Why Don't I Watch the NHL More Often?

Why don't I watch the NHL more often?

As I watch Game 3 of the Western Conference Semifinals between the Los Angeles Kings and San Jose Sharks, I am wondering why I do not follow the NHL more closely. I find hockey far more entertaining than basketball and certainly more so than baseball. What is the problem then?

For starters, the NHL usually kicks off in October right in the midst of the Football season (no pun intended). Given my preference of football over hockey, it is difficult for me to follow Professional and Collegiate football, and including hockey into that mix would be hectic. It is also important to consider that it is easier to follow 30 teams in football for 17 weeks when games are played only three days a week. Compare that to 30 teams in hockey who play for six and a half months and there are usually multiple games per night.

Another reason is the playoff factor. The playoffs bring a lot more intensity than the regular season, and this is true of all sports, not just hockey. Each hit and each goal mean more in the Playoffs than any other time. That intensity draws me to the NHL Playoffs. Part of the issue here is the length of the season. 82 games allows for a much higher margin of error than the NFL or College Football which is why I follow those more closely. The margin of error in the NHL does not allow for the same intensity of football.

Of course, there are other reasons such as time constraints, obligations, and sometimes life just happens. None of this is to say that hockey is not exciting or intense. In my opinion, hockey towers over basketball, baseball, and most other sports in terms of excitement and entertainment. Hockey players are arguably the best conditioned athletes (read: better product). I prefer the NHL over the NBA and MLB, but it does not compare to football for me. When the 2013-14 NHL season starts, I will certainly keep an open mind and an eye on the sport.