by Kara Yorio

We interrupt the NHL death watch — the hand-wringing over the US television ratings, lack of large market teams in the Stanley Cup Finals and lack of many big-name, well-known stars — to say this: this Lightning-Flames Stanley Cup finals should be some good hockey.

Last year it was woe-is-me over two trapping teams. This year it is all-bad-news because it's not the Red Wings or Avalanche four wins from the Cup.

But if the doomsayers stop to actually look on the ice, they would see two fast-paced, hard-working teams with young players, great goaltenders and even some stars. No, they are not the game's celebrities (if the NHL can even make a claim to have any of those in the United States), but they are stars by their play, superstars even. Jarome Iginla. Martin St. Louis. Vinny Lecavalier. These guys can do amazing things.

The Lightning is a risk-taking team, willing to give up an odd-man rush or two to take a chance at an offensive opportunity. The Flames are an aggressive team that never stops working and pursuing the puck.

"It's going to be a head-on collision," Lightning backup goalie John Grahame said Monday afternoon before Tuesday's Game 1.

The team's coaches, like Grahame, know what's coming.

"What nobody has talked about is that the reason these teams have had some success it that they are fun teams," said Flames coach Darryl Sutter. "They are exciting teams. And that's what will make the finals a good series because it will be an exciting series."

Sutter's counterpart, John Tortorella: "It's going to be a hell of a series."

Sure, they think that. It's their teams. But the evidence supports them. If you lamented the lack of offense last year . . . if you yearned for some offensive chances, a little cherry-picking, an odd-man rush here or there . . . if you like some hard-hitting thrown in and players who aren't overpaid and overrated but instead overachievers . . . this is your series.

If you like a good storyline or two surrounding the hockey, you've got that too.

Dave Andreychuk has played more games without winning a Cup than any player in NHL history. His teammates almost want it more for him than for themselves. When asked about having Andreychuk there and knowing what he's been through, St. Louis relived some moments against the Flyers, moments when he thought, perhaps, a mistake of his might have cost Andreychuk his final chance at his dream.

"When we lost Game 6 in Philly, I was on the ice for the tying goal, and I kind of had something to do with it, and I prayed that we won Game 7, so I wouldn't feel regrets," said St. Louis. "I know how much I want to get there, and I have only been in the league for five (or) six years. I can't imagine how much Dave wants to get there. I was really happy we won Game 7, so I can live with myself for a few years."

No one in the Lightning locker room is taking this opportunity for granted. It may not come again and they only have to look down their row of lockers to their captain to remember that.

"We have talked about this a lot in our locker room," said Andreychuk. "I am living proof of how hard it is to get here. And how special it is and how we have to all have fun and enjoy it because it doesn't come around very often."

Meanwhile, the sentiment on the side of the Flames is becoming more and more nationalistic. All of Canada is behind these blue-collar, hard-working boys, we're told. Ignoring an international roster, the Canadians want to take back the prize of "their game" something that hasn't been won by a Canadian team since the 1993 Montreal Canadiens. And Calgary, the city, is going crazy with tens of thousands of people smushing themselves onto 17th St. after every victory, and even some losses. It'll be a spectacle full of passion (and reportedly a little Bourbon St.-like shirt raising) when the series goes west. It's spring and the people of Cowtown aren't just sitting around waiting for the Stampede to arrive in July. They're the last Canadian NHL team standing and they're ready for a parade.

In Tampa, fans will be patronized by Hockey 101 on the scoreboard and morning show banter that teaches viewers about the Conn Smythe Trophy. But these fans have filled the building all year. They are fully behind their team and know fast-paced, exciting hockey. They've watched it all year and they're about to see it come toe-to-toe with another aggressive team that doesn't sit back and wait for things to happen.

It should make for a great series. The NHL can only hope people around the U.S. will notice.