After going a miserable 50% in the conference semi-finals, I am almost ashamed to be writing this.  First let me vent a little about the teams that embarrassed me.

Most embarrassing was the San Jose Sharks. I predicted this in round one, but then started to drink their Kool-Aid after they dismantled what I thought was a good Nashville team. To me the turning point of this series was when they blew a 2 goal lead at home in game four. Detroit had played so poorly on the road in these playoffs up to that point. San Jose had stolen home ice, all they had to do was play half way decent defensively and they take control of that series. They folded like an amateur poker player with pocket kings facing a big raise with an Ace on the board. Inexcusable. I heard one of the commentators on Versus say during the late stages of last nights game, “maybe San Jose hasn’t improved as much as they thought.”  I couldn’t agree with him more. They came out flat in an elimination game at home. They got out played physically against an older club. They didn’t win battles and they didn’t look like they thought they could win. Detroit might not have better players, but they definitely are the better team.

Onto Ottawa, this one is easy. I just completely over estimated the reputation of the Devils. Bottom line, Brodeur isn’t what he used to be. They have abandoned their defensive style in order to adapt to the “new” NHL, and Ottawa was just too fast and talented.

Now for the picks:

Eastern Conference Finals

(1)  Buffalo Sabres VS (4) Ottawa Senators

After the line brawl between these teams earlier in the season and the playoff series last year, there is definitely bad blood between these two teams. The only downfall for me is Marty Biron is no longer a Sabre so he won’t get the rematch with Emery we would all like to see. (Even though Miller would be a tougher opponent for Emery, in my opinion). This series should be very up tempo as well as physical, a rarity nowadays and it will be one of the most exciting series in recent playoff history, no matter how many games it goes. I like Buffalo in seven.

Western Conference Finals

(1) Detroit Red Wings VS (2) Anaheim Ducks

I think Anaheim will be a lot tougher then San Jose mentally and look for that to put a strain on the Redwings attack. Anaheim has more skilled defensemen in all three zones then San Jose did and I think ultimately that will be the end of the Red Wings. While Vancouver was able to dominate play for stretches, Luongo made that series as long as it was. I don’t see Hasek being able to take control of the series the way Roberto did, I like the Ducks in six.

After getting 7 of the 8 series correct, I'm giving myself the Vancouver series as well because I said they would win a game 7 at home if it went that far, and getting 4 of the eight in the exact amount of games (again I'm taking credit for the Vancouver one), I will now unleash my round two picks. Feel free to take them to the bank.

Eastern Conference

(1) Buffalo Sabres Vs (6) New York Rangers

Only one team from New York will be left at the end of Round 2, and it will be the Sabres. They did seem to stuggle at times with the Islanders and the Rangers made quick work of the Thrashers. But again, Buffalo is too deep and Ryan Miller will only continue to get better. Sabres in 6.

(2) New Jersey Devils Vs (4) Ottawa Senators

I ussually love the Devils in the playoffs because they typically play consistent defense and get great goaltending. Both were shaky in round one. On the other hand, the Senators cruised through round one and looked like an offensive juggernaut. I like the Devils in 7 games. I think Ottawa will win a few games easily (meaning 3+ goals) but I still like the Devils in close games, and that's what wins playoff series.

Western Conference

(1) Detroit Red Wings Vs (5) San Jose Sharks

The Red Wings looked unstoppable at home, but pretty average on the road. You can count on San Jose to win atleast one game in Detroit, and eventually take the series on home ice in game 6.

(2) Anaheim Ducks Vs (3) Vancouver Canucks

The Ducks are playing some really good hockey right now and have had plenty of rest, while Vancouver had trouble scoring and played 7 hard fought games. I like the Ducks to cruise in five.

Here we go again, the second season is upon us and it's time for my picks for round one of the NHL Playoffs.

Eastern Conference

(1) Buffalo Sabres vs (8) New York Islanders

    The Islanders have been playing playoff hockey for a while now and normally that is bad news for the higher seed. While the Islanders could win a game, I just think Buffalo is too deep, Sabres in 5.

(2) New Jersey Devils vs (7) Tampa Bay Lightning

    Martin Brodeur and the  disciplined defensive play of the Devils will not allow Tampa's offense to operate at their normal pace. Goaltending is also a question for the lightning. Devils will sweep.

(3) Atlanta Thrashers vs (6) New York Rangers

  I like the Rangers in this one. Atlanta got the third seed by winning their division, and only finished 3 points ahead of the Rangers in the regular season and 8 points behind the fourth and fifth seeds, I think the Rangers will take home ice away in game one and win in 6.

(4) Ottawa Senators vs (5) Pittsburgh Penguins

   To me this is going to be the best playoff series of the entire playoffs. Two teams the epitomize the new NHL. I think home ice as well as experience will win this series. Senators in 7 but a great experience for Crosby, Malkin, Stall, Fleury etc...

