Go Canucks!

Yeah Samuelsson! He scored the first and final goal for Vancouver in their game against the Kings on Thursday. If not for him, I would have gone 1 for 7 in Game One winners based on my series predictions.

So yeah. Buffalo beat the Bruins and the Capitals fell in overtime to the Canadiens.

Vancouver went to overtime too.

Even the Sabres Bruins game was decided by just one goal, so again we see some really exciting, close battles in the opening games so far.

For tonight, we see all of the first eight teams battling again and Chicago and Nashville start their series as well.

I still hold my series predictions true. This may be my greatest downfall or triumpant victory. Time will tell.

TTFN

Oops. NHL Playoff Results

Well. I certainly know how to pick them.

The NHL playoffs started yesterday. Detroit at Phoenix, Colorado at San Jose, Ottawa at Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia at New Jersey.

My picks for series winners?: Red Wings, Sharks, Penguins, and Devils.

Who won last night?: Coyotes, Avalanche, Senators, and Flyers.

I can still win out with series predictions. The only thing that I absolutely picked wrong was the clean sweep of the Avs by the Sharks. San Jose can still win the series. They have had a strong team for years, but always tank in the playoffs. Are they the Cubs of the hockey world? I hope not.

One good thing about the opening games, they were all decided by one goal. So if you watched any of them, it was pretty intense regardless of which game it was. In fact the only team that never lost the lead once they got it was the Flyers. The Pens and Red Wings both scored first in their games only to see it get tied up. The Pens never regained the lead whereas the Red Wings got it back before eventually allowing the Coyotes to go ahead.

I really wished I had seen the San Jose - Colorado game. With 50 seconds left, Colorado goes ahead. In San Jose. Off a lucky bounce. Colorado's Stewart puts the puck to the net and it defects off a Sharks skate and in. There was another Avalanche player there, in fact the play-by-play guys thought it was him that tipped it in. I guess a replay later showed otherwise.

Today, we see Montreal at Washington and Boston at Buffalo (both at 7:00) with Los Angeles at Vancouver at 10:00. My series predictions were Capitals, Bruins, and Canucks. So expect the Kings, Sabres and Canadiens to win...

Message From the Atlanta Thrashers Organization

The 2009-10 season had many high points and some thrilling games, but ultimately we fell short of our playoff objective. As we begin the next steps towards achieving our ultimate goal of a Stanley Cup championship, we have elected to restructure our hockey operations staff, including the promotion of Don Waddell to President and Rick Dudley to General Manager. Collectively, we decided that we would not retain Head Coach John Anderson and Assistant Coaches Randy Cunneyworth, Todd Nelson and Steve Weeks, all of whom we thank for their dedication and contributions to the organization.

After a year of contributing to the hockey operations staff, and assessing the team and organization, we are excited to have Rick assume control of hockey-related activities. We are extremely confident that he will do an outstanding job of guiding us to the next level. Don has been an important part of this organization since its inception and in shifting his focus to concentrate primarily on all business aspects of the organization, will continue to play a vital role for our franchise.

Rick Dudley has been pivotal in building highly successful hockey teams, including most recently the Chicago Blackhawks. He has nearly 40 years of experience and is very well-respected in the hockey community for his expertise in evaluating and developing talent. He will immediately begin the search for a new head coach and will oversee all preparations for the upcoming NHL Entry Draft. Although we all are disappointed at not participating in the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs, we are excited about our future and will continue to build on the team’s strong core of young players with the goal of creating a competitive and successful squad that will make our fans proud.

On behalf of the entire organization, I’d like to thank you for your continued support as we enter a new era of Thrashers hockey.



Bruce Levenson and Michael Gearon


---

My opinion:

I'm not sure about this. It will all depend on who they get to be the new head coach. Someone that knows how to get a team to pass stick-to-stick. Someone who knows not to dump the puck every single time its gets pass the center line. Someone who will plant someone in the slot. Someone who will require a higher shots on goal total. Someone who will help obtain a starting goaltender and not a pair of backups. I love ya Moose, but I want a starter too.

