I would contend that hockey’s Stanley Cup playoffs trump any playoff competition in the world. Yes, the world. However, I have heard arguments by sports analysts and sport fans alike this spring that other playoffs are better than the Cup playoffs, in particular, the NBA playoffs. Contrary to what SportsCenter says and shows, there are more sports occurring in the spring than the NBA, and there is an athlete other than LeBron James. Although not heavily shown on “popular” sports shows, the Stanley Cup playoffs are better than all others in sport for several reasons.

The competition is much fiercer during the playoffs in the National Hockey League than any other sport. The players and teams seem to elevate their play, as does every sport, but the competition is on another level when competing for the Cup. Players in the NHL have routinely finished shifts on broken bones, and even played in future games with them. In last season’s Stanley Cup Final, Boston Bruins center Patrice Bergeron played multiple games with broken ribs, torn cartilage, numerous torn muscles, and a separated shoulder. This is compared to a sport where the “best” players have been carried or carted off the floor after suffering cramps. Also, this years NHL playoffs featured opening round matchups between the Red Wings and Bruins, the Flyers and Rangers, and the Sharks Kings. These were opening round matchups, not future possible matchups. The NBA playoffs this year featured a matchup between the Heat and Bobcats. Upsets in the NHL are much more common and quite frankly possible than in the NBA, where most can predict at least the conference finals year in and year out.

The general excitement of games in the NHL also supersede any sport. The overtime period is unmatched because it is a sudden death style overtime. Every time down the ice, a team has the chance to score, ending the game and possibly the season. In other sports today, every team will get a chance to take the lead or tie the game if scored upon. The NHL has no do-overs. There is zero room for error, because if scored on the game ends. Also, it seems to me that the players in other sports pick it up only when they have to. I watched parts-I watched the Cup playoffs when on- of the Wizards Bulls games 1-4, as I watch to support my city’s basketball team during the playoffs. Over the course of the series I saw far too many lackadaisical plays by both sides. Three pointers tossed up and missed by both teams, any time but the fourth quarter, appeared to have no effect on the players, and they seemed unshaken by the fact that they had missed. Also, in game four, John Wall sprinted back on defense and made a play to stop a layup. Receiving a standing ovation, I couldn’t help but think, all he did was his job. Yes, it was a fantastic play, but was he supposed to sit back and watch? Hockey players throw their body’s into 90 MPH pieces of frozen rubber multiple times per game, as they care about winning so much.

The Cup playoffs don’t receive as much coverage as they should, and I do not know why. The fans are better in the NHL than any other sport decidedly. The Capitals sold out all 82 games of theirs this season, and the Wizards sold out four regular season games. Heat fans, when faced with the prospect of losing last season, actually left game six early of the NBA Finals, only to see the Heat comeback and win game six and eventually the series. Boston Bruins fans during last seasons playoffs, stayed when the Bruins were down 4-1 with nine minutes to play against the Maple Leafs and saw one of the most historic comebacks in hockey history. And after giving up two goals in the final minute to the Blackhawks and thus losing the Stanley Cup Final, the Bruins fans stayed and actually chanted “Let’s go Bruins” and “Boston Strong” watching the Hawks’ skate around with the Cup. The Cup playoffs can and never will be beaten, even by the NFL. The actual Stanley Cup itself is better than any other trophy in sports. An NHL team has lifted the Stanley Cup every season since 1926, with the exception of the lockout season of 2005, and it is one of hockey’s greatest honors to get your name engraved on the Cup-an honor earned if you competed or coached in a game during the Cup Finals. After winning, it is handed to the captain of the team, symbolizing how the team was lead by him all season. As it is hockey lore, you do not lift the cup until you have won it. When drinking from Lord Stanley’s Cup, you can see the pure joy in the players faces, knowing they have won the toughest trophy to win in the world. The excitement, passion, and effort put into the series by fans, coaches, and players is unparalleled by any other athletic competition in the world.