Return of the Jets and the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals: Vancouver Canucks vs. Boston Bruins.

Logo of the Winnipeg Jets version 1.0.

First, congrats to the Peg!

Welcome back to the NHL!

(To readers not familiar with the situation, Winnipeg lost their NHL franchise, the Jets, fifteen years ago. Just yesterday, it was announced that the Atlanta Thrashers will be relocated to Winnipeg starting next season.)

Thought it was going to be a semi-warm day on the Canadian Tundra before the second coming of the Jets.

It's a good young team, with the likes of Evander Kane, that Winnipeg adopts.

Good on ya, Winnipeg!!!

Second, finally let's get on with the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals.

NHL obviously knows nothing about buzzkill.

Good grief, the permafrost is melting in the Great White North this time of year.

Drop the puck already.

Getting tired of all the hype.

You'd think the big hype machine was TSN but it was the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation spewing relentless Canuck propaganda all week long...ugh.

Vancouver Canucks vs. Boston Bruins...
The Boston Bruins did not show me anything in their previous series against Tampa that could upset the Canucks' apple cart.

If they have any chance at an upset:

1. Tim Thomas, the Boston goalie, despite an outstanding game 6 vs Tampa, will have to be more consistent.
2. They have to improve their puck movement. Limit the giveaways.
3. Start scoring with their pathetic power play.
4. Continue their excellent forechecking game. This is the only area of that holds water against the Canucks (with exception of maybe goaltending).

My advice to the Canucks: don't choke.

Canucks will be too much, too soon for the Bruins.

I'll predict the Bruins will meet their maker for the fourth straight time in these playoffs (shows you how much I know about ice hockey).

Canucks in 6.

Now back to regular programming...

2011 Stanley Cup Playoff Third Round Prognostications...

Nothing like watching a hockey game and being body-checked by an arctic zephyr rolling off the Canadian Tundra at the same time.

I have a problem.

I was talking to my sister the other night. She noted that it was an off night for the NHL on TV and inquired what was I going to do in its absence...

I panicked a bit until I realized that the NBA Playoffs were being televised on another channel.

Oh, how convenient I thought!

I am addicted to televised sports.

I was at the local library a couple of nights ago. It's connected to the YMCA. As I walked by a gymnasium, I couldn't help but notice a large group of people playing floor hockey. Oh, that brought back great memories of playing back in my University days. That was a long time ago...

How do I join these people, I thought?!

Perhaps my long dormant love of participatory sports received the necessary jab to awaken it...

Perhaps I can rid myself of watching TV sports?!

Let's get on with the predictions...

Tampa Bay Lightning vs Boston Bruins...
It seems every year in the playoffs there seems to be a team of destiny, a team that can do no wrong, a team with a certain je ne sais quoi.

Undoubtedly, that team this year is the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Powered by a resurgent Vincent Lecavalier, an eternally young goalie in Dwayne Roloson, and a 4th line that never seems to quit, the Bolts have exceeded my expectations by getting to this point of the playoffs (by defeating their most recent opponents, the vaunted yet hapless Caps of Washington).

Suffice to say, I didn't catch much of the Boston/Philadelphia series. I think I was busy watching the winter-killed grass turn green in the front yard...

Seriously, if their number one centre Patrice Brisboise does not return from a concussion injury incurred in their last series, their prospects for playoff advancement is not good.

So, my prediction comes down to choosing between the team with the overwhelming intangibles vs. a team with overwhelming talent.

I'm going to ride this Tampa Bay tsunami until it meets an immovable object.

It's over for Hockey Night in Canada's home team...

I'll predict Tampa Bay in seven.

Vancouver Canucks vs. San Jose Sharks...
Before I go on, I just want to say playoff hockey is hell after your team is eliminated.

Forget about Roberto Luongo, the Sedin twins or even Chris Higgins, the Vancouver Canucks are in fact Ryan Kessler.

The guy has been a monster in these playoffs.

The San Jose Sharks have no answer.

They are toast.

My prediction: Canucks in six.

I'm going outside to enjoy the hot sun before the inevitable arctic zephyr snatches it away.

2011 Stanley Cup Playoff Second Round Prognostications...

Couldn't find a hockey pic but I've got this swell pic of some home grown spuds from last summer...

Reader warning: Every year I indulge in NHL (National Hockey League) playoff prognostications. Suffice to say, ice hockey is not the most popular sport on the planet but in Canada it's the only game in town (CFL football follows closely). So, please bear with me while I stick out my neck out on these important predictions.

Ok, the second round of the NHL playoffs (the eight of fate teams remaining) just started minutes ago. It's the Vancouver Canucks vs. the Nashville Predators. As anticipated it's a snoozer of a game.

This will be a closer series than most people think.

Nashville plays a pretty boring game. They have superstar Shea Weber on defence and a world class goalie in Pekke Rinne. The rest of the team is pretty generic. Despite this they buy into a complete total team concept. They beat a pretty hot team, Anaheim Ducks, in the last round. So, I anticipate they'll be pretty tough this round.

