Luongo SAVES the day

After losing the last 2 games by a horrific score of 12-1, Game 5 became the game that no one knew what would happen. Which Canucks would come out?

Following the 4-0 loss, all the haters came back out. Even die-hard Canucks fans are publicly asking for our back up goalie Schneider to start. And you can’t blame them but let’s stop being bad Canuck fans that just blame the goalie for everything. Game 4 it wasn’t Luongo’s fault…we didn’t score a goal. Our whole team didn’t look good.

Game 5 is the biggest game of the year. Lose and it gets worse. Win and hope is restored and talk about Vancouver winning the Cup stays a reality.

Hitting

The Canucks came out hitting. As a teen I remember the 94 playoff run and we hit and hit. I have never witnessed a hitting barrage like this. Vancouver wins most games that they out hit their opponents. Vancouver outhit Boston 47-27.

Penalty Kill

Our penalty kill was INCREDIBLE. They killed all 4 penalties. Our team defense overall was very good as we kept the lead for almost 15 minutes.

Reffing

I hate it when people blame the refs. The crowd is chanting, “Ref you suck! Ref you suck!” But there were a few calls or non-calls that were surprising. How did Burrows get a penalty at the face off when he got tripped? Bieksa did comment, "It felt like they had a lot more (than 4 power plays). The referees did a good job of letting us play tonight."

Goaltending

Yes Tim Thomas will win the Vezina and he’s the best goalie in the playoffs but Luongo was the difference tonight. 31 saves for the win. He was the difference. I believed in Luo and Coach Vigneault did as well saying, "Louie is going to be fine. He's one of the best goaltenders in the League. We've got a lot of trust and faith in him, in his ability to play well." At home Luo has 2 goals against on 97 shots with 2 shutouts. Roberto made MASSIVE saves tonight. He was on his game. I don’t care if Thomas wins the Conn Smythe Trophy as long as Luongo and the Canucks raise the Stanley Cup!

I am 1 win from the greatest sports year of my life. The Green Bay Packers win the Super Bowl and the Canucks win the Cup.

Of course I could be wrong but I doubt it.

BOSTON 8 - Vancouver 1? Stanley Cup Final Game 3

8-1???

I knew Boston needed to win this game and I wasn’t sure if Vancouver was going to pull it off but 8 to 1, no one saw that coming. Boston was playing for their hopes, dreams and playoff lives here. They did everything they should have. They are alive and momentum might have shifted.

Things I did not like in this game:

a) Obviously the score.

b) The Rome hit wasn’t good and I am okay with him getting ejected. What bothers me is watching Norton knocked out like this. It’s a fast, physical game out there and he suffered unnecessarily. I hope Horton is okay and returns. I think Rome gets suspended for 1 game.

c) I was disgusted that Lapierre joked to put his fingers in Bergeron’s mouth in game 2 but Boston sinking to Vancouver’s level with their own classless taunts was just as disgusting. Recchi the veteran, I am disappointed in you. Lucic I’m not impressed. Coach Julien told them this morning not to do the same classless move then they did and they addressed it after the game.

d) Thornton reminds me of Ben Eager! Anger management classes are needed.

e) Why did Luongo start the 3^rd period? It was 4-0! Give Schneider some finals experience and get Luongo some much-needed rest for game 4. Instead you keep a guy in to get 4 MORE goals scored on him in the 3^rd. Not a brilliant move. Remove Luo from any Conn Smythe Trophy talk.

f) The Canuck haters are coming out of the woodwork again. It’s a few weeks of great silence from you guys.

g) Fans wanting to win in 5 or in 7. Listen BEGGARS can’t be choosers. Of course we want Van to win at home but at this point in 40 years I just want 1 Stanley Cup. If it happens in Boston I will take it. Boston is a trying to win as well and are very good.

h) What is the deal with Tim Thomas hitting H.Sedin? Is this Ron Hextall all over again? Wow!!!

i) Overall the whole effort of Vancouver was disappointing. 2^nd worst lost in NHL playoff history. Ouch.

Things that were impressive:

a) Tim Thomas!!! This guy is winning the Vezina. He was on fire and the Canucks had a lot of good chances. 40 saves!!!

b) Boston’s offensive was great especially playing one of the best team defenses.

c) Brad Marchand’s short handed goal. What an effort!

d) Raymond’s move was incredible (but Thomas shut the door).

I still believe!!!

I am not saying Vancouver loses the series but I have seen time and time again a team go up 2-0 and lose 4 straight. This is the final. The Eastern Conference Champs are not lying down defeated. They came out with a MUST win and they accomplished their goal tonight. I believe Vancouver wins game 4 and then game 5. But maybe momentum has shifted but I still believe Canucks win I don’t care if it’s in 6 or 7. OR this is just 1 game and maybe it was where Boston got an opportunity to play well but what if Vancouver wins both.

Canucks win their 1st Stanley Cup like I have been saying since December.

