Round 2 Predictions

I know I am little late with these but here are my round 2 Predictions for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. I went 5-3 in the first round calling all the series in the West and only getting Pittsburgh right in the East.

Eastern Conference

(4)Pittsburgh Penguins vs (8)Montreal Canadiens
My Prediction: Pittsburgh in 7
I don't think people are giving the Habs enough credit. Halak will keep them in the series but to knock off Crosby and Ovechkin, I don't think that would be a miracle as much as it is a sign of the apocalypse.

(6)Boston Bruins vs (7)Philadelphia Flyers
My Prediction: Bruins in 7
I can really see this one going either way, I give Boston the edge due to home ice advantage and that I would rather bet on Rask than Boucher.

Western Conference

(1)San Jose Sharks vs (5)Detroit Red Wings
My Prediction: Wings in 6
Even though the Sharks have won game 1, you can pretty much put your weakest defensive pairing on the ice against Thornton and Heatley and they aren't going to do much damage.

(2)Chicago Blackhawks vs (3)Vancouver Canucks
My Prediction: Hawks in 7 (Forgive me father for I have sinned, please prove me wrong Vancouver)
Even though I am a Canucks fan I think that we are going to get the crappy officiating that was there last year. Expect few penalties on that waste of protoplasm Dustin Byfuglien (I watched this guy in juniors, he was a waste of space on the ice then too.). This series is more likely going to resemble a street fight than a hockey game.

Also, how the hell was Hossa not suspended for his hit on Dan Hamhuis. Players should be penalized on the action, not if they are repeat offender.

Thoughts on the first round

Even though Game 7 between Montreal and Washington is tonight, I am going to give my thoughts on what has happened in the first round.

I have only found one referee who has been calling good games, the rest should be neutered to make sure there lack of brains do not infect the next generation. Wait, what that, they already have kids, I'm surprised they figured out how to do that.

How the hell does the lowest seed remaining in the West (Detroit) gets the worst team remaining in the Western Conference (San Jose) that is still remaining, this is a cruel joke being played on Vancouver and Chicago.

Chicago defeated the Predators in six games, what, Nashville still has a team? Who's on it?

The first line of the Sharks is controlling the game, oh wait, wrong Joe, Pavelski has been carrying the Sharks, I haven't heard a peep from Thornton, Heatley, or Marleau.

Mike Murphy is busy coming up with bogus rules so the Canucks won't be credited with another goal for the rest of the playoffs, this will see him get a bonus check and possibly a promotion.

Brodeur greatest goalie of all time? Hell no. He got taken out by a goalie who had 10 years in between series victories. And what has he done since the lock out, oh yeah, look bad in goal for team Canada.

Jaro Halak has been standing on his head, who knew you could make as many save as he has in that position.

Someone should send a memo to the Capitals, you are allowed to win a series in under seven games, it doesn't have to go to seven.

Buffalo failed to realise that they can't win in the playoffs by playing for a shootout.

Crosby has yet to face a team that has a real defence, how else can you explain 13 points in 6 games.

NBC will not show any games from the Chicago vs Vancouver series, this strictly goes against their policy of showing anything Canadian unless it is on 30 Rock (Horrible show by the way). God help us if Montreal defeats Washington, NBC may cancel there NHL programming because they aren't able to show Alex Ovechkin or Sidney Crosbitch. Wait, that would be a good thing, they don't know how to do anything with the game of hockey, and less airtime for Pierre Maguire would only be a great thing.

Fellow blogger HTP has got a "Fire Darryl Sutter" counter going we are up to Day 55 waiting for it to happen according to HTP. Can't blame them either, how do you improve your team when you trade with worse teams in the league, your team will not become better only worse and there is no guarantee that the new players will have chemistry.

How much of a warrior is Shane Doan, he has a grade 3 separated shoulder (I'm in pain just thinking about it) and he wants to play. Respect level for Shane Doan goes up another notch.

Something also that I have yet to focus in on my blog is something put forward by the Liberal Party of Canada that wants to do a Royal Commission on Violence is Sports. Well if you want to see violence, send out the dumb ass that suggested it my way and I will show him violence for wanting to do this. This is as pointless as the U.S. Senate having a hearing on steroids in baseball. There is about 10 billion more important things for government to concerned themselves with before they should focus on violence in sports. Some things they should focus on before violence in sports: Unemployment, crime, health care, education, the list can go on forever.

Well, hopefully I can get my Round 2 predictions up before they start. In the meantime, keep your stick on the ice.

