An asshole is born; Sharks beat Sens

Great series of comics called Itch (Danieldraws.com) really seem to sum up my feelings this morning... because I totally called it.

The Sens got torn up by the Sharks last night. Dany Heatley got 2 assists and Patrick Marleau had two goals. So, you know who's really responsible for this loss, don't you? That's right! Wade Redden! (Who nixed a trade for Marleau a few years ago with his NTC).

...and why is Mike Brodeur in net? Man... a lot went on last night. Off to work!

Feeling snarky and sharky

I'm sorry to prediction this one guys, but the Sharks are the best team in the NHL right now.

Sharks 5 - Senators 1

Though the Senators appear to be on the on the right tracks recently, facing the Sharks won't be just another game that requires 'grit' or 'lucky bounces' for Ottawa to pull off a win. San Jose has dominated this season with a hot goalie and potent offence. With almost 100 goals in less than 30 games, they're miles ahead of most teams in the NHL - and that includes the Sens. I would also like to predict that Dany Heatley is a jerk.

Who's going to be staying up late to watch the game? I'll just be catching the highlights. Got to wake up early and go to work. So sue me.

When it's 'Win and You're In'... you never win

Just submitted my prediction to the Citizen's gameday prediction panel. Check it out and give me your thoughts.

Senators 4 - 2 Leafs

The Leafs truly are a mess. They're playing the 'win and you're in' goalie game that killed the Senators a couple years back and got John Paddock fired. Relatively speaking, the Sens are doing fine. The recent loss in the shootout shouldn't phase the team too much and if Pascal Leclaire is back in net, he's certainly got something to prove.

...I really hope they put Snoop-Chuck back in net. We need to lean on our #1 goalie and no go down the 'goalie controversy' route that's gaining steam in some circles.

I also put a poll in the sidebar in case you have an opinion, but don't feel like typing. Hurray!

Prediction: Injured Oilers fall to Sens

Here's my prediction for tonight's game against the Tampa Bay Lightning Edmonton Oilers. Checking out their injuries, it's pretty obvious who should win. I hope it turns out that way...

Senators 3 - 2 Oilers

Sens fans should just be happy to see their team play anyone but the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ottawa is missing Anton Volchenkov, but the team is otherwise healthy. The Oilers, meanwhile, are missing about half their team: Marc Pouliot , Ryan Stone, Shawn Horcoff, Ales Hemsky, Sheldon Souray, and Ladismad Smid among others (!). Though goalies have a tendency to stand on their head against the Senators, I feel like the Oilers' roster is just too thin to keep up with the Sens. It's a win, baby.

As I said, I'm kind of afraid Nickolai Khabibulin will somehow steal the game for the Oilers. You guys ever hear of this Dustin Penner kid? We sure could use a guy like that...

Do you think the Sens can pull it off?

What's up with the Sens? They're missing their best players

What is up with the Sens lately? I guess it doesn't matter how many goals Jason Spezza contributes, they need him on the ice to produce offence at all.

Who has TSN2? Honestly... It must be part of the cable package for people who can't stand to miss an all-Texas NBA game. Go Spurs. Sorry, it just sucks that I missed a Sens win a couple days ago, and a Raptors game tonight. Blerg!

I've got half a mind to put H1N1 On Notice... we'll see about that tomorrow. It all depends on whether Pascal Leclaire plays or not.

Here's my prediction for the Sens game on Saturday:

Atlanta 4-3 Ottawa

I believe that Ottawa will miss Jason Spezza and Anton Volchenkov more than Altanta misses Ilya Kovalchuk. It hurts them more offensively and defensively than Kovalchuk's absense hurts the Thrashers, who started off the season with an impressive 4-1 record. The Thrashers' most recent losses have all been by one goal. If Pascal Leclaire misses this game too, it's a done deal. I wouldn't trust Alex Kovalev with my Halloween candy, let alone a whole game's worth of offence.

Send me your predictions. I've been doing terribly recently. Hey - if you send me your prediction for the game on Thursday against the Lightning in the comments (jeez, them again?!), I'll send it in to the Ottawa Citizen blog word-for-word.

Here's hoping it's a happy Halloween for the Senators.

Panthers fans on suicide watch = Sens win tonight

Here's my prediction for tonight's Sens game against the Florida Panthers.

