Well, these picks come at a still disappointing time trying to figure out what was wrong with my beloved Flames this year and what needs to change for next year. Anyways here are my picks:
EAST
(1) Montreal Canadiens vs. (6) Philadelphia Flyers
The Canadiens have too much depth and too much speed for the Flyers to handle. The Flyers will come out and hit hard but it just wont be enough against the high flying Canadiens.
HABS IN 6
(2) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (5) New York Rangers
Too much fire power from the Pens for the Rangers blueline to handle. Plus Avery wont be able to screen Fleury like we saw against Brodeur without getting a penalty, hahaha.
PENS IN 6
WEST
(1) Detroit Red Wings vs. (6) Colorado Avalanche
I picked the Avs to face the Flames in the west final from the start and Ill stick to it. It will be another classic series between these two hated rivals.
AVS IN 7
(2) San Jose Sharks vs. (5) Dallas Stars
The Stars are on fire and easily beat out the defending champs in the first round. San Jose never did look that spectacular against the Flames and I think the Stars will be able to handle them with ease. Something tells me that this could be Turco's year after two straight spectacular playoff rounds in a row, the other coming from that years playoffs versus the Canucks.
STARS IN 6
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Monday, April 21, 2008
It's Going 7.....
Wow, what a game for the Flames last night. In my mind their best performance of the whole series and it now all comes down to one game, game 7 tomorrow night in San Jose.
I must say I like the seven defensemen dressing, Vandermeer makes up for the size lost from Godard but he can skate and move the puck a whole lot better. Great move there by Keenan. Also I have to give kudos to Lombo, he was one of the best Flames out there and even though he isn't scoring he is doing everything else at a top level. If he keeps it up it will be only a matter of time before he scores. Really you cant say any Flame had a bad game, Primeau had a ton of jump I thought and Eriksson only made 1 mistake. Finally I just have to mention that I totally forgot that Milan Michalek even played for the Sharks until he tried to deke out Kipper, I think it was Phaneuf and both of his teammates on that 3 on 1, I dont really know what he was doing but it was awful.
If the Flames play like they did last night in game 7, this series should be over. I cant wait.
GO FLAMES GO!!!!
Friday, April 11, 2008
Game 2 Recap
Wow, I still cant get over about how bad those officials were last night. Like talk about deciding a game, I understand a couple of those were penalties but give me a break, Iggy's "hold" was a push, Lombo's "hook" was a tap that nicked the Sharks players jersey and finally the worst of all, the Vandermeer "slash" were Thornton pretty much does a somersault head right into the boards, looks like he just broke something then stays on and plays the 5 on 3. The Sharks won the game and should of won and academy award. Thornton's and McLaren's performances were spectacular.
Also CBC is starting to really bug me, they never talk about any of Calgary's positives, they seem to always praise the Sharks and everything they do. They show replay after replay after a 'close' sharks chance but show maybe one after any Flames scoring opportunities. Their company is a joke it stands for CANADIAN broadcasting company, but other than eastern Canada they sure seem like they are cheering for everything against the west. It is a joke, P.J Stock and Craig Simpson are probably the two worst announcers in the business. Hopefully TSN takes over Hockey Night in Canada on day, cause I'm getting sick of the Eastern Canada Lovers Broadcasting Company.
Anyways enough of the negativeness, I am proud of what the Flames have been able to accomplish in the first two games and am stoked with the 1-1 series tie. Their 5 on 5 and penalty killing has been awesome and every line seems to be on their game. Kipper has been unbelievable to say the least and Keenan has done a good job running the bench. I cant wait for game 3 back here at the Dome, Sunday. The Sharks better be ready cause I know the Flames and our awesome fans will be!
Also CBC is starting to really bug me, they never talk about any of Calgary's positives, they seem to always praise the Sharks and everything they do. They show replay after replay after a 'close' sharks chance but show maybe one after any Flames scoring opportunities. Their company is a joke it stands for CANADIAN broadcasting company, but other than eastern Canada they sure seem like they are cheering for everything against the west. It is a joke, P.J Stock and Craig Simpson are probably the two worst announcers in the business. Hopefully TSN takes over Hockey Night in Canada on day, cause I'm getting sick of the Eastern Canada Lovers Broadcasting Company.
