The Finals

Here we are ladies and gentlemen, down to just two. After 3 rounds I find myself at a stellar 10-4 record in picks and I'm expecting a very entertaining series between Chicago and Philly. The team of destiny versus a power house, both looking to break long Stanley Cup droughts. A key in this series for Philadelphia will be their play on the road against Chicago. We have all seen how well Chicago has played on the road in these playoffs, and if Philly finds themselves down 2-0 going into Game #3, there might not be a Game #5 back in Chicago. So here's the break down:

Stanley Cup Finals

#2 Chicago Blackhawks .vs. #7 Philadelphia Flyers

Forwards: When you look at these group of forwards on paper, they seem almost identical in terms of skill, grit, and speed. Names like Toews and Sharp match up very well against names like Richards and Gagne. Unlikely heros like Versteeg and Bolland run along the same lines as Briere and Giroux. The only advantage found in this battle is Chicago's experience and their ability to play a tough 4th line with Ben Eager and Adam Burish and not pay for it (Fans of Dan Carcillo won't see the dirt squirrel in the playoffs). I give Chicago the edge.

Defence: Philly has the star power, but Chicago has the group to match. Chris Pronger is going to spend the whole series tied up with Dustin Byugflien, which bodes very well for Toews and Kane. While the Keith/Seabrook pairing can be easily backed up by the Campbell/Hjalmarsson paring. The ability of the Chicago defence to jump into the rush is an x-factor in this series as well. Advantage=Chicago

Goaltending: I'm going with Philly on this one. The play of Antti Niemi has been great for Chicago, but I feel that Leighton and Boucher can hold the fort with more poise than the Finnish rookie. Advantage=Philly

X-Factor: Battle of the Captains. Can Chris Pronger shut down Jonathon Toews? Can Dave Bolland knock Mike Richards off his game? The captains will decide this series, and it's going to be a great one.

Pick: The Flyers do have a great team, but Chicago is a team that was built to win the Cup this year. Chicago in 5.

Other league news/rumours:

- The Coyotes ownership saga has been surprisingly quiet, with no real info coming out about negotiations

- This summers #1 free agent Ilya Kovalchuk has been offered contracts in the $10 million/year range by 3 different teams in the KHL. I see him jumping, but rumours have him staying in New Jersey

- Steve Yzerman in Tampa Bay as GM. BRILLIANT! He still might have no goalie and the Lecavalier contract to deal with, but in a year from now when Steven Stamkos and Martin St.Louis decide to stick around, Yzerman will be the only reason. 

- Anton Volchenkov won't be an Ottawa Senator next year. Word has it that he will be in Washington next year, which grows my theory about Washington just wanting to create a Russian national team. Also means that Washington will actually have 1 decent defender, and the Senators are screwed.

- Watch the goaltending scenario in Montreal. Reason #1: How much they have to pay Halak after this playoff run. Reason #2: Where will Carey Price will end up? (Trade him to Dallas for Brad Richards? Will Dallas bite?) 

- Lidstrom retiring? Detroit on the decline? More about this after the finals

- Will the Leafs resign Kulemin already!?!?!

- This year has a very interesting class of restricted free agents. Name like Bobby Ryan and Milan Lucic stick out and will be available if teams are willing to pay the price.

Round #3

And then there was four...

The absolute shock that has been the East, and the expected match up in the West create two series with a ton of story lines. In the West, can the Sharks finally win the big one? Or will a Blackhawks team that was built to win a cup come up big? And which team of destiny will come out in the East? (Honestly #7 vs #8, thats ridiculous) Now through 2 rounds, I find myself with a solid 8-4 record in picks (Dammit Montreal and Philly), so here's what we are thinking for the conference finals.

Eastern Conference Final

#7 Philadelphia Flyers vs #8 Montreal Canadiens

The Lowdown- Crap, how did we get here? The fact that a #7 seed has home ice advantage in a conference final is mind boggling at best, but the only one of these two teams of destiny will advance to the finals. On one side, you find the small, tight checking Canadiens who have rode Jaroslav Halak through 2 rounds, and on the other, the big, tough, flyers coming off one of the greatest comebacks of a generation. The edge in this series will be found in size, as the Canadiens have yet to face a team with a legitimate group of tough defencemen. The small Montreal forwards have had their way against the weaker defence corps in Washington and Pittsburgh, but expect Chris Pronger to make sure that doesn't happen. Look for Pronger to throw Mike Cammalleri into the stands at one point in this series.

Pick: Philadelphia in 6

Western Conference Final

#1 San Jose Sharks vs #2 Chicago Blackhawks

The Lowdown: So now that the Sharks have made it this far, the question still rises: Do they have the guts to make the finals? Joe Thornton and Joe Pavelski seem to think so, but the question remains to be seen if they can go it against a very deep Chicago backend. When you look at the line ups for these two clubs, you find 2 very comparable teams in the top two lines, but a serious advantage for Chicago in depth. Chicago's third line has Kris Versteeg, San Jose answers with......Manny Malholtra? The only way San Jose wins this series is if Evgeni Nabokov is super human, and it's been a long time since we've seen him that good.

Pick: Chicago in 6

Interesting story lines continue in the Pheonix Coyote ownership saga, rumour has it that the NHL has already created a back up schedule for if the team moves to Winnipeg. Let's GO JETS!

Round 2

3 weeks after the beginning of the playoffs, we are down to 8 teams, and I found myself 6-2 on my picks in the first round, so needless to say we are off to a good start. Round #1 found all the obvious story lines like the ridiculous number of too many men on the ice calls, san jose finding a way to win, and the top 3 seeds in the East falling surprisingly quick (Holy Crap Halak). Now as we look to Round #2, things are fairly calm in the West with all the expected winners advancing, but the East is now a crapshoot. Who thought a #6 seed would have home ice advantage in the 2nd round? Hell, a #7 seed could have home ice in the conference finals. So here's what we're thinking:

East Conference Semi Finals

#4 Pittsburgh Penguins .vs. #8 Montreal Canadiens

The Lowdown- Entering the playoffs as a number 4 seed, Pittsburgh now finds themselves in the drivers seat in the East. Jaroslav Halak pulled his best Patrick Roy impression in Round #1, but I don't see it happening in against the Penguins. Crosby has been unreal so far in these playoffs and expect that to continue. Sorry Montreal, beating Washington was an accomplishment, but the miracle run is over.

Pick: Pittsburgh in 6

#6 Boston Bruins .vs. #7 Philadelphia Flyers

The Lowdown- If you thought the Boston/Buffalo series was physical, you are in for something on a completely different level in Round 2. I cannot express this more ladies and gents, THIS WILL BE WAR. If you like good, old school, fast and physical hockey this series is for you. The Broad Street Bullies versus the Big Bad Bruins. Boston has been finding a way to win, and Miroslav Satan looks like a younger version of himself, the return of Marc Savard and the play of Tuuka Rask only helps. Oh, and yes, there is a serious chance that Boston could win the east(Yup, I called it now).

Pick: Boston in 6

Western Conference Semi Finals

#1 San Jose Sharks vs #4 Detroit Red Wings

The Lowdown- This is an interesting series. On one side you find the Sharks looking to kill their playoff demons, and on the other, a team who has found great success in previous years, but barely got through the first round. For San Jose to win, the Big 3 need to step up, cause Joe Pavelski can't carry the Sharks against the experienced Detroit. But let's be honest here, the Red Wings look like they are just out of gas.

Pick: San Jose in 6

#2 Chicago Blackhawks vs #3 Vancouver Canucks

The Lowdown- If there is one thing that breeds rivalry in professional sport, it's repeated playoff series against similar opponents. This means that Chicago vs Vancouver is developing into something great. In my opinion, the two best teams in the West, along with the hatred left from last years 2nd round series, and this one is going to be fun. Vancouver might have the edge in goaltending, but Chicago has too much depth up front and on defence. Expect a long, fast, shoot out kind of series, but the bottom line is. Whoever wins this series, is my cup pick.

Pick: Chicago in 7

Early playoff thoughts: Americans don't know hockey

Ok, I'm going to start with this because it is beyond ridiculous. The NHL needs to do 3 things quickly:

#1. Get rid of Bettman (self explanatory) 

#2. Get rid of the shootout

#3. STOP HAVING AMERICANS WRITE ON THEIR SITE!

The brilliant report you are about to see is by one John Dellapina, stating that these playoffs so far are better than the olympics, and might be the best hockey of all time....

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=526183

You are saying to me that Canada vs Russia is not as entertaining as Washington vs Montreal, or New Jersey vs Philadelphia!? You would rather watch Washington play zero defence, give away the puck like it is their job and then win on their forwards instead of a Sidney Crosby overtime winner!?! You want to see a 4th line of Moen, Metropolit, and Gorges in Montreal when Canada's 4th line is Morrow, Perry, and Getzlaf!?! This guy is pretty much the Glen Beck of hockey, who let this guy on here!?

But enough complaining, Americans will be always ruining hockey until global warming takes our ponds from us. But what about these playoff series?

Eastern Conference

#1 Washington vs #8 Montreal (Series tied 1-1)

What we've learned: Halak is actually pretty good and Theodore sucks. Wait, we already knew that. Oh, and Washington can't defend? Yup, knew that too. The only thing we have learnt from this series is just how WEAK the east is, cause Washington has some SERIOUS wholes. Expect these two to split in Montreal, past that who knows.

