Dear Boston Bruins,
I wanted to take a few minutes out of my day to write a letter so I can explain how you ruined my hockey season. Granted I’m not a Bruins fan but I think that is irrelevant at the moment. You were the #1 seed and were clearly the best team in the Eastern Conference…..after sweeping the Canadians you had a clear path to the Finals. Who else in the East could beat you? The Penguins? The Flyers? The ‘Canes? Well, apparently the answer was the ‘Canes……you decided to play your worst hockey of the season during the playoffs. I don’t want to hear the excuses about running into a hot goaltender…..you were outplayed by a freakin’ expansion team. You are the Boston Bruins….a member of the Original Six….and you lost to a team from North Carolina. Completely UNACCEPTABLE!
All you had to do was hold serve and at the very least make it to the Stanley Cup Finals…..that’s all I was asking for. Since you couldn’t hold up your end of the bargain I’m now forced to root for my arch rival, the Pittsburgh Penguins, to win the Cup so I don’t lose my bet. Thank you very much Bruins…..you can take your Hub of Hockey and shove it.
Sincerely (and by sincerely I really mean SCREW YOU),
Iggles
Ok….now that I’ve gotten that off my chest. I’ve been put in a horrible position….I need to hope Sid the Kid, Gino Malkin, and Fluery can pull off a miracle and beat the Red Wings. Do I think it’s going to happen…..NO! But stranger things have happened…just ask the 18-1 2007 New England Patriots. GO PENS GO (I just lost 5 years off the end of my life having to write that)!
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I think that Iggles may of lost it, I know the kid doesn't like to part from his $MONEY$ but writing a letter to the Boston Bruins- come on?
I am up 5-4 heading into the Stanley cup finals with the winning team getting the right to have their name etched onto the cup(and a free case of beer for me). So since I have been picking the Western Conference for the whole playoffs then I must take the Detroit Red wings. I am not feeling all the confident that the United Nations of the NHL will win Lord Stanleys cup due to all their current injuries but fuck it, winners win and Hockey town will win again.
The series starts Saturday night and I should be drinking my beers by the end of next week. If the Pens win it all, tied game and no one owes anyone any beers. If the Wings win it all, Sam Adams Summer ales at my place for an afternoon cookout.
Showing posts with label hockey playoff showdown. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hockey playoff showdown. Show all posts
Friday, May 29, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
Nhl Playoffs
Iggles NHL Eastern Conference Finals picks:
GOD DAMN BRUINS……they ruined my whole plan. Going into the NHL Playoffs I figured it would be the Red Wings vs. Bruins in the Stanley Cup Finals with the Red Wings winning in 6 games. So all I needed was the Bruins to win out in the Eastern Conference (which they should have done easily) and I could sit back and drink my Yuengling with a big smile on my face. But nooooooooo……the B’s had to screw me now I’m tied with Mr. Booze going into the Conference Championship games. I absolutely have to pick the winner between the Penguins and ‘Canes……and I have no freakin’ idea who is going to win. Lots to look at in this series: Offensively the edge goes to the Penguins…….the Special Teams edge goes to the Penguins…..Defensively a very slight edge to the ‘Canes…..and Goaltending the ‘Canes have an advantage. Uggghhhhhh……I guess I’m going with the ‘Canes in 7. When in doubt go with the better goalie…besides I hate the Penguins and I can’t remember the last time there was a rematch in the Stanley Cup Finals.
My Western Conference Finals Picks:
Apparently Iggles is a little bit angry at the B's, not because he is a fan mind you but, because they may cost him some Money. If there is anything more guarded and closer to Iggles heart than cold hard cash well then please someone show me! Now onto my pick. I am a big fan of the resurgence that the Chicago BlackHawks have shown over the past two seasons. They are a young fast team. They clearly have the better goaltender in Nikolai Khabibulin but they don't have the experience. Does anyone have any playoff experience prior to this season? I know That Chris Osgood is not a flashy goalie but he gets the job done. I am taking the United Nations of hockey AKA Hockeytown - Detroit Red Wings.
