It is known as a symptom of insanity, doing the same thing over and over while expecting a different result. In Canada, we have our own version. We like to call it, “optimism on opening night in the National Hockey League.”
So what if the Stanley Cup parade has been held on American soil for each of the past 20 seasons? We take one look at our favorite team’s inferior lineup from a year ago, note the few changes made over the summer and surmise, “I think the boys can do a lot better this season.” We charge towards the opening night like 35 million Charlie Browns bearing down on that football. Like the rube who falls in love with an exotic dancer, his wishful affair expiring precisely when he runs out of money.
Who cares if it was the Toronto Maple Leafs who held the longest playoff drought in hockey (seven seasons), before finally passing that honour on to … (wait for it) … the Edmonton Oilers? They love blindly in Toronto, where the Maple Leafs returned that devotion last spring with one of the all-time collapses in professional sports history.
It was a once-in-a-lifetime choke job that night in Boston, a team literally dragging the hearts of its followers down Yonge Street, then leaving them for a thorough squashing by the ever-present construction vehicles. But, like clockwork, ticket prices went up again this fall, and Leafs’ fans lined up like trained pigs at Toronto’s establishments to watch that opener in Montreal, where the Leafs held on to that lead.
Now, they hold on to a lead. Really?
This year we’ll say the Ottawa Senators are the best Canadian team—beg your pardon, Vancouver Canucks fans. You’ve had your chance to have your expectations dashed. It’s time to give someone else a chance. The Sens are that plucky, punch-above-its-weight franchise that gets little love outside the 613 area code, with a coach who under-promises and over-delivers. We’re not predicting they’ll play into Round 3, but you never know with the Senators, and for the state of NHL hockey in Canada, “you never know” is a theme that most cities would welcome.
In Calgary, they know. Oh boy, do they know what’s in store in Calgary.
Then there is Edmonton, where the rebuild continues. And continues… Oilers’ fans packed Rexall Place on Tuesday night to watch a spirited game with the Winnipeg Jets wondering if “now” has finally arrived after all these years of waiting.
“We have that accountability in the room (this year),” said Oilers winger Jordan Eberle on the morning of the first game, a refrain lovers of the franchise have heard for years. “There was a little bit of leeway with how young we were. To make mistakes was okay, I guess. (Now), it feels like, you’re going to pay the consequences.”
Later that night, the fans got a glimpse of “the new Oilers.” They blew a 4-2 lead, Taylor Hall gave the puck away far too often, Devan Dubnyk provided some substandard netminding, and The Oilers showed its patented inability to protect a lead. They made a ton of mistakes—too many to hold anyone accountable, lest the entire minor league club be called up for game No. 2. “There are some habits here,” said head coach Dallas Eakins, who surely got an eyeful, “that we have to make sure die.”
Winnipeggers loved every minute of it, of course, because in a game with all that young talent on display, Jets defenceman Jacob Trouba was the best young player on the ice. For Jets’ fans, opening night hopes lived up to expectations. Maybe there will be playoffs in Manitoba this year.
With a little goaltending, the Oilers might be fine after all. As for Toronto, well, they did hang on to win a road game. Maybe this year it will be different. Perhaps it’s true what they say, that you learn the most from losing, and after all these years, the Maple Leafs and Oilers have become two of the wisest teams in hockey.
The Leafs are in Philly to face the Flyers Wednesday night, always a game worth watching. And the Canucks open Thursday against the San Jose Sharks. Maybe they can…
Ah, what the hell. Pass me the clicker.