Senators 3-0 Panthers

The Panthers are among the worst teams in the league. They've managed to score the fewest goals in the Eastern Conference, and Thomas Vokun has a GAA of 3.60 (don't even ask about Clemmenson). The Sens will be getting Filip Kuba back from the flu, and while Pascal Leclaire may not play because of illness, Brian Elliott played well against the Bruins. Should be a standard win for Ottawa.

Here's what a blogger on the Panthers' official website has to say about the team's season so far...

But even being the eternal optimist that I am, it’s getting harder and harder to come to grips with the reality of the hole we’re digging ourselves into. I know it’s still relatively early and there is a lot of hockey left to be played. But as the past has shown us, a poor start is often difficult to overcome; and barring a huge shake-up, a really poor start is nearly impossible to overcome.
...
After so many years of losing, the fans of this team need, no, DESERVE a winner...But at the moment, I think most of us would just settle for a little hope. However, hope has been pretty hard to come by lately. Dropping six of our first nine games is taking its toll on our fans. It’s not just the poor start that has us in a bad way; it’s the poor start combined with the futility of the last decade. I think it’s come to the point where Panthers fans actually expect this team to lose.
...
It’s tough being a loyal, die-hard fan of a team that perennially disappoints. And it’s equally tough to look at the schedule ahead and not see any relief in sight. We currently look up at 28 teams in the league, so there are not going to be any easy games in the near future. It’s almost like we play as if we’re just waiting for the other shoe to drop. Like we’re passing the time until the other team comes back and takes our win away…

Someone find this guy and keep him away from sharp objects, tall buildings, toasters and bathtubs.

I'm smarter than Ian Mendes

...that's what I am hoping to prove this evening. In the Ottawa Citizen prediction panel for this evening's game, Mendes picked the Sens to win tonight's game 2-1. I, on the other hand, am picking the Sens to lose tonight's game.

Here's my reasoning.

Senators 2, Lightning 3

Unlike the basement-dwelling Islanders, who the Sens beat last week, the Lightning are much improved when compared to last season. Though they had a few days to lick their wounds after the loss to Pittsburgh, I expect the Sens will still be tired. The Senators still haven't found their scoring touch, but Tampa's big guns are on fire lately, it adds up to another hard-fought loss for Ottawa.

I guess we'll see the outcome during tonight's game. But you can bet that if the Sens lose, and I win, Mendes will never hear the end of it. (His email is pretty easy to guess.)

Not the Spezza we expected, but the one the team deserves

I made a few predictions about the Senators in August. Some of them have come totally true (Auld being #1 for a stretch, Rutuu as heroic jackass), while others, it appears, will be so totally off base by the end of the season, I may have to label myself a heroic jackass.

The prediction in question has to deal with Jason Spezza. Love him or hate him, it's his job to put put points on the board, and he's better than all but one person in Ottawa (Heatley, most nights) at doing it. I predicted the Spez Dispenser would reach 100 points this season... and I think I will turn out to be wrong.

Spezza has played all of the Senators 44 games this season, but has only accumulated a measly 37 points. According to tsn.ca, he's on pace for 68 points this season. That would make this his worst season since he first joined the Sens full-time in 2003-04. He may also fall well below the expectations of TSN, who said he would get 33 goals and 55 assists this season.

On the other hand, Spezza could set a new career-high in goals this season. If the Senators improve their play a little, and Hartsburg finally and eternally stops trying to match Alfredsson with some monstrosity of a second line, Spezza could very well do it.

Considering that the Senators are on pace for 40 less goals this season, for Spezza to maintain his goal scoring pace from last year is interesting to note. With less of his teammates scoring, Spezza has had to take matters onto his own stick a little more often. In other words, he's contributing a greater percentage of the Sens' goals this season.

Anecdotally, I've noticed Spezza doing better on breakaways (sans shootouts) and is not as adverse to taking a shot on net. Has a coach finally gotten through to him?

So he probably won't reach 100 points this season, but Spezza may have finally gotten the idea: Just put the puck in the net.

Is this year worst than last?

