This week marks the beginning of the 2015 National Hockey League playoffs. Hockey is, by far, my favorite sport to watch. One of the reasons I think this is so is because it imitates lacrosse, a sport I played growing up and loved. That being said, I love the fast-pace of the game and the toughness and pure talent it takes to play it well.
However, I am a girl, and so another reason I enjoy the game of hockey is because of the multitude of attractive men that happen to be on the ice at any given time.
So, I give you the winners of the first round of the 2015 NHL playoffs, not based on skills or statistics, but purely on looks.
Enjoy.
Western Conference:
Matchup 1:
Niklas Hjalmasson of the Chicago Blackhawks
VS.
Mike Fisher of the Nashville Predators
Winner: Tie. Hjalmasson and Fisher both have amazing eyes, great smiles, and still manage to look incredibly attractive in a hockey helmet. There's just too much good going on here to pick a favorite.
Matchup 2:
Ryan Kesler of the Anaheim Ducks
VS.
Andrew Ladd of the Winnipeg Jets
Winner: The Jets. Kesler's body really kept him in the game, but it came down to Ladd embodying two of the most sought after types of men: a professional hockey player and a southern California surf bum. Don't feel bad, Ducks- no one could compete with that.
Matchup 3:
Kevin Bieksa of the Vancouver Canucks
VS.
Lance Bouma of the Calgary Flames
Winner: The Flames. Bieksa's jawline makes this is a very fair matchup, but Bouma seals the deal with his over-the-shoulder smile and obvious confidence.
Matchup 4:
Alex Pietrangelo of the St. Louis Blues
VS.
Zach Parise of the Minnesota Wild
Winner: The Wild. I mean, just look at that smile. Or those eyes. Pietrangelo is a tough competitor, but Parise is like a cuter version of a chocolate lab puppy.
Eastern Conference
Matchup 1:
Max Pacioretty of the Montreal Canadians
VS.
Clarke MacArthur of the Ottawa Senators
Winner: The Canadians. When you could be Andrew Garfield's stunt double, you will win no matter who you are up against, which is why Pacioretty doesn't even need a second picture to compete with MacArthur. Well done, Canadians.
Matchup 2:
Jason Garrison of the Tampa Bay Lightening
VS.
Darren Helm of the Detroit Red Wings
Winner: The Red Wings. Both players have incredible smiles and jawbones, but Helm's sly little smirk is a real winner and he still looks good after three periods of hockey, which, after watching my brother play the game for six years, I know is very hard to do.
Matchup 3:
Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers
VS.
Kris Letang of the Pittsburgh Penguins
Winner: Penguins. I mean c'mon. Granted I am from Pittsburgh. That fact aside, though, while Lundqvist has a hotter and more-physically-able than Dr. House thing going on, Letang is basically Tim Riggins' twin. And everyone knows Tim Riggins > Dr. House.
Matchup 4:
Andre Burakovsky of the Washington Capitals
VS.
Casey Cizikas of the New York Islanders
Winner: The Islanders. Casey is a man and clearly loves his fans. Maybe in a few years Andre.
