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If you were a guy, you were most likely chasing girls, fixing up that beater into a cool ride, or hitting the bars or clubs whenever you had a chance… Rarely, if ever, I suspect where you thinking of your future, nor how much you would be depended upon to become a huge frikin' success. There is a 19 year-old in Ottawa right now who is not only is thinking of his future, but his entire industry's as well. That's because his industry has made it patently clear that it is depending upon him to save it.

Now that is pressure! With a capitol "pee" in your pants…

The NHL is banking its future on the 19 year-old Sidney Crosby - so much so they thumbed their nose at a ½ billion dollar TV contract recently signed in puck crazed Canada to get him on national TV in the States.

The ink is barely dry on the CBC's, (the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation), new TV contract to broadcast the NHL and its playoffs for five years, yet they won't get the opportunity to broadcast Sid the Kid in their traditional Saturday night slot as he and his Pittsburgh Penguins take on the Ottawa Senators, the only Canadian team from the east left in the playoffs. Instead that game goes to NBC, who are paying precisely zero dollars for the rights. The head of CBC sports is right pissed off with the NHL right now, thought he would never say so publicly as he is, well, Canadian.

$500,000,000.00 to $0.00.

That's how important the NHL considers Sidney Crosby to be. The new face of the league is a good looking, well spoken, apparently nice guy who just happens to be a fantastic hockey player.

He is the most impressive teenager in all of world sports today - and the best there has been for a long time.

The last "big" kid in sports was LeBron James in the NBA, who at 19 was heralded as the greatest thing to happen in that sport since sliced Jordan. However King James hasn't been a league scoring leader or an MVP front runner nor has he turned his team into a championship contender - and he's now an old man of 23.

Crosby is all of that and, considering the weight the league has put on his shoulders, more. JeBron may be hosting the ESPY's, but Crosby is the front man and center for his entire league. The youngest player to ever lead the league in scoring takes on the Ottawa Senators starting tonight.

They are probably the least of his worries.

Senators vs. Penguins: This Ottawa team has a tough reputation and a tough team to beat. Perennially underachieving in the post-season, this year they are supposed to be better tuned for the playoffs. Grittier and more hit happy, they are led by Dany Heatley, the second leading scorer in the NHL. Ray Emery is in goal and though still a baby, he has far more experience than Pittsburgh's goaltender, Marc-Andre Fleury. This is Crosby's first post-season, and that means, if tradition holds, he will choke it up a bit out there. However teams have been waiting for that to happen all season long, and it never did.

Penguins in 6 - and the NHL sighs in relief.

Other match-ups:

Sabres vs. Islanders: It was ten years ago that then coach of the year, Ted Nolan was fired by Buffalo in a power struggle that he lost. That will be the only compelling story in this one as it ends early.

Sabres in 5

Devils vs. Lightning: This is going to be the epic battle of Martin Brodeur, the greatest goaltender in the history of history, against Johan Holmqvist. Wait. Who? The Devils fired their head coach just last week, they are the worst team offensively in the post-season, and their defense is suspect. Yet they have Brodeur in net so…

Devils in 6

Thrashers vs. Rangers: Atlanta will depend upon Marian Hossa and Keith Tkachuk to provide the playoff experience and help their own phenom, Ilya Kovalchuk, get to the next level. But they will face a Rangers team that has one of the all-time great post season players, Brendan Shanahan, who appears to be rejuvenated. He along with Jaromir Jagr and pain in the butt Sean Avery should be enough - barely.

New York in 7

Wings vs. Flames: Last season the other team from Alberta, the Oilers shocked the hockey world ousting the Wings in the first round and making it all the way to the Stanley Cup final. Ah memories.

Detroit in 5

Predators vs. Sharks: Nashville might not appreciate their own team, but the Sharks sure will, especially now that Peter Forsberg is ready to play. When healthy he is one of the most dominant players in the game, especially in the postseason, and all indications are that he is fit and raring to go.

Nashville in 6

Ducks vs. Wild: Playoff inexperience will hurt the Wild's Niklas Backstrom, but it's the Ducks defense that will make this a one sided affair.

Anaheim in 4

Canucks vs. Stars: This could go seven games and the total goals scored could also be seven. Fortunately I live in the eastern time zone so I won't have to try and stay up to watch what these system-first defense-always teams do to one another. I can just watch the highlight pack the next morning, which should take about ten seconds. But Vancouver should have more highlights than Dallas.

Canucks in 7

The only certain thing going into the NHL playoffs is: A new team will skate around the rink with the Stanley Cup this year.

Will one of 'em be a 19 year-old from Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia?

The NHL sure hopes so.

Cheers and enjoy the playoffs - Gavin McDougald - AKA Couch

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