As for Vancouver, the Sedin twins better pick up their play or they're toast. All-universe goalie, Roberto Luongo was just adequate against the Chicago Blackhawks. He best leave his imitation of a fish-out-of-water at home. Otherwise, they should have enough horses to outlast the Predators.

My prediction, Canucks in 6.

San Jose Sharks vs. Detroit Red Wings.
I really liked how the Wings played the last round against the Phoenix Coyote. They dominated the Coyotes in all aspects of the game. Their skill level was just incredible.

The Sharks were also impressive in beating the Kings of L.A. Their strength seems to playing deep and along the boards in the offensive zone. They're pretty deep in scoring talent with the likes of Dany Heatly, Logan Couture, to name a couple. The only weakness I see in San Jose is their goaltending. Niemi has looked awful at times.

This series is difficult to predict. If the Sharks play well, the Wings will have their hands full. If Wings winger Zetterberg comes back from injury, I'd lean towards the Wings taking the series.

For the record, Wings in 7.

Philadelphia Flyers vs. the big bad Boston Bruins.
I cannot express the hatred I have for both these teams. But these prognostications are not about me. Just my impeccable hockey knowledge.

Having said that, who really cares? I just hope they beat the crap outta one another. That alone makes this series worth watching.

The Flyers played a miserable last 2 or so months of the regular season but against the Sabers of Buffalo in the first round, I thought they fought back valiantly from a 3-2 deficit. Having said that, I don't think they were firing on all cylinders still. In the end, they had to drag out a less than optimal Chris Pronger to save a miserable power play. Then there was the annual dog and pony show at the goalie position for the Flyers. Perhaps they'll get a proper goalie one day.

I have nothing to say about the Bruins after they beat my beloved Habs.

Ok, I'll say this. Goalie Tim Thomas can be beat. All Universe defenceman Zdeno Chara looked like a pylon against the speedy Canadiens forwards. The Bruins first line of Lucic, Krejci, and Horton was pathetic (except on two overtime goals).

This series is difficult to predict.

I'll go with my gut on this one. Flyers in 7.

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Washington Capitals.
Another close series.

I haven't seen either team play much this season except in the first round.

Both are high scoring teams. With the presence of Ovechin, I'll give the edge to the Caps in offense.

I really don't buy the fact that the Caps have become an immoveable dominant defensive force. I'll give the edge to the Bolts in defence.

If Dwayne Roloson, Bolts' goaltender, stands on his head, I'd give the Bolts the edge. But Caps goalie, Michal Neuvirth is just consistently good. That's enough for the Caps to win.

I'll give the series edge to the Caps. Washington D.C. in 7.

I'll also predict the odds of an upset in this series. The Bolts will have 75 percent chance of defeating the Caps.

That's it for now.

I've got to catch a Royal Wedding at midnight.

So, it's nap time for me.

2010 NHL Stanley Cup Final Prediction...Finally.

"March Towards Eternity" or "More Reasons to Hate the Western World"... Pic would make a good Far Side cartoon...

Wouldn't it be nice if they fit the entire NHL regular season into the time it takes to play its playoffs (in a couple of months?) and then have the top two teams play for the Stanley Cup in a best of seven series?

Wishful thinking on my part...but it would improve the on-ice product immensely. Guaranteed.

I'll get my head out of the clouds and make this year's most important (gag) and final (yeah!) prediction.

Philadelphia Flyers vs. Chicago Blackhawks...

Enough of the media hype: Captains Richards vs. Toews, Monsters Byfuglien vs Pronger, etc.

I'm up to here (my hand is one metre above my head) with the hype.

Weeks ago the prognostication for a series match up like this one would have been a no brainer. In essence it still is but for the fact that the Flyers steamrolled my beloved Habs. Damn the Flyers and damn Bobby Clarke and I may as well damn Bernie Parent (dunno why) for good measure.

Clearly, with the likes of Briere, Gagne, Richards, and Giroux they have the depth of talent to take on the Hawks. Plus, they're riding the coat tails of a pretty hot goalie.

Having said that, the Hawks still have the edge in talent. They just have too much speed, scoring, defense, and Jonathan Toews.

The Hawks have not had an exemplary record at Home.

For this reasons, it will be a closer series.

Henceforth, I predict the demise of the phenomenally fortunate Philly Flyers.

Blackhawks in 6.

2010 NHL Stanley Cup Semi-finals Ultimate Guide...

To humour BTOG's non-hockey fans, I give you this week's photo of note of a young Hamer girl at the Turme market in the Omo valley (Ethiopia) posing for two, two, two Birr. Where did she get those seashells for her necklaces???

I'm not the one who toots his own horn too often but I'll take a moment to point out that I've accumulated an outstanding prediction accuracy rate of .750 through the first two rounds of the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Not bad for a self professed part-time hockey observer.