According to James Mirtle's statistics on From The Rink, it is--in the most important measures, anyway, including the projected points based on the season to date. Ottawa is projected to have the most significant drop in points, with 26 fewer points in the final standings (68, compared to 94 in 2007-08). Ottawa is also projected to have the most significant drop-off in goals against, with 67 fewer goals-for (pro-rated at 191 this season, compared to 258 in 2007-08).

On the bright side, though, goals-against numbers are significantly better. Ottawa's projection is to have 37 fewer goals-against this season compared to last season, which is fifth-largest improvement in the league (behind only Minnesota, Los Angeles, Boston, and Tampa Bay).

And goaltending has been much stronger, as well; thank you, Alex Auld. Ottawa's save percentage is setting up for a 1.47 per cent improvement over 2007-08, jumping up from .902 to .916--good for fourth-best in the league.

What does all this mean? Well, given the fact that the season is barely 1/5 over, not a lot. Not a lot at all. But it's still interesting to look into.

ESPN poses questions, Sens Army Blog answers them

ESPN released a list of training-camp questions for all 15 Eastern Conference teams today, and--although I'll bet you can guess them--they offered some for the Ottawa Senators. I'm going to do my best to answer them, and maybe Scott Burnside will change his tune about the Sens being "a bubble playoff team".

1. "How do [Jason] Spezza and [Dany] Heatley rebound from their embarrassing turn in the playoffs?"
   
   In many ways, they already have. Looking at the summer's World Hockey Championships, Heatley has certainly rebounded. And although Spezza didn't get very many points, he's reflected on the experience as a learning one where he developed a more rounded game. They have to prove that they can do so in NHL action, but players of that calibre don't simply forget how to compete.
   
   
2. "Can [Craig] Hartsburg restore order to a dressing room that seemed adrift through most of the season?"
   
   Although Hartsburg does have to control the dressing room, GM Bryan Murray has given him some help by getting rid of some of the players who were seen as distractions or pollution in the dressing room. Included in this category is certainly Ray Emery, but Wade Redden and Brian McGrattan have both also been mentioned as having the wrong attitude. And Andrej Meszaros, didn't seem like he really wanted to play for the Senators, so he was exchanged for three assets, including two NHL-calibre defencemen.
   
   
3. "Where will the secondary scoring come from?"
   
   Antoine Vermette had a career-high in points last season. Mike Fisher didn't, but he'll be expected to rebound big time. Jesse Winchester and Nick Foligno both have some high expectations, but both seem mature enough to handle them well. And splitting up the big line will (or should) help spread the offensive production.
   
   
4. "Is Martin Gerber a No. 1 NHL netminder? If not, is Alex Auld a viable option as a backup?"
   
   This is really two questions, I guess. I've already given my take on whether or not Gerber is good enough (I think he is), so I won't bore you with more. I do believe that Auld, however, will do well in the 20-30 games he's expected to play, especially considering how well he did for the Boston Bruins last season. If not, Brian Elliott will have a chance to prove his mettle.
   
   
5. "Can Hartsburg bring order to a completely remade blue line, once the strength of the Senators' organization?"
   
   Ah yes, the blue line. Goodbye Redden, Meszaros, Luke Richardson (probably) and Mike Commodore, hello Filip Kuba, Brian Lee, Alexandre Picard, and Jason Smith. Personally, I think this year's d-corps could be better than it was last year. If the salaries are any indication--there is no far-and-away high-priced 'top defenceman'--this should be some defence by committee. Which is what the case was when the Sens' strength was defence. Hartsburg is also preaching defensive responsibility from his forwards, so that should help out the defence significantly.

Some people think the Sens will be good this year

After reading The Score Sports Forecaster magazine's positive prediction about the Sens this year, I chronicled my own reasons for being optimistic about he upcoming season (read here: forwards, defence, and goaltending). Today Dallas News' columnist Mike Heika, on his Dallas Stars blog, predicted the Sens to win what he called a "weak" Northeast Division, too, although he did sounds a little hesitant. Here's a look at his prognistication:

"I'm not in love with the Ottawa Senators.

"They have plenty of question marks and holes in their lineup.

The problem is I'm not in love with anyone else in the Northeast, either. Montreal is a very good team, which had an exceptional finish to the end of the season, but I think also has some numbers that will be difficult to duplicate (like a 25-12-4 road record and a plus-35 on special teams). Boston is OK, Buffalo is finding out it probably spent its money on the wrong players (Hmm, a high-level center or a high-level winger?), and Toronto is a bit of a mess.

