The only time of year I *sort of* wish I was American

...Because I'd love to get tickets to a playoff game.

We are in the Calgary Flames ticket draw. There are 600 tickets available this way. Between me, my partner, and my parents, we have four chances. How many people do you think are signed up? I actually wish they would release that data as I would truly like to know. I'd estimate at least, I dunno, 10,000?

Anyways, I decided to see what playoff games I could get a hold of.

The first place I checked was the Flames' first round rivals, San Jose. I pretty much had my pick of tickets for game two, which goes tomorrow.

I then went through the Western conference.

Detroit - Tonight, Section 116, Row 17, Seats 1-2, $105. Since I'm more of an upper level person, I checked that, too - Section 210, Row 11, Seats 1-2, $75.
Minnesota - SOLD OUT
Anaheim - ...first, why is there a note saying that a large block of tickets has been released in sets of one and three? All this time, I thought two and four were more popular. Anyways, I specifically looked in the $55 range for tonight's game - Section 411, Row S, Seats 1-2. There's also a building charge in Anaheim, and convenience and building come out to $9.60 (or 17% of the cost of a ticket). Damn. But still, ticket's to tonight's game...available.
Dallas - Apparently sells through their own website. Went there. Next Tuesday, 327, K, 8-9, $44 apiece.
Colorado - Next Monday, 322, 9, 19-20, $49. At 20 hours away, I believe Denver is the second-closest playoff hockey city to us, beating Minnesota by an hour.
Nashville - Next Monday, 307, C, 10-11, $49.

So essentially, the only place in West (not in Canada) that I can't find tickets is Minnesota. Glove tap to them.

EASTERN:

Montreal - SOLD OUT. I don't even know why I bothered to check, really. That was a given. Apparently they were sold on TM only by auction? There's a minimum bid, but I can't seem to find a maximum. Was it a sky's the limit kind of thing? Crazy. I guess the others were sold through the French equivalent of TM. Regardless, so very, very, SOLD OUT.
Pittsburgh - Friday, C5, G, 8-7. $125. This surprised me, actually. I think this is the only price point available, though...I tried others with no success.
Washington - SOLD OUT? Seriously? Cool.
New Jersey - SOLD OUT.
New York - SOLD OUT.
Philadelphia - SOLD OUT. (I think...)
Ottawa - SOLD OUT.
Boston - Couldn't find $50 ones, but $176.50 showed up (CLB137, D, 15-14).

So, six of eight in the East are sold out, compared to two of eight in the West. Interesting. The West is the "better" conference...but at least people in the East are there to watch the game...