If you are still jonesing for some Bruins action:
http://www.providencebruins.com/
GOD DAMN BRUINS……they ruined my whole plan. Going into the NHL Playoffs I figured it would be the Red Wings vs. Bruins in the Stanley Cup Finals with the Red Wings winning in 6 games. So all I needed was the Bruins to win out in the Eastern Conference (which they should have done easily) and I could sit back and drink my Yuengling with a big smile on my face. But nooooooooo……the B’s had to screw me now I’m tied with Mr. Booze going into the Conference Championship games. I absolutely have to pick the winner between the Penguins and ‘Canes……and I have no freakin’ idea who is going to win. Lots to look at in this series: Offensively the edge goes to the Penguins…….the Special Teams edge goes to the Penguins…..Defensively a very slight edge to the ‘Canes…..and Goaltending the ‘Canes have an advantage. Uggghhhhhh……I guess I’m going with the ‘Canes in 7. When in doubt go with the better goalie…besides I hate the Penguins and I can’t remember the last time there was a rematch in the Stanley Cup Finals.
My Western Conference Finals Picks:
Apparently Iggles is a little bit angry at the B's, not because he is a fan mind you but, because they may cost him some Money. If there is anything more guarded and closer to Iggles heart than cold hard cash well then please someone show me! Now onto my pick. I am a big fan of the resurgence that the Chicago BlackHawks have shown over the past two seasons. They are a young fast team. They clearly have the better goaltender in Nikolai Khabibulin but they don't have the experience. Does anyone have any playoff experience prior to this season? I know That Chris Osgood is not a flashy goalie but he gets the job done. I am taking the United Nations of hockey AKA Hockeytown - Detroit Red Wings.
If you are still jonesing for some Bruins action:
http://www.providencebruins.com/
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Round 2
Iggles (in Flyers orange):
I know I will regret saying this but making the picks in round 2 seems a whole lot easier than making the picks for the first round. Wound up going 3-1 but I was extremely fortunate to get there….needed the ‘Canes and the Ovechkins to come back from being down 2-3 (1-3 in the case of the Ovechkins) to win both of there series. So lets get right to the picks……
No. 1 Boston Bruins vs. No. 6 Carolina Hurricanes
My gut tells me this is over in 6 with the Bruins controlling the series the whole way. Maybe up 3-1 and the ‘Canes steal game 5 here and then the Bruins wrap it up in Carolina. But the Bruins have been waiting around for almost a week and it is never a good thing to be doing nothing while the other teams are playing….yes you get your rest but you can also lose your timing and rhythm. The Bruins are the better team but they may need a game to get their legs back under them so lets say Carolina pulls off a shocker in game 1 which makes this a nailbiter the rest of the way. Bruins in 7.
No. 2 Washington Oveckins vs. No. 4 Pittsburgh Crosbys
OV-1 you are exciting to watch on the highlight reel but can I please remind you that you have to play defense sometimes. Too many shots by Ovechkin and lazy play in the defensive end will give Pittsburgh another chance to play in the Eastern Conference finals. I just can’t see how Washington can keep up with Penguins…..they are too deep and too talented. And then add on top of it their goaltending is better this one is really a no brainer. Penguins in 6.
Now onto my picks(Bruins Black):
I know that I reached on the St. Louis pick but damn A SWEEP?? Ain't that a bitch!! By the way how do the Flyers lose game 7 up by 3 goals?? I went 2-2 for the 1st round and I am currently down to effing Iggles. What a way to start MY work week. The Ducks are riding high. The Blackhawks are showing grit and determination. Are they on a collision course for the Western Conference finals?? Not if Vancouver and Detroit have anything to say about it.
No. 2 Detroit Red Wings vs No. 8 Anaheim Ducks
Last round I knew the Ducks were on a roll but to take out the team with the best record in the NHL? I didn't know that's how they were rolling. I highly doubt that lightning can strike twice so I am taking the Red Wings in 6. The Wings are just to deep and too fast.
No. 3 Vancouver Canucks vs No. 4 Chicago Black Hawks
The Black Hawks are a feel good story, original 6 team, lots of young talent...wait a cotton-picking-minute they sound like the Bruins of the West. Except the B's have more depth, more veteran leadership and best of all a better goalie. But this isn't about the Black Hawks versus the Bruins just yet. Roberto Luongo and the Canucks look to battle but if I took the Blues in round one so you know I am taking the Hawks in round 2. Black Hawks in 7 games
Second-Round Predictions(Experts picks)
Boston-Carolina
The pressure is off Boston, who had to win a playoff round in order to escape the fate of San Jose and Calgary. They have progressed, and aren't too far away from challenging for the Stanley Cup.