Anyways enough of the negativeness, I am proud of what the Flames have been able to accomplish in the first two games and am stoked with the 1-1 series tie. Their 5 on 5 and penalty killing has been awesome and every line seems to be on their game. Kipper has been unbelievable to say the least and Keenan has done a good job running the bench. I cant wait for game 3 back here at the Dome, Sunday. The Sharks better be ready cause I know the Flames and our awesome fans will be!
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
ROUND 1: FLAMES vs. SHARKS PREVIEW
Well here we are, hockey fans favourite time of the year, the Stanley Cup playoffs are set to start tomorrow night and as a die-hard Flames fan, I need a preview for their first round match-up against the San Jose Sharks.
(7) CALGARY FLAMES
record: 42-30-10 96 points
points leader: Jarome Iginla 98 (50-48)
goals leader: Jarome Iginla 50
hits leader: Dion Phaneuf 194
Potential Lines/Pairings:
1- TANGUAY-LANGKOW-IGINLA
2- HUSELIUS-LOMBARDI-NOLAN
3- NYSTROM-CONROY-MOSS
4- YELLE-PRIMEAU-GODARD
EXTRA- BOYD, NILSON, SMITH(INJ.)
1- PHANEUF-VANDERMEER
2- REGEHR-SARICH
3- AUCOIN-HALE
EXTRA- ERIKSSON, WARRENER(INJ.)
1- KIPRUSOFF
2- JOSEPH
(2) SAN JOSE SHARKS:
record: 49-23-10 108 points
points leader: Joe Thornton 96 (29-67)
goals leader: Joe Thornton 29
hits leader: Kyle McLaren/ Doug Murray 127
Potential Lines/Pairings:
1- MICHALEK-THORNTON-CHEECHOO
2- CLOWE-MARLEAU-PAVELSKI
3- RIISMILLER-MITCHELL-GRIER
4- ROENICK-BROWN-SHELLEY
EXTRA- SETOGUCHI, PLIHAL, GOC
1- CAMPBELL-MURRAY
2- RIVET-VLASIC
3- McLAREN-EHRHOFF
EXTRA- CARLE, OZOLINSH
1- NABOKOV
2- BOUCHER
Well from evidence from the season series which the Flames won 3 to 1, it starts to look a little more promising for the Flames who are going to face NHL's hottest team down the stretch, with the Sharks going 14-2-2. The Flames also used the shut-down pairing of Regehr and Sarich, mostly Reggie of course to keep Mighty Joe to a measly 1 assist. This is a good sign. Finally The Sharks have always been one of the NHL's hottest teams down the stretch for about the last four years and have fizzled every year in the playoffs.
Match-ups are going to be very important for both teams in this series. Obviously Regehr and Sarich will face up against Thornton, and this is probably the most important thing for the Flames if they want to win this series. If they shut-down Thornton, a very questionable Thornton when it comes to the playoffs, just like they did in the season you can take Michalek and Cheechoo right out of the series too. Phaneuf and Vandermeer will then be looked to put pressure on the Marleau unit and shouldn't have a problem doing it, if they continue their solid play from the season. The Sharks will look to the Murray, Campbell pairing to shut-down Iggy and co. Not a easy task for either team but someone has got to do it to win. Who knows what other match-ups the Sharks will have set for the Flames forwards but secondary scoring is a must for the Flames.
As a die-hard Flames fan I always go with my heart and even through their inconsistent play throughout the year, I will always go for the Flames all the way. The last couple of years it has lead to disappointment but I think that trend will end this year. I dont think Regehr will have any problem shutting down Thornton (especially a playoff Thornton) and with Phaneuf's even better defensive play, he shouldn't have a problem with Marleau either. I think Iggy has the fire in his heart to bring home the cup to Calgary and will carry his amazing play and 50 goals into the playoffs. His teammates will follow him through his amazing leadership and the inconsistent play with become a thing of the past. I will look for Nolan and Lombo to pick up their play even more and help Huselius get back on track. Finally after Nystrom's excellent play and 4 points against Vancouver in the final game, will he be the ultimate dark-horse and be able to score some key and important goals just like his dad, Bob did for the Islanders for all those years.