2011 NHL Playoffs Round 2

Before I start, if you read my last predictions you will notice I was 8 for 8 in round 1. Pretty proud of that. Now I didn’t get the games right but 4 of the games went to game 7 so that’s pretty difficult to predict.

Did you know the Vancouver - Chicago game was the 2^nd most viewed game in the 1^st round of the playoffs in NHL history? What a game! Canucks hit & hit & hit. The Blackhawks didn’t quit and Luongo put on a show. But Burrows became the hockey hero when he scored the OT goal!

I have heard it said, “Vancouver fans are making too big of a deal being the President Trophy winners beating the 8^th place Canucks.” Here’s my take: Yes it was 1 vs 8 for the 1^st 3 games but Chicago woke up after the Torres - Seabrook hit and played the last 4 games like the last years Stanley Cup Champs. It was a huge test for Vancouver and that was a big game 7 win.

Eastern Conference

1. Washington vs 5. Tampa Bay

Clash of the superstars begins in the Capital city. Ovechkin vs St.Louis. This series will be a good one for the talent to shine. Washington won the season series 4-2. The 1^st 2 games in the series D.Roloson was not on the team. The next 2 games Roloson shut out the struggling Caps. Then Caps out scored the Bolts 6-3.

The Lightning have been playing better of yet and came back to beat the Penguins. The Caps have excelled in the last 2 months. Each game should provide a lot of action but I think the Caps keep it rolling.

Washington in 6

2. Philadelphia vs 3. Boston

Boston won the season series 3-1. Both are solid teams and I think this turns into a battle. Pronger vs Chara is the most intriguing match up. Chara might be up for the Norris Trophy but Pronger does nothing but win big playoff games. The Bruins have T.Thomas in net and he’s been the best goalie in the entire league. The Flyers, as I predicted, would switch goalies and ride Boucher. Granted they have 3 good goalies in Philly but none of them are great. The Flyers offense is powerful but it was silenced twice by Ryan Miller and if the Sabres had more fire power they would have won that series. If you think T.Thomas is going to shut the Flyers down he got lit up by the Canadiens scoring 20 goals in 7 games. Briere is a playoff stud with 5 goals and Grioux leads the NHL in playoff points. Many of you know that I love the Flyers but my head says this series ends in disappointment.

Boston in 7.

Western Conference

2. Detroit vs 3. San Jose

This series is going to be a great one. This will be a high scoring grueling battle. Either team has the potential to win the Cup. Loaded with talent and tons of experience. Niemi hasn’t played well but Joe Thornton finally scored an OT winner. But I think the experience of the Red Wings will be tough to handle. These boys have been in many of these wars. Even though Lidstrom is getting older give me his kind of experience any day over youth. Datsyuk will be hard to contain and both Franzen & Zetterberg will be back to face the Sharks. The other factor that rarely gets discussed in the excellent role players in Cleary, Flippula, and Holmstrom. Plus they have a great defensive core. Howard, even though young, will be up for the challenge.

Detroit goes to the West final in 6 games.

1. Vancouver vs 5. Nashville

The Predators won their 1^st playoff series ever. Great win to knock off the Ducks who really missed J.Hiller in net. Speaking of net Pekka Rinne is unbelievable. He’s up for the Veinza just like Luongo. When thinking about the Predators they are a solid team but they don’t have solid scoring. They don’t have anyone as offensively gifted like Toews, Kane, Sharp or Hossa. S.Weber is up for the Norris and will be a headache to the Canucks. If Vancouver can play like they did in games 6 & 7 this will not be a long series.

Vancouver wins a quick one in 5.

Of course I could be wrong but I doubt it!

KEMPNER 2011 NHL PLAYOFFS Predictions

KEMPNER NHL 2011 PLAYOFFS Predictions

Okay people here it is...my bold predictions. Before you disagree why don't you man up and publicly tell the world what you think each series will result in.

East

1. Wash vs 8. NYR

The Capitals should destroy the Rangers were wishing they didn’t play NY in the 1^st rd. Dec 12 NY won 7-0! Feb 25 NY won 6-0. Actually the Rangers won the season series 3-1 this year. The good thing about Washington is they have been on fire to finish the year. Lundqvist is a very good goalie better than Neuvwith. But the Caps somehow win this series in 7.

2. Philly vs 7. Buffalo

The Flyers should win this series easy but there ar

e some major question marks. Q1 Will Bobrovsky hold up? He’s been struggling of late and Boucher might be the better option. Q2 Will Ryan Miller steal the show? Philly is going to throw a ton of pucks at this stellar goalie and maybe Miller pulls it out. He’s going to have to put this team on his shoulders. Q3 Which game will Pronger be back? People hate this guy but proven fact he takes teams DEEP into the playoffs. This guy is a future hall of famer. He is physical, has the experience, and is a winner. I think Pronger plays...if not Buffalo has a legit chance.

Philly wins in 6

3. Boston vs 6. Montreal

This is the tail of 2 opposite teams. The Bruins are very physical and the Canadiens are very fast. I know Canada has only 2 teams in the playoffs but Montreal is not a playoff team. Boston is built for the playoffs. They are hard working, hard hitting, in your face kind of team. Chara and Lucic are the difference makers and Tim Thomas will out play Carey Price.

