NHL Playoffs Rd 2

You got to admit Rd 1 of the playoffs were pretty entertaining. I think I was wrong on only one prediction...not bad eh. Flippin Flames needed to win game 6. Oh well.

Well it was proved to me again when it comes to my blog only NHL fans leave comments but basketball fans just read it. That's fine...I really like basketball too so I will keep writing and I guess you will keep reading...as long as you are enjoying yourself.

NHL PLAYOFF ROUND TWO PREDICTIONS

1 Detroit vs 5 San Jose

I think many people will be picking San Jose. Which is a good pick especially with the likes of Marleau, Thorton and Cheecho and their overall good team play. But Detroit seems to be clicking. Beating a good team like Calgary was a statement. I think the different will be Hasek. Red Wings in 5.

2 Anahiem vs 3 Vancouver
Okay what a relief and a great game 7. Vancouver finally scored. You can't win a series if you don't score in game 7. The twins came alive with H.Sedin scoring the 1st goal. Nice to win at home too...great crowd. Even though Naslund hasn't played his best Linden sure has done more than ask of him (remember he's making $500, 000 and Nazy is making $6 mil). Then Trevor scores the winner...couldn't happen to a better guy. And you can't say enough about Luongo. Granted Turco would have out played him if he won in game 7 but Roberto shut the down and the cross bar sure helped as well.

Now to the big rd 2 match-up with the Ducks vs the Nucks. I am hoping and cheering for Vancouver. As you know I have picked the Ducks to win the whole thing. I hope I am wrong but I can't see Vancouver winning this series. Anahiem is stacked and on a mission. Better D will make it even harder for these Canucks to score and we have seen we are having a problem doing that. Luongo is the better goalie but he can't win us every series. Remember the best we have done in YEARS is win one playoff series. Last time we won round 1 we lost to the Wild in game 7 in rd 2. Sucks but it's reality.

Ducks in 6.


1 Buffalo vs 6 New York Rangers
I have not heard a sports expert pick the Rangers to even compete in this series. Buffalo has a crazy lineup and been playing great hockey for 2 years now. Connelly is on the 4th line...what does that say about their top 3 lines. And is it still Miller time?

The problem is no one is talking about the dynamic duo. Who? Jagr and Lundqvist. That's right these guys are going to show everyone what they are worth. If the Rangers can score look out because I think Henrik can close the door. Avery is going to cause those young Buffalo forward major problems. Nylander, Shanahan, and Straka will do alot of the scoring damage.

I know this will be a super unpopular pick but hey this is my blog and my predictions. Leave what you think and prove me wrong.

Rangers in 7.

2 New Jersey vs 4 Ottawa
This series will be a hard fought battle. Both ready for the war I think the Canadian hopes will die as the New Jersey Devils have been here time and time again. By the way they have one of the best goaltenders in NHL history. Elias, Gionta and the boys are as solid as they come. Defensively they know their stuff. Ottawa will put up a good fight. As much as I want the Senators to go on Brodeur vs Emery ... I take Brodeur. Langenbrunner or Parise will score the game 7 winner.

Devils in 7

So here's your chance to out predict me...I dare you to prove it. Leave a comment.

Go Canucks and Senators!

NBA Playoffs are here...are you ready?

The NBA playoffs are about to begin...(isn't this a great time for sports? NHL and NBA playoffs are on...only thing that would be better is if the NFL season was starting).

For all you non basketball fans avoid this post and just read the next one about the 2nd rd of the NHL playoffs.

