 09:47 AM ET

In 1966 Eleanor Rigby was whining about lonliness…

I thought this was going to be another shot aimed across the bow of your good friends at the NHL Network and Verizon Fios for leaving you out in the cold. But I soon realized it was just you getting rid of some pre-playoffs nervous energy. I can only image what a joy you must be around the house these days.

If I was one of your kids, I’d just snap to attention the second you came into view and not move until I’d been given my orders or dismissed. “Yes, sir, dad, I’ll get right to that, sir. Permission to breathe, sir?”

Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 04/08/08 at 09:49 AM ET

I’m a frigging wreck OTC.  I’m literally embarrassed how the playoffs affect me.  I wouldn’t expect anything remotely coherent to appear on this blog the next few months.

Posted by IwoCPO from Washington, DC on 04/08/08 at 09:54 AM ET

“I’m a frigging wreck OTC. “

I’m a little worried.  My girlfriend who I met last year at the beginning of June is going to see “playoff me” for the first time.  I can still remember my neighbors coming and knocking on my door when Datsyuk scored very early in the first period in the playoffs a few years ago.  I remember running laps around my couch screaming.  So do my neighbors.

I’m not sure it’s really sunk in for me what this Thursday will bring.  Luckily I’m working from home so I don’t have to sit in a cubicle and stew all day.

Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 04/08/08 at 10:11 AM ET

Wow just thinking about a Detroit-Montreal SC final gets me overwhelmed with excitement. I still find myself rooting for the Caps in the East though, they are one helluva entertaining team.

I too let the playoffs take a hold of me, which can be very bad because they start during the most important time for school. Anywho, keep up the great work Iwo, you are almost single-handedly keeping me sane as I wait for the playoffs to begin.

Posted by Sp4r7an on 04/08/08 at 10:48 AM ET

My boyfriend has already christened this week, “Psycho Hockeychic rebirth week”.  He was looking at me funny when I was on his case about not having his playoff pool picks done yet yesterday.  Ah, the poor man.  Daughter asks me daily about the matchups, she is learning.  I’m a nervous wreck already and it is two days until game day.  Yikes.

Paul, you are lucky, I will be stewing at work all day.

Posted by hockeychic from Denver, CO on 04/08/08 at 10:50 AM ET

This is going to be a really rough first round- my finals start next Tuesday and unlike seasons past, I have to work during home games. Which is cool, but I can’t actually just sit and watch the game. So now I have to record the game and watch it AFTER I get back from work at midnight. Oh boy.

Oh, and I have to be completely professional in the press box. No cheering. It’s going to be interesting.

Posted by Christy from Ann Arbor, MI on 04/08/08 at 10:54 AM ET

Paul, I’m right there with you.  I met this gorgeous girl last week and wanted to take her out this Thursday, but there’s just no way that’s going to happen.  With all the drinking, pacing, screaming, drinking, anxiety, and drinking...it’s just not solid ground to start a relationship on.  Plus, I know this girl from church...and I’m thinking Thursday might not make the best impression. 

My biggest question right now is wondering if the pre-playoff stress is more or less now than it was in years past.  I’m especially whacked out right now.  Seems worse than usual.  Is it that we got to the Conference Finals last year but couldn’t get past that final hump?  Is it the injuries?  Is it our AARP-qualified goalie?

Any thoughts on that from the 19?

Posted by disch from austin on 04/08/08 at 11:15 AM ET

I wouldn’t expect anything remotely coherent to appear on this blog the next few months.

And exactly how would that differ from the preceeding few months. 

Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 04/08/08 at 01:06 PM ET

Here’s what I do to relieve and avoid all that playoff stress.  I repeat my mantra, over and over:  “It’s only hockey.  It’s only hockey.  It’s only hockey.”

I’m not necessarily suggesting any of you try it, though… because, to be honest, it hasn’t friggin worked for decades.

Posted by BobTheZee on 04/08/08 at 10:24 PM ET