NHL Playoff Questions You Always Forget to Google
Why grow playoff beards? Which rules change? Why do fans throw fish on the ice? We’ve got answers to your most Googleable playoff queries.
The end of the NHL’s regular season is finally upon us, and it couldn’t come soon enough. The playoffs are a celebration of the truly elite in hockey, and the so-called “second season” re-invigorates interest after the long-slog that can be the regular season.
Whether you’re a rabid fan or a casual observer, at some point during the postseason, you’ll unquestionably find yourself going to your phone, searching for meaning and context the only way you know how — through Google. That’s why we’ve decided to compile some of the most popular Google searches from NHL playoffs past (as well a few that might come up this year), to provide a compendium of answers covering all the different questions you may ask yourself, and probably, a few more you always forget to. That way, you can just read this piece rather than worrying about awkwardly pulling out your phone at the urinal, in a stall, or under the table. Let’s begin.
‘why do hockey fans throw fish on the ice’
In the earlier days of the NHL, winning the Cup required winning two best-of-seven series, i.e. eight wins. In 1952, two Detroit Red Wings fans launched an octopus onto the ice, each tentacle representing one of those necessary wins. The Red Wings swept both the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Montreal Canadiens that year, and Detroit fans have thrown octopi ever since.
Similar acts of projectile-related fan expression have sprung up recently, including Nashville Predators fans tossing catfish onto the ice. Last season, Pittsburgh fish vendors attempted to prevent visiting Nashville fans from engaging in the practice by refusing to sell a catfish to anyone holding a Tennessee drivers license, which really only served to further the intrigue.
‘do hockey players fight during playoffs’
Fighting in hockey has been on the decline for close to a decade. This season saw an average of one fight for every nine games played. Fighting during the playoffs is typically even more rare, with fights occurring once every eleven games. Why? Because players don’t want to risk putting their teammates at a disadvantage by receiving an instigator minor penalty for trying to start a fight. The adrenaline of the playoffs also means that getting into a fight to light a spark is unnecessary. Everybody is already fired up, so there’s no big advantage to punching a guy in the face (and getting punched in the face in return).
All that being said, it does happen. Last year, there were 13 fights during the NHL playoffs, including three during the Stanley Cup Finals.
‘why do hockey players grow playoff beards’
Hockey players are a lot like pirates but with better hygiene (even if their gear doesn’t smell like it) in that they are superstitious. The history of playoff beards purportedly begins with the 1980s era New York Islanders and may have been inspired by tennis player Björn Borg. The idea is that players will not shave from the time that the playoffs begin until either their team is eliminated or they’ve won the Cup. Shaving of the beard prior to either result is understood to be inviting your own defeat, although some players have claimed that a beard trim is allowable if your team is in dire need of a change of fortune.
‘do hockey rules change during playoffs’
The major rule change is how overtime is decided. Unlike the regular season, where they play a five-minute 3-on-3 OT before going to the shootout (with additional sudden death rounds if necessary), playoff hockey continues with regular 5-on-5, 20-minute periods for however long it takes for the next goal to be scored. This plays a huge factor in the playoffs, as teams in a tightly fought series that frequently see overtime, can end up wearing themselves out. In case you’re wondering, the longest playoff game ever played was in 1936 between the Detroit Red Wings and the Montreal Maroons (this game predates the “Original Six” era of the NHL) and took six overtime periods to resolve, or the equivalent of two entire extra games.
‘chicago blackhawks playoff chances’
0%. To the immense relief and joy of their rivals in the Central, the Blackhawks failed to reach the playoffs this year. Chicago may bounce back next season, but for now, make sure you remember to keep them off of your playoff bracket, because the Blackhawks are out.
‘best team to bandwagon NHL playoffs’
The Nashville Predators. While their copycat maneuver with the catfish is worthy of some lowkey shaming, everything about this team is so much fun. They have 13 different players with at least 10 goals (and two more with nine apiece). Their group of defensemen are talented and mobile. Pekka Rinne is playing out of his mind. The fans’ excitement for their team is contagious. Their nickname is Smashville. Join this bandwagon while there’s still some space.
Another fun team to cheer for would be the surprisingly successful Vegas Golden Knights. They broke ground for an expansion team, not only making it to the playoffs but by winning their division. Everything about this team has been record-setting. Join in on the good feelings.
‘worst teams to bandwagon NHL’
Unless you live in western Pennsylvania, don’t cheer for the Penguins. Bandwagoning last year’s champions is never a good look.
‘nhl playoff busts’
Despite previously encouraging you to cheer for Vegas, the Golden Knights seem like a likely candidate to be one-and-done. Outside of Marc-Andre Fleury, successful playoff experience is pretty limited on this team. While William Karlsson, Jonathan Marchessault, and Erik Haula provide the team with some pretty high level scoring, this team is more dependent on team play and depth contributions than many of the others. That frequently spells doom in the playoffs. Just ask the Minnesota Wild, the Columbus Blue Jackets, and Calgary Flames. That being said, no one expected Vegas to even make the playoffs, much less lead their division, so feel free to ignore any all prognostication about the Knights.
A perennial contender-turned-bust are the Washington Capitals. Despite having a generational goal scorer in Alex Ovechkin, a couple of elite centers in Nicklas Backstrom and Evgeny Kuznetsov, a strong group of blueliners, and frequent Vezina finalist goaltender Braden Holtby, this team just can’t get past the second round. A team this talented should have at least one Stanley Cup to its name, but they’ve instead turned dashing the dreams of their fans into an art form. Add in Holtby’s underperformance this year and a possible injury to Ovechkin and it seems like this year might become another instalment in the Caps’ oeuvre.
