The Conference Finals Are Here! The Conference Finals Are Here!

(Ed. Note: Because of maintenance to the site, I'm currently back-logged in work, so expect me to put out numberous post this weekend. You've been warned.)

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Boston Bruins

Yes, it's the 1-3-1 vs. the Big Bad Bruins, it's ancient goaltender vs. the late-bloomer, it's ancient goalie vs. ancient player, it's....ok, I've got a million of these but I'll stop wasting time. am I still holding a grudge against Boston? You betcha, but for the sake of this prediction I'll try to remain unbias. For Boston, as long as it isn't special teams (ok, they've fixed it somewhat) they should do fine. For Tampa, the 1-3-1 (or "Trap Lite" - half as exciting as the regular trap, same great result*) might be key in preventing Boston in dominating 5-on-5. In the end, I can see Tampa squeezing out a series win because of their depth. Tampa Bay in 6.

*I've really been wanting to use that "Trap Lite" thing for a while.

San Jose Sharks vs. Vancouver Canucks

In the West, it's a pair of chokers (term can be loosely used for the Canucks). The Canucks already beat their demon (Blackhawks) while the Sharks are still trying to reach the Finals. The 2 big questions for the Cancks are can the Sedins finally start producing? and will Luongo avoid his (enevitable) choke. The Sharks would need Marleau to show more guts and hope Niemi can be a little more consistent. In the end, I think Vancouver has a slight edge over San Jose. Vancouver in 7.

NHL Playoffs 2011 - Round Three Predictions

The Conference Finals are now here after an uneventful (unless you focus on the West) second round. Let see who we picked to move on to the Stanley Cup Finals.

Eastern Conference - Finals

(3) Boston Bruins vs. (5) Tampa Bay Lightning

BEK: Tampa Bay Lightning
MDK: Boston Bruins

Western Conference - Finals

(1) Vancouver Canucks vs. (2) San Jsoe Sharks

BEK: Vancouver Canucks
MDK: Vancouver Canucks

After Round Two:
BEK 7-5
MDK 8-4

2011 Stanley Cup Playoff Review - Round 2: (2) Philadelphia Flyers vs. (3) Boston Bruins

Series Summary

Another series, another sweep. All I'm going to say about this series is that Philly played one close game (and end up blowing a 2 goal lead). Boston was just dominate.

Games

Boston Bruins 7
Philadelphia Flyers 3

Boston Bruins 3
Philadelphia Flyers 2 (OT)

Philadelphia Flyers 1
Boston Bruins 5

Philadelphia Flyers 1
Boston Bruins 5

Three Thoughts About The Series

1. Brian Boucher
2. Sergei Bobrovsky
3. The Flyers should just stick to one of the two above.

Picture of the Series

Inspired by Jack Edwards incredibly ridiculous stretch of a comparison, Flyer fans did their own Boston Tea Party.

Play of the Series

Danny Biere with a chance to even the series in game 2...lets see what happens:

And with that, Philly went on to get swepted.

World Championship Update - Preliminary Edition

Well, blink away for one second and this tournament is half-way through the Qualifying Round. So lets take a look at the results of the Preliminary Round.

Preliminary Round:


Group A

Results:
1 (Qualifying Round) - Germany     2W - 1OTW - 0L - 8PTS - +4GD
2 (Qualifying Round) - Russia         2W - 1L - 6PTS - +1GD
3 (Qualifying Round) - Slovakia      1W - 2L - 3PTS - 0GD
4 (Relegation Round) - Slovenia     0W - 1OTL - 2L - 1PTS - -5GD

Well...uh...Russia maybe missed having half of the Capitals roster on the team. Ah screw it, I'm too excited to downplay Russia's 2-0 lost to Germany, which was the FIRST game of the tournament. Seriously, too many ways to go on this: Kovalchuk's season-long curse continues, Nabakov's first meaningful game since December (could have said last year, but I'll give the KHL a break). After Russia though, Germany seemed to have struggled against the weaker opponents, allowing Slovakia to almost comeback from 3-0 and going to a shootout with Slovenia. Russia surprisingly struggled, winning only 6-4 and 4-3 against Slovenia and Slovakia respectively. Slovakia beat Slovenia 3-1 to keep a Qualifying Round spot. Slovenia now has to survive the Relegation Round.