"So that leaves the Senators."

[...]

"I just think this team has something. I know Montreal is solid, and is hungry, and that you should never count out Bob Gainey and Guy Carbonneau, but I think Ottawa is the winner of a very weak Northest Division. Both the Senators and Canadiens are in on the Mats Sundin talks, so that could change a lot of things. But right now, I'm giving the Senators this division.

"I like new coach Craig Hartsburg, and I think he could have a positive impact on this team, so sue me."

More haters be hatin'

Bleacher Report's Greg Caggiano released his Eastern Conference predictions for 2008-09, and--surprise, surprise--he picked the Sens to finish out of the playoffs in tenth place. Here's his justification:

"When you hear the phrase "one-line team," the Ottawa Senators have to come to mind. Other then Daniel Alfredsson, Jason Spezza, and Dany Heatley, this team's offense on the bottom nine forwards is incredibly thin.

"On defense, they lost Wade Redden, and even though he had been struggling, I would still rather have him over Filip Kuba, who they just added in a trade with Tampa Bay.

"If they made one good signing is was the rugged and tough defenseman Jason Smith who will shore up the defense. The goaltending is a question mark with Martin Gerber and Alex Auld between the pipes."

I'm not going to try and debate the issues in this post, but check out my "Are the Sens really that bad?" posts on the forwards, defence, and (soon) goaltending. Long story short: No, they're not really that bad.

Are the Sens that bad? Part one: Forwards

I've seen a lot of low expectations for the Senators this season. Heard a lot of negative talk, and come across a lot of prognostications of incredible, unavoidable failure.

Through it all, I've had to wonder whether or not I am a crazy homerized fan, simply looking at the situation with the ultimate in optimism. I've liked the deals that GM Bryan Murray has made so far this off-season, and I'm pretty confident in how competitive the 2008-09 team is going to be.

Then I saw it. Vindication. The incredibly optimistic 2008-09 The Score Sports Forecaster magazine. Not only did they predict Daniel Alfredsson to win the Selke Trophy, and Dany Heatley to be the Rocket Richard Trophy winner, and those two, along with Jason Spezza, to finish in the league's top eight in scoring. They predicted that the Sens would win the Northeast Division--ahead of the surging Montreal Canadiens and the reborn Boston Bruins--and finish third in the conference. That even strikes me as optimistic, but if a few things go right, I think that it's completely within the realm of possibility. After all, where have the Sens gotten worse since their NHL-record incredible start last season? And why can't they re-establish themselves as the dominant team that set that record?

FORWARDS

The Sens lost three forwards from last season, and four if you include Patrick Eaves. We could prehaps have placed high hopes on Eaves, but his injury problems were well-known, and his offensive potential was likely limited. Nothing personal with Randy Robitaille, but his output will not be missed, and will be easily replace by a full season of Nick Foligno. And Brian McGrattan's presence may be missed, but he rarely played even when he wasn't scratched last season. The only argument, really, that you can make is regarding late-season acquisition Cory Stillman. His offensive abilities would certainly have been useful in spreading out the offensive load, and he had some chemistry with Mike Fisher.

But Stillman wasn't present during the Sens best times of the year, notably that first 15-20 games. The hopes seem to be on Jarkko Ruutu to add some grit, and to draw penalties so the top PP unit--likely Alfredsson, Heatley, and Spezza with, I would guess, Christoph Schubert and Filip Kuba on the points--can get some easy playing time. Antoine Vermette will, once again, be given an opportunity to get serious playing time in the top-six, and with some powerplay time. After Ruutu and Vermette, a lot is going to fall on the young shoulders of Foligno, Jesse Winchester, and Cody Bass. Although the three will (possibly) enter their first full seasons as NHLers, Foligno and Bass both demonstrated their maturity last year, and Winchester is almost 25 and has graduated university after leading his ECAC team for four years--a certain sign of maturity.

Replacing Robitaille and McGrattan with rounded players should be an improvement for this season. Although Stillman will be missed, increased production by Vermette, a more consistent effort by Chris Neil, and a full season of properly-utilized Dean McAmmond and Shean Donovan, along with some rookie contributions, should complement the pesty nature of Ruutu to give the Sens an improved offensive line. Perhaps not as improved as it would be had they signed Marian Hossa or one of the other free agents, but improved nonetheless.

