THURSDAY COMMENTARY: BACK TO THE FUTURE

(Listen daily for the Rod Pedersen Commentary on Cat Country 98, Rock 98.5 FM & LTD Radio)

Not sure what I love the most about the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

There are a lot of things.

But aside from the games themselves, and the inevitable gut-wrenching drama that goes with them, I truly love the flashbacks of history we’re seeing almost every night.

For instance, everybody’s buzzing about the fact two players scored four goals on back-to-back nights to open Round 2 of the Playoffs: Joe Pavelski of the Dallas Stars and Leon Draisaitl of the Edmonton Oilers.

The last time that happened? Way back in 1988 when it was the Sabres’ John Tucker and the Blues’ Tony Hrkac (rhymes with circus). I had both their hockey cards.

That’s just to do it on consecutive nights. The last time the NHL featured a playoff where two players scored four goals in a game at any point was 1992, thanks to Dino Ciccarelli of the Capitals and Kevin Stevens of the Penguins.

I don’t know about you, but as soon as my mind hears those names, those teams and those years, my mind checks out for awhile to where I was back then, and what was going on in my life.

1988 and 1992 were much simpler times, a lot more hair, and a heckuva lot more carefree and a lot less responsibilities. Definitely a lot of road parties, cabarets and rodeos.

We’re never going back there, but it sure is fun to revisit.

Anyway, I’m guessing that’s why I’m loving the hockey and the history so much, and seeing these players accomplish feats that haven’t been seen for decades.

Who could ever say hockey is in bad shape or in need of more “tweaks”?

It sure feels like we’re going back to the future.

That’s today’s Rod Pedersen Commentary

(The Rod Pedersen Show airs daily at 12 pm ET on Game+ TV, WQEE Radio & Streaming)