Why no one hates Rick Rypien (Unless you cheer for a team other than the Canucks)

I was so happy at the end of Game 5 when Rick Rypien destroyed some ass clown from the Los Angeles Kings. The guy was yapping at the Canucks bench, and doing the ultimate in douche baggery as far as I am concerned, dog piling a goalie (Anyone who does this should get up and receive any type of punishment from the opposing team for 2 minutes without getting penalized, I hate the guys that do it so much). In relation to this, for dealing with the douche bag from the Canucks, he has received a place of honour in the Top 5 Canucks enforcers of all time.

1. Gino Odjick
2. Tiger Williams
3. Rick Rypien
4. Donald Brashear
5. Dana Murzyn

I will be back shortly with another blog, currently watching the fight sequence from Enter the Dragon with Bruce Lee fighting Chuck Norris. I will leave with one of my favorite Canuck playoff clips, the mother of all elbows

My Thoughts on the Playoffs so far

Well, if you have been reading my blog you know what gets on my nerves more than anything, inconsistent officiating and poor calls from the Toronto office.

However I have decided to give my views on what I have seen in the playoffs so far.

1. "Hi, Ottawa and Vancouver, this is the NHL, we are going to screw over as best we can because we don't care about the teams in Canada.". This can't be made any more apparent then in the two disallowed goals that have happened to both teams. Even though I think Ron MacLean is a complete moron at points, during the 1st OT intermission between Ottawa and Pittsburgh (If you missed the game, Foligno had a puck go in off his skate in overtime, no kicking motion), Ron MacLean showed some of the goals of skates that were allowed. The two highlights that CBC showed were one of Daniel Alfredsson having one off his skate and into the net, very similar to the Nick Foligno OT winner that was said to be a good goal, and one of Kyle Wellwood that was similar to the Daniel Sedin no goal that was on there and considered a good goal on the DVD. Which only leads more fuel to the fire that Canadian teams are getting screwed over.

2. Officiating overall. The inconsistency in all the series is making me think that all NHL officials should be drug tested, or have their eye sight tested because there has been some calls that make me go hmmm. The best evidence of this come from the Pittsburgh-Ottawa series in which Mike Fisher, near the Penguins net, is shoving a little bit with Penguins d-man Brooks Orpik. Marc Andre Fleury cross checks Fisher from behind, Fisher not expecting to be nailed from behind has his visor go into Orpik's face cutting him open. Fleury gets two for cross checking and Fisher gets a double minor for high sticking. Here is the incident. The event happens at 9:13 of the video.



3. Big name goalie = no guarantee. Martin Brodeur is gone in 5 games (Woohoo), Ryan Miller is on the brink of elimination, Luongo has looked ordinary, Halak drew the short end of the stick vs Washington, Bryzgalov has been beaten a lot by Detroit. The only goalies who seem to be having a decent playoff so far are Nabakov (even with Boyle scoring on him in OT), Tuukka Rask (Who actually had solid numbers in the regular season), and Craig Anderson (The only reason the Av's are still in their series).

4. The amount of Dan Boyle jokes going around. Yes, I have seen the goal and I still find it hard to believe, the real funny thing on this was Steve Smith was in the building (Sorry Oilers fans, I had to go there). Here are some of my favorites:

1. The domination of this game made Boyle relapse to the Olympics and thought he was suppose to shoot on Nabakov.

2. Boyle was getting back at Nabakov for hiding his gold medal.

3. Always hating being left out as to one of the reasons the Sharks playoffs flops.

This could go on forever but I'll stop there.

5.The amount of parodies being done of the Stanley Cup Playoffs commercials from other playoff moments. Whether they be of this years playoffs (The Canucks no goal inspired "What if the NHL wasn't ran by a bunch of high school dropouts?") or the infamous Kerry Fraser blown call in 1993 "What if Kerry Fraser wasn't blind?". These are all done pretty well and just show the NHL how easy they are to mock, which is something no company should ever want to be.

Here is the Kerry Fraser one made by Bloge Salming and Down Goes Brown



Here is the Canucks no goal one:



Those are all the major ones I can think of now, I will be back soon to give my thoughts on the second round.

Goal or No Goal..... 04/01/10

To add further fuel to the fire, this was called a goal. What the fuck is the call then on Daniel Sedin for being no goal.

Wanting a job with the NHL?

I made this video and decided to post it tonight instead of doing it in the morning. Just get the frustration out now and see how far this goes.