But if you are a NBA fan you got to LOVE these 1st round match ups. Great stuff to talk about rivalry, intensity and some great ball is ahead. Let's check this out:

I love D.Howard and good for them to make the playoffs but to face the Detroit Pistons in the first round is BAD news for the Magic. The Pistons are going to use their magic to mesmerize Orlando. Detroit has too many weapons and too much playoff experience to lose a game to O-Town.
Detroit in 4

The Wizards are a popular team leading but Gilbert Arenas. This guy is incredible and can shoot the lights out. On the other side of the court, there is the real deal phenom LeBron James. The problem Washington will face is they can't just ride on Arenas to win the series. King James will trump the Wizards because he has a better supporting cast. AND LeBron personally sent the Wizards packing last year.
Cavaliers in 6

This match-up is going to be great. The past vs the present. This Raptors team is the best we have seen probably since Carter missed the buzzer beater vs the Sixers in game 7 of the East Conf championship. I still remember when the Raptors drafted Bosh when they had Carter at his position...I now understand why they did that. Vince took his high-flying, lights-out shooting to New Jersey while Bosh has taken the opportunity to become an all-star. As much as I am cheering for the Raptors I just have this weird feeling the Nets are going to take this series because Carter will not lose to his old team. I hope I am wrong but I highly doubt it.
Nets in 6

I am a Chicago fan ever since Michael Jordan tied his shoes with the Bulls. It's hard not to still hope for these guys and finally they put a team together to possibly make some noise in the playoffs. Unfortunately, they are playing the champs...Miami Heat. Shaq is not done yet and he gives the Bulls major match-up problems. With Dwayne Wade back and doing better health wise I think they are too strong for the baby Bulls. It's going to be quite the battle going the distance and home court wins. But the Heat are going to become cold in the East when they lose in the 2nd rd.
Heat in 7

I don't know what it is but I can't cheer for the Jazz...maybe Stockton and Malone killed it for me years ago, maybe because it's the home of the mormonsville, or maybe I just can't stand the jersey's. I think McGrady will be an unstoppable force and Ming will contribute as well. I am a Boozer fan but wished he played somewhere else. AK-47 is solid defensively but I can't see him out playing T-Mac.
Houston in 6

My two favourite players are King James and Tim Duncan. Hence I really like the Spurs. No one talks about them much as the Suns, Lakers, Mavericks, Pistons and Heat seem to get all the attention. They are not flashy but they get the job done. Parker, Ginobili, and Duncan are AMAZING and experienced. But this battle is going to be great as Iverson wants to win so bad after having freedom leaving Philly and landing in Denver. Carmelo is the real deal but I am not sure they have enough experience to face the battle tested Spurs.
San Antonio in 5

This series will receive the most media attention. Nash vs Kobe. Last year if you saw the Lakers - Suns series it was easily won of the greatest battles in NBA 1st rd history. This year the Lakers are better...but this year the Suns have a healthy Amare Stoudemire. And if you read my previous NBA post you will see I am picking Phoenix to win it all this year...but didn't Kobe have the Suns down 3-1 and lost 3 straight? No matter what happens this will be great.
Phoenix in 6

Finally I get to the Mavs vs the Warriors. Dirk Nowitzki lead these Mavs to put up almost Bulls record breaking numbers winning 66 games this season (9th-best record of all time). Did you know that "Ten out of the 11 teams with 65-plus wins in the regular season have gone on to win the title, but is the stage set for an upset?" (By the way it will be 10 out of 12 teams when the Suns upset the Mavs in the Western Conf finals). In other words, the Warriors will not win a single game or have NO chance to win this series.
Dallas in 4

Who will win league MVP? I wish I think it should be Kobe this year but I have a feeling Dirk is going to win it. Why? You might ask? Easy, tell me the last time some has won league MVP that has not been on a team that is either 1st or 2nd place in the league standings in the East or the West? So I guess it could be Nash but I highly doubt it even though he might deserve it.

I can't wait for this stuff to tip off on Saturday. The NBA playoffs always have memorable plays and stars. Suns beat the Cavs in the NBA Finals.

* What do you think? Am I right or wrong? I challenge you to step up and make your educated guesses to see if can prove your basketball intellect by leaving a comment.

2007 Stanley Cup Playoffs have BEGUN!!!

The best time of the year is here! The Stanley Cup playoffs. Hard hitting, intense games, big saves and of course sudden death over time. There is nothing like it in all of sports. Here's my break down of rd 1.

Dallas Stars vs Vancouver Canucks.

Game 1 was incredible. 6^th longest playoff game 138:06 minutes and it was a five hour game! Any Canuck fan that stayed up for this was pleasantly surprised to see the boys win.

Zubov played 64 shifts and had 55:08 in ice time (pretty good for a veteran). Kevin Bieksa had 69 shifts and had 54:27 in ice time (this is a guy who was playing his 1^st playoff game!).

Hard hitting game. There were 46 hits by the Canucks: 15 different Canucks that dished out hits

Roberto Luongo is in the Canuck record book with 72 saves in the game. Turco was great too with 51 saves. But Turco did get beat by a great shot in the OT which was the difference. Glad it wasn’t one of those cheap goals.

The game started with Henrik Sedin to Daniel Sedin to open the scoring but in the 4^th OT it was Daniel Sedin to Henrik Sedin for the game winner. Good thing we didn’t trade the Canucks 3 years ago like many fans where calling for.

Cowan had a great game and I thought he was going to be the OT scorer. This guy was on Naslund and Morrison’s line. He had a game leading 9 hits. It was his 1^st playoff game as well. Welcome to the playoffs. Especially with Cooke and Burrows out he had to step up. To win these Canucks need to be proud of themselves especially only running with 10 forwards in the extra frames.

Surprised some of the Sportsnet crew picked Dallas not only to win the series but to go to the finals. Except John Garrett who is a homer because he always picks the Canucks to win the Cup. Fat chance but that’s what I am cheering for.

Calgary Flames vs Detroit Red Wings

Calgary didn’t show up in game 1 but don’t count these guys out. As good as Detroit is I am picking the Flames to upset the Wings. Bertuzzi isn’t going to be a huge factor and Kipper will bounce back the main problem Calgary faces is Hasek. Yes the Dominator. Say what you will about this guy but he’s a winner and there is a reason Detroit signed him back.

Nashville Predators vs San Jose Sharks

This series should be good. I have a feeling it might go the distance. Thinking the Sharks will win this series in 6 games. But if Cheechoo is out for a long time the Preds might just be able to squeak by. San Jose is older and wiser I can’t see them losing this series.

Minnesota Wild vs Anaheim Mighty Ducks

The Wild are a great team they just drew the wrong team to play in the 1^st round. I know Anaheim stumbled into the playoffs but these guys are going to click in the playoffs. Not only do I have them winning the series but I got them winning the cup (trust me I hope I am wrong and John Garrett is right).

Buffalo Sabres vs New York Islanders

The Islanders ran the table and knocked out the leaves from the playoffs but let’s take a look at the “amazing” New Yorkers. There is no way the Isles would be in the playoffs if Brodeur was in net. Against Clemente (who I had never heard of until the last game of the regular season) the backup and you go to a shoot out? Buffalo is going to kill this team in 5 games. Did you know R.Smyth scored 36 goals in the regular season? What is Edmonton thinking?

New Jersey Devils vs Tampa Bay Lightning

I can’t stand watching the Devils play hockey…I find it SO boring but they win. Brodeur is the man and their defensive system always seems to work. I am hope Tampa surprises them with peppering Marty and getting solid goaltending from Holmquist. But if I had to put $ on it I wouldn’t bet against the Devils in this series.

Atlanta Thrashers vs New York Rangers

The Thrashers won their division? Wow. I understand they have some firepower up front but I didn’t think Lethonen was that good. The Rangers on the other hand have been on fire coming into the playoffs and I think the Jagr led Rangers will win the series. One of the biggest reasons is NYR goaltending…Lundqvist in my opinion is the REAL deal. Hopefully Straka and the boys can put the puck in the net.

Ottawa Senators vs Pittsburgh Penguins

Crosby and Malkin are amazing; they are legit. The problem is I don’t think Fluery is ready for the pressure. Ottawa has been in the playoffs and understand that the physical play against the Penguins might just wear them down. Ottawa is stacked with Heatly, Alfredsson, and Spezza firing on all cylinders.

What do you think?

You got to admit it’s weird not to have the Oilers, Leaves and Canadiens in the playoffs though.