Prediction: FLAMES IN 7
(7) CALGARY FLAMES
record: 42-30-10 96 points
points leader: Jarome Iginla 98 (50-48)
goals leader: Jarome Iginla 50
hits leader: Dion Phaneuf 194
Potential Lines/Pairings:
1- TANGUAY-LANGKOW-IGINLA
2- HUSELIUS-LOMBARDI-NOLAN
3- NYSTROM-CONROY-MOSS
4- YELLE-PRIMEAU-GODARD
EXTRA- BOYD, NILSON, SMITH(INJ.)
1- PHANEUF-VANDERMEER
2- REGEHR-SARICH
3- AUCOIN-HALE
EXTRA- ERIKSSON, WARRENER(INJ.)
1- KIPRUSOFF
2- JOSEPH
(2) SAN JOSE SHARKS:
record: 49-23-10 108 points
points leader: Joe Thornton 96 (29-67)
goals leader: Joe Thornton 29
hits leader: Kyle McLaren/ Doug Murray 127
Potential Lines/Pairings:
1- MICHALEK-THORNTON-CHEECHOO
2- CLOWE-MARLEAU-PAVELSKI
3- RIISMILLER-MITCHELL-GRIER
4- ROENICK-BROWN-SHELLEY
EXTRA- SETOGUCHI, PLIHAL, GOC
1- CAMPBELL-MURRAY
2- RIVET-VLASIC
3- McLAREN-EHRHOFF
EXTRA- CARLE, OZOLINSH
1- NABOKOV
2- BOUCHER
Well from evidence from the season series which the Flames won 3 to 1, it starts to look a little more promising for the Flames who are going to face NHL's hottest team down the stretch, with the Sharks going 14-2-2. The Flames also used the shut-down pairing of Regehr and Sarich, mostly Reggie of course to keep Mighty Joe to a measly 1 assist. This is a good sign. Finally The Sharks have always been one of the NHL's hottest teams down the stretch for about the last four years and have fizzled every year in the playoffs.
Match-ups are going to be very important for both teams in this series. Obviously Regehr and Sarich will face up against Thornton, and this is probably the most important thing for the Flames if they want to win this series. If they shut-down Thornton, a very questionable Thornton when it comes to the playoffs, just like they did in the season you can take Michalek and Cheechoo right out of the series too. Phaneuf and Vandermeer will then be looked to put pressure on the Marleau unit and shouldn't have a problem doing it, if they continue their solid play from the season. The Sharks will look to the Murray, Campbell pairing to shut-down Iggy and co. Not a easy task for either team but someone has got to do it to win. Who knows what other match-ups the Sharks will have set for the Flames forwards but secondary scoring is a must for the Flames.
As a die-hard Flames fan I always go with my heart and even through their inconsistent play throughout the year, I will always go for the Flames all the way. The last couple of years it has lead to disappointment but I think that trend will end this year. I dont think Regehr will have any problem shutting down Thornton (especially a playoff Thornton) and with Phaneuf's even better defensive play, he shouldn't have a problem with Marleau either. I think Iggy has the fire in his heart to bring home the cup to Calgary and will carry his amazing play and 50 goals into the playoffs. His teammates will follow him through his amazing leadership and the inconsistent play with become a thing of the past. I will look for Nolan and Lombo to pick up their play even more and help Huselius get back on track. Finally after Nystrom's excellent play and 4 points against Vancouver in the final game, will he be the ultimate dark-horse and be able to score some key and important goals just like his dad, Bob did for the Islanders for all those years.
Prediction: FLAMES IN 7
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Playoff Predictions
Well with the 2008 playoffs set to kick off tomorrow night, I thought I would lay down some predictions for the first round.