#2 New Jersey vs #7 Philadelphia (Philadelphia leads 2-1)

What We've Learned: Kovalchuk is obviously a cancer in the dressing room. He leaves Atlanta, they start to win, comes to New Jersey, and they start to lose. I still think New Jersey has the horses to win this series, count on it in 7.

#3 Buffalo vs #6 Boston (Series tied 1-1)

What We've Learned: One of the most entertaining series so far if you like the physicality of the playoffs. But Buffalo minus Thomas Vanek could mean a quicker than expected exit. Boston has a serious advantage.

#4 Pittsburgh vs #5 Ottawa (Pittsburgh leads 2-1)

What We've Learned: Pittsburgh can be beaten too, but not again by Ottawa. No Michalek, and Spezza being booed at home? That equation means Senators fans have seen the last victory of the year for their team. (But hey, at least they got one?)

Western Conference

#1 San Jose vs #8 Colorado (Colorado leads 2-1)

What We've Learned: 3 things sum up the first 3 games of this series. Craig Anderson, Dan Boyle, Choke. If that game 3 winner isn't a sign that Colorado is going to win this series, I have no idea what is.

#2 Chicago vs #7 Nashville (Series tied 1-1)

What We've Learned: Pekke Rinne is massively underrated, but he doesn't have consistant enough scoring to win this series. Kane grows a dirty mullet.

#3 Vancouver vs #6 Los Angeles (Series tied 1-1)

What We've Learned: The Kings are for real, and so is Henrik Sedin! Problem is, Jonathan Quick is seeing EVERYTHING, if Vancouver can get more traffic in front of him, this series is over soon.

#4 Pheonix vs #5 Detroit (Pheonix leads 2-1)

What We've Learned: This one will go back and forth til Game 7. But no Shane Doan probably means no Coyotes victory. 

In other fun news....

#1. Looks like the Coyotes are staying in Pheonix, as Jerry Moyes looks like the likely buyer. BUT Nashville has said they will be in the city til 2012, where after? (There is still hope Winnipeg)

#2. Martin St.Louis has mentioned that if Tampa Bay doesn't win next year, he could go elsewhere. (And yes, I already have a Toronto Maple Leafs Martin St.Louis jersey. Why do you ask?)

#3. (Note this is not a joke) At the end of their final home game, the Florida Panthers released confetti onto the ice. Celebrating what you might ask? Well 13th in the East sounds about good, a lottery pick maybe? Because at #4 in the draft, they are probably picking a defender. All hail hockey in south Florida!

Now for some videos....

Andy Sutton: Biggest hit I've ever seen? Check. (No pun intended)

Our Green friends in Vancouver 

Alright Pheonix, this was nice

Playoffs!? We're talking about playoffs!?

Well its that time of year again everybody, 82 games down, 16 teams left, and the hockey bonanza that is the Stanley Cup Playoffs starts wednesday. The NHL's second season is an interesting one, without a true clear favourite to win this year. Hockey win more intensity, physical play, and just all out hatred is what we have got in store for the next two months. Personally, I'm just pumped about continuous OT as my hatred for the shootout has grown to an all time high after yesterdays Philadelphia, New York game. The fact that a playoff spot was determined by a skills competition between three skaters and a goalie is garbage (and if you think I'm pissed, ask a Rangers fan), bottom line, in special circumstances like a game on the last day of the season, a continuous OT should be played to decide the outcome of the TEAM sport. I mean realistically, last night Claude Giroux beat Henrik Lundqvist, the Philadelphia Flyers didn't beat the New York Rangers.

All complaining aside, we have out playoff picks for the first round. If I have to go with a pick for either conference right now, I'll go with Washington in the East and an undecided between Chicago and Vancouver in the west. Here's what we are thinking for the first round:

Eastern Conference Quarter Finals

#1 Washington Capitals vs #8 Montreal Canadiens 

The Lowdown- Ok let's be honest here, the Presidents trophy winning Caps against the hot and cold, very small, Montreal Canadiens is a mismatch to say the least. Superior firepower versus Jarovlav Halak. Only way Montreal wins a game is if Halak stands on his head and the Capitals weak goaltending rears its' ugly head. The Capitals biggest weakness won't be called on until the 2nd round.

Pick: Washington in 5

#2 New Jersey Devils vs #7 Philadelphia Flyers

The Lowdown- Get ready for war ladies and gents. Division rivals who have an extreme amount of hatred for each other, count on fights, cheap shots, and little gatherings after almost every whistle. But once the brawls are done with, the Devils take over. Superior at almost every position, watch for Ilya Kovalchuk to break out. The Flyers have had a good run, and will compete with New Jersey, but take the devils in a long series.

