Alternately titled: I'm Not In A New York State Of Mind
Or maybe: Running On Ice
(Can you tell Terri and I attended the Billy Joel concert Friday night?)
There's much in the way of past weekend wrap-up, but I'm a little too jumbled in those thoughts at the moment so here's the round 2 hockey action. I went 5 for 8, which is a little above my normal 50%.
And, in case anyone's forgotten, the remaining teams are 4 wins closer to holding this.
In the West
Detroit
vs.
Colorado
I'm disappointed that Nashville didn't make it out of the first round, but they shouldn't fret because Detroit won't make it out of the second. Once again, they're showing their age with visible wear and tear. Dominik, I'm retired, no I'm not, yes I am, no I'm not, Hasek is playing like he's already looking forward to summer forcing Osgood to come in and spell him. It's anyone's guess as to who starts round 2. Colorado, even with all their respective aged ones should be able to pull through this in 6 games.
San Jose
vs.
Dallas
It's a shame Calgary didn't make the most of game 7, but then again, no one I wanted won the game 7. I'm predicting that since Turco has a taste of what it's like to win a series, Dallas in 7.
In the East
Montreal
vs.
Philadelphia
Well, after taking their foot off the gas and allowing Boston to make a series of it, Philadelphia liked what they saw and did the same thing for Washington. Turns out Boston missed the memo on what they were supposed to do after getting everything all tied up. Washington made a bit more of a game out of it. Huet just couldn't catch that last one. Two very tied clubs, but I don't think Biron can stand up to Montreal's firepower. I'm saying Montreal in 5.
Pittsburgh
vs.
New York Rangers
Both teams are well rested so one team being rusty shouldn't be a factor. Neither team took major injury losses so that won't matter. And, even though the Rangers aren't quite Pittsburgh East anymore, they still have Jagr, Straka, and Rosival. All in all, it's going to be Pittsburgh in 6.
And, if you didn't get the title...see here and here.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Sweepin Up The Competition
That's right I said Sweep. 4 games for the Penguins to 0 games for the Ottawa Senators. I picked the right outcome, but I was off on the number of games. I thought Ottawa would put up a little bit of a fight. I guess I was wrong. Unless I miscalculated tonight's game, Ottawa held the lead less than 5 minutes in the entire series. (For perspective, 4 games would total 4 hours). Granted, there are times when no one is playing with the lead, but for comparison, the Pens led during the series for well over 2 hours. The 3 stars for the game tonight included Martin Gerber, who, in my opinion, was the only Ottawa player who bothered to show up for the series. Most of the games could have easily been a lot more lopsided if not for him. The series in the West are mostly going my way, although I'm horrible about picking the number of games. I'd still like to see Nashville and Calgary pull it out, but who knows. The games in the East aren't quite as nice to me. Washington hasn't bothered to show up for the last two games. I guess Ovechkin's back isn't as broad as people had hoped. So, if Philly manages to close them out, they'll face Montreal, who has Boston on the ropes. That leaves us with the winner of Devils/Rangers, which right now looks more and more like Rangers. I'm not looking forward to facing Lundquist. But for now, I'll just enjoy the sweep. And, I'm going to game 1 of the second round, dammit.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Other Assorted Items and Hockey Of Course
Okay, I'll start with hockey. Most of the series are headed the way I like, with the exception of the Rangers and Jersey. But, sooner or later, the Rangers will realize that they are, the Rangers, and that will be the end of that run. Pittsburgh has put up two incredible efforts dispelling any notion that Ottawa has the psychological edge on them. After blowing a three goal lead in game two, they hung on and managed to get a beautiful wrap around game winning goal from Ryan Malone, who then proceeded to put in an empty net goal about 45 seconds later. Monday will be the true test up in Ottawa. If they can put Monday's game away, they have a great chance of sweeping and gaining some rest before round two.
I'm growing to like the commercial from the perspective of the goal posts.
Several items have brought about memories of college days recently. It started with reading the 4th novel, Murdered By Mumia by Maureen Faulkner. Not wanting to get into it again, Maureen Faulkner is the widow of the Philadelphia police officer that Mumia Abu Jamal killed in premeditated cold blood in 1981. He's been on death row ever since. When I was writing for the school paper, I was given the assignment to do a story about Mumia since his defense attorney du jour Leonard Weinglass was coming to campus to drum up more support for their "political prisoner" image. Now, I didn't know anything about the case before receiving the assignment. In the span of 4 days, I quickly brought myself up to speed and made my own mind up about the case. However, I spent the next day and a half agonizing, writing, re-writing, editing, reading out loud, scratching, typing, and finally came out with a non-biased account that I was fairly proud of. Turned it in, mentioned to my editor that it was a bit of a task to do a news story on the subject and proceeded to go about my normal set of weekend events (namely buggy). Monday I grab a copy of the paper and I'm thrilled to see top slot above the fold front page. Then I read the article. My editor took the opportunity to use his "editorial pen" to do a slight rewrite on the article and slanted it in favor of Mumia. I was livid since my name was attached to the article. I called immediately and asked where he got off. Three minutes later I had ended my affiliation with the news section of the paper. I continued to submit to the entertainment section doing movie and cd reviews and interviews, but I never submitted another news story. Anyway, reading the novel brought back all those memories and taught me even more about the case. It just amazes me that he's still alive 26 YEARS after being found guilty and sentenced to death by a jury of his peers. It's probably one of the few political issues I take an actual stand on.