Boston sweeps the series 4-0.

4. Pittsburgh vs 5. Tampa Bay

Forget Syd the Kid (he’s out for at least half of this series o

r more) but somehow someway the Penguins are winning without Crosby or Malkin. I give credit to good coaching, guys stepping it up, and Fleury standing on his head. Here’s the problem…can they sustain it without Syd? Listen to this St.Louis had 99 pts this year, Stamkos had 91, but the best surprise has been the return of V.Lecavalier. Vincent is on a tear. They have 2 really good lines that can score. The biggest question mark will be the play of Roloson. He isn’t the best but he’s got a ton of experience and might just play well enough to squeak by the Penguins.

TB wins in 6

Boston beats Washington in the Conference Final

West

4. Anaheim vs 5. Nashville

Other than the twins there is no better pair right now than the Perry and Getzlaf. The Predators play boring hockey. P.Rinne is going to carry his team on this shoulders. ??? You know who is going to be in goal for Anaheim? Dan Ellis. Nashville will score bad goals and stay out of the box enough to compete.

Nashville win the series in 7.

3. Detroit vs 6. Phoenix

All I hear is the Red Wings are old. And yes they are the oldest team in the playoffs but to me that means they have the most experience. The Coyotes are a blue collar team with a great goalie in Bryzgalov. The challenge is 40+ shots a night from these oldies. Not only does Detroit win but win quickly.

Red Wings win in 5

2. SJ vs 7. LA

This is going to be the worst match-up in the 1^st rd. LA is without Kopitar and J.Williams. It’s over. I love Quick but there is no way they are pulling out the upset. The Sharks are WAY too strong and will take a bite out of the Kings. Niemi is great in goal and the question must be asked “Why did the Blackhawks let him go?”

SJ wins in 4

1. Van vs 8. Chic

3 yrs in a row they play each other in the playoffs. No love lose here. Chicago being the defending Cup champs know what it takes to win. In the offseason, Chic got worse and Vancouver got better. These games are going to be tough. Chic should be in the playoffs but thanks to the disappointing Dallas Stars they are in. Vancouver is on fire and is the undisputed best team in the regular season by a landslide. But this is the playoffs. Canucks top to bottom are solid. Daniel is the best player in the NHL and they still have Henrik who was last years MVP. Plus Burrows, Kesler, and Torres are playoff type players. And the Canucks are hungry. They will win this war quickly.

Vancouver in 5

Canucks beat out the Red Wings in the Conference final.

Here’s some things I could see…

In the East:

NY beating the Caps, Buffalo upsetting the Flyers, and Syd Crosby coming back. If those things happen Pittsburgh makes the finals beating out Boston.

In the West:

The only thing I could be wrong on is the Ducks destroy the Predators. But Van, SJ, and Detroit are the real deal and the Cup stays in the West when the dust settles.

2011 Cup Winner: 40 yr anniversary = 1^st Vancouver Stanley Cup.

I don't think I have ever predicted the Canucks to win the Cup but this is our year. It's time for us to prove it and do it. I fully believe they will win the wars and come out on top.

WILD card weekend 2010

3 out of 4 upsets in the WILD card weekend.

Seattle beats New Orleans

Nothing was more impressive than Seattle upsetting last years Super Bowl Champs. Saints allowed 40 against and Hasselbeck threw for 4 TD's. But the most impressive thing was the M.Lynch stiff arm to run for 67 yds to seal the game.

Click HERE to watch

or put this in your URL http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0WYsKYy0ag

Baltimore kills the Chiefs

There was no surprise here...I don't care if KC is at home they are just too inconsistent to beat a solid team like Baltimore. 27 unanswered pts = dominant.

Jets beat the Colts

Okay this all came down to one crucial play. 3 and whatever Peyton hits B.White in the hands and he drops it and stops the drive. If they get the 1st down they run down the clock and kick the game winning fg. Instead the Colts hit the 50 yd fg and give the Jets too much time and lost by a game winning fg by Folk.

Packers upset the Eagles

You know how huge of a Packers fan I am. I thought whoever wins this game wins the SB. And since GB has had 14 players on IR this season making the playoffs was impressive. Add to that, M.Vick could win MVP and D.Jackson would be back and the Eagles were at home I picked the Eagles to win the SB in the playoff pool.

But GB got something I didn't know they had - a RUN game. 123 yds for Starks. Honestly I thought they were going to lose when the Eagles were marching down the field. Very thankful for the VICK INT.

Personally I think the Packers have the best D in football. But we will see...Falcons are going DOWN! Lost to them only by 3 pts last time in Atlanta and we had a shot to win it at the end. People said they couldn't win in Chic, and people said they couldn't pull out the upset in Philly, and now people are talking about how good the Falcons are at home. I am saying right NOW... GB wins this game...beats either Chic or Seattle and wins the SB in Dallas.

You got to love WILD card weekend.