[icehog3]

Originally Posted by yourchoice

Simplistically, I think it has a lot to do with sacrifice. During the regular season, players may not layout to stop a slapshot as frequently. They may not go into the corner quite as hard. They may make a blind pass instead of taking a hit to make the safer, often correct play. A lot of those types of plays slow the game down creating bouncing pucks and a slower pace of play.

To me, I prefer the post-season game to the regular season. Not only for the intensity and the importance of each game, but I prefer the style of play....the players play tougher. Sorry to bring this up Mike, but if Marleau "bunny hops" in the regular season, it may be talked about for a week...maybe that long. When it happens in the post season it's talked about for a year. In the regular season, in the long run, hopping may have been the right play (keep your stars healthy (pun intended ) and live to fight another day. In the post season? Not by a long shot.

I agree with your thoughts, Joel, and I too prefer playoff type hockey. Not as exciting in the "freewheeling" aspect, but so much more so in most other respects.

They may make a blind pass instead of taking a hit to make the safer, often correct play.

Just ask Martin Erat....hs lazy blind pass to the middle likely cost the Predators the series against the Blackhawks.