I take great pride in predicting the demise of the Boston Bruins and the Penguins of Pittsburgh of all teams. I was a little nervous after the Flyers spotted the Bruins a 3-0 games lead to start that series only to come back from that deficit with a historical 4 game winning streak. I was pretty sure history was to made in that series.

I should get these 3rd round predictions off my chest...

San Jose Sharks vs the Blackhawks of Chicago...

I predict the demise of the Sharks who will finally fold like a house of cards this round. Where have I heard that before?

I'm surprised they are still in the hunt. I'm most surprised by the play of Joe "no longer chillaxin'" Thornton. I've never seen him show such urgency as I did in the series with the Wings. Scary stuff...

Even with Joe Thornton on the warpath, it won't be enough to derail the very talented Blackhawks.

It's going to be a close series though. The only chink in the Blackhawk's armour is their goaltending which seems to be a bit shaky at times.

Hence, my prediction is:

Blackhawks in 7 or much earlier if San Jose folds like a house of cards.

Montreal Canadiens vs Philadelphia Flyers...

Hey look what the cat dragged in...two teams that weren't supposed to be here at this stage of the season.

The Canadiens have been a miracle on ice for the last two rounds, knocking off the Cup favourites (Washington Caps) and then the defending Cup champs (Pittsburgh).

In this round, they are in tough against the Broad Street Bullies. They're bigger and play a much more physical brand of hockey than any team the Habs have dealt with so far.

But in my books, you have to first catch up to a speedy smurf before you can drill him into the boards.

That's the only come back I have...

Keys to the series: the Habs have to shut down Flyers' Richards, Briere, Giroux, and Gagne. Hab's goalie Halak must stand on his head again and again...it's like a broken record, eh?

If the Habs stick with their total team concept, I predict:

Habs in 7 (maybe 6, but Habs win nonetheless).

So there you have it. I predict an All Original Six Stanley Cup Final.

2010 NHL Crazy Eights Stanley Cup Playoff Predictions...AND a BONUS mystery photo!

Here at BTOG we are a full service blog. For those who could care less about the hockey playoffs (and some who do), I've dug out this photo from the vast BTOG archives as the first mystery photo in ages. What are those curious, squiggly streaks of light? Clue? The photo was taken in Etosha National Park, Nambia at night. Ok, I may have given it away. Good luck!!

The Long Awaited Prognostications.

Is it just me or was the opening round of the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs kind of boring?

With the exception of a handful of games (the final 3 games of the Habs/Washington series and one Avs/Sharks game come to mind), there hasn't been much to write home about.

The second round of the playoffs seems, on paper, to have more potential in terms of entertainment. Perhaps not...

Just for notation sake: The BTOG series prediction record is 6-2! Not bad for a hack such as I. Those lousy NJ Devils and Buffalo Sabres choked and let me down.

Let's do it...

San Jose Sharks vs. Detroit Red Wings.

The Sharks' party is over (again). Turn off the lights... It's going to be a tight series though. I was slightly surprised that Phoenix pushed the Wings to a seventh game in the opening round. But, if their performance in that seventh game is any indication of their prowess then they should take the Sharks to the cleaners.

Wings take the series on the road in 7 (Usual Sharks disclaimer: much less than 7 if the Sharks fold like a giant house of cards).

Chicago Blackhawks vs. Vancouver Canucks.

I'll be sucking it up and cheering for the 'nucks. However, I have a bad feeling that they may experience a deja vu (re: 2009 playoffs) moment at the conclusion of this series. The "young" Hawks have one more year of experience and that will most likely be the key factor. But then who knows? If Goalie Luongo and the Twins stand on their heads...they might pull a stunner out of the hat... But for now,

Hawks take the Canucks in a homer series in 7 thrilling games.

Boston Bruins vs. Philadelphia Flyers
Noooooooooo!!! Marc Savard, please don't come back for the Bruins. For the love of god, your brain has bounced around enough. I'm kind of scared for the guy. That's all I have to say.

Flyers in 6? They're like a wounded animal backed into a corner looking for a fight. I'll go with that...

Montreal Canadians vs. Pittsburgh Penguins.

DO YOU BELIEVE!! GO HABS GO!!

Okay, now that I got that off my chest, the Habs are in deep doo doo. You thought the Washington Capitals had an invincible multi-pronged attack. The defending champion Penguins have a similar attack force, but they up the ante by throwing into the mix, the world's best hockey player, Sydney Crosby.

If the Habs can semi-shut down Crosby and totally shut down Malkin and Staal and their goalie implodes (I can see that happening) and Hab's goalie Halak is god-like again, they may engineer another glorious miracle on ice.

I'll go against conventional wisdom and rational thought and predict:

Habs in 7.

2010 NHL Sweet Sixteen Stanley Cup Playoff Predictions

Cheezies are Canada's favourite snack food...

