Playoffs looking unlikely for my two favourite teams

Jim Mora does not think the Sens or Jets are making the playoffs this year.

My two favourite hockey teams are the Ottawa Senators and the Winnipeg Jets.

According to the website Sports Club Stats, their respective chances of making the playoffs are currently 11.6 per cent and 1.1 per cent.

The odds are strong that I will not watch playoff hockey where I feel emotionally invested this year.

While there is nothing like the stress, jubilation and disappointment of watching your favourite team in the playoffs, given the Ottawa Senators inconsistent playoff record and the Jets non-playoff record, I have gotten used to watching playoff hockey without my favourite teams.

When you don’t care who wins, it is easy to not stress and just enjoy the hockey. This presents an opportunity to pay closer attention to teams and players who are truly fun to watch.

The Stanley Cup Final last year was Ottawa Senators free (as the vast majority of them are) but the hockey between the Chicago Blackhawks and Boston Bruins was amazing.

Providing the standings do not change much before the playoffs, there are many potentially interesting playoff storylines to follow. Can St. Louis finally win after acquiring Ryan Miller? Can the skilled youth on Colorado succeed in the playoffs? How will Tampa Bay do without Martin St. Louis? Can Pittsburgh succeed despite the way goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury plays in the playoffs.

No matter what happens, I will find a way to enjoy the playoffs this year, but I am still hoping that either the Senators of Jets can defy the odds and make the playoffs.