NHL Playoffs: Round One Wrap-Up and Round Two Predictions

I've got about an hour before puck drop in the first game of Round Two, so this is as good a time as any to do this.

First, an in-depth (*snort*) analysis of Round One - my prediction is in Red:

Eastern Conference:
Canadiens beat Capitals in 7 (Capitals in Six): OK, who outside of Montreal picked this? I'm not complaining though - karma's a bitch ain't it Ovie? This is also why I'm glad the Hawks didn't win the President's Trophy - it's a curse more than a blessing IMHO. Halak was a stud - wonder whose hands are shaking now?
Flyers beat Devils in 5 (Devils in Seven): Who cares really? Although it bothers me the Devils fans are bitching and moaning about how it's been so long since winning the Cup in '03. Check back with me when you do the math and subtract 1961 from 2010 and we'll talk about the concept of time.
Bruins beat Sabres (is it Sabres or Sabers? I never know) in 6 (Bruins in Seven): I picked this one! So sad to see Ryan Miller go so early - he of the lopsided puppy dog sad face. I think saying TUUUUUUUUK is better than LUUUUUUUUUUU.
Penguins beat Senators in 6 (Penguins in Six): Not a big surprise, although I appreciate the scare the Sens gave in their 3OT victory. Of course now many folks are handing the Eastern Conference to the Pens as they are the highest seed left. Ask the Caps about presumption before counting the chickens eh?

Western Conference:
Sharks beat Avalanche in 6 (Sharks in Five): Does this make the Caps the new Sharks? Honestly, without Craig Anderson this series would have been much shorter. BTW, has anyone found Joe Thornton yet?
Blackhawks beat Predators in 6 (Hawks in Six): You know my thoughts on this series. I'm just thankful it's over - way too nerve wracking for my comfort.
Canucks beat Kings in 6 (Canucks in Seven): I like Drew Doughty. The Canucks can kiss my ass. LUUUUUUUUUUUUU SUUUUUUUUUUUCKS.
Red Wings beat Coyotes in 7 (Coyotes in Seven): BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. I feel like I need to send the 'Yotes a condolence card for not only losing to Scum, but for also probably having the owner of the White Sox pulling the strings soon. So, so sorry.


Onto Round Two...

Western Conference Quarterfinals Game 6: Hawks 5, Predators 3 - Mel can exhale - until Saturday around 7CST.

[Note: I really meant to put this up yesterday but was too engrossed in the two game sevens to get it done. All I have to say is: BOOOOOOO Wings & LOLOLOLOLOL Caps. I'll have a brief recap of Round One and my predictions for Round Two tomorrow.]

Game. Set. Match.

The Hawks sure didn't make this one easy on my heart. A fast and furious first period ended with the Hawks leading 4-3 and myself looking for the Rolaids. Goals by four of the Hawks' biggest names, Keith, Kane, Sharp and Toews led the way. Although I wouldn't call Kane's goal a score so much as a fluky occurrence given up by Rinne. Seabrook attempted a dump in off a face off near centre, which deflected off Kaner's skate on net. The Pekkanator (hee) went to the boards expecting the puck, only to make a valiant dive at the goal. I guess there are hockey gods - that evened out the weird bad angle shot Nemo let in Game One.

After the first, everyone was wondering if the final score was going to be 10-9. Both coaches must have realized that type of game wasn't going to work (especially for the Preds), and both the goalies and the D tightened down the screws. Apparently the officials weren't listening as they awarded the Hawks 4 PPs in the second - including a double minor for Hornqvist sticking Sopel's beautiful face (*gag*) resulting in post game stitches. The glorious Power Play Clown Shoes returned to the Hawks (must have gotten them back from Nashville after they scored their only PP goal in the series in the first) and they didn't score. As to not play favorites, the refs gave the Preds 3 PPs in the third which resulted in zilch as well. Finally with Rinne pulled, John "I wear my helmet to cover my eyebrows" Madden iced the game and the series with an empty net tally with eight seconds left. Thank. You. Jebus.

I picked the Hawks in six, but underestimated the fight the Preds would put up. The Predators and their fans have nothing to be ashamed of and should be proud of their play and have joined the list of teams I don't hate when we play them. Even if their D makes me sleepy at times. Honestly, if not for the incredible happenings at the end of Game Five, I think the Preds would have beaten us. Good job boys! Now do something with that awful goal song in the off-season!

