Leonardo DiCaprio's character in "The Quick and the Dead" once pondered if it was "possible to improve on perfection" after outdrawing a fellow duelist in the town square. I think about that quote often. Not just because it deserves placement in the pantheon over "are you not entertained?!" as an all-time cinematic swagger line, but because it's applicable to my struggle with the Stanley Cup playoffs.
The NHL postseason is perfect. Four brutal rounds whose victor wins a battle of attrition, having earned the right to have their names forever etched onto sports' holiest of grails. We can quibble about the details -- they could call a few more penalties, especially in those marathon overtimes -- but, functionally, the Stanley Cup playoffs are the greatest tournament in professional team sports.