Loving the Eastern Conference

The NHL might want to take some advice from the NCAA with regard to expanding their tournament. Why? The Eastern Conference is gearing up for Flyers vs. Canadiens this Sunday in the Conference Finals. That's right, a 7 vs 8 seed matchup. And the two teams that barely made the playoffs are amped up about playing each other for something other than a "who deserved to be in the playoffs more" consolation prize.

Unlike their Western counterparts, who have carved themselves out a relatively expected playoff bracket (the Sharks vs Blackhawks are a "normal" 1 vs 2 seed matchup), the Flyers and Canadiens have shook up the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Why does WMBC love this? First, the Flyers became the 3rd team in NHL history to come back from being down three games to none to win a playoff series (and first professional sports team since the you know who's. Serenade Boston for me, Justin.) Second, of the teams remaining, the most recent Stanley Cup winners were 17 years ago, that being the Canadiens. The Flyers haven't held the Cup since 1975, but must find it hard to complain to the Blackhawks, who haven't given their fans a championship since 1961 (Sharks, ask the other teams remaining if you should feel lucky for never even coming close to smelling the Cup in your 18 seasons).

This is exciting for someone who writes about teams that feel cursed. Four teams that haven't seen the daylight of glory in a very, very long time now feel inches from a long sought after goal. Four teams that could arguably be considered cursed in recent years are of the final four still in the hunt for this year's Stanley Cup. One team will be victorious, the other three feeling farther from the cup and more cursed than ever.

Don't worry, we'll be here for you.

And hey, no matter how bad you fans feel, just think how Rangers fans still feel about the end of the season.