Why I'm tuning the NFL out for more NHL action
The good thing about the Vegas Golden Knights is they're playing incredible hockey this season. Of course, you know the names by now: Jack Eichel, Mark Stone, and Tomas Hertl. But there have also been other names emerging from the shadows, including Pavel Dorofeyev (21 goals in 2024-25). It's made this painful NFL season much easier to bear.
That's especially true after the 49ers (my team) went 6-11 this season after losing to the... Kansas City Chiefs in 2024. Yes, part of this post comes from my disdain after losing two Super Bowls. It doesn't help when your own mother gushes over Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift being together.
But it isn't just the Golden Knights that make the NHL more favorable to watch. The league has no shortage of superstars to promote, whether it's Eichel, Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews, or Nathan MacKinnon. Nearly every game is a blast to watch as well, with better refereeing and skills all around. After all, you don't see NHL referees doing this crazy stunt if it were the Edmonton Oilers or Golden Knights...
This is so disgusting I can’t even handle it. @NFL @nflcommish #nflrigged #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/rbEO0CNkg9
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) January 27, 2025
You also don't see players like Eichel, McDavid, and Matthews act like apes like Kelce. They're more reserved and are just good at hockey, not needing to seek attention every five seconds. In fact, that's become the whole zeitgeist for the NFL, specifically since it started taking over Christmas Day. Instead, you have hockey fans (another reason I'm tuning in for more hockey) putting wigs on Matthews for giggles.
It also helps that I grew up with hockey as one of my favorite sports. The Detroit Red Wings were a dominant team in the 1990s and 2000s that didn't need anyone's help. All they needed was Mike Ilitch to open his checkbook to sign the biggest stars to win. He didn't emerge from his crypt in Transylvania like Clark Hunt to hoist another Super Bowl since he didn't have the LeBron James of the NFL, either (no, FOX and Disney. Mahomes isn't Michael Jordan. Stop it and get some help). Instead, he had the will to win by getting the best players and drafting great consistently.