(I'll be posting parts two and three, on defence and goaltending, in the coming days.)

Sens not that bad: USA Today

Kevin Allen of USA Today (that bastion of sports journalism) came out with his personal ranking of the top 16 teams in the NHL. And the Ottawa Senators not only made the list, but they were 11th on it. Here's what Allen said about the Sens:

"11. Ottawa Senators: I don’t like their goaltending, but I still like their offense. Who’s betting that Martin Gerber doesn’t finish the season as the team’s No. 1 goalie?"

--USA Today

Unnecessary criticism of Gerber aside, Allen gives the Sens credit where credit is due. The ranking has the Sens as the sixth Eastern Conference team, after Montreal (2), Pittsburgh (3), New Jersey (7), Washington (8), and the New York Rangers (10). I'm not going to criticize his rankings, but feel free to do so in the comments section.

I want the season to begin so the Sens can start winning games and people can start saying, "What? Where did they come from?"

ESPN makes point-predictions

Via Kukla's Korner, ESPN made some point-predictions for fantasy general managers in the upcoming NHL season. They only rated fifteen players, and Dany Heatley was the sole representative of the Senators on the list.

Take the following with a grain of salt--they do predict Jose Theodore to win 36 games with the Washington Capitals--but they predict 47 goals and 49 assists for Heatley. I'm hoping he hits the 50-goal plateau, even if it's a difference in three otherwise-meaningless empty-net goals. Here's what ESPN gives as Heater's 2009 outlook:

2009 Outlook: Heatley is what Heatley is: 50 goals, 50 assists and a boon to shots on goal and power-play goals. Injury kept him from reaching that 50-50 threshold last season, but it’s not like he is a threat to miss time more than any other NHL player. The one possible knock on Heatley this season is the fact that his days of being a plus-30 player with Ottawa might be numbered, considering the Senators goaltending and defensive situation. A return to the negative rating he had in Atlanta would certainly pull down on his fantasy value.

Spezza scores 100 and other predictions for 2008-09

I have compiled a series of predictions for the Senators upcoming year. I'm talking about the events, personalities, and a couple of stats that will shape the team's season.

1. Jarko Rutuu will become the Senators' heroic anti-hero.

It's no secret that the Sens have been looking to acquire a gritty pest, ala Gary Roberts, for several years now. I think that blogs and other media will come to adore Rutuu for bringing some, not just toughness, but jackassery to the team. You heard me - Jackassery: the quality of being an on-ice jackass. Doing stupid shit (hopefully not Darcy Tucker "attack the opposing team's bench" stupid) for no reason and pissing everyone off.

2. Alex Auld is #1 goaltender for at least one 20-game stretch

Martin Gerber is known for his shaky confidence, and has relied on his "backup" for stretches in all previous years with the Sens - this year will be no different.

3. Jason Spezza has first 100-point season

Some people may not believe it, but Spezza is the fulcrum of the Senators' offence, despite his defensive failings. With 92 points in 76 games last year, there is no doubt he has the talent. With his icetime better managed, injuries can be prevented and 100 points can be achieved.

4. Daniel Alfredsson realizes he's old

Though he is a golden God, Alfie is now 35 years old. We may not realize it, but it is freaking incredible that he's been so productive.

Of the NHL's top 25 point scorers last year, only 5 are 30 or older... and Alfredsson was 9th in the league. Of the over-30 group, only Jerome Iginla (31) and Pavel Datsyuk (30) had more points. In the 35-or-older group, the only Alfredsson and Mats Sundin (37) (who ranked #22) are on the top 25.

So maybe we should begin to change our expectations of the Sens captain. More leadership, less point-scoring. He's not a kid anymore.

5. Heatley doesn't get 50

It's the same thing as last year. No secondary scoring threats, the opposing team can crack down on Spezza and Heatley. You know what that means - 42 goals or so for Heater.

Hey Stanley! Call me when you get into town!