Western Conference

(1) Detroit Red Wings vs (8) Calgary Flames

    The Wings have not fared well latley in early round series. If the Flames can steal home ice they always have the advantage at the Saddle Dome, overall though I think Detroit takes it in 6.

(2) Anaheim Ducks vs (7) Minnesota Wild

   If this was youth hockey I'd take Minnesota in a sweep. But this is the NHL and while the location of the teams creates a hockey paradox, I like the Ducks to win in 5. Brian Burke has done an amazing job in Anaheim and going into the season as a Stanley Cup favorite and finishing in second in the west shows that the Ducks have what it takes to play under pressure.

(3) Vancouver Canucks vs (6) Dallas Stars

    A perfect example of the NHL playoff system is flawed. If the playoffs went by strictly points the Canucks would be the 7th seed in the west, instead they have home ice against a team that finished with more points then them. I like Dallas to win this in 6. If it gets to a 7th game in Vancouver though, the Stars are in trouble.

(4) Nashville Predators vs (5) San Jose Sharks

      I like Nashville in 7, imagine that a game 7 in Nashville, TN. Joe Thornton needs to prove that he can carry a team to a playoff series win. Last year, I thought his departure from Boston would be enough to light that fire under him but now I have little faith in him. Until he proves he is not the NHL's A-Rod I won't pick his team in the playoffs.

Anyone that's read this blog so far knows two things, I love the Red Sox, and I love hockey. As those have been the subject of almost all my postings. Last night there was a surprising contest going on and the outcome was even more shocking even to me, it came down to me watching the Red Sox involved in a tight game in the late innings, or watching playoff hockey between teams that I do not particularly follow closely, certainly not as close as the Red Sox.

First up was the end of the end of the Tampa Bay, Ottawa game. Which coincided with the Red Sox coming back to take  5-4 lead, and then giving it back just as fast. For those of you who don't know the hockey game was seemingly over before it started as Ottawa jumped out to a 3-0 lead, and pretty much dominated the Lightning in every aspect. However the end of the game, despite an 8-4 score, is where it got interesting. The goal which gave the Senators the 8-4 lead came late in the 3rd, this apparently angered Tampa as they became extremely fired up and began to play with an edge that didn't even come close to resembling the first two plus periods. After the 8th goal, Lightning players were going out of their way to hit guys, and after an Ottawa player hit someone from behind a pretty good sized mele insued.

Before I go any further I would like to preface the rest of this by saying, I am all for fighting in hockey. I do not  however like when a brawl breaks out, ussually. I think it is bad for the sport and gives hockey players bad images, not something they need coming off the lock out. However, last night was different. Vinny Lecavalier squared up with Chara, who is just a beast of a man. Lecavalier is known for his finess play, while he did drop the gloves with Jarome Iginla in the Stanley Cup Finals two years ago, he is by no means a fighter. However he was willing to stand up for his guys, something a true captain should always do, and tried to go at it with the biggest guy in the NHL. Danny Heatley of the Senators, also showed his dedication to the team by squaring up with Nolan Pratt, not a big guy but Heatley is  not much of a fighter either. (NOTE: Chara should be given a ton of credit for not completley pounding Vinny once he got him to the ice, he had his hand up ready to throw a punch and held it there, almost mocking Lecavier but still better then landing that punch). My real question is with 2:30 left in game 3, not an elimination game, what are guys like that doing on the ice for both teams, I would have thought tough guys like Chris Neal of Ottawa would be out there, or others like I said I don't follow these teams very closley.

As this was happening, the Red Sox came to bat in the top of the 8th, when I flipped it back there were 2 outs, and man on second for Big Papi Ortiz. For this decision manager Eric Wedge should be fired, Intenionally walking Ortiz, to get to Manny Ramirez. Granted Manny has not been his typical self yet this season, but he showed signs of heating up at Toronto last weekend, and he definatley does not need any extra motivation. Almost on cue, Manny put a pitch into the right field seats for an 8-5 Red Sox lead, going the oppisite way for a hit the third time last  night, another sign he's getting his swing back.

Meanwhile, I would flip back breifly to see the results of what broke out in Tampa, would there be suspensions, miscounducts, who would have the power play, if it was Ottawa would they turn the knife a little more and put up number 9 on the night? Unfortunatley no insight on possible suspensions, I didn't think there would actually be any but I would have liked to have hear the announcers add a little drama for the last 2 minutes to a game that was already over.