Anyway, let's see how it goes. I don't like changing the team like a rotating door, but I'm okay with this change in the office.

Take a page out of the Hawks playbook. When the Atlanta Spirit took over, the Hawks were about the worst team in the NBA. They got a good group of prospects and kept them season after season. And they gradually improved. Now, they area one of the best teams in the NBA. Playoff bound for quite a while. And poised to make it at least to the conference game. Maybe. The Celtics in Boston and the Orlando Magic are the only teams to worry about. The Braves did the same thing and they have the record for most division wins in a row in any sport at 14.

Thrashers: Quit aquiring new talent until you've given the current batch time to meld as a unit. Then, look a the overall weaknesses and fill in the holes.

TTFN

NHL Playoffs

The playoffs are here for the NHL.

So, who's going to the big dance?

Let's break it down with my predictions and what the odds makers predictions say.



Here we go, starting in the Eastern Conference:


#1 Washington Capitals vs. #8 Montreal Canadiens

Washington. No question. With the high scoring Ovechkin backed by a powerful, surging goaltender in Theodore. Montreal doesn't really stand much of a chance, though the series in the regular season was pretty close. I say the Caps in five.



#2 New Jersey Devils vs. #7 Philadelphia Flyers

The Devils should emerge victorious in this one. The reason they got Kovalchuk was to add needed speed. With him on the ice, they can go pretty deep in the playoffs because they know how to play without him. He is a bonus, not a cornerstone that has the team crumble with his absence. The Flyers have done well against the Devils in the regular season and they have the league's best power play, but they can't match up against 600 game winning tender Brodeur dispite Philly's own Boucher between the pipes. I expect it to go seven games, but New Jersey is the winner.



#3 Buffalo Sabres vs. #6 Boston Bruins

A battle of defenses. The rookie Myers on Buffalo versus the powerful Chara of Boston. I expect the upset. Boston rolls in five. Not a very exciting game to watch if you like red lights and horns.



#4 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. #5 Ottawa Senators

Can you really go against the cry baby? I mean, we all loathe him, but Crosby is arguably the best in our time. He has a lot of support around him too and the team knows how to work together with him. Don't forget. They have Staal and Malkin too, forces to be reconned with by themselves. The only way Ottawa has a shot is if the Pens go into some sort of funk, which is possible. If you look at their record, they can go through them from time to time. I say Pens in six games. Six close games.




Now, let's have a look-see at the Western Conference:


#1 San Jose Sharks vs. #8 Colorado Avalanche

These teams split their regular season series. The odd thing will be the goaltenders. San Jose's Nabokov has playoff experience, but has struggled recently giving up at least three goals on average. Anderson has stronger numbers of late, but zero playoff experience. I still have to go with the Sharks because of Heatley, Thornton and Marleau. The Avs are under a first year head coach with some promising rookie talent. Sharks in four, a clean sweep.



#2 Chicago Blackhawks vs. #7 Nashville Predators

The starting tenders are the X-factor in this series too. Neither Niemi of Chicago or Rinne of the Preds have any playoff ice time at the NHL level. In fact, Niemi hasn't won a pro playoff series ever. Hossa is back in the playoff hunt. So, I guess we have to have him with Patrick Kane and Toews going to the finals and losing right? Remember, Marian Hossa lost as a Pengiun in 2008 to Detroit before losing as a Red Wing in 2009 against Pittsburgh. But, Chicago has some serious injuries too. Campbell namely. Also, a lot of Nashville's victories were just one goals, so they are used to pressure. I've still got to go with Chicago, but it will take all seven games.



#3 Vancouver Canucks vs. #6 Los Angeles Kings

Roberto Luongo is in the nets for the Canucks. Need I say more? The plus .500 tender recently won gold for Canada. He has struggled lately, but I think he will pull through. Now, Vancouver's defense is banged up, but they do have a team with a lot more playoff experience. Namely, we can say Daniel Sedin. A recent game (April 1) between the two teams had the Kings dominate 8-3, but Vancouver won the previous three. I don't expect much of a battle, but I could be wrong. The Kings are a good road team. Still, no upset here either. Canucks in six.