It's not without some feelings of sadness that I present you with my final instalment of Playoff Predictions for the 2007-2008 season. I suppose like everything else in life, when something is going really well for you the last thing you want to do is say goodbye, and that is exactly how I feel about this year's playoffs. *Note bragging and shameless self promotion to follow*

Not only is my team... or our team as it were... about to compete for the ultimate prize in hockey (yes this is way more important to me than an Olympic Gold Medal not that I remember what that really looks like recently... thanks Wayne) but I've also had a very successful ride through the playoffs this year in calling the outcomes.

Thanks to the Ottawa and Anaheim victories in the Conference Finals, my record now stands at 13-1, better than any TSN or ESPN "Expert Analyst" (the latter being a much easier feat to accomplish than the former.) So with just one series left it doesn't take Ms. Cleo to decipher who i see in my final prediction:

Stanley Cup Final - Ottawa vs Anaheim

I'll make this short and sweet.

• Anaheim has two very big names on the blue line, but Ottawa's overall team defence is stronger. Defence advantage Ottawa.
• While I love Ray Emery, J.S. Giggy is one of a kind and can steal games like Hasek and Roy did in their prime. Goaltending advantage Anaheim.
• Frankly I don't even feel i need to compare this field. Offence advantage Ottawa.
• Have you seen our fricken penalty kill? The PP hasn't be amazing recently but if that starts to click again, lookout. Special Teams advantage Ottawa.

Either way Ottawa brings home the Cup, in 5 or 6 Games.


On an unrelated topic... I just want to say one thing. I'm not a journalist; I don't get paid to write fairly about sports or to give both sides of something. Look at the name of this blog... clearly everything you get here is... or in my opinion at least should be... biased. Frankly I feel I've seen way too much Ottawa doubting on here for the past couple weeks. Now I'm not naming any names... but where is the undying biased loyalty that your team is always the best team in the existence of the world no matter if they're last in the league or win the Stanley Cup. Come on now:

"I was feeling pretty down about our chances against Anaheim"

''Simply, this game the bounces went in Buffalo's favour. What does this mean for the series? Well, it means the bounces have been going in Ottawa's favour 3 times as often as the Sabres"

"Whereas Ottawa seems to be enjoying their ride to the Final, the Ducks seem determined to capture the Cup, and nothing less"

"We won the last game by one crappy goal. One! Not four. So let's not say that we've been kicking their asses across the ice, because with a couple of changes, last game could have gone to the Sabres 3 - 1"

Maybe it's just my mentality, but "Sens Army" should be about undying, partial, prejudice commentary on why our team is the most life changing thing since peanut butter and jam sandwiches.

Cheers folks, Enjoy the finals... which still don't start for another 3 fricken days!

Excruciatingly Shitty Predictions Network

Like many dedicated fans I love reading what "real experts" (and I use the term experts ever so loosely) have to say about my team and the NHL playoffs in general. For the most part I can be understanding even when they say something uncomplimentary about Ottawa, because as it were, not everyone seems to realize that the Sens are really just a team of Gods and to say something detrimental about them, well it basically boils down to simply blasphemy.

One mistake is excusable, two is... after lengthy soul searching... forgivable... but three? Now that’s just downright wrong. So indulge me while I tell you why the Excruciatingly Shitty Predictions Network (ESPN) should keep their so-called “experts” guessing what types of steroids Barry Bonds used, or what square area of paint you could watch dry as you endure the dead-air between the last “Strrrrrrrrrike!” and the upcoming “Ball!”

You know I should have been a little worried when I saw that all six of their experts picked the Sharks over Detroit in the second round... every single one... but I really didn’t pay much attention. And sure, I scratched my head a little when two of them took Calgary over Detroit... cause I sure thought that was one of the easy ones...

Oh but one of them has my attention now:

Meet E.J. Hradek. Not only did E.J., in his infinite wisdom, pick the Penguins over Ottawa, he then pick New Jersey over Ottawa, and has now picked Buffalo over Ottawa. With the rest of his picks during the first two rounds he’s running an overall record of 7-5, so that puts him right up there with.... hmmm... Maggie the Monkey! Congrats E.J., you can keep pace with a popcorn-eating primate; maybe she’ll help pick the bugs off you whenever it is you crawl out from the rock you’ve been living under.

I’m not a huge TSN fan, but gosh please give me Bob McKenzie, Darren Dreger, or James Duthie over these thupah-stars any day.

