Fansided

5 Stages of Grief: How to recognize someone with an NHL postseason problem

By C.L. Kohuss

CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 24: A Chicago Blackhawks fan yells at Colton Parayko #55 of the St. Louis Blues in the third period of the NHL game at the United Center on January 24, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Chase Agnello-Dean/NHLI via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 24: A Chicago Blackhawks fan yells at Colton Parayko #55 of the St. Louis Blues in the third period of the NHL game at the United Center on January 24, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Chase Agnello-Dean/NHLI via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 5
Next
NEW YORK, NY – MAY 23: A dejected fan of the New York Rangers looks on behind the glass boards against the Boston Bruins in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2013 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 23, 2013 in New York City. The Rangers won 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – MAY 23: A dejected fan of the New York Rangers looks on behind the glass boards against the Boston Bruins in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2013 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 23, 2013 in New York City. The Rangers won 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

1. Hope

There is no acceptance in the game of hockey, whether you’re a player or a fan. All one can do is hope that next season is better. And man do fans get themselves a big dosin’ of hope when their team is ousted from contention.

“There are sooo many free agents this summer,” she says. “We could probably sign at least four of them!”

You don’t want to tell her that she has no idea how a salary cap works. The one time you tried explaining, she thought it was a hat you were buying for her birthday. She got too excited. Let’s stray from that path.

“Alright,” you say, “What if we sign them all and don’t even make the playoffs?”

“You’re not a real fan,” she replies. “Get outta’ here with your hate!”

If you haven’t noticed, she’ll also be quite, uh, unrealistic. “We should trade for Tavares,” she says. “I bet the Leafs take a second-rounder. Ha, they’re crazy enough.” You stare at her and she continues to laugh maniacally while eating cereal straight from the box. She’s watching television. Or you thought she was. It’s not even on.

Key phrases to listen for:

“There’s always next year.”

“We were a few lucky bounces from advancing.”

“If we get our injured guys back, we’ll be dangerous” (Nobody was injured).

“It’s fine, it’s supposed to be fun anyway and that’s what’s important.”

“It just wasn’t our year” (Neither is next year, or the year after, or the year after that).

Next. 25 most bizarre goalie masks in NHL history. dark

Want NHL coverage during the postseason? Check out our hub at FansidedNHL or head over to Twitter @FanSidedNHL for more!

Home/NHL