Game 1: Cubs 12, Brewers 2 @ Miller Park

Game One refers to the fact this is the first Cubs game I've attended this season. Thus far I have tickets to four games total. I had an opportunity for free tickets last weekend, but was obligated to attend a wedding shower instead. For now, I'll spare everyone my thoughts on the institution of marriage. In any case, the Cubs bullpen blew that game anyway, and everyone who went said they froze their ass off.

To be honest, I didn't much look forward to going to this game. I'm completely engrossed in the Hawks and the entire NHL Playoffs and don't have time for baseball - especially since the Cubs have been even worse than I expected thus far. I think this game was the first Cubs game I've watched in its entirety all season. Amy's folks went up to Milwaukee this weekend and we stayed up there Saturday night. That is why I was stuck watching Game Five in a hotel with a TV older than half of the Hawks team. Oh Well.

Now I love Wrigley Field, but the older I get, the more I realize what a piss smelling shithole it is. I'm all for architectural preservation, but after attending several new ballparks (AT&T Park in San Francisco is my fave), I won't shed a tear if they tear down everything but the bleachers and scoreboard and start from scratch. Miller Park is a nice ballpark. Bathrooms without cardboard in the stalls, wide berths in the concourses, a roof to close when it's ass freezing/raining (as it was Sunday), and a fine food and drink selection. Although I must say the bratwurst was just ok (I've been spoiled since having one in Germany) and you'd think the folks in Wisconsin would know better than to put nacho cheese on cheese fries. Speaking of brats:

Amy and I deemed this UUP: Unnecessary Umlaut Placement. According to Amy, the umlaut in "Brat" would cause the word to be mispronounced "Brait", as in rhyming like "wait."  Perhaps I should start an UUP Facebook group. Although I bet there is one already.

Western Conference Quarterfinals Game 5: Hawks 5, Predators 4 (OT) - Mel confesses.

Bless me Father, for I have sinned.

You see, I'm rather sports obsessed. And when I'm a loyal fan, I'm a *loyal* fan of a team. So much so that when things aren't going my team's way, it can literally make me ill and crazy. Just ask Amy - she didn't speak to me for the second half of Game Three and went to bed before the game was over. The stress of a hotly contested game drives me up the wall. This is why I will never go to a Game Seven as I'll be dead before the second intermission. I never go to "rivalry" games either - such as Hawks/Wings, Cubs/Sox or Cardinals, Bears/Packers - oh who am I kidding - you have to sell a major organ to even get tickets to a Bears game, no matter how bad they suck. The hatred and vitriol between fans in the stands is too much for me to bear.

So after blowing a two goal lead (this is a way too familiar refrain in the last couple of months), and being down a goal with about a minute to play, I was at my wit's end. Then Hossa hit Hamhuis into the boards and gets a five minute major. I couldn't stand it. We're going to go down 3-2 to the fucking *Predators* heading back to Nashville?

I turned off the TV.

Luckily I had been keeping up with the Game Thread at SCH (in reality I paid more attention to the computer than the game in the third due to aforementioned stress issues). About a minute after I turned the TV there was an explosion of "OMGs" and "HOLY FUCKING SHIT" on the blog. I turned the game back on to see the Kane goal celebration. I couldn't believe it. Oh ye of little faith.

The waiting between the third and OT was painful. Beside mentally kicking myself for missing the fourth goal (though I'm telling myself they scored *because* I turned it off. Shut up, let me have my moment),  I knew we hadn't won anything yet. Especially considering we had nearly four minutes of PK time to start OT with Hossa in the box. Deep down in my heart, I knew if we killed that PP we would win.

I didn't think we'd win that quickly after the penalty expired. And the GWG scored by Hossa no less? That's a big ouch coming from the Preds fans. Believe me, as a lifelong Cubs fan (Five More Outs Goddammit!) I share your pain. Sorta. HAWKS WIN!

I watched this game from a hotel in Milwaukee (on a really crappy SD TV), and am surprised they didn't call security after all of the whooping and clapping I was making after OT.

Anyway, more thoughts after the jump.

Western Conference Quarterfinals Game 4: Hawks 3, Predators 0 - Mel exhales.

This is going to be a shortie, since it's late and my tired ass has to get up early in the morning - well for a Saturday anyway.