EAST
(1) Montreal Canadiens vs. (8) Boston Bruins
This is a pretty easy prediction with Montreal just dominating Boston throughout their 8 meetings this season. Montreal's dominance goes back even farther, they have faced each other a couple of times in past playoffs with Montreal coming out on top both times. With Montreal's depth throughout their 4 lines, their lethal powerplay and questions whether Marc Savard will be 100% for the series the Canadiens will take this one easily.
HABS IN 5
(2) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (7) Ottawa Senators
Let me first start off with saying who would have thunk it that Ottawa would be in this position at this point off the season? It truly is amazing and it ain't getting any easier for them either. Alfredsson and Fisher both look like they will be out for the whole series and maybe longer depending if the Sens can get past the Penguins and that is one major if. With all the Pens big guns up front lead by Crosby and Malkin, the Pens will be too much for the Senators to handle, even with their lethal duo of Phillips and Volchenkov who sound like they wont always be paired with each other.
PENS IN 6
(3) Washington Capitals vs. (6) Philadelphia Flyers
Alexander the Great! Wow what a season for this guy, something is seriously wrong if he doesn't walk away with the Hart by a landslide. With that in mind, how do the Flyers shut him down? Can they even do it? An amazing point made today on TSN made by Darren Dreger, They were talking about the Flyers shutting Ovechkin down and that they will have to be physical against him, but will Ovechkin even be shut down by that? Ovechkin was 9th in the league with 200 some odd hits, the next closest Flyer, Jason Smith ranked 49th in the league and is injured right now. So the Flyers really have no hope, unless Ovechkin starts making dumb decisions and gets himself off his game, and there is no evidence that he will do that. Sorry big tough Hatcher, even you and your amazing skills(NOT!!!) cant shut Ovie down! O and did I mention the Caps are riding a tidal wave of momentum too?
CAPS IN 5
(4) New Jersey Devils vs. (5) New York Rangers
After the Devils win Sunday night against the Rangers to clinch home-ice, I was completely shocked to figure out that that was also their first win against the Rangers all year! 4 of them were in OT but still you think the Devils would have been able to pull off at least 4 wins out of the 8 times they met each other. The point from that first and last win for the Devils was that it was when times really mattered. Brodeur is still the best goalie in the league and I just have seen to much of the who gives a crap Jaromir Jagr this season to think that he will even care about these playoffs.
DEVILS IN 7
WEST
(1) Detroit Red Wings vs. (8) Nashville Predators
The Preds have had an unbelievable season and I dont think anyone predicted that they would be in a position right now to pull of a huge upset. I think it is too huge for the Preds to pull off and the Red Wings will walk all over the Preds. The likes of Lidstrom, Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Holmstrom have done it just too many times and the Preds wont be able to handle it.
WINGS IN 5
(2) San Jose Sharks vs. (7) Calgary Flames
***see above post
(3) Minnesota Wild vs. (6) Colorado Avalanche
I have really liked from what I have seen from the Avs with a healthy Forsberg in the line-up. Whether he stays in the line-up throughout this season is up in the air and probably every unlikely. Whether or not, the Avs have made it through some major injuries throughout the year especially Sakic's. Their PP has to be way better but they playoff atmosphere and experience will help. I still think the Wild are too soft even with Fedoruk, Simon and Boogard, Gaborik has had some pretty good playoff success but other than that no other player has been able to step up in the playoffs.
AVS IN 6
(4) Anaheim Ducks vs. (5) Dallas Stars
This is a very interesting and in my mind close series. The Ducks are of course the defending champs but had an awful time scoring goals this season and their leading scorer, Corey Perry probably wont be ready this round. Even so the Ducks have a rested Teemu Selanne and Scott Niedermayer so they will be as strong as ever. The Stars have a very good team and it could be time for Marty Turco to finally win a playoff series especially after his performance last year against the Canucks. But Ribiero and Richards are injured(not sure on their status for Game 1) and I dont think Ribiero has what it takes to be a go-to guy in the playoffs.