Disallowed Goal Vs LA Kings 04.19.10

If you need any more cause to wonder why the Canucks may lose this series take a look at this. Even the official on the ice called it a good goal. So, supreme douche bag of the universe, if you want people to stop doubting whether you are wanting certain teams only to win the Stanley Cup, stop having calls like this you freaking moron.

The NHL referees, worst on earth, and more thoughts on Gary Bettman, the supreme douchebag of the universe

I was watching the Canucks vs Kings game 3 and have stopped watching due to disgust with officiating. Where the Canucks are getting called for getting to close to a player on the Los Angeles Kings, The Kings pretty much have to commit murder to be called for a penalty.

What makes it worse is that no announcer will say anything about officiating because they don't want to have happen to them what happen to Jim Robson. Robson questioned the calls of the officials and as a result, commissioner Gary Bettman made sure he would not announce again. If you saw the Trevor Linden retirement ceremony, Jim Robson was the emcee, what was an insult to every Canucks fan was the Gary Bettman was there, why?

I will tell you why Bettman was there. The commissioner, who shall now be known as the supreme douche bag of the universe was there to make sure that Robson did not make any comments that were in reference to the 1994 Stanley Cup Finals between the Canucks and Rangers. I didn't see the supreme douche bag of the universe at Steve Yzerman's or Joe Sakic's number retirement, nor did I see Bill Daly.

This has been a constant area of annoyance for me. When I watch hockey I want the official to call a consistent, fair game and what was a penalty in the first five minutes of a game to be called in the last five minutes. I don't want a referee who is going to be a homer or who has an ego. I really dislike Kerry Fraser as an official because anything that is weird or obscure he is known to call it. Also small piece of interest, try betting on a game in Las Vegas when the Oilers were playing and the official was Andy Van Hellemond, or a Canucks game where Kerry Fraser was the official, oh wait, you can't. Las Vegas won't take bets on these games due to games that have been officiated in the past involving these teams. Also, there is highly unlikely any games with the Vancouver Canucks with referee Stephane Auger going to be taken due to the incident with Alex Burrows.

The best referees are the ones you never hear of such as Mike Cvik (or along those lines can't remember his name) or Faucette.

What goes into making a good official as far as I am concerned:

1. Can check ego at the door.
This is important to me, I don't want the referee to be the centre of attention.

2. Is not a homer.
This is a severe problem in the NHL, I hate watching games where the home team can get away with stuff and the road team is so scared to make contact that they end up losing bad. It also makes the road team not want to play the game.

3. Treats all players the same.
I am sick and tired of watching guys like Crosbitch oops Crosby or Malkin being able to play by a certain set of rules and Dan Carcillo having to play by another, this should also go for Colin Campbell and the NHL higher ups.

Things that make me detest certain officials:

1. Are constantly overshadowing the play.

2. And the rest are the opposite of what are above

And if you really want to improve the NHL lets take the following steps.

1. Get rid of supreme douche bag of the universe, Bill Daly and Colin Campbell and put people in who actually have the sport of hockey's best interest.

2. Get rid of the instigator rule, it would help the star players stay healthy, besides I have never seen it called accurately for an entire season.

3. Have officials call a consistent game and actually be able to call the rules as they are suppose to be called.

4. Don't have the officials in such a god position. You criticize the officiating, you get fined for speaking your mind, that's censorship and goes against freedom of speech. The fines that are given out are under the line of detrimental to the game of hockey. The first time I saw that statement given out with a fine I nearly shot myself in the head it was so stupid.

Well, if the officiating continues the way it has the Canucks vs Kings, expect the Canucks to lose, no team can overcome that crappy of officiating.

Blackberry: Holder of the Canadian national anthem

If you happen to catch the singing of the nationl anthems at game 3 between the Kings and Canucks. you would notice the singer had a blackberry was in his hand which he was reading the Canadian national anthem off of.

I know that Canada is not the biggest thing going in America, most could care less about Canada but if you are hired to sing the national anthem at a sporting event and know they are going to have to sing O Canada at least 6 times and pending on playoffs even more.

Unknown Dan Boyle Trade

I just watched the Avs vs Sharks and one thing is going to stand out:


I was unaware that Dan Boyle was traded to the Avalanche. I am starting to think the Sharks are jinxed.

The Most hated team by the Canadian media

I have been watching hockey all season and one thing has become very apparent to me. The Vancouver Canucks are absolutely slimmed by all the media outlets that have a national coverage. Whether I am watching TSN or CBC, they always are discrediting the Vancouver Canucks one way or another. This has been apparent for a very long time, and was made painfully apparent right after the Alexandre Burrows-Stephane Auger incident.