But this is the end of the line. Like Anaheim, Carolina has won it before and knows what it takes to win the big one. Cam Ward knows what it takes to win and has already met the major challenge of Martin Brodeur.
At one time Carolina looked like it would not make the playoffs, but since then has been the hottest team in the NHL, beating teams in pressure situations that had more talent than they had.
I don't care that Boston has won all four regular-season games this season, this is not the same Carolina team they faced before. The Hurricanes will win four games to two.
Washington-Pittsburgh
Washington escaped from the last round thanks to superior talent—and the unexpected blessing of having Jose Theodore play so poorly in the first game that he was replaced by Simeon Varlamov, who provided big-league playoff goaltending.
A position that was supposed to be a weakness turned into a strength and a Washington goaltender actually won the final game for the team after they were being outplayed in the first 30 minutes.
This series could go either way, and common sense tells me to take Pittsburgh—especially because Washington plays like San Jose at times. But now that they are getting good goaltending, I'm going to take Washington. Ovechkin won't want to be outplayed by Crosby and Malkin in a direct confrontation, and somehow Washington will win four games to three.
Vancouver-Chicago
I like how Vancouver went for the jugular and put away St. Louis, a team that played very well, despite its untried, low-talent roster, and could have been a real problem if allowed to hang around.
I was also impressed by the way the untried, young Blackhawks beat Calgary, refusing to quit even when they were behind in the score. They also got great goaltending from Nikolai Khabibulin, one of the few goaltenders like Cam Ward who has won the big one and knows what it takes to do it again.
Roberto Luongo wants to join him in that status. Vancouver is a much better team defensively and played at a higher level during the stretch run, while Chicago alternated between good and bad. Chicago has a better offense, but Vancouver has a better defense and has home ice.
It would not be an upset if Chicago won, but Vancouver will win a tough series four games to three.
Detroit-Anaheim
The Red Wings weren't tested by Columbus, and are still the team to beat in the NHL. They will have a tougher time against Anaheim, a team that, like themselves, has won the big one and showed in the first round that they are a force to be reckoned with—especially if they hit the way they did against the San Jose Sharks.
The Ducks' goaltending and defense are as good as Detroit's, but the Red Wings have more top forwards than Anaheim who won't disappear like Joe and Patrick. Anaheim can win this series, but Detroit will do it four games to two.
I know I will regret saying this but making the picks in round 2 seems a whole lot easier than making the picks for the first round. Wound up going 3-1 but I was extremely fortunate to get there….needed the ‘Canes and the Ovechkins to come back from being down 2-3 (1-3 in the case of the Ovechkins) to win both of there series. So lets get right to the picks……
No. 1 Boston Bruins vs. No. 6 Carolina Hurricanes
My gut tells me this is over in 6 with the Bruins controlling the series the whole way. Maybe up 3-1 and the ‘Canes steal game 5 here and then the Bruins wrap it up in Carolina. But the Bruins have been waiting around for almost a week and it is never a good thing to be doing nothing while the other teams are playing….yes you get your rest but you can also lose your timing and rhythm. The Bruins are the better team but they may need a game to get their legs back under them so lets say Carolina pulls off a shocker in game 1 which makes this a nailbiter the rest of the way. Bruins in 7.
No. 2 Washington Oveckins vs. No. 4 Pittsburgh Crosbys
OV-1 you are exciting to watch on the highlight reel but can I please remind you that you have to play defense sometimes. Too many shots by Ovechkin and lazy play in the defensive end will give Pittsburgh another chance to play in the Eastern Conference finals. I just can’t see how Washington can keep up with Penguins…..they are too deep and too talented. And then add on top of it their goaltending is better this one is really a no brainer. Penguins in 6.
Now onto my picks(Bruins Black):
I know that I reached on the St. Louis pick but damn A SWEEP?? Ain't that a bitch!! By the way how do the Flyers lose game 7 up by 3 goals?? I went 2-2 for the 1st round and I am currently down to effing Iggles. What a way to start MY work week. The Ducks are riding high. The Blackhawks are showing grit and determination. Are they on a collision course for the Western Conference finals?? Not if Vancouver and Detroit have anything to say about it.