#4 Phoenix Coyotes vs. #5 Detroit Red Wings

The teams split their series during the regular season. However, I'm leaning towards the upset. Red Wings. Even though their difference maker is 40 years old, Nicklas Lidstrom is still a difference maker. The Coyotes have Captain Shane Doan, but not really a ton else outside the goaltender Bryzgalov. Bryzgalov is an MVP candidate. However, his opposition in the other net is Jimmy Howard, up for rookie of the year. Generally, I go against a rookie goaltender, but most of the rest of the Red Wings are the same team from the last several years. Stanley Cup Finals years. That has to count for something. I just don't see this as much of series, despite Phoenix's first appearance in the playoffs for eight years. Octopi in five.



What do I think will happen in the end?

Washington Capitals will battle the San Jose Sharks for Lord Stanley's Cup, and the Capitals will be victorious.

Normally, I like to go for some underdogs, but I really feel strongly about the Sharks and Capitals this year. I think they won their respective conferences for a reason. Don't get me wrong, an upset can be entertaining, but I just don't see it happening much this year. And trust me, I'll root and predict the underdog. Remember my Super Bowl XLIV pick? I'll probably do a similar comparison when the Finals teams are set.

The Capitals are too much of a force to be stopped. They have overcome a lot of different looks in the East, and I just don't think there's a Western team that can overtake them.

How do professional odd-makers see it when it comes to winning the Stanley Cup?

Washington 4:1
Chicago 5:1
San Jose 6:1
Pittsburgh 8:1
New Jersey 12:1
Vancouver 12:1
Detroit 15:1
Buffalo 20:1
Phoenix 25:1
Ottawa 30:1
Montreal 35:1
Los Angeles 40:1
Nashville 45:1
Philadelphia 50:1
Boston 60:1
Colorado 75:1

As you can see, I'm not too far off base compared to professionals. Although they seem to think it will be the Blackhawks against the Caps. We shall see.



Wanna watch any of this? Here's your schedule.

Wed 14
Ottawa @ Pittsburgh 7:00 PM
Philadelphia @ New Jersey 7:30 PM
Detroit @ Phoenix 10:00 PM
Colorado @ San Jose 10:30 PM

Thu 15
Montreal @ Washington 7:00 PM
Boston @ Buffalo 7:00 PM
Los Angeles @ Vancouver 10:00 PM

Fri 16
Ottawa @ Pittsburgh 7:00 PM
Philadelphia @ New Jersey 7:30 PM
Nashville @ Chicago 8:30 PM
Detroit @ Phoenix 10:00 PM
Colorado @ San Jose 10:30 PM

Sat 17
Boston @ Buffalo 1:00 PM
Montreal @ Washington 7:00 PM
Los Angeles @ Vancouver 10:00 PM

Sun 18
Phoenix @ Detroit 3:00 PM
New Jersey @ Philadelphia 6:00 PM
Pittsburgh @ Ottawa 6:30 PM
Nashville @ Chicago 8:30 PM
San Jose @ Colorado 9:30 PM

Mon 19
Washington @ Montreal 7:00 PM
Buffalo @ Boston 7:00 PM
Vancouver @ Los Angeles 10:00 PM

Tue 20
Phoenix @ Detroit 6:30 PM
Pittsburgh @ Ottawa 7:00 PM
New Jersey @ Philadelphia 7:30 PM
Chicago @ Nashville 9:00 PM
San Jose @ Colorado 10:00 PM

Wed 21
Washington @ Montreal 7:00 PM
Buffalo @ Boston 7:00 PM
Vancouver @ Los Angeles 10:00 PM

Thu 22
*Philadelphia @ New Jersey 7:00 PM
*Ottawa @ Pittsburgh 7:00 PM
Chicago @ Nashville 8:30 PM
*Colorado @ San Jose 10:30 PM

Fri 23
*Montreal @ Washington 7:00 PM
*Boston @ Buffalo 7:00 PM
*Los Angeles @ Vancouver 10:00 PM
*Detroit @ Phoenix 10:00 PM