This is also not just a new trend. During the first round of the 1994 Stanley Cup Playoffs between Calgary and Vancouver, the only team you would have been aware of was the Calgary Flames and how the announcers were drooling over them. The Canucks were an after thought and even after they got passed the Flames they were still being pissed on by CBC because the Toronto Maple Leafs were still in and was all Ron MacLean wanted to talk about.

I don't know where this came from or due to the fact that the best commentators for a team that does local feeds that has had multiple announcers and they are jealous but this should stop. They are a Canadian team and should be treated the same way Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Edmonton, or Calgary is treated, not some bastard child.

Getting flak from my friends

Some of my friends have been giving me trouble about the picks I have made and saying I should have chosen more with my heart. Well if I was to have done that, most people would call me a moron. My friends know how much I hate the Chicago Blackhawks, or a player on the team and think he should be out of the NHL. However I had to use my head and predict who would win and not my heart, even as much as I hate Dustin Byfuglien. This also goes for Sidney Crosbitch, oops I mean Crosby or by and the most overrated goalie in my opinion, Martin Brodeur.

I have various dislikes for all the above mentioned players, whether they have no real need to be on the ice except to add to the stupidity of the game (Byufglien), or if they complain about celebrations of opposing teams (Crosby), or if they get praise that they do not deserve and it gets to the point of making me feel sick.

The bottom line is this, when I make my picks, I have to make them free of personal opinion, as much as I dislike certain players.

The 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs: 1st Round Predictions and My Award Picks and Predictions

Well, I'm not gonna wait until Tuesday like the rest of the world, I am going to give instant analysis as to what I think is going to happen in the first round

Western Conference

(1)San Jose Sharks vs (8)Colorado Avalanche
My Prediction: Sharks in 6

The Sharks have once again gained the number one seed in the West and are trying to get rid of the demons of Stanley Cup Playoffs past by getting past the second round. The Sharks should be able to get through a young Avalanche team who was a bit of a surprise on making it to the playoffs. The thing that I will be watching is if Joe Thornton will actually perform in the playoffs. Another question is Nabakov, has he recovered from the destruction of Canada vs Russia, if not, the Sharks may not go that far.

The Avalanche clinched in the last week of the season and were too far back to challenge for a higher seed, expect them to try there best to get this to seven games but the Av's are too inexperienced to really make an impact this year.

(2)Chicago Blackhawks vs (7)Nashville Predators
My Prediction: Hawks in 5

Chicago has been extremely good this season, the only question that anyone is going to have about this team is there goal tending. Antti Niemi looks like he has been giving the starter job, however, no playoff experience and will he be able to stand the increase in intensity.

Nashville had a 100 point season but nothing about them has really stood out. They had a good season but they don't have what it takes to get deep in the playoffs. They have to get a game breaker before they can make a move forward in the playoffs.

(3)Vancouver Canucks vs (6)Los Angeles Kings
My Prediction: Canucks in 6

For the first time in a while, the Canucks do not need to completely rely on Roberto Luongo to win them games. To be completely honest, Luongo has been so-so since winning gold at the Olympics, however the intensity will pick up and expect Luongo's play to as well. The Canucks also have the second highest scoring team in the NHL this season and Henrik Sedin has won the second piece of major hardware for the Canucks this season having won the Art Ross trophy for most points in a season. The Canucks are wanting to make a big playoff run and if Luongo is the biggest problem right now, I'm not sure about you but I would be pretty confident.

The Kings have made the postseason for the first time since the lockout and are looking to make some waves. However they face the same problem as the Colorado Avalanche, not enough experience. The Kings have a good team but they won't be able to compete, especially if Luongo goes on a hot streak.

(4)Phoenix Coyotes vs (5)Detroit Red Wings
My Prediction: Wings in 6

The Phoenix Coyotes have been the Cindarella story of the NHL this season. However, with their first round match up, the clock has struck midnight. The Coyotes are in the inexperience group that the Av's and Kings are in. The one factor the Coyotes do have is goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov. If the Coyotes win the series, look to Bryzgalov being a huge factor.

Detroit comes into the playoffs like a bat out of hell having been on fire since the Olympic break. There is only two questions that I have with the Wings.
1. How is Jimmy Howard going to do since he has no playoff experience?
2. Is the results of this season showing there age or were they really suffering badly from injuries?
If they answer these questions easily, they can go far, if not they wont make it past the second round.


Eastern Conference

(1)Washington Capitals vs (8) Montreal Canadiens
My Prediction: Caps in 4

This is really simple, Washington is too fast, too big, and too strong. And I almost forgot, the Capitals also have Alexander Ovechkin.