No. 2 Detroit Red Wings vs No. 8 Anaheim Ducks
Last round I knew the Ducks were on a roll but to take out the team with the best record in the NHL? I didn't know that's how they were rolling. I highly doubt that lightning can strike twice so I am taking the Red Wings in 6. The Wings are just to deep and too fast.
No. 3 Vancouver Canucks vs No. 4 Chicago Black Hawks
The Black Hawks are a feel good story, original 6 team, lots of young talent...wait a cotton-picking-minute they sound like the Bruins of the West. Except the B's have more depth, more veteran leadership and best of all a better goalie. But this isn't about the Black Hawks versus the Bruins just yet. Roberto Luongo and the Canucks look to battle but if I took the Blues in round one so you know I am taking the Hawks in round 2. Black Hawks in 7 games
Second-Round Predictions(Experts picks)
Boston-Carolina
The pressure is off Boston, who had to win a playoff round in order to escape the fate of San Jose and Calgary. They have progressed, and aren't too far away from challenging for the Stanley Cup.
But this is the end of the line. Like Anaheim, Carolina has won it before and knows what it takes to win the big one. Cam Ward knows what it takes to win and has already met the major challenge of Martin Brodeur.
At one time Carolina looked like it would not make the playoffs, but since then has been the hottest team in the NHL, beating teams in pressure situations that had more talent than they had.
I don't care that Boston has won all four regular-season games this season, this is not the same Carolina team they faced before. The Hurricanes will win four games to two.
Washington-Pittsburgh
Washington escaped from the last round thanks to superior talent—and the unexpected blessing of having Jose Theodore play so poorly in the first game that he was replaced by Simeon Varlamov, who provided big-league playoff goaltending.
A position that was supposed to be a weakness turned into a strength and a Washington goaltender actually won the final game for the team after they were being outplayed in the first 30 minutes.
This series could go either way, and common sense tells me to take Pittsburgh—especially because Washington plays like San Jose at times. But now that they are getting good goaltending, I'm going to take Washington. Ovechkin won't want to be outplayed by Crosby and Malkin in a direct confrontation, and somehow Washington will win four games to three.
Vancouver-Chicago
I like how Vancouver went for the jugular and put away St. Louis, a team that played very well, despite its untried, low-talent roster, and could have been a real problem if allowed to hang around.
I was also impressed by the way the untried, young Blackhawks beat Calgary, refusing to quit even when they were behind in the score. They also got great goaltending from Nikolai Khabibulin, one of the few goaltenders like Cam Ward who has won the big one and knows what it takes to do it again.
Roberto Luongo wants to join him in that status. Vancouver is a much better team defensively and played at a higher level during the stretch run, while Chicago alternated between good and bad. Chicago has a better offense, but Vancouver has a better defense and has home ice.
It would not be an upset if Chicago won, but Vancouver will win a tough series four games to three.
Detroit-Anaheim
The Red Wings weren't tested by Columbus, and are still the team to beat in the NHL. They will have a tougher time against Anaheim, a team that, like themselves, has won the big one and showed in the first round that they are a force to be reckoned with—especially if they hit the way they did against the San Jose Sharks.
The Ducks' goaltending and defense are as good as Detroit's, but the Red Wings have more top forwards than Anaheim who won't disappear like Joe and Patrick. Anaheim can win this series, but Detroit will do it four games to two.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Hockey Playoffs
Iggles and I are going to have a hockey playoffs showdown.
Winner gets a case of beer.
If I win he buys me a case of Sam Adams Boston Lager.
If He wins I buy him a case of Yuengling.
Now on to the picks. Iggles will be picking the Eastern Conference and I will pick the Western Conference.
Eastern Conference:
No. 1 Boston Bruins vs. No. 8 Montreal Canadians
This is really a no brainer. Bruins in 5…..I just can’t see Montreal scoring enough goals in this series to make it competitive.
No. 2 Washington Capitals vs. No. 7 NY Rangers
O vie….Ovie….Ovie…..I was really hoping Carolina would fall to the 7th seed so I could pick an upset here but it is written in my Philly Handbook that under no circumstances can I pick the Rangers to win anything. Capitals in 6.