This was a game the Hawks *had* to have. Sad that it happened so early in the playoffs, but they got themselves into this mess. They had to dig themselves out of it. Play hard, win battles, finish every shift as if it's your last. Thank Jebus they did.

Two MIAs, Sharp and Toews, made their presence known with two and one goal respectively. Niemi got another "No-No" - way impressive for the rook's first two playoff wins to be shutouts. Soupy was back on the ice (albeit for only 14 minutes) and I think his mere presence lifted the team. Can't say much about his actual play - I didn't really notice him, but seeing as our D has been way too visible in its deficiencies since he's been gone, I consider that a victory. Q's line roulette seemed to work with Bickell (or as Amy calls him, Pickle) and Burish returning to the lineup. Whether the lines were a true success or if it was the sense of urgency that made them click, I don't care. Sopel blocked a million shots again - seriously, how this man doesn't need a one of those motor scooters for old people after each game I'll never know. My only real complaints were the play of Keith and Bolland. Keith made several bad turnovers in his own zone and took a stupid penalty in the third. His offside on Hossa's empty net attempt was almost comical if not sad - I hope he at least bought Panda dinner for that gaffe (btw - I swear the shoot the puck bimbo has better aim than the Hawks when trying for the empty net). Keith did play 30+ minutes in game three, so I'll give him a pass for this game. Bolland though is pretty brutal. Honestly, I think his back is still giving him fits. I'll give him props for toughing it out, but when you're becoming a liability on the ice, it's time to sit. I hope Q sits Bolland and puts Fraz back out there, but I'm not holding my breath.

I think whomever wins game five probably takes the series. I think the Hawks definitely have the Preds on their heels a bit and the UC will be off the charts. We tend to suck when we're on NBC - but I don't know if Nashville has ever been on the NBC Game of the Week, so perhaps that will cancel it out.

I'll probably be watching this game in a hotel room in Milwaukee. Amy's folks are in for a visit and we're spending Saturday there, and seeing the Cubs game at Miller Park on Sunday. God, I hope there's a great alcohol selection at the Park because the Cubs are even worse than I thought they'd be so far. A long playoff run for the Hawks would distract me from the inevitable train wreck this Cubs season will be. Ugh, why must Chicago sports fans suffer so?

Western Conference Quarterfinals Game 3: Preds 4, Hawks 1 - Mel searches for the barf bag.

LOST:

One hockey team. High amounts of talent, potential and bad hair. Last seen being Ackbar'ed in a stadium on the wrong side of the Mason-Dixon Line. If found, please return by Thursday, 7:30pm CST. Unless of course the team chooses to continue to play like freshly made pile of dogshit. In that case, please return to sender - no forwarding address.

Western Conference Quarterfinals Game 2: Hawks 2, Predators 0 - Mel approves.

So because I’m a superstitious creature, I decided waiting to the day of the next game to write the recap was good luck. Thus, this post is late. I did really mean to do this last night, but adult things (like dishes and such – nothing dirty!) kept me away from it. But I’ll hold onto the whole superstition reason – right now the only one I have going is not washing my Toews jersey until after the playoffs like last year. Don’t worry – I only wear it to games or if I’m going out to watch the game somewhere and I always take it right off when I get home. So, it shouldn’t get too rank. I contemplated not shaving my legs in solidarity of those growing beards, but I do like to wear shorts when it gets hot and my legs get super dry. I’ll have to find a different good luck charm though – the mini Hawks Zamboni from 1998 I brought with me to Game One failed miserably.

After the jump: Recap and Bonus Material from those other games that are being played!

I Can Breathe

Full recap tomorrow (along with thoughts on the other seven playoff series) but wanted to give a big THANK YOU for whatever deity was listening that gave the Hawks a fairly convincing win tonight. This series is not over - not by a long shot, but I think this win not only takes a lot of pressure off the Hawks but by the way the Preds were gooning it up at the end, I think we got in their heads a little bit.

I love you Antti Niemi.

Good Night!

Western Conference Quarterfinals Game 1: Preds 4, Hawks 1 - Mel wants a refund.

I really meant to get this up yesterday, but I didn't wake up until almost 2pm and then had a migraine most of the day which rendered me more useless than normal. I had family obligations this afternoon and just got over *another* migraine, so I have to persevere and get this done before Game 2. Sheesh.