Group B
Results:
1 (Qualifying Round) - Canada           2W - 1OTW - 0L - 9PTS - +12GD
2 (Qualifying Round) - Switzerland     1W - 1OTW - 1OTL - 0L - 6PTS - +3GD
3 (Qualifying Round) - France            0W - 1OTW - 1OTL - 1L - 3PTS - -8GD
4 (Relegation Round) - Belarus          0W - 1OTL - 2L - 1PTS - -7GD

Canada didn't have much trouble, winning 4-1 against Belarus and 9-1 against France. Their only challenge ended in a 4-3 overtime win against Switzerland. The Swiss surprisingly stumbled against France in their opening game, winning 1-0 in OT. They rebounded with a 4-1 win over Belarus. Speaking of Belarus, they just beat out France 4-3 in overtime* to qualify for the next round. France gets to fight from survival.

*A lot of overtime games eh?


Group C

Results:
1 (Qualifying Round) - Sweden      2W - 1OTL - 0L - 7PTS - +6GD
2 (Qualifying Round) - USA          2W - 1L - 6PTS - +2GD
3 (Qualifying Round) - Norway     1W - 1OTW - 1L - 5PTS - +4GD
4 (Relegation Round) - Austria      0L - 3L - 0PTS - -12GD

Sweden was stunned early in the tournament, losing to Norway 5-4 in a shootout. The Swedes rebounded with a 3-0 win over Austria and finished with a 6-2 win over the US. The Americans easily won against Austria 5-1 before needing a 3rd period comabck to beat Norway 4-2. Norway's only regulation win was a 5-0 drubbing of Austria. Austria is now in familiar territory (the Relegation Round).


Group D

Results:
1 (Qualifying Round) - Czech Republic     3W - 0L - 9PTS - +9GD
2 (Qualifying Round) - Finland                  1W - 1OTW - 1L - 5PTS - +4GD
3 (Qualifying Round) - Denmark               1W - 1OTW - 1L - 4PTS - -9GD
4 (Relegation Round) - Latvia                   0W - 2OTL - 1L - 2PTS - -4GD

The Czechs breezed by with a 4-2 win over Latvia, 6-0 win over Denmark, and 2-1 win over Finland. The Finns won 5-1 over Denmark and needed  a shootout to beat Latvia 3-2. Denmark also needed a shootout to beat Latvia 3-2, and secured a spot in the next round. Latvia is (unfortunately) demoted to the Relegation Round.

Thats it for now. The Qualifying and Relegation rounds end Monday, review should be Tuesday.

2011 Stanley Cup Playoff Review - Round 2: (1) Washington Capitals vs. (5) Tampa Bay Lightning

Series Summary

Wow, that was some series eh? Seriously, who saw a sweep coming? Out-working, out-scoring, out-goaltending, and out-normal-line-changing by Tampa Bay led to an easy series win over Washington. A lot of credit also goes to Lightning coach Guy Boucher's 1-3-1 defense system (maybe more on that during the weekend...maybe). The fact that the Caps only had a lead 3 times in the series (once in game 1, twice in game 3) and needs to better co-ordinate line changes is troublesome. Tampa Bay now moves on to the third round.

Games

Tampa Bay Lightning 4
Washington Capitals 2

Tampa Bay Lightning 3
Washington Capitals 2 (OT)

Washington Capitals 3
Tampa Bay Lightning 4

Washington Capitals 3
Tampa Bay Lightning 5

Three Thoughts About The Series

1. Seriously, I know the Caps are labelled chokers, but who saw a sweep?
2. Quote of the Playoffs #1: (Lightning Head Coach Guy Boucher on the injury status of Simon Gagne and Pavel Kubina) “day-to-day, except for today and tomorrow.”
3. Roloson keeps his "no more than 3 GA/Game" streak going.

Picture of the Series

When reality hits:

(Image courtesy of HBO 24/7 star and ex-coach of the Washington Chokers Capitals Bruce Boudreau sudden realization that his office  might need cleaning)

Play of the Series

No one ever questions Dominic Moore's work ethic. This is probably the hardest-working empty net goal ever: