Bruins vs. Devils has only regional appeal, and even then, not exactly the best of rivals, nor evenly matched teams, nor same division, nothing to peak interest outside those two markets.
Nashville vs. Columbus. 'Nuff said.
Florida vs. Calgary is as a dead a match-up as could be made, but at least it involves two teams with interesting rosters. Many will want to watch one team or the other, and I guess Canucks fans will be cheering for/against Bertuzzi against rival Flames. But as a match-up, these two teams have no history and no future, rarely play each other, and far apart geographically.
So I think it's a conspiracy, a carefully orchestrated suckfest, to set the stage for the evening's match-up of:
Edmonton vs. Phoenix, at Winnipeg, Man.
WOW. The Coyotes/Jets first trip back to Winnipeg, Gretzky's team against his old team, the Stanley Cup finalist Oilers. That will be a memorable game.
The NHL has done well. Three forgettable non-match-ups and one classic. It was destined to be.