It really sucked we had to wait until Friday for this game (Damn you Harlem Globetrotters!) as half the teams were playing game two while we were hadn't even started yet. So, the excitement was horrible - even more so because we actually ended up going to this game. They released a bunch of tickets Wednesday, and through tweets and blogs found out about it in time to snatch up some pretty good seats at face value. So Friday at work was pretty much a waste as I was a jittery as a six year old on too much sugar. Don't ask me how I'll be at work tomorrow morning with another loss. I'm PMSing as it is - folks best just steer clear of me if that happens.

NHL Playoff Predictions: The Director's Cut

Since I’m writing this offline (*koff*atwork*koff*), here’s hoping the internets at home works long enough for me to upload this before the quarterfinals are over. Below are my predictions for all eight series in round one. I’ll also include my predictions for the rest of the playoffs with the caveat I get to modify them before every subsequent round. If you’ve ever seen my March Madness brackets, you’d understand why.

Western Conference (aka the only one that matters)

(1) San Jose Sharks vs. (8) Colorado Avalanche

As much as I’d love to see the Sharks do their usual April lemming-like jump off a cliff, I don’t think it’ll happen this year. The Avs have looked pretty bad after the Olympic break and would not have even squeaked in if not for their overachieving first half of the season. Craig Anderson has been playing like a goalie taxed with #1 minutes for the first time. Joe Thornton actually will score a goal. Sharks in five.

  

(2) Chicago Blackhawks vs. (7) Nashville Predators

On paper this looks like an easy series for the Hawks. Being a life long Chicago sports fan, I doubt it will in reality. As long as the Hawks don’t start anticipating a rematch between the Cannucks and/or Scum, I think they’ll be ok. This will be Niemi’s first test as *the man* - I hope he can handle it between the ears. Since Patrick Kane’s going to be rocking a sexy mullet for the playoffs, here’s hoping the Nashville women don’t kidnap him in lust. Hopefully Pekka Rinne won’t stand on his head too often and the Preds don’t score at home. There’s a passage in the Bible against playing country music as a goal song. I’m serious. Hawks in six.

(3) Vancouver Canucks vs. (6) LA Kings

I almost went with the Kings here, and if there is going to be a major upset in this round, this would be my pick. Still, the Kings haven’t been exactly setting the world on fire lately. I would expect Thing 1 and Thing 2 to be their usual creepy scoring machine selves. But if Jonathan Quick can stand on his head and Bobby Lou continues to have a five hole bigger than British Columbia, this series could surprise a lot of people. If the Canucks lose, expect Luongo’s tears to flood the streets of Vancouver. I don’t think that’s going to happen though – Barely. Canucks in seven.

(4) Phoenix Coyotes vs. (5) Detroit Red Wings

Everyone and their grandmother is picking the Red Wings. I am not. I’ll be honest – I’m picking the Yotes because a) I hate the Red Wings b) I want the Phoenix fans to THROW THE SNAKE c) I feel bad that the Coyotes might eventually be bought by the dickwad who owns the Bulls and White Sox and finally d) I Hate The Red Wings. So, if the Yotes go out quick, I really won’t be surprised. Coyotes in seven.

Eastern Conference (aka we’re special because we’re the only teams ESPN cares about)

(1) Washington Capitals vs. (8) Montreal Canadiens

Nothing would please me more than the Crapitals and Baby Huey crashing and burning in the first round. Unfortunately, I think their talent simply will overwhelm the Habs. The Caps also have a less than desirable goaltending situation, and if Theodore and Varlamov have issues, there’s a hint of an upset. Still, if Montreal scores 5, chances are the Caps are going to score 6. Capitals in six.

(2) New Jersey Devils vs. (7) Philadelphia Flyers

I think this series has the potential for goonery – those teams from Philadelphia love to stoop down to the level of their fans. Is this Marty Brodeur’s swan song? Not in this round. Devils in seven.

(3) Buffalo Sabers vs. (6) Boston Bruins

This is my only real upset - unless you count the Coyotes, but technically they’re the higher seed. I will always have love for Ryan Miller and his efforts in the Olympics. But I just have a feeling about the Bruins. They’re probably my second favorite Original Six team – just cause. Bruins in seven.