DUCKS IN 6
EAST
(1) Montreal Canadiens vs. (8) Boston Bruins
This is a pretty easy prediction with Montreal just dominating Boston throughout their 8 meetings this season. Montreal's dominance goes back even farther, they have faced each other a couple of times in past playoffs with Montreal coming out on top both times. With Montreal's depth throughout their 4 lines, their lethal powerplay and questions whether Marc Savard will be 100% for the series the Canadiens will take this one easily.
HABS IN 5
(2) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (7) Ottawa Senators
Let me first start off with saying who would have thunk it that Ottawa would be in this position at this point off the season? It truly is amazing and it ain't getting any easier for them either. Alfredsson and Fisher both look like they will be out for the whole series and maybe longer depending if the Sens can get past the Penguins and that is one major if. With all the Pens big guns up front lead by Crosby and Malkin, the Pens will be too much for the Senators to handle, even with their lethal duo of Phillips and Volchenkov who sound like they wont always be paired with each other.
PENS IN 6
(3) Washington Capitals vs. (6) Philadelphia Flyers
Alexander the Great! Wow what a season for this guy, something is seriously wrong if he doesn't walk away with the Hart by a landslide. With that in mind, how do the Flyers shut him down? Can they even do it? An amazing point made today on TSN made by Darren Dreger, They were talking about the Flyers shutting Ovechkin down and that they will have to be physical against him, but will Ovechkin even be shut down by that? Ovechkin was 9th in the league with 200 some odd hits, the next closest Flyer, Jason Smith ranked 49th in the league and is injured right now. So the Flyers really have no hope, unless Ovechkin starts making dumb decisions and gets himself off his game, and there is no evidence that he will do that. Sorry big tough Hatcher, even you and your amazing skills(NOT!!!) cant shut Ovie down! O and did I mention the Caps are riding a tidal wave of momentum too?
CAPS IN 5
(4) New Jersey Devils vs. (5) New York Rangers
After the Devils win Sunday night against the Rangers to clinch home-ice, I was completely shocked to figure out that that was also their first win against the Rangers all year! 4 of them were in OT but still you think the Devils would have been able to pull off at least 4 wins out of the 8 times they met each other. The point from that first and last win for the Devils was that it was when times really mattered. Brodeur is still the best goalie in the league and I just have seen to much of the who gives a crap Jaromir Jagr this season to think that he will even care about these playoffs.
DEVILS IN 7
WEST
(1) Detroit Red Wings vs. (8) Nashville Predators
The Preds have had an unbelievable season and I dont think anyone predicted that they would be in a position right now to pull of a huge upset. I think it is too huge for the Preds to pull off and the Red Wings will walk all over the Preds. The likes of Lidstrom, Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Holmstrom have done it just too many times and the Preds wont be able to handle it.
WINGS IN 5
(2) San Jose Sharks vs. (7) Calgary Flames
***see above post
(3) Minnesota Wild vs. (6) Colorado Avalanche
I have really liked from what I have seen from the Avs with a healthy Forsberg in the line-up. Whether he stays in the line-up throughout this season is up in the air and probably every unlikely. Whether or not, the Avs have made it through some major injuries throughout the year especially Sakic's. Their PP has to be way better but they playoff atmosphere and experience will help. I still think the Wild are too soft even with Fedoruk, Simon and Boogard, Gaborik has had some pretty good playoff success but other than that no other player has been able to step up in the playoffs.
AVS IN 6
(4) Anaheim Ducks vs. (5) Dallas Stars
This is a very interesting and in my mind close series. The Ducks are of course the defending champs but had an awful time scoring goals this season and their leading scorer, Corey Perry probably wont be ready this round. Even so the Ducks have a rested Teemu Selanne and Scott Niedermayer so they will be as strong as ever. The Stars have a very good team and it could be time for Marty Turco to finally win a playoff series especially after his performance last year against the Canucks. But Ribiero and Richards are injured(not sure on their status for Game 1) and I dont think Ribiero has what it takes to be a go-to guy in the playoffs.
DUCKS IN 6
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