The only way the Habs win this series is Jaroslav Halak, if he can pull off this miracle, the ghost may have finally made there way from the Forum,

(2)New Jersey Devils vs (7)Philadelphia Flyers
My Prediction: Devils in 6

The Devils won the #2 seed in there last game over Buffalo, however they are not going to do too much beyond the first round. The Devils have yet to see the conference finals since the lock out and Brodeur is now in the dimming of his career. They may make the second round but not much beyond that.

The Flyers as always have a big, physical team. If they want to beat New Jersey they are going to have to disrupt Parise and Elias and get bodies in front of Brodeur.

(3)Buffalo Sabers vs (6)Boston Bruins
My Prediction: Sabers in 6

This series is the battle of the goaltenders and Buffalo Sabers goalie Ryan Miller is trying to get the bitter silver medal taste out of his mouth. Expect Miller to carry the Sabers deep in the playoffs.

Tuukka Rask is going to be the goalie for the Bruins in the playoffs, and if the Bruins want to win, Rask is going to have to match Miller save for save. I think this will be the best first round match up and will not be surprised if it goes seven.

(4)Pittsburgh Penguins vs Ottawa Senators
My Prediction: Penguins in 6

The defending Stanley Cup Champions are coming in looking to repeat, they finished second in their division behind the New Jersey Devils. The one problem they have is that they are not as deep as years past. They may make it past Ottawa but I don't see them repeating right now.

Ottawa gets somewhat of a short end of the stick here, they really only have one line and one line teams in the playoffs don't usually go that far in the playoffs.

The Awards

Number Awards (Known at end of regular season)

Presidents Trophy: Washington Capitals - 121 Pts
Art Ross Trophy: Henrik Sedin (VAN) - 112 Pts
Rocket Richard Trophy: Steven Stamkos (TB) & Sidney Crosby (PIT) - 51
William H. Jennings Award (Fewest Goals Against Team): New Jersey Devils - 191

Voted Awards

All my finalist are presented in the order in which I would vote

Voted on by the General Managers of the NHL
Vezina Trophy (Best Goalie)
My Finalist : Ilya Bryzglov (PHX), Ryan Miller (BUF), Martin Brodeur (NJ)
Who Will Win: Ryan Miller (BUF)
This is really a two horse race in my mind, Bryzgalov and Miller. I expect Miller to get more respect because he is the only reason the Sabers are where they are. Same can be said about Bryzgalov but east tend to get some favoritism in this.
Brodeur gets in on good numbers across the board.

Voted on by the Media
Jack Adams Award (Best Coach)
My Finalists: Dave Tippett (PHX), Joe Sacco (COL), Lindy Ruff (BUF)
Who Will Win: Dave Tippett (PHX)
Tippett has taken a team that was in mediocrity and gave the franchise it's first 100 point season and set a franchise record in wins. Sacco led a rebuilding Avalanche squad to a surprising playoff birth. Lindy Ruff gets in on the fact that as the longest serving coach, he still has the teams ear and lead them to a division championship.

Lady Byng Trophy (Most Gentlemanly Player)
Who cares about this one, all it says is I'm a goody-two-shoes.

Norris Trophy (Best Defenceman)
My Finalists: Mike Green (WAS), Duncan Keith (CHI), Drew Doughty (LAK)
Who Will Win: Mike Green (WAS)
Mike Green once again led all defensemen in points, and his +/- is excellent, this is my lock for the awards. Keith and Doughty also had good seasons but they just weren't as good as Green's.

Frank J. Selke Trophy (Best Defensive Forward)
My Finalists: Alex Burrows (VAN), Kris Versteeg (CHI), Pavel Datsyuk (DET)
Who Will Win: Pavel Datsyuk (DET)
The Only reason I say Datsyuk will win is because of Eastern media. Burrows tied for league lead in short handed goals, has the fewest amount of PP goals amongst 30+ goal scorers and ended the season with a +/- of +34, 6th amongst forwards. Versteeg was just consistant all year long and don't expect much credit for him in this area.

Calder Memorial Trophy (Best Rookie)
My Finalists: Tyler Myers (BUF), Matt Duchene (COL), John Tavares(NYI)
Who Will Win: Tyler Myers (BUF)
The 6'8 d-man for Buffalo was a tower of power on the blue line. Duchene lead all rookies in points and helped the surprise Avalanche to a playoff spot. Tavares was second in rookie points and that is what is mainly focused on in the Calder trophy.

