I'm conflicted.

I've told the story, back when it was the original 8. My pops was a big fan of les habs.
The only jersey I ever saw him wear was an old Canadians sweater. He did have a vikings hat/ jacket later in life. Normally I'd be rooting for 'em.

But I adopted the hurricanes 10 or so years back as an eastern conference favorite. And really. It's because of Sebastian aho having the surname of a friend from my childhood. It's only 2nd time I've heard the name "Aho". All these years of wild futility, mostly coincided with the habs sucking too. But, the canes playing top quality hockey.

If I were to name fav teams, it'd be wild/kraken out west. Canes/ habs in the East.

I will say, I much admired the Avs this season. So I was looking forward to an avs/ canes final.

Now? Idk if I care.
I just want someone to knock off the undeserving VGK. 39 wins? That's not even .500 hockey. And they and their stable of crap netminders are going to play for the cup?

Feels like a travesty.

All that said. The officiating through the playoffs has been awful. It's a penalty to grab & hold an opponents stick. It's happening in every series and going uncalled. Tackling a player near the puck is interference. It's going uncalled. And much of what is called a penalty is obvious embelishment. Another penalty but I've only witnessed it called once.

The habs disallowed goal in 3rd period on Monday.
It was the same play as the offsides called on the wild. It helped clarify the rule. Now with that clarity. I'm more sure than before. The wild play was onsides.

It all feels like very selective enforcement of the rules. Tis a shame. Whether it's real or I'm imagining it. I sure wish there was 1 sport we could watch where officiating isn't half the story.

Oh wait. There is one.
CURLING LOL✌️