(4) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (5) Ottawa Senators

Pittsburgh will win as it is mandated in NBC’s contract with the NHL. Seriously though, even though the Pens have been playing like poo lately, I think they’ll turn it on for the playoffs. I don’t think the Sens can match their offense. Sens, Pens – it rhymes! Penguins in six.

My Other Predictions

Semi-Finals:

Sharks vs. Coyotes – Sharks in six.

Hawks vs. Canucks – Hawks in six (get the Kleenex ready!)

Capitals vs. Bruins – Bruins in seven (Secret fantasy: Marc Savard comes back and slew foots Ovie)

Devils vs. Penguins – Penguins in five.

Conference Finals:

Sharks vs. Hawks – Hawks in six

Penguins vs. Bruins – Penguins in five.

Stanley Cup Final:

Hawks vs. Penguins – Hawks in seven (!!!)

I know I’m being a total homer by picking the Hawks (and I secretly am picking the Penguins to enact revenge for 1992). But honestly, if the Hawks can play like they did in the first half of the year, be consistent, get the power play back on track, get Campbell healthy and have no further injuries, and lastly have Niemi play like he has in April, there’s no reason why they can’t win in all. That, my friends was a run on sentence.

And if it happens, I am going to get sooooo wasted. Oh I’ll cry too. Probably weep.

Let the games begin!

NHL Playoffs: Round One Predictions

I had planned an in depth post (including all my picks for the playoffs), but seeing as my internet only works when it wants to, a screenshot will have to suffice:

I'll go into detail tomorrow, but I wanted to post this so you don't think I cheated after some of the games were played!

Game 82: Stinky Octopi 3, Hawks 2 (OT) - Mel is ready for the fun to begin

Well that was fun wasn't it? On one hand, the regular season seemed to drag out forEVER - on the other hand it seems like yesterday we were debating whether Niemi or Crawford would be our #2. Yeesh. Onto the task at hand...

Games 79, 80 & 81 - Mel tries to remember

Since I pretty much neglected to talk any hockey during the week, we'll have to recap them all here. Sadly Game 79 and part of 80 are faint in my memory so off to check the box scores I go...

Calgon Take Me Away!

I know I should be writing two Hawks recaps (have I mentioned how much I hate back-to-backs?) but I am way too grouchy and out of sorts to put forth the effort. So you'll have to wait - I'm sure everyone is just waiting with bated breath.

Work has just been too much this week. Not anything particulary *bad* has happened, but I am in no mood for bullshit and annoyance and I've been getting extra helpings of both since Monday. I haven't been sleeping well (or much) this week either, so I basically feel like a sack of potatoes that's been sat on by a sumo wrestler.

I'm trying to be productive at home by doing the dishes and four loads of laundry so I can go out and "play" this weekend. At this point, my ideal would be lying in bed with covers on watching DVDs on Saturday and Sunday, but I'm going to make an effort to be social.

OK, enough bitching - here's something amusing I found on YouTube recently (it repeats itself so you don't have to watch the whole thing). I have to go fold some more goddamn clothes.

Totally Random, Totally Hilarious (in an I'm going to Hell way) picture

I was poking through my external hard drive and found the following picture I had downloaded many moons ago:

I should have posted this yesterday when it was more appropriate. Oh I am so bad.

Game 78: Hawks 4, Flames 1 - Mel regales you with tales of yore!

Congrats to your 2010 Central Division Champion Blackhawks! The above newspaper title is one I saved when the Hawks still played in the old Norris Division - which incidentally is what the division was still called when the Hawks last won in 1992-93. The newspaper clipping is actually from the 1989-90 season, but more about that later.

Opening Day Haiku

hope springs eternal?
you're joking - sixteen to five?
glad i was at work.

Cubs 2010 Season Preview: Let Me Hear Ya...a 1...a 2...a 3!

With this blog having turned into hockey central (which I'm sure drove away the handful of real life friends of mine that actually read this initially), I decided to branch out and talk about baseball. I haven't really been thinking about it much, what with the NHL playoffs just around the corner. But opening day is tomorrow (technically I think it's tonight, but the Chicago teams don't play until tomorrow), so I figure I'd better get in my predictions beforehand. And away we go...

Games 75, 76 & 77: B2G1F

That would be "Buy Two Get One Free." Sorry, I guess I still have retail lingo in me.

I have been somewhat remiss about doing these game recaps. A stressful work week and 3 games in four nights doesn't help. But here ya go...I'll just cram all of these in: