from Chris Johnston of Sportsnet,

The long winter is over. The great reawakening begins.

It is here, naturally, where the Stanley Cup playoffs spring to life on Wednesday night and the anticipation for this particular tournament is even higher than usual. With games to be played in Vancouver and Calgary and Winnipeg and Ottawa — plus the magnificent Bell Centre — these playoffs will be felt across the country.

One thing we have been reminded of in less bountiful springs is that hockey may be loved in each region of the nation, but it doesn’t bind them together. There is no rallying behind Canada’s team, at least outside of the one we send to the Olympics every four years.

Instead there are separate fanbases for the Canadiens, Senators, Jets, Flames and Canucks, and they all still have a chance to celebrate a championship.

What could be better than that?

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