The second thing that took me back was the death of Dith Pran on March 30th. I interviewed Mr. Pran when he spoke at Carnegie Mellon. I can't even imagine going through the things that he saw both in and out of his camera lens. He was a diminuitive soft spoken man, but highly articulate and intelligent and he and I had a great conversation that turned into a great article.
Then, of course, there's the ever looming Spring Carnival that occurs next weekend. By this time next week I'll know where my old team finished.
And, Smart People came out this week as well. So, all in all, it's been a blast from the past. I haven't seen smart people yet, but I'll probably see it soon.
I'm growing to like the commercial from the perspective of the goal posts.
Several items have brought about memories of college days recently. It started with reading the 4th novel, Murdered By Mumia by Maureen Faulkner. Not wanting to get into it again, Maureen Faulkner is the widow of the Philadelphia police officer that Mumia Abu Jamal killed in premeditated cold blood in 1981. He's been on death row ever since. When I was writing for the school paper, I was given the assignment to do a story about Mumia since his defense attorney du jour Leonard Weinglass was coming to campus to drum up more support for their "political prisoner" image. Now, I didn't know anything about the case before receiving the assignment. In the span of 4 days, I quickly brought myself up to speed and made my own mind up about the case. However, I spent the next day and a half agonizing, writing, re-writing, editing, reading out loud, scratching, typing, and finally came out with a non-biased account that I was fairly proud of. Turned it in, mentioned to my editor that it was a bit of a task to do a news story on the subject and proceeded to go about my normal set of weekend events (namely buggy). Monday I grab a copy of the paper and I'm thrilled to see top slot above the fold front page. Then I read the article. My editor took the opportunity to use his "editorial pen" to do a slight rewrite on the article and slanted it in favor of Mumia. I was livid since my name was attached to the article. I called immediately and asked where he got off. Three minutes later I had ended my affiliation with the news section of the paper. I continued to submit to the entertainment section doing movie and cd reviews and interviews, but I never submitted another news story. Anyway, reading the novel brought back all those memories and taught me even more about the case. It just amazes me that he's still alive 26 YEARS after being found guilty and sentenced to death by a jury of his peers. It's probably one of the few political issues I take an actual stand on.
The second thing that took me back was the death of Dith Pran on March 30th. I interviewed Mr. Pran when he spoke at Carnegie Mellon. I can't even imagine going through the things that he saw both in and out of his camera lens. He was a diminuitive soft spoken man, but highly articulate and intelligent and he and I had a great conversation that turned into a great article.
Then, of course, there's the ever looming Spring Carnival that occurs next weekend. By this time next week I'll know where my old team finished.
And, Smart People came out this week as well. So, all in all, it's been a blast from the past. I haven't seen smart people yet, but I'll probably see it soon.
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Cup Fever, Lord Stanley, and the Beard
Tonight begins the best tournament in sports. Forget the NFL playoffs, the World Series, The Chase for the Cup (although that sounds quite similar), The Final Four, Whatever nonsense Basketball calls their crap, this is it. 16 teams, 7 game series, 16 wins over the course of 2 months and you can hold the Holy Grail of Hockey.
So, here are my picks for the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs (as well as a whole lot of hopin.)
Western Conference
1 - Detroit
vs.
8 - Nashville
Nashville is the huge underdog in this series and not just because Detroit won the President's trophy with the best record in the NHL. They are under-experienced in the playoffs even with the addition of Jason Arnott. I'd love to see Nashville pick it up, but I don't think they have the playoff motor primed and ready. Even though they beat Detroit 3 times in the regular season (and came close to making it 5) I think it's going to be Detroit in 6.
2 - San Jose
vs.
7 - Calgary
I don't know much about either team in this series, beyond the fact that a lot of analysts seem to think it'll be the Sharks and Pens in the final (though I disagree with their outcome). I think San Jose is going to make short work of Calgary. San Jose in 5.
3 - Minnesota
vs.
6 - Colorado
Don't know much about this series either. I'm not sure how much of an impact that Forsberg made in the regular season, but I do know he's a handy guy to have around in the playoffs provided he's healthy. I'm going to have say that Minnesota has their number and will take them in a 7 game series.
4 - Anaheim
vs.