King Clancy Trophy (A Player who makes a difference in the community)
The guys who should win this are Henrik and Daniel Sedin. They both donated $1.5 million to a children's hospital in British Columbia.

Hart Trophy (Most Valuable Player)
My Finalists: Henrik Sedin (VAN), Alexander Ovechkin (WAS), Ilya Bryzgalov (PHX)
Who Will Win: Alexander Ovechkin (WAS)
I say Ovechkin will win due to the Eastern bias around the writers who don't stay up to watch the Coyotes or Canucks. Henrik led the league in points and was the reason why the Canucks finished where they did. Bryzgalov was rock solid all season and once again, Coyotes fans wouldn't want to think where they would be if they didn't have Bryzgalov.

A bone to pick with NHL.com

I have a bigger blog coming later today but this has to do with yesterdays nhl.com's 3 stars of the night. The selections went as followed

1st Star: Henrik Sedin 0G 4A
2nd Star: Tomas Vanek 4G 0A
3rd Star: Steven Stamkos 2G 1A

However in this they have given a huge middle finger to Canucks winger Daniel Sedin who had the hat trick and an assist. No offence to Stamkos on getting his 50th, but lets not show bias and go with more American team players than Canadian teams. The point I am wanting to make on it is this, I don't care who it is, they have more points in a game or were on top of there heads making saves, pick the players who had the best night.

How the Hell Does This Happen?

On the last Saturday of the regular season or the NHL, I watched a rare event. No, not a well officiated game. The Boston Bruins on one penalty kill against the Carolina Hurricanes scored three short handed goals. It was a penalty to Matt Hunwick for hooking 18 seconds left in the first period. The Bruins started the second period short handed and started with a flurry.

Daniel Paille scored 32 seconds in to the second period. Blake Wheeler scored 1:21 in and Steve Begin scored 15 seconds later. To tell you how rare this is, I can not recall off the top of my head when I have seen three short handed goals scored on one PK, hell, I can barely do this on NHL 10.

So for Hurricanes fans, if you are wondering why your team missed the playoffs, ask yourselves, "How the hell a team can give up three short handed goals on one PK.".

And with the way it looks, congratulations are in order for the Boston Bruins making the playoffs.

Western Playoff Teams Set

Well, with 2 or 3 games remaining for most NHL teams, the playoff teams in the West are known, even the division winners are known. The only thing left to figure is who is going to get first in the conference, whether it be San Jose or Chicago, and which unfortunate high seed will get a dance with the Detroit Red Wings in the first round.

As it is right now the standings look like this:
San Jose Sharks 109 Pts, 2 Games Remaining(GR)
Chicago Blackhawks 107 Pts, 3 GR
Vancouver Canucks 101 Pts, 2GR
Phoenix Coyotes 102 Pts, 3 GR
Nashville Predators 98 Pts, 2 GR
Los Angeles Kings 97 Pts, 3 GR
Detroit Red Wings 96 Pts, 3 GR
Colorado Avalanche 93 Pts, 3 GR

This is how I am sure that Vancouver, San Jose, and Phoenix fans are wanting to see it finished. They avoid having Detroit in the first round and get what I feel are to be easier match ups. Also if the points are tied and it comes down to the first tie-breaker, wins, all the other teams have an advantage on Detroit here. Basically it boils down like this, Los Angeles and Detroit finish the season with the same amount of points, Los Angeles wins the tie breaker due to having more wins.

However, out of these teams in the West, I only see one upset team in the bottom 4. If you haven't figured it out, follow hockey more closely. This may be the first time in a while that the Top 4 seeds in the West into the second round (Barring the usual choke job by San Jose).

I'll be back in a couple days giving my thoughts on all first round match-ups after they are set, they should be fun.

Interesting Note: The NHL's rules for tie-breaking's first way is ridiculous, all teams play 82 games in a season how can any team have a greater point percentage.

It reads as followed:

If two or more clubs are tied in points during the regular season, the standing of the clubs is determined in the following order:

1. The fewer number of games played (i.e., superior points percentage).
(Pointless all teams play 82 games)

2. The greater number of games won.
(What is the first way to do tie breaking)

3. The greater number of points earned in games between the tied clubs. If two clubs are tied, and have not played an equal number of home games against each other, points earned in the first game played in the city that had the extra game shall not be included. If more than two clubs are tied, the higher percentage of available points earned in games among those clubs, and not including any "odd" games, shall be used to determine the standing.
(There would be no taking away of games because all teams play an even number of games with division and conference opponents 4 and 6 respectively, would only matter in Stanley Cup Finals if two teams were tied in wins and points. In other words, this is complete nonsense and shouldn't even be in the rule book.)

