Game IV

Tonight i predict the 'wings will soar, Penguins will play well again, Gary can be proud of his chosen one but Detroit will be too strong and have a point to prove.
The league has to realise that the persecution of a team based on a player's reputation is wrong and readdress the balance somehow. Holmstrom plays his game to the limits and pushes the boundaries, but that is what great players do. The rules are set and you go out there and play them. How different is it when an enormously gifted young player, deified by the league, dives to emphasise a penalty or constantly whines in the officials faces to get them looking for calls and seeing stuff which isn't there? it's professionalism, it's playing within the rules but pushing them.

So long as hockey decides the outcome i can be happy, especially since i think Detroit has a slight edge there.

Game I and II SCF

i missed out on a prediction before it all started (Detroit in 6) but it doesn't really matter. Well maybe i should change that to 4 or 5 games since the Penguins seem to be totally out of their depth.

Today all you can read about is how Osgood is a diver, should the Penguins really be looking back and calling attention to incidents in game II? Granted they need to kick start the team but if you dont charge into Osgood then he isnt going down, however dramatically or easily. The Sykora one was as much about his positioning and the presence of the goal, yes it was a light shove by Sykora, but a shove is a shove, and Osgood had nowhere to go but down. Don't push him, he doesn't go down.

Oh and whilst we are looking at the games lesser incidents how about repeated cheap, cowardly headshots on the guy just back from concussion like symptoms. Nice one Penguins! great advertisement for the game from the League's flagship team.

Speaking of goldenballs i have to say i am impressed with Crosby's play, i often felt Malkin got a tough time of it as he was as good as Sid yet got much less plaudits but not so much... In a series when they have, so far, been totally outplayed at least Crosby is visible, he is fighting for his team and getting amongst them. I think Malkin figured they lost to Philly and went golfing, we've heard more mention of Al Sobotka than MVP nominee #71.

With a bit of luck Pittsburgh will put up more of a fight back at their place, my head knows it would be better for the league despite my hearts protestations and desires for a butt-kicking.

Avalanche

Initially today i planned on writing some kind of preview for the Stanley Cup finals but then the Av's go and announce that Tony Granato is to be their new head coach. So i figured i should pass comment on that first, the SCF can wait until tomorrow or Saturday am.

I can't really understand this move, it seemed like the Avs hierarchy had taken a bold step to change things when they didn't renew Q's contract. Granato has a good solid record in coaching and i take nothing away from him in the slightest, i just expected more from the Avalanche.
At least let the finals play out and talk to guys like Mclellan. There appears to be plenty of options out there, but what do i know? I do know that going back 6 years isn't the answer. It appears that the avs need to change things in the organisation. Get the team playing like a team, health and conditioning, basic tactics and strategies. Is a person, a key person, from the previous organisation the right man for the job?

Only time will tell but i would've like to have seen a whole fresh coaching team come in and build this team with their exciting young stars and a smattering of experienced veterans, more to come i am sure.

Wrong again

So i got game 5 wrong, seems Dallas got hungry and outplayed Detroit at the Joe.
Turco earned it, still can't see the 'wings losing two more to Dallas, in fact i think i initially said Detroit in 6

2 Game IVs, similar results

So it seems that some teams need to be in a deep hole before they step up their games. Silly me, I'd have thought that being in your conference final would be reason enough to pull out your 'A' game. Granted Dallas played well, better than previously in the series but i am sure they would rather lose fairly than win with assistance. but at least the league gets a nice game V on a saturday afternoon, oh and it's on a nice big network too, aaah! it all worked out then.
I would imagine Detroit will go out there with the sole intention of leaving no question-marks and no opportunity for fate to step in. Game IV at the Can will seem close in comparison.

I can't really comment on the details of the Penguins Vs Flyers game as i wasn't paying full attention but the league must again be pleased that a game V will be happening also on big network at the weekend.

Surely the league can't want a Dallas - Philly final? No but an extra weekend is nice.

Roll on the rightful finals Penguins Vs Redwings, one even the neutrals can enjoy. Great hockey and marketable players.

Karma looms large in game III

Turco goes for an oscar nod, Holmstrom sent to the box so up steps Zetterberg with a sweet move and puts Turco back on his ass, 4-2.

Roy Burns for Avalanche hotseat

So is this man next in line behind the bench?
Well no that would be very doubtful since he is Roy Burns a pretty damn fine drummer, but with little if any Ice Hockey experience.
On first look it would appear that the next coach will be called Patrick, be that Burns or Roy depends on the biggest requirement. Shirt sales and nostalgia or success on the ice. Don't get me wrong, i see the need for hockey clubs to be successful businesses but sometimes other things must have priority. Roy may well end up being a top level NHL coach, but i think for a top level, potentially at least, club like Colorado he needs some experience at that level.

As for the departure of coach Q i think that is a good move by Giguere. I have no idea obviously about the inner dynamics of the Colorado Avalanche but as an outsider looking in it seemed that there was a lot missing.
The team always appeared to had one way of going about things, if this wasn't working or was mastered by the opposition then there was no plan B.
The messing around of the lines and the goaltending, this had to be frustrating for the players, new players coming in having no time to settle and gel and for the established players a constant merry-go-round of line mates and chemistry to try.
I was constantly amazed throughout the season that a team with such offensive star-power had a useless PP, there was no structure at all, no setting up, no puck movement and no leadership. Watch any video of Detroit, Montreal, Pittsburgh to name a few. It is not necessarily about scoring on the PP but setting up the pressure and keeping it in the opposing zone, do that right and the goals will come, if they don't the D is still working its ass off and tiring with more likelihood of chances later in the game.
Following on from the PP on the PK they immediately sat back in a nice compact diamond and let the opposition set up...