Once again, I'm late with the my prognostications for the first round of the National Hockey League Playoffs.

The Playoffs or as I call it, "The Road to the Stanley Cup", could not have come at a more opportune time. After an monumental, epic fail of a regular season in terms of exciting hockey (excluding the Winter Olympic tourney), the 2010 Road to the Stanley Cup might live up to its hype.

Without further delay (BTOG's overseas readers, who probably don't care about ice hockey, please allow me to momentarily indulge), here are the most researched, informative, and accurate predictions for the first round of the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Ottawa Sens vs. Pittsburgh Penguins.

The 2010 edition of the Ottawa Senators can actually envision themselves holding Lord Stanley's Cup over their heads. They're that close. Too bad Sidney Crosby and his band of defending Cup champions stand in the way. However, the Pens, as a collective, weren't that great this season. On most nights they've been a one man Crosby show. It wouldn't surprise me if there was a major upset in this series.

Pens in 7 (out of 7 games). 51 percent chance of an Ottawa upset.

Colorado Avalanche vs. San Jose Sharks

Oh how I detest underachievers. I'll give the hopeless Sharks this round (unless their goalie implodes again). The Avs looked pretty pathetic in the last couple of weeks of the regular season.

Sharks in 7 (ugh, the horror). Then again they'll probably fold like a house of cards and make an early exit.

Detroit Red Wings vs. Phoenix Coyotes

Hate to say this but I think it's the end of the line for the desert dogs of Winnipeg (er, I mean Phoenix). Just when I thought the Wings were going for that long walk in the snows, they bounce back to life in the latter part of the season. They'll be a handful for anyone who confronts them in the post season.

Wings in 6.

New Jersey Devils vs. Philadelphia Flyers.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzz... Devil's goal tending vs. the scoring challenged Flyers?

Flyers' misery shouldn't last too long in this series.

Devils in 5

Boston Bruins vs. Buffalo Sabres.

Key to the Bruins demise in this series? In two words: Ryan Miller. He alone will shutdown the anemic Bruins offense.

Sabres in 5

Vancouver Canucks vs. LA Kings.

Oh... how I loathe the Canucks. But because they are based in beloved Vancouver, I'll be pulling for them. Unfortunately, this series will be tough. Canucks goalie, Roberto Luongo, is in a slump. Nucks will need him to straighten out his game. The Sedin twins (I loathe saying "Sedin twins") will have to prove their mettle (once again) and not pull another annual disappearing act in the playoffs. Against a good, young Kings team, Vancouver will be pushed to the limit.

Canucks in 7.

Nashville Predators vs. Chicago Blackhawks

I hate teams like the Predators. I don't know much about them. From historical and current records, they certainly can play the role of spoiler against top notched teams like the Hawks. I'll err on the side of overall team talent and select the Hawks to take this series but not till after losing a couple of games.

Blackhawks in 6.

Montreal Canadiens vs. Washington Capitals.

My beloved Canadiens are in a lot of trouble. The Capitals are not a one man team. They do not revolve around their obvious superstar, Alex Ovechkin. Instead, their potent offence is multi-pronged, and maybe too much for the Canadiens to handle.

There's been trash talk regarding the Capitals' less than stellar goalies. However, I agree with the supposition that, with their vaunted offense, the Caps' goal tending needs only to be adequate to good.

Keys for a Canadiens victory: Halak (the goalie who must start the series) must be god-like, the Capitals' goal tending must be an epic fail.

Canadiens in 7.

That's it!

Tell me your favourites.

2009 National Hockey League Semifinal Prognostications.

Well, it's come down to the Final Four hockey teams in the NHL playoffs.

Last round was not good for my reputation as an expert hackie analyst. I finished, haphazardly, with a .500 record of success. Suffice to say, the act of flipping a coin in the prognostication process may have yielded a similar or better result.

Hence, for the following semifinal predictions, I will complement my words of wisdom with the results the tossing of Maggie, BTOG's magical loonie (and Canada's favourite one dollar coin).

Shall we proceed?

Detroit Red Wings versus Chicago Blackhawks.
Again, the classic match up between the experienced team versus the young and restless team.

The youthful Blackhawks have cast off the more "experienced" Flames and Canuckleheads with little effort. However, may I say "experienced" in these cases really meant old and decrepit and little to do the talent required to advance in the playoffs.

In the Red Wings, the Hawks will be playing not only an experienced, playoff-hardened team, but a very deep, talented team. The only chink in the Red Wings' armour in their series with the Ducks may have been their slumping number one line of Zetterberg, Datsyuk, and Holstrom but the three other forward lines just picked it up a notch.

These young Blackhawks have indeed exhibited the necessary talent, moxie, savvy, and depth to win the precious Stanley Cup. I'll give them a 71 percent chance of an upset.

It will be an extremely close series.

But on the basis of depth of talent and true experience,

Red Wings in 7.

Red Wings being heads. Hawks being tails.

What say you, Maggie the BTOG loonie (and Canada's favourite dollar coin)?

Tails it is. Good job Maggie!!

Maggie prognosticates a Hawk victory.

Pittsburg Penguins versus Carolina Hurricanes.
This will be another difficult series to predict.

At a glance it would seem to be the Pens' Sidney Crosby versus the Carolina Hurricanes.

He will need help though, particularly from his friend and goaltender Marc Andre Fleury. (I'm sure he has given up on fellow superstar Evgeny Malkin. Apparently Gene only showed up for one game in the last series against the Washington Capitals.)

Will Crosby and Fleury be enough to defeat the Canes?

The Canes will be formidable. They have their own superstars in Staal and Cam Ward.

I predict Cam Ward will outplay the Pens' last goal tending foe, Capitals' Joe Varlamov and his glove made of Swiss cheese.

Penguins heads. Canes tails.

I'll give Maggie, BTOG's coin of prognostication, a toss.

Heads.

I'll agree with Maggie on this one. Crosby will be a monster.

But it will be a squeaker as well.

Penguins in seven.

NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs 2009: Quarter Finals Prognostications.

Old school wooden hockey stick...

Apologies to my loyal BTOG overseas readers but please permit me to indulge once again in that great Canadian pastime of NHL Stanley Cup playoff prognostication. [Ed. note: remember, what ice hockey is to Canadians, ping pong is to Chinese.]

Eastern Conference

Carolina Hurricanes vs. Boston Bruins.

Ok, what the hell happened in Game 7 of the Devils/Hurricanes first round series? 3 minutes left in the third, the score's 3-2 for the Devils. I had to visit the loo. I came back to the TV 4 minutes later to find Devil's goaltender Marty Brodeur booking a tee time in between post game interviews.

What gave, eh?

I don't know much about the Hurricanes other than I like Eric Staal and Cam Ward. If they can stand on their heads again, it will be undoubtedly be another long series.

I picked the Habs to beat the Bruins in the first round but that's was only because of my genetic predispositon. I have to give credit to the Calgary Flames (Eastern version). However, in the second round, they will face a much more formidable foe in the Hurricanes.

I'll give this one to the Bruins (that hurts me to the very core). Chuck Kobasew, Steve Montador, Andrew Ferrence will be too much for the 'Canes.

Besides, if the Stanley Cup ends up in North Carolina and the Royal Bank of Canada rink again, I may have to quit watching hockey altogether.

Bruins in six.

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Washington Capitals.

Tough series to predict. Great series to watch though.

Team Ovechin was "underwhelming" in the opening playoff round, to say the least. The NY Rangers took them to seven games. What gave?

If they didn't plug in their rookie goaltender Varlamov, Team OV could have been good as gone in 4.

So, this second round series is basically Crosby vs. Ovechin. Ovechin has the edge. Indeed, I predict he will elevate his game this time around.

Washington's offence is more explosive than the Penguins.

Goaltending is about equal. Penguins' goalie Fleury has had his stretches of mediocre play but who hasn't?

Mmmm...the outcome of this series is so difficult to predict...

I'll pick DC on the basis of a better offence and home game advantage (even though I like Crosby a lot).

Washington Capitals in seven.

Western Conference.

Anaheim Ducks vs. Detroit Red Wings.

First I just want to re-iterate the fact that I did predict the upset of Ducks over the Sharks in the first round.

But I think their road to the Stanley Cup finals ends here against the Wings.

The Duck's Getzlaf-Ryan-Perry (GRP) line will have to stand its head. Neidermayer and Pronger will have to put on 30+ outstanding minutes again.

However the Wings have at least 3 GRP-like lines and 4 top-of-the-world D-men.

I'll pick the Wings again. Too much talent.

Having said that I'm still wary of their goaltending. So, in addition, I'll predict that the Ducks have a 42 percent chance of upsetting the Wings.

Detroit Red Wings in six.

Vancouver Canucks vs. Chicago Black Hawks.

Well, well, well... the Canuckleheads are Canada's remaining hope of bring home the Cup to the motherland.

I'll be cheering for them in this case. I promised along time ago that I would cheer for any Canadian-based team (other than the Toronto Maple Leafs) remaining in the playoffs.

However, they will be facing a very, very, very strong Chicago team. Just ask the Calgary Flames.

The depth of the Chicago roster is daunting. Captain Jonathan Teows was a monster in the Calgary series. In fact, I think his line mate Patrick Sharp actually out played him.

If the Canucks had a second line of any stature, their chances would be better.

As for defencemen, I'll give the nod to the Hawks. Brent Seabrook and Duncan Keith were monsters against the Flames. They'll be the shut down guys again.

The absolute biggest factor in this series will be the goaltenders. If Roberto Luongo is in the zone, nothing will stop the Canucks. Hands down.

So, it's Roberto Luongo vs. the Chicago Black Hawks.

It will be an entertaining squeaker of a series...

Chicago Black Hawks in seven. (I'll be hoping for an upset...go Luongo go!)

NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs 2009

photo courtesy of goig

It's that time of year again. I don't mean it's spring time either (a whole separate posting in itself).

After nearly a season of more than 2400 mostly mundane National Hockey League games, it's the playoffs: the road to the Stanley Cup.

I used to follow the league much more closely in the past. But, for the record, I'll give it a shot.

BTOG's prognostications for the first round of the 2009 NHL playoffs and Stanley Cup Champs:

Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Canadiens
Will be a most entertaining series, as usual. Don't write off the sad sack Canadiens despite their mid season dismantlement. The Bruins may be more talented and possess most of the grit in this match up but, historically, the Habs will pick up their socks. The key to Canadiens victory will be Carey Price, the goalie.

Prediction: Habs in 6 (in a 7 game series).

Washington Capitals vs. New York Rangers
Ovechin, Ovechin, Ovechin, Ovechin... Enough said. Too much Ovechin.

Prediction: Capitals in 5.

New Jersey Devils vs. Hartford Whalers...I mean the Carolina Hurricanes.
Who cares? Carolina's hot down the stretch but I have this feeling Devil's goalie icon, Martin Brodeur will resuscitate his game in the nick of time.

Prediction: Devils in 7.

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Philadelphia Flyers.
Flyer's goalie Marty Biron better stand on his head in this series or it could be banishment to the links pretty quick this year. I like the Flyer's work ethic. Too bad they made some dumb trades at the trade deadline.

As for the Penguins, Crosby, Malkin, Kunitz and Co. maybe too much to handle.

Prediction: Penguins in 7 (only because of the home game advantage).

Calgary Flames vs. Chicago Blackhawks.
Will be another entertaining series. Doesn't look good for the hometown Flames. Where shall we start: injuries, poor record on the road, poor record against Chicago, poor record vs Hawks' goalie Khabibulin. Did I mention the injuries?

I don't like how they limped into the playoffs. What really didn't help was the tinkering of the roster at the trade deadline. It really screwed up the team chemistry.

The key to the series will be Flames' goalie Kiprusoff. He's going to have to steal a couple of games for the home side.

Prediction: Calgary in six.

San Jose Sharks vs. Anaheim Ducks
I still disagree with naming a team after waterfowl.

This will be a close series.

The Ducks have been hot down the stretch. The Sharks can be had.

This will be the upset of the opening round.

Prediction: Ducks in seven.

Detroit Red Wings vs. Columbus Blue Jackets.
Dunno about naming a team after a piece of clothing.

The Red Wings are just too much. Too much talent. Too much depth. The only deficiency in their roster is their goaltending. They have to correct this by playing tighter defence.

I really like Blue Jackets' Rick Nash. But he may not be enough to dethrone the Wings.

Prediction: Wings in 6 (only because of their mediocre goaltending).

Vancouver Canucks vs. St Louis Blues.
Maybe another upset in the making. The Blues are very hot.

The play of Vancouver's goalie Luongo will be decisive. His play in the last couple of weeks of the season was inconsistent.

I'll err on the side of Luongo.

Prediction: Canucks in seven.

The Stanley Cup Prediction
The Detroit Red Wings vs. The New Jersey Devils.

The 2009 Stanley Cup Champs: Detroit Red Wings.

the final prediction...

ouch... the edmonton oil will be the 2006 stanley cup champions. it hurt me to say that. i hope your tetanus shot is up to date...

the 2006 stanley freakin' cup finals...

the edmonton oilers vs. the carolina hurricanes...finally.

i've bet against the hurricanes for the past 3 series. i'm going to do it again.

reasons?

1. in edmonton, i think 'canes will finally meet a formidable foe. i think they would have been defeated in the semifinals if the sabres didn't have so many injuries.
2. the speed factor and face-off capabilities of the edmonton's forwards are superior to those of the hurricanes.
3. the tandem of pronger and smith gives the oilers an edge in defence.
4. i'd have to give an edge to edmonton in terms of goaltending as well.

my prediction: the oil in 6.

i've come to the conclusion that i can live with respecting the oiler team and still hate the oiler fans.

damn those fans.
damn the north saskatchewan river.
damn the boreal forest.
damn jasper.
damn the edmonton subway.
damn their mall (again).
damn the university of alberta.
damn their traffic circles.
damn calgary trail.
damn their lousy airport.
damn klondike days...
damn ralphie klein...!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

go canada!!! (why would you want to blow'd us nice folks up real good?)

i feel alot better now.

revenge is best served cold is not a klingon phrase...