4. The greater differential between goals for and against for the entire regular season. (More likely to be used than tie-breaker # 3.)

I'll be back in a few days to give my playoff match up predictions. These should be easy, ecspecially in the East, it is almost a given we know who is going to win those series.

I think an NHL player is reading my blog: My Washington Capitals playoff preview

Even though I believe it to be highly unlikely, pretty much some stuff I put into a recent blog was almost said word for word by Columbus Blue Jacket forward R.J. Umberger. In the interview he said that he thinks that the Washington Capitals don't have what it takes to win the Stanley Cup because if they make it to the finals that they can be shut down by any Western Conference team.

There is also evidence to support this theory. If you happen to catch the game between the Vancouver Canucks and Washington Capitals from this year, you will understand. Alexander Ovechkin in that game didn't even have a shot and was completely shut down like a nerd on prom night (No, I do not speak from personal experience about the prom night).

The Canucks did to him what they did to Sidney Crosby or any other high skilled player from the East that they play against, shut the player down with a five man unit and play them hard. If a team can do this against the Washington Capitals they can beat them.

However having said this, Washington is far from a one trick pony. The Capitals also boast a great offensive line up with Niklas Backstrom, Alexander Semin, Mike Green, Brendan Morrison, and Mike Knuble has been a great fit on a line with Ovechkin.

The one question I do have with Washington though is their goaltending. Jose Theodore who has been doing very well this calendar year (He has yet to lose a game in regulation), has been known to fold under pressure. I have seen Theodore collapse in the past and that can be any teams undoing, it won't matter how many goals the Caps can score if opponents can put more behind Theodore.

In conclusion though, I see the Capitals making it to the Stanley Cup finals, it depends who they are against if they win it. If they end up against the Vancouver Canucks, the Detroit Red Wings, or the Phoenix Coyotes, the Sea of Red may have to wait another year for the Cup.

The Post Season Approaches

Well, The Stanley Cup playoffs are approaching and it is becoming clearer on who is going to make it and who is not. The teams that have clinched are: In the East, the Washington Capitals, who have already clinched the conference, the New Jersey Devil, the Buffalo Sabres, the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Ottawa Senators. The teams in the West who have clinched are the San Jose Sharks, the Chicago Blackhawks, the Vancouver Canucks, the Phoenix Coyotes, and the Nashville Predators. The Detroit Red Wings and LA Kings are pretty much locks as well but still can mathematically not make the playoffs but the Calgary Flames and Colorado Avalanche both have 89 points and are highly unlikely to win out the season.

I am going to give my opinions for teams that I think are locks for the playoffs and what the keys are for them.

Well, lets start in the East.

The Washington Capitals: The Capitals play in the weakest division in the NHL, and they took full advantage of it. This could be a benefit and a challenge for the Capitals, the benefit is that they have locked up home ice advantage for the playoffs. The challenge is having dominated the weakest division in all of hockey, they have played no real challenging games wear they had a chance of falling down the standings. This no pressure situation could cause them to falter early as teams who get in to the playoffs in the 7 or 8 spot have been playing playoff hockey for the last month and could beat them. Also, a good team defence can shut down this team, look at what the Canucks did to Ovechkin, he was hardly noticeable in that game.

The New Jersey Devils: The Devils are in a dogfight with the Penguins for the top spot in the division, this will give them a playoff readiness facing off against what could possibly be a lowly #6 or #7 seed should they win the division. However, it has been shown that Marty Brodeur isn't the goalie he was a few years ago and the Devils have yet to come close to the Stanley Cup Finals since their last one in '03. I don't see them moving past the second round, they don't have what it takes as far as I am concerned and if they don't win the division, that means Ottawa and they are probably a match up the Devils don't want.

The Buffalo Sabres: However Ryan Miller goes, the Sabres follow, if Miller is on his game the Cup is attainable, however, if Miller stumbles, they could be in a world of hurt.

The Pittsburgh Penguins: Have yet to show that jump from last year that they had from last year in the playoffs. I am skeptical if they can repeat but wouldn't be surprised if they have turbo chargers for the post season.

The Ottawa Senators: The Sens are peaking at the right time and are on a roll with Brian Elliot in goal, they could go deep if Elliot keeps up the great play.




The Western Conference

The San Jose Sharks: The question is, will Joe Thorton look as bad as he did at the Olympics or will he actually show up this year. Another potential question is what is Nabakov's confidence level at right now after being shell shocked by Canada at the Olympics.