For all the glorious ESPN predictions, go here.

Second Round Predictions

Well after going 7-1 in the first round you might say I'm fairly confident, but let's be realistic here... it wasn't exactly a round swimming in a pool of controversy. The better teams won for the most part, end of story. (Atlanta just didn't show up to play, good job Hossa! and frankly Dallas deserved to win that series but just lost discipline when it mattered, well that and Roberto had different plans.)

1 - Ottawa vs New Jersey

This is pretty much a 180 from what Ottawa faced in the first round. Instead of the potent offense and lack of playoff experience they found in Pittsburgh, they now face a team with dominant defense and oozing playoff experience (12 current Devils players have a stanley cup ring on their finger, 9 of those have more than just one.) Some might find that worrying, but Ottawa has come into their own this year, they may not have the rings to show their experience but they are certainly not playoff virgins by now. Can the Devil's defense shut down Alfie, Heater & Spezz? Maybe. Too bad Ottawa has more scoring depth than a hooker on New Year's.

Ottawa in six.

2 - Buffalo vs New York

So maybe New York CAN play hockey, who woulda known. If nothing else I'd watch one of these games just to see Sean Avery kick Andrew Peters' ass, and then score a goal. New York may have looked impressive against Atlanta, but that was more of the Thrashers looking down right horrible against the Rangers. Buffalo's just too stacked I'm afraid.

Buffalo in seven.

3 - Vancouver vs Anaheim

The 'Nucks - Stars series was possibly one of the most boring playoff series I can remember. I'm not sure if it was the All-Star goaltending on both sides or just that neither team could put the puck in the friggen net. Either way, I'd love to see an all-Canadian cup this year, but that's not gonna happen. Roberto is awesome but unless he suddenly is able to start shooting pucks into the Ducks net after he makes a save, Vancouver just doesn't have the offense to compete with Anaheim.

Anaheim in five.

4 - Detroit vs San Jose

There is always one series that I don't care about and this round it's this one. I could ramble on about Thornton, then ramble more about Hasek... but for me this series comes down to one thing. Will Hasek get tired of playing hockey and suddenly pull his groin? If he does then San Jose wins, if he doesn't then Detroit does.

Detroit in seven.

I would just like to take a final second to point out that Maggie the Monkey knows jack all about hockey. She may have picked the Edmonton - Carolina final last year... but she picked Pittsburgh over Ottawa this year! Seriously! Bad monkey! Good thing she's taken Ottawa this round.

Cheers, enjoy the Second Round.

First Round Here We Come!

I'm gonna make this short and sweet... no essays or facts here, just my calls. So let's start in the western conference, you know... the one i don't even care about.

Western Conference (Round 1)

Detroit vs Calgary

Calgary is riding into the playoffs on a 4 game losing streak!!! *Claps* And for once Hasek is actually healthy? I'm giving it to Detroit, they won't be upset two years in a row.

Anaheim vs Minnesota

Two teams I couldn't give less of a crap about to be honest, seriously. Anaheim wins easily.

Vancouver vs Dallas

If I had to cheer for another Canadian team it would be the 'Nucks all the way. And with Roberto how can you go wrong? I gotta give it to Vancouver.

Nashville vs San Jose

I'm not exactly sure how Nashville got into the 4th seed but I like Thornton in the playoffs, a LOT! San Jose will take it, but it might come down to a game 7.


Eastern Conference (Round 1)

Buffalo vs NY Islanders

Ha...haha...hahahaha...HA! Buffalo.

New Jersey vs Tampa Bay

Can you say boring hockey? Brodeur will not only put St. Louis, Lecavalier and the rest of Tampa's offense to sleep, but I'm sure everyone watching the game as well. So for not falling asleep, I choose New Jersey!

Atlanta vs NY Ranger

This could turn to be an interesting series but I really don't see the Rangers putting up much of a fight with Jagr sucking as much as he has. Cheers to Atlanta and Hossa!

Ottawa vs Pittsburgh

This will definitely be the tightest race in the East. Lots of offense, and hopefully lots of great goal tending, but I really don't expect that. In the end I gotta take Ottawa, or else I'll probably never be allowed to post here again.


So there they be... I know not many upsets in my picks, but seriously folks, do you really think the Islanders have any semblance of a chance? Cheers.