Come the NHL Playoffs every year, paid writers who clearly have no love of hockey write articles about the hypocrisy of the hockey handshake line. While such writers bring up some valid points, they typically miss the spirit of the handshake line and the symbolism associated with shaking hands in general.
Hockey is a physical sport, and playoff hockey ramps up the intensity. Shaking hands at the conclusion of a contested playoff series simply shows the high level of sportsmanship that characterizes NHL hockey.
History of Handshaking and the Handshake Line
First of all, handshaking in general in an antiquated custom.