No. 3 New Jersey Devils vs. No. 6 Carolina Hurricane
The Devils have been just God awful these past few weeks….and on the opposite side Carolina has been red hot. Carolina in 5.
No. 4 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. No 5 Philadelphia Flyers
Ugggghhhhhh…….there are always 2 upsets per conference during the first round of the playoffs. Before yesterday I had Carolina upsetting the Devils and the Penguins (5 seed) upsetting the Flyers. But my Flyers had to go screw it up and lose on Sunday dropping them to the 5th seed which makes the Penguins the favorite. With that said…..I have absolutely no confidence in this pick but I’ll take the Flyers in 7.
Western Conference:
No. 1 San Jose Sharks vs No. 8 Anaheim Mighty Ducks
The Ducks have turned it on since the trade deadline. They still don't have enough to win this series but they do have something left to make it interesting. Sharks in 6
No. 2 Detroit Red Wings vs No. 7 Columbus Blue Jackets
I really wanted to see the Blues play the Red Wings but i'll take this match up. I don't think Steve Mason can stop the Red wings offense and Rick Nash just isn't enough to beat whoever the Red Wings throw in net. Red Wings in 5.
No. 3 Vancouver Canucks vs No. 6 St. Louis Blues
I am not going to lie, I know nothing about Vancouver other than its fucking cold up there and Roberto Luongo is their goalie and captain(how can an Ace be both 1 and 11). Blues in 6.
No. 4 Chicago Black Hawks vs No. 5 Calgary Flames
Now this could be the best series in the west. The teams match up well. The only question for the Black Hawks is who is playing net? Calgary has lots of fire power. This series will go 7 with the home team moving on. Black Hawks in 7
Just for shits and giggles here are the ESPN experts picks:
Winner gets a case of beer.
If I win he buys me a case of Sam Adams Boston Lager.
If He wins I buy him a case of Yuengling.
Now on to the picks. Iggles will be picking the Eastern Conference and I will pick the Western Conference.
Eastern Conference:
No. 1 Boston Bruins vs. No. 8 Montreal Canadians
This is really a no brainer. Bruins in 5…..I just can’t see Montreal scoring enough goals in this series to make it competitive.
No. 2 Washington Capitals vs. No. 7 NY Rangers
O vie….Ovie….Ovie…..I was really hoping Carolina would fall to the 7th seed so I could pick an upset here but it is written in my Philly Handbook that under no circumstances can I pick the Rangers to win anything. Capitals in 6.
No. 3 New Jersey Devils vs. No. 6 Carolina Hurricane
The Devils have been just God awful these past few weeks….and on the opposite side Carolina has been red hot. Carolina in 5.
No. 4 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. No 5 Philadelphia Flyers
Ugggghhhhhh…….there are always 2 upsets per conference during the first round of the playoffs. Before yesterday I had Carolina upsetting the Devils and the Penguins (5 seed) upsetting the Flyers. But my Flyers had to go screw it up and lose on Sunday dropping them to the 5th seed which makes the Penguins the favorite. With that said…..I have absolutely no confidence in this pick but I’ll take the Flyers in 7.
Western Conference:
No. 1 San Jose Sharks vs No. 8 Anaheim Mighty Ducks
The Ducks have turned it on since the trade deadline. They still don't have enough to win this series but they do have something left to make it interesting. Sharks in 6
No. 2 Detroit Red Wings vs No. 7 Columbus Blue Jackets
I really wanted to see the Blues play the Red Wings but i'll take this match up. I don't think Steve Mason can stop the Red wings offense and Rick Nash just isn't enough to beat whoever the Red Wings throw in net. Red Wings in 5.
No. 3 Vancouver Canucks vs No. 6 St. Louis Blues
I am not going to lie, I know nothing about Vancouver other than its fucking cold up there and Roberto Luongo is their goalie and captain(how can an Ace be both 1 and 11). Blues in 6.
No. 4 Chicago Black Hawks vs No. 5 Calgary Flames
Now this could be the best series in the west. The teams match up well. The only question for the Black Hawks is who is playing net? Calgary has lots of fire power. This series will go 7 with the home team moving on. Black Hawks in 7
Just for shits and giggles here are the ESPN experts picks:
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