NHL playoff report...

no big surprises so far...

a little worried about your calgary flames before tonite. i thought if the flames played their finest hockey in the first two games they'd be in big trouble. the second game was particularly bad for the flames. however, i thought they really picked up their forechecking game and overall aggressive play tonite. at this rate they could end this series early, especially if anaheim keeps giguerre in goal. i still predict a long series, however.

detroit red wings vs. edmonton oilers... edmonton is giving it the ol' college try. playing the trap is a smart idea. well, they just won game #3. much has been said about the red wings, the veteran-filled team that they are, not panicking in tough situations. perhaps they ought to start worrying now before they go the way of the dodo bird for another year.

montreal canadien vs. carolina hurricanes... i still can't figure out why the hell carolina (south or north?) has a hockey team. series is on schedule... hope montreal doesn't open up their game at home. huet looks good. look for cam ward to start goal for the 'canes in game #3. gerber really sucked.

other observations: the cbc coverage just sucked on opening night. in the detroit/edmonton game they didn't even have a on screen powerplay clock... not often i sympathize with edmonton fans, but the cbc commentary (mark lee and john garrett) for their games really sucks.

movies....

in between hockey games there is still time for a couple of movies.

slapshot.

how appropriate, eh?

oldtime hockey. that's what it's all about, at least in slapshot.

in summary, i wanted more oldtime hockey, more hanson brothers, more brawls, and less off-ice stuff.

interesting, it takes americans to make good hockey movies. i saw a few seconds of the cbc dramatization of the '72 summit series the other night and turned the channel.

for a good time i recommend this movie. if you're not into hockey, you'll get a kick out of the 70's wardrobe ensembles and disco soundtrack.

kill bill, vol. one.

usually i can't stand gratuitous violence. But if it's used in conjunction with revenge, it's great. let me tell you there's plenty of revenge in kill bill.

in summary, uma thurman was hot, lucy liu was hot (usually i think opposite), the girl in the school uniform was hot, the kung fu was great, there wasn't enough bloodletting, anime clips were funny.

that quentin tarantino is one warped dude, eh.

excellent movie.

dudes, it's time to rent out pulp fiction... yah, i haven't seen it yet. i was fighting along side my fellow maoist insurgents in nepal at the time it was released.

bring it on...

the west.

detroit red wings vs. edmonton oilers...

enormous regular season for the wings should make them overwhelming favourites in this match up. however, the oilers could make a game of it. that's only if physical play is allowed. this maybe THE upset of the first round.

on paper: wings in 6.
upset potential: remote to good


dallas stars vs. colorado avalanche...

dallas must be early cup finalist favourites. awesome team speed. awesome team balance. superior regular goaltending. the avalanche will go down swinging. sakic and blake better bring their A game. can goalie jose theodore kick it up a notch? not so far he hasn't...

prediction: stars in 5.
upset potential: remote.

calgary flames vs. anaheim ducks...

forget about the flames' inadequate offensive output. it's all about kiprusoff, baby... perhaps, the best player in the nhl/universe. giguere pales in comparison. having said that, the ducks, next to the san jose sharks, have been one of the hottest teams in the stretch. selanne, macdonald, and scott neidermayer were just awesome this season. should be a good challenge for the flames.

prediction: flames in 7. all victories will be of the one goal variety.
upset potential: good.

nashville predators vs. san jose sharks...

should be the showcase series of the western conference playoffs. the absence of goalie tomas vokoun is problematic for the predators. could mean a feeding frenzy for the white hot san jose sharks. could be a cake walk for the likes of joe thornton and his best buddy jonathan cheechoo... however, the pred's are a fine, hardworking team somewhat reminiscent of the calgary flames. their goalie better stand his head...

on paper: preds in 6.
upset potential: excellent. sharks in 6 or less.

the east.

ottawa senators vs. tampa bay lightning.

possible upset here. if it weren't for the final game of the season where ottawa wacked the rangers, the senators are at best lukewarm right now. their goaltending is suspect. hasek is projected to return in round 2, if the senators make it to that far. as for the lightning, they picked up their play in the last couple of weeks. if their goalies don't show up, as they didn't in the regular season, they'll fold like a house of cards, eh.

prediction: senators in 6. if hasek makes a surprise start, sens in 5.
upset potential: good to very good.

carolina hurricanes vs. montreal canadien.

the 'canes are about as cold as it gets. staal might be burnt out. gerber's been playing subpar. they parachuted in some help in terms of recchi and doug weight. they don't seem to have fit in well. don't know many teams who can turn on the afterburners on command. 'canes might go down to a hotter canadien's team. the hab's controversial goalie situation is moot. in the case of huet, it's not a case of what you did to get us in the playoffs but what have you done for us lately... i think gainey will start aebischer. objectively, i predict a hab's upset despite the losing in a lopsided seasonal head to head series with the 'canes.

on paper: 'canes in 5
upset potential: very good. habs in 6.

new jersey devils vs. new york rangers.

the rangers were on the slide for the latter part of the season, culminating in the devils finishing ahead of them in the standings. this maybe the difference. lundqvist will have to come up big but i'm not sure if he can outplay his counterpart marty brodeur. brodeur is just too experienced and playing way too hot. no one's been able to stop their #1 line of elias, gionta, and gomez. jagr's up against the trap. this one maybe a cakewalk.

prediction: devils in 5.

buffalo sabre vs philadelphia flyers.

to be honest, i hate the flyers and their gm. i don't like their porous goaltending. they sucked in the last week and frittered away the chance of finishing 1st in their division. the sabres on the other hand are a team on the rise. outstanding speed. plus, they can put the puck in the opposition's goal like there's no tomorrow. their forwards should make pilons out of the flyers' snail like defense.

prediction: sabres in 4.

further predictions.

the flames will make it out of the west just barely. the devils will make it out of the east.

the big prediction.

the devils will be champs. devils in 6. just too scary...ouch.
upset potential: very good. flames in 5.

my preference

i don't really care who wins. just as long as it's not the edmonton oilers, T.O. Maple Laffs, or any american based team.

mystery #42 or the agony of defeat.

where in the world was this pic taken?
switzerland 2, canada 0 in men's olympic hockey...

well that kind of sucked.

i was already to write about how swell it felt to watch the US women's hockey team lose yesterday. then the canadian men's all-stars really stunk up the joint this morning. notice i didn't use the word team to describe the canadians. they were just a bunch of all-stars today.

i have to give the swiss full credit. they were the only team on the ice today. they got the 2 goal lead and played the trap like there was no tomorrow. plus their goaltender, marty gerber played like a brick wall. oh, i know how good he is... he's on the ol' fantasy hockey team. hey marty, give me a shutout like that once in awhile, eh.

was this debacle a national disaster? yes, but the tourney's not over yet.

what's next for the canadians? finland. they better get their act together fast. jarome iginla, marty st. louis, joe thorton amongst others, wake up!!!!

other hockey tourney observations...

slovaks and finns have to be tourney favourites now. very strong teams.

on the bubble: switzerland and the russians...

flopping around like a cod outta water: canada, usa, and the czech republic.

annus horribilis...

montreal canadiens' goalie jose theodore's having a fine year. other than his grotesque performance on the ice this year, he was recently caught using an anti-baldness drug in a doping test... than yesterday he fell on an icy sidewalk and suffered an ankle fracture.

ron maclean unwittingly called it a "hairline" fracture. seriously...

canadian medal of the day...

props go out to figure skater jeff buttle for his bronze medal performance. congrats jeff, even though i don't recognize the legitimacy of your sport. however, you performed well above expectations.

DVD's on the go...

i'm in the middle of a scarlett johansson film fest.

ghost world... good movie, eh. post-teenage angst. cross between ferris bueller and napolean dynamite. scarlett's voice was driving me crazy. now if she could work in a russian accent...
the island... sci-fi thriller, with scarlett and ewan macgregor. fun movie if you're into post-apocalyptic scenarios mixed in with eugenics and brokeback mountain... scarlett is kind of hot....

next in the que: lost in translation, girl with a pearl earring, match point...

ongoing projects: star trek TNG and TOS.

goooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaalllllllllllllllllllllllll!!!

i hope everyone had and are continually having a great holiday season...

there's nothing like attending a live NHL hockey game. the crazy cheering, the driving, relentless, heavy metal music, the pretty ladies, the sounding of horns to a rhythmic cheer, having beer sloshed on you, the clanging of pucks off the plexiglass, the blast of heat from the "enmax" flame machine, are just of the few things you can't get from watching hockey night in canada on television.

live NHL hockey is like a drug...

my sis took the entire fam (those in town... i.e.) out to the minnesota wild vs. calgary flames game tonight. that was alot of fun.

that Wild team is one tough bunch of hombres to play against. they were lightning fast. daaaaamnnnn...they've got that 2 line pass figured out. in fact, they generated at least 6 scoring chances off breakaways including a penalty shot. for the first period and a half they just forechecked the flames into the ice. they scored first and, unfortunately, then started executing the trap (a defensive strategy where they pull back everyone including the forechecking forwards and line them up across their blue line). that meant really boring hockey. i was still really impressed with their counterattack. man, they can turn a play on a dime...

well, the evening wasn't lost. the calgary flames did comeback. the TSN turning point according to my sis was the kiprusoff save off that Wild penalty shot. i thought the turning point was the late second period goal scored by shean donovan.

credit goes to the flames. i thought they were dead in the water (or on the ice).

thanx sis for a great evening!!!

cowboys in space?

just started watching a tv series called "firefly" on dvd. it's suppose to be that AND a bag of chips. first impressions: the lead character mumbles really fast (i've got to read the subtitles when he speaks), mandarin chinese (forget about ojibwa) is the cryptic language of the future, cheap special fx, and the camera jerks around alot.

i've just watched the first show. so, i'll give it a chance...

stay tuned...

for the blockbuster NYE bigtubofgoo post of the year.

way too much hype in this post already.

good nite.