Also i won't miss those painful commercials.

Whoever comes in probably needs to bring a stiff broom with him, i would imagine a lot of the backroom staff will go and a whole new look for training and conditioning should be brought in. Not only is the amount of high line injuries a concern but also the reporting and seemingly random diagnosis even the book seller has no idea what's going on and he has an inside ear.
As for playing staff i would imagine there will be some big changes too but will leave that for another day and see who comes in.

WCF Game I

At last, it seems like an age since round II got finished. Fortunately any rest rust seemed to be on Dallas and not Detroit although it did appear Dallas decided to follow Colorado's amazing plan and try to tire out the Redwing PP.
Despite Brendan Morrow's valiant efforts Detroit were just too strong across the board, there is no one guy or line to stop. The 'wings have been fortunate with injuries so far and they just make their opponents pay as soon as they drop their guard, or go for a sit down.
Good to see #51 suited up and scoring, just give me a couple from Hudler in game II and i will be well happy.

As for tomorrow, i think Philly will come out very hard, take a couple of bad penalties and watch as Sykora and Malone take the game away from them§. Towards the end, as the Flyers tire then Malkin and Crosby will step up and put them to the sword.

Shame for Timonen and the Flyers, his will be a huge loss, one that will finish this teams impressive run given the offensive deluge they are about to face.

And there is my stating of the obvious for today. Good to have Hockey and so far so good for a Penguins Vs Redwings final.

Conference finals

So finally i can post a prediction before the event, a novelty. I still manage to get them wrong even with the benefit of a heads up.

this is a quick one, more later

Pittsburgh to beat Philadelphia in 5, They will have too much, each game will be close but the cream will come through, by that i mean Malkin.

Detroit will beat Dallas in a scrap, probably 6 games but if they get off to a quick start then who knows, the key game will be 3, first game back at Dallas.

later

I dont have much more to add and no one reads this anyway, not yet at least so i may just ramble for my own benefit.
Detroit will have way too much for Turco to handle, the guy is an excellent goalie, no doubt, but i think the onslaught will be too much, especially if Franzen stays hot. It will be interesting to see where Maltby slots back in, Helm has been effective, Hudler seems to be getting his confidence, an interesting decision for Mr Babcock.
Alternatively Maltby could play in place of Filppula who may well be injured.

Nofx

On friday night i went to see Nofx playing. Good show i've seen them a few times now and always entertaining. They often have friends on stage during their shows and occasionally someone will come out and join them on a song. This time they introduced a second guitarist - Jose Theodore - Is it wrong that i expected him to be replaced by Peter Budaj halfway through...

The picture came from here
Nofx Official

granted i doubt any traffic will come from here let alone enough to trash the nofx servers but it can come right down should that be required, ta.

Round II

Ok, so now i am going to post my Round II predictions, yes i know they are already nearly done but i can't help being crap.

Here goes

Detroit Vs Colorado : Detroit in 5
San Jose Vs Dallas : San Jose in 6

Montreal Vs Philadelphia : Montreal in 5
Pittsburgh Vs New York R : Pittsburgh in 4

I had confidence in the Redwings to progress against the Avalanche, i feel they are better in every aspect of the game with these current set ups. Babcock is hugely underrated as a coach, whereas Quenneville seems to be of a nature with other Denver major sport coaches. He has a method which has been proven in the past but now it is known, and been mastered, and he seems unable to adjust. Also the Avalanche seem to have no passion in their play and no organisation in their tactics and strategy.

San Jose must be so frustrating for their fans, they seem to be destined after the post season yet just cant make that next step, take nothing away from Dallas as they have stepped up and, should they progress, will be very dangerous for their Western conference final opponents.

Montreal should be able to beat Philly who just keep winning. Their backroom staff have to commended, they had a plan for the Capitals which they played to perfection and again seem to have the number of Montreal although they could live to rue some of the unnecessary penalties. Players like Hatcher really should know better.

Pittsburgh, to me, look like the team to beat in the East, although should they play Philly then who knows. You cannot discount the Rangers with their talent and experience but the Penguins look comfortable.

Playoffs Round I

So i keep writing blogs and never posting them which is useful.
Anyway i made predictions for round one. I could now proceed to list a host of correct score-lines but i won't, here is what i forecast.

Detroit Vs Nashville : Detroit in 5
San Jose Vs Calgary : San Jose in 6
Minnesota Vs Colorado : Colorado in 7
Anaheim Vs Dallas : Anaheim in 5

Montreal Vs Boston : Montreal in 5
Pittsburgh Vs Ottowa : Pittsburgh in 6
Washington Vs Philadelphia : Washington in 4
New Jersey Vs New York R : New Jersey in 7

5/8 isn't so bad, i really didnt think the Flyers had much chance against the charging Capitals and that is pretty much the only disappointing result for me, I love watching the Capitals play, not just for the amazing AO but i think in Huet, Green, Laich, Backstrom and Semin the have something awesome for the next few years. Especially when you add the experience of ex 'Wing Fedorov.
Pleased with the 'wings progress, hopefully they got any snags out of their system ealry and can now go on and live up to expectations.