Sat 24
*San Jose @ Colorado TBD
*Nashville @ Chicago 3:00 PM
*Pittsburgh @ Ottawa 7:00 PM

Sun 25
*New Jersey @ Philadelphia TBD
*Vancouver @ Los Angeles TBD
*Phoenix @ Detroit 2:00 PM

Mon 26
*Chicago @ Nashville TBD
*Colorado @ San Jose TBD
*Washington @ Montreal 7:00 PM
*Buffalo @ Boston 7:00 PM

Tue 27
*Los Angeles @ Vancouver TBD
*Detroit @ Phoenix TBD
*Ottawa @ Pittsburgh 7:00 PM
*Philadelphia @ New Jersey 7:30 PM

Wed 28
*Montreal @ Washington TBD
*Nashville @ Chicago TBD
*Boston @ Buffalo 7:00 PM

* = if necessary

Why I Like The NHL

Okay, so I'm still getting back in touch with reality. It's been a little slow going with life and thusly the blog. A real big change of pace, but I'm going to start a mini series on things I like about the great sport of hockey, particularly the NHL.

I originally was going to do just one entry, but after thinking about what I wanted to say I realized it needed to be split up.


Here's the list on things I like about the NHL:


10. Sportsmenship

There are some great people associated with the NHL and it shows.


9. Action / Speed of Game

It's a fast game with plenty of action.


8. History

The NHL has a rich history with fascinating players, coaches, dynasties, and stories.


7. Results of the Lock Out

While I would rather there had never been a lock out, I feel the league did a good job of working on changing the game for the better.


6. Winter Classic

What's your New Year's Day tradition?


5. Goal Tenders

The masked men of hockey hold a special place in the world of sports.


4. Traditions

Flying hats and octopussies (octopi?) are just a couple of the unique, awesome things hockey fans do.


3. Rules

I love hockey rules. I really think they make it an incredible sport focused both on fan expectations and true competition on the ice.


2. Arena Atmosphere

I've seen a few arenas and the atmosphere is always energetic in ways different from other sporting events.


1. The Stanley Cup

Need I say more?



As a bonus, I'm also going to talk about a few subjects that really interest me beyond the sport itself. Namely, the aestetics of the sport, the overall look of hockey. The logos and jerseys have always been fascinating.

I'm also going to spend a minute talking about things I'd rather change. After studying the rules (yes, I study the rule book every year) and observing the game, I do have some suggestions for the league. Some fun, some serious, some radical, and some I can't believe they haven't done.

So what can you expect?

Well, here's an example:

One big thing I like about hockey is it takes skill just to perform the basic tasks associated with the sport. The main example is SKATING! Not just anyone can skate, but anyone can run around some bases, jog 100 yards, or granny-shot a ball through a hoop.

Don't get me wrong. It does take skill to perform at any level in each of these sports. But really. Anyone can litterally make a basketball soar through the air in the general direction of a hoop. Or throw a football, though that task is left up to one person of the 22 on the field. The rest are running around to get into a position to receive the ball or trying to stop people from running around, potentially with that egg. This is rather simplistic, but it's true on an elementary level.

Baseball is arguably the hardest to perform under hockey. The three most important elements of baseball are hitting, throwing, and catching. Let's start with throwing. Again, it's basically easy to do this. Accuracy, speed and distance take training and practice to master. Catching is a little more difficult, but most beginners are fearful of injury if they fail more than a lack of skills to actually catch the ball. Hitting is hard. No question, no argument. The ball is traveling at a high speed, possibly dipping or curving. The timing is incredible to successfully hit a baseball. Sending it in an accurate direction is even harder with professionals only doing this well 3 out of 10 times (a .333 batting average). And those are the best players!

So why is baseball second to hockey since it requires all of these skills? Well, two big reasons. A lack of skill or an abundance of success from the opposing team nullifies your need for another skill. If the pitcher is inadequate, you walk without having to even swing the bat. If the hitter is knocking homeruns every other at bat, you don't need a glove for fielding. Even if the team is average, the chances that you are going to make contact with the ball are relatively small depending on your position. First basemen, catcher, and pitcher make the most contact, but that leaves six other players that do not. Realistically only one additional player is likely to make contact with the ball on a routine play. That is of course assuming the hitter actually makes contact with the ball creating that routine play, so again if the hitter is bad, he might strike out.

There are a number of similarities between sports that hockey can include in its argument for being difficult. Stats are the most obvious. All players are human with strenghts and weaknesses. Combining these into team efforts also produces team skills and setbacks. It could be argued that all sports are attempts by one team attempting to capitilize on the other team's weaknesses. Basketball players study rebound and three points while football looks at run and pass comparisons (on all levels). Baseball is perhaps the most intense on individual performances because of the delay between every single pitch. You can literally change gameplans within two seconds. "First pitch, he swung and hit it hard, but foul. Okay, don't throw him that pitch again." Hockey players also study stats. Defensive, shooting, and so forth.

But, hockey is the most complex because of its consistently changing players (thus constantly changing stats), the possibility of going on a powerplay or penalty kill, so many factors. Plus, it's all done on ice. Slip and slide around a lot. Plus, if you hit a guy and he gets up, hit him again. That's different.

Another big reason I like hockey is the penalty for fighting. Think about it. Football has tackling, but you only tackle the guy once. Throw a punch in baseball or basketball and you are gone for a few games, possibly the season.

This is one of the worst display in sports. The Pacers at Detroit.



Well, at least the NHL have never gone into the stands to beat up fans.

Right?



Okay, so that was pretty bad too. I'll try and talk more about my thoughts on fighting later on.

I love the sport of hockey, particularly the NHL. There are certainly elements in the minor leagues that I love (crazy promotions, freedom with uniforms, so forth), but I have to side with the NHL.

TTFN

Thrashers Release Schedule

So, the 2009-2010 Atlanta Thrashers season will soon be here.



The schedule was released by the NHL yesterday. The Thrashers break down as follows:

There will only be 6 games (3 home, 3 away) against division opponents.

4 games (2 and 2) against conference opponents.

There doesn't appear to be a lot of rhyme or reason to the Western Conference opponents.

Here they are:

Avalanche: @ Colorado
Blackhawks: @ Chicago
Blue Jackers: Home & Home
Blues: H & H
Canucks: @ Vancouver
Coyotes: @ Phoenix
Ducks: in Atlanta
Flames: @ Calgary
Kings: in Atlanta
Oilers: in Atlanta
Predators: H & H
Red Wings: @ Detroit
Sharks: in Atlanta
Stars: in Atlanta
Wild: @ Minnesota

There are some similarities when compared to some of the other teams in the conference, but nothing to get excited about.

Here's the complete break down.




I generally like the schedule more, though it does have some problems. For one thing, I like the idea of concentrating games on division opponents, not trying to get every single team in the rotation. I think that distracts and takes away. It's better to only play Detroit or Dallas, Minnesota or San Jose once every couple of years. Adds a little bit of excitement.

I do like how the games are more stretches than years passed. A few home games strung together with a few road games for a trip away. Not this home, away, home, home, away, home, away, away thing they've done SO many times before. It's cheaper for the teams and also creates a nice little break or homestand.

There is, of course, no Thrashers games in the area of my birthday. Generally, it's because the circus takes over Philips Arena but this year it's the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics.

I looked at Tampa Bay's schedule too, but only for their home games. Since I'll be at Disney, I can probably catch a few games at the St. Pete Times' Forum now and again. The only time the Thrashers will be there is the day after Christmas (at least while I'm in Florida.)

Here's Tampa Bay's schedule for home games (while I'm there).



One thing I'll be sure to check out is the Lightning Girls. And why not?



They still don't compare to my Blue Crew (featured here wearing their CODE RED uniforms).



Let's have another look at those uniforms.



If you think that's offensive, you have to look at some more of the Lightning Girls. Here's just one of their photo galleries available online of the Tampa Bay Lightning Girls.

Oh, and Martin St. Louis. The midget of hockey plays for Tampa Bay. Hilarious.