Pick: New Jersey in 7

#3 Buffalo Sabres vs #6 Boston Bruins

The Lowdown- If you are a fan of goal scoring, don't watch this series. 2 of the lowest scoring teams in the NHL versus the goalies with the two lowest GAA (Rask and Miller). That is even without mentioning Tim Thomas (last years Vezina winner) backing up Rask. This one is going to be physical too, expect Zdeno Chara to do everything in his power to end Thomas Vanek's life, and for Ryan Miller to get a series long view of Milan Lucic's backside. Boston knows the only way to beat Ryan Miller is to get pressure and traffic on net, so expect Lucic to park himself in front of the net on his first shift and not move until a team wins 4 games. I just don't feel the Sabres will be able to keep up with the Bruins physical onslaught. UPSET ALERT!

Pick: Bruins in 7

#4 Pittsburgh Penguins vs #5 Ottawa Senators

The Lowdown- Ottawa Senator fans have a small voice in the back of their heads' these days, and it is quietly saying SWEEEEEEEEEEP! Which is very realistic against the defending Stanley Cup Champs. Either than their 13 game winning streak in January, Ottawa has been a .500 hockey club, and now with Alex Kovalev out, this ship is sinking. FAST!

Pick- Pittsburgh in 4

Western Conference Quarter Finals

#1 San Jose Sharks vs #8 Colorado Avalanche

The Lowdown- Playoff choke artists (and they are damn good at it too) versus the kids. Colorado pretty much backed into the playoffs on account that Calgary sucks, and San Jose has had its' own troubles this year too, but in this series, Colorado is severely outclassed. Colorado may be the future in the West, and its a major accomplishment to even make it this far, but let's be honest, the Sharks have too much fire power.

Pick: San Jose in 5

#2 Chicago Blackhawks vs #7 Nashville Predators

The Lowdown- I'm still not sure how the Predators do it every year. You look down their roster and outside the name Shea Weber, no one sticks out as a true star, but every year Nashville is somehow in the playoffs. Unfortunately this one will be a quick trip to the dance, cause Chicago is too good. Toews and co. will be all over the Predators like the Oilers were on losing this year (But we do love you Pat Quinn). Superior at pretty much every position, Chicago should cruise through this round, cause there are only so many times Shea Weber can put a puck through the net.

Pick: Chicago in 5

#3 Vancouver Canucks vs #6 Los Angeles Kings

The Lowdown- This is going to be a good one. The Sedin twins and Luongo versus Doughty, Smyth and Kopitar is going to make for some great hockey. The Kings goaltending issues will nab them in the end (The Kings are a goalie away from competing for the Cup), but expect a long, close, entertaining series.

Pick: Vancouver in 7

#4 Pheonix Coyotes vs #5 Detroit Red Wings

The Lowdown- Ok Pheonix, the party stops here. You have had you cinderella run (built off 20 shootout wins) but the shootout is gone and Adrian Aucoin is nothing more than a 3rd or 4th defenceman. Cause now you have to face a veteran Red Wings team who is just catching their stride. If Jimmy Howard plays well, the Red Wings could do some serious damage in these playoffs. Oh and, Pheonix, it's nothing personal, you are just overrated, I will cheer for you when you are back in Winnipeg. LET'S GO JETS!!

Pick: Detroit in 6

Goals, Fights, and a little extra

Final day of the regular season, still a few spots/seedings to be worked out in the playoff race. In the West, with a win over Detroit, Chicago can clinch the #1 seed, also with a Detroit and a Los Angeles win, the Kings can move up in the #5 seed in the conference. 

While in the East, two very intriguing games will determine playoff matches. First off, the win and your in game between Philadelphia and New York is going to be a war, especially if the Flyers win, they will jump into 7th, leaving Montreal with the privilege (or burden) of playing Washington in the first round. Now who will Philly play if they get in? Well that depends on the Buffalo/New Jersey game today. Simple script, Buffalo wins in regulation time, they finish 2nd and New Jersey gets #3. Any other result gives New Jersey #2. 

But here's what you all came for, a couple little tributes

#1 Steven Stamkos, 50 goals for the man who's contract ends next season (Show of hands for who thinks he would look good in Maple Leaf blue)

#2 Henrik and Daniel Sedin- Daniel for scoring and Henrik for setting him up to win the Art Ross (GIVE HIM THE HART!)

#3 To Mr. Evander Kane. The 4th overall pick a year ago, giving a little justice to Matt Cooke.

Playoff picks and preview this week!

Way to be Pierre

Some more amazing playoff commercial parodies

This one is too good to pass up..