Now I figured it was all good, I could watch the bullpen work and catch most of the Edmonton Detroit game. Wrong, in between innings I flipped back to OLN and saw the Oilers come out of the gate buzzing. (I would like to add this, I am ussually not an Oilers fan, dating back to the late 80's early 90's where they beat my Bruins twice in the Cup Finals, and this spring where they took advantage, probably not but all Bruins fans justify it by thinking so, of Mike O'Connell's ineptness as GM and took Sampsonov for basically a bag of pucks and a few water bottles. However I remember watching the games a couple years ago against Dallas in the playoffs, and how people in Edmonton really love the game got me fired up. I am an Oilers fan in the playoffs now, seeing as their in the West and the only time they'd play the Bruins is in the finals, I am trying so hard to try not to die of laughter right now, the bruins...in the Stanley Cup finals...wow) The Oilers, looked as if they were taking it to the Red Wings in the early stages, sorry Keith Foulke I'll watch at commercials I promise. They went up 1-0 on a beautiful goal, and had a couple very questionable penalty calls to nullify a 5-3, which got me even more fired up, I almost forgot the Sox game was on.

Back to NESN, oh no Foulke gave up an RBI double to Aaron (bleeping) Boone, to make it 8-6. Now they bring on Timlin, one of the worst good pitchers in baseball (his ERA is low but he allows almost ever inherited to score). Not this time, a huge strike out , after a walk, to get out of the jam (Sigh of relief). Back to the game, Detroit ties it on a power play ( Damn). Back to the Sox game, Pappelbon ties the April rookie record for saves (a perfect 9-9), Sox win alright more hockey. I see the Oilers score to take a 2-1 lead after one.

This was probably just too much drama for my body to handle, as I promplty proceeded to fall asleep on the couch while Bill Clement was rambling about how "the Stanley Cup is the greatest trophy in sports, and let's watch another segment of Tales of the Cup".  (The Stanley cup is without a doubt the greatest trophy in sports, but hearing it between every period of the playoffs and watching some #### take it fishing with him I can do without). So unfortunatley, I missed another great game and woke up to hear the Oilers won in double OT, GO NUTS Edmonton your Oilers are looking good, and more importantly making the Red Wings look bad, sorry I missed it. (Just think if Rolloson gets down a second quicker in game 1, the Oilers could be up 3-0 in the series, in my playoff preview I said the Oilers would need a couple bounces to even get to a 6th game, now It looks like the Wings are in that spot).

So I guess I'm a bigger hockey fan than baseball, atleast when it's playoff hockey against April baseball. i have a feeling had this been October I would have watched the White Sox play the A's in game 3 of the playoffs, rather then the Bruins (unless it was against Montreal) in an early season game .

SIDE NOTE: I desperatley wanted to stay awake as I had a 4 team Parlay going with Ottawa, Calgary, Edmonton, and Nashville. At the time I went to bed I was winning or Tied (only Calgary) in all of them. Unfortunatley Nashville ended up losing, I should have learned not to bet on teams from Tennessee, see blog below.

Aside from Mach Madness, this is my favorite time of year. The NHL Playoffs are here. For those of you who don't like hockey, I recomend watching atleast one playoff game because it is by far the most intense sporting event you will watch. Players seem to step it up in the playoffs and often "no name" players turn into stars (I.E. J.S. Giguere). For others the playoffs are the defining aspect of players careers (IE Ray Bourque), all the awards you can win can't even come close to lifting Lord Stanley's Cup over your head in mid-june. It is by far the toughest stretch of the season mentally and physically, playing with the win or go home menatility in a 7 game series of a contact sport, unlike basketball or baseball, with the lack of contact or even football where it is one game a week.  Not to take away anything from the playoffs of the other sports, I love watching them. And I realize taht you can't even begin to understand the toughness factor of hockey unless you have played it, but trust me this is hard. The playoffs are finnally set, and with the second season ready to begin here are my predictions for the first round.

Western Conference

1 Detroit over 8 Edmonton - The Oilers will put up a fight, they always do, maybe a 6 game set if they get a couple bounces. Detroit isn't young so it would be beneficial for them to win this series a quick as possible.

2 Dallas over 7 Colorado- Dallas has been playing great hockey, while the Av's have had goaltending issues all year. The stars should win this one in 5.

6 Anaheim over 3 Calgary- The Duck's have been playing playoff hockey for a while now. They beat the Flames in 7.

5 San Jose over 4 Nashville- No Thomas Vokoun spells doom for the predators, especially with San Jose's red hot Thornton and Cheecho line having their shot at a playoff rookie.

Eastern Conference

1 Ottawa over 8 Tampa Bay- Now we won't have to answer the question is it considered a repeat championship or 2 in 3 years.

7 Montreal over 2 Carolina- Carolina hasn't been on top of its game the last month or so, they can thank an easy end of the year schedule for the #2 seed, and an early exit.

3 New Jersey over 6 New York- The Blue Shirts are back in the playoffs...not for long though the Devils have better goaltending, and let's be honest goaltending is key in the playoffs.

4 Buffalo over 5 Philadelphia- Will Forsberg be healthy, will the Flyers finnally get decent goaltending in the playoffs?..too many questions for Philly, the Sabres are a solid club it is not a good draw for the Flyers.