5 - Dallas
Anaheim is the defending cup champ and Dallas is known for early and often playoff exits. I think Turco has decided that this is his year to turn that around. Dallas in 7.
Eastern Conference
1 - Montreal
vs.
8 - Boston
Montreal shouldn't have too much difficulty with this series. Tim Thomas isn't ready to carry a team deep, though neither is Carey Price, but with Kovalev filling up the net like he used to, I think it'll be Montreal in 6.
2 - Pittsburgh
vs.
7 - Ottawa
Ah, the rematch from last season. Although the tables are turned and Ottawa is scattered to the injured reserve winds, they have a yappy jackass coach and the experience to dig deep. Unless the Pens can get to them early and often in the first two games, I think this will a little farther than most people think. However, it will be the Wizard of Cros standing at the end of 6 games.
3 - Washington
vs.
6 - Philadelphia
This series will probably be the most brutal in the East. Ovechkin, the face of the Caps picked up the team and carried them into the post-season by kicking Carolina out at the last possible minute. Philadelphia has had an up and down year from sitting atop the division to being on the outside looking in during the last week of the season. They're also a little battered. Biron is not the wall they need him to be and with Ovechkin, Backstrom, and the late acquisition of Federov I think Washington will walk away in 7.
4 - New Jersey
vs.
5 - New York Rangers
Ug, can they both lose? Even though the Rangers have beaten up on New Jersey throughout the season, Brodeur has the ability to put up the invisible force-field in front of his net which will frustrate Jagr to no end and a frustrated Jagr is a whiny cry-baby Jagr and so long have a nice day. Jersey in 7.
So, there you have it. My predictions, half speculation, half hoping, half informed (as usual...I mean what do you expect from a guy with three halves.)
And, though I'm going round by round, you're cordially invited to Pittsburgh in late June or early July for the Stanley Cup rally. I wonder if Snowball will be around to watch?
So, here are my picks for the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs (as well as a whole lot of hopin.)
Western Conference
1 - Detroit
vs.
8 - Nashville
Nashville is the huge underdog in this series and not just because Detroit won the President's trophy with the best record in the NHL. They are under-experienced in the playoffs even with the addition of Jason Arnott. I'd love to see Nashville pick it up, but I don't think they have the playoff motor primed and ready. Even though they beat Detroit 3 times in the regular season (and came close to making it 5) I think it's going to be Detroit in 6.
2 - San Jose
vs.
7 - Calgary
I don't know much about either team in this series, beyond the fact that a lot of analysts seem to think it'll be the Sharks and Pens in the final (though I disagree with their outcome). I think San Jose is going to make short work of Calgary. San Jose in 5.
3 - Minnesota
vs.
6 - Colorado
Don't know much about this series either. I'm not sure how much of an impact that Forsberg made in the regular season, but I do know he's a handy guy to have around in the playoffs provided he's healthy. I'm going to have say that Minnesota has their number and will take them in a 7 game series.
4 - Anaheim
vs.
5 - Dallas
Anaheim is the defending cup champ and Dallas is known for early and often playoff exits. I think Turco has decided that this is his year to turn that around. Dallas in 7.
Eastern Conference
1 - Montreal
vs.
8 - Boston
Montreal shouldn't have too much difficulty with this series. Tim Thomas isn't ready to carry a team deep, though neither is Carey Price, but with Kovalev filling up the net like he used to, I think it'll be Montreal in 6.
2 - Pittsburgh
vs.
7 - Ottawa
Ah, the rematch from last season. Although the tables are turned and Ottawa is scattered to the injured reserve winds, they have a yappy jackass coach and the experience to dig deep. Unless the Pens can get to them early and often in the first two games, I think this will a little farther than most people think. However, it will be the Wizard of Cros standing at the end of 6 games.
3 - Washington
vs.
6 - Philadelphia
This series will probably be the most brutal in the East. Ovechkin, the face of the Caps picked up the team and carried them into the post-season by kicking Carolina out at the last possible minute. Philadelphia has had an up and down year from sitting atop the division to being on the outside looking in during the last week of the season. They're also a little battered. Biron is not the wall they need him to be and with Ovechkin, Backstrom, and the late acquisition of Federov I think Washington will walk away in 7.
4 - New Jersey
vs.
5 - New York Rangers
Ug, can they both lose? Even though the Rangers have beaten up on New Jersey throughout the season, Brodeur has the ability to put up the invisible force-field in front of his net which will frustrate Jagr to no end and a frustrated Jagr is a whiny cry-baby Jagr and so long have a nice day. Jersey in 7.
So, there you have it. My predictions, half speculation, half hoping, half informed (as usual...I mean what do you expect from a guy with three halves.)
And, though I'm going round by round, you're cordially invited to Pittsburgh in late June or early July for the Stanley Cup rally. I wonder if Snowball will be around to watch?