The Chicago Blackhawks: The only question for this team is goaltending, if they get it, hard to beat, if they don't could be sent home early.

The Vancouver Canucks: If Luongo gets back into form the Canucks could easily take the cup back to Vancouver for the first time since the Millionaires did it in 1915.

The Phoenix Coyotes: If there is a glass slipper, when will it hit midnight. Also this team wasn't planning a big playoff run, just to make the playoffs, it could be there Achilles come playoff time.

The Nashville Predators: Have quietly amassed 98 points so far this season, they are a sleeper pick but don't think they have the mettle to get it done.

The Detroit Red Wings: Have made there way back into the playoff picture, question is, how will they deal without home ice advantage. Also goaltending could be another question mark this year.

The LA Kings: Another entrant that I am surprised to say will easily make the playoffs, could be in tough because they look to be winding up in the #7 spot.

How novels and movies are going downhill

I have been finding lately the lots of novels and movies that are of the hero overcoming evil variety are missing something, a fear inspiring villain. Where there have been some great villains, lately, novels and movies have been coming up short on this and I wanted to take a look at it.

Where many of these movies and novels have defined heroes/protagonists most of the villains/antagonists, remain very incomplete. When you think of the biggest villains who comes to mind? I know this much, it ain't Zeus from No Holds Barred. What usually goes into a strong villain is that they can inspire fear from you by the mere mention of there name or their appearance in the book or on the screen.

The best villain of all-time as far as I am concerned is Darth Vader (Episodes 4-6). The first time you see him he shows no mercy for what appears to be an errand boy and choking the guy to death. Shows automatically that this is a man you don't want to be on the wrong side of. Throw in the fact that he is the most powerful Jedi ever found and you have a recipe for the man that defeats him being considered great due to the fact that he took someone down so powerful. It wouldn't have mattered if it was Luke, Yoda, Han Solo, Chewbacca, the list goes on they would automatically have a hero status.

Coming in a close second is Lord Voldemort. This guy is a mere shadow for the first three books and most of book four and yet no one likes to speak his name out of fear of the name, now that is intimidation. The guy is considered to be one of the greatest wizards of all time and even has an ability of control of his skills before he is properly trained at Hogwarts. Once again we have a situation here where the person who destroys a character being elevated to the level of hero. The only reason that he is below Darth Vader is because he was ignorant of certain types of magic.

The third greatest villain as far as I am concerned is Sauron. Once again we have a character who in the novels only appears as a spirit being in the form of a fiery eye. Once again we find people being intimidated by a creature that is neither living nor dead, more of a concentrated spirit. He is so feared that if he was to gain the ring of power again, he would destroy all of Middle Earth for his own purposes. Once again we find the person who defeats him being elevated to hero status.

The guy just off the podium as far as being evil goes is Agent Smith of the Matrix movies. Even though this series went downhill after the first movie, what didn't go down was how bad ass Agent Smith was. Clearly defined as the main villain of the series, he became more evil over time. Even though the end of his life was a complete joke as to how he died, he was clearly the villain and whoever destroyed him would be given hero status.

Here is the problem with most of the novels and movies today.

1. There is no defined primary antagonist. This is clearly defined in the Twilight series. The main bad guy from the first one is knocked off at the end of the first book and they add new characters without defining who we should be afraid of. Makes me lose interest in the movies.

2. The villain is not allowed to show his abilities. Even though you are wanting to show off the protagonist, a hero will look better if we know that the villain the hero is defeating one serious bad ass. Look at Harry Potter, everybody knows of Voldemort's abilities even though he is not seen in the first book until the climax of the book. When he appears, you know one thing, be afraid, be very afraid.

3. Most villains I feel no anticipation of fear from. I commonly see villains that you know are the bad guy but when you see them, you already know the outcome, the bad guy doesn't stand a chance because he is one of many secondary villains. Does any one remember any of Superman's nemesis other than Lex Luthor and Doomsday? Unless you are a Superman addict the answer is no, they are too many and they get deluded. Keep the amount of villains low and don't make them soup cans, they are far more fearsome if you think they can actually beat the protagonist.

4. Don't be afraid to feature the bad guy. This is more commonly done in pro wrestling but it does have it's merits. Think along the lines of The Four Horsemen, you had to go through all of them to get to Ric Flair and the title. And when you got there, you were in for a war, making anyone who beat him look even better.

So if you are writing a book or wanting to make a screen play, remember the list, it will help you in the long run.