Round Two 2011 NHL Playoff Predictions

So after the opening round eight teams remain.

To recap Newman went 5 for 8 hitting the nail on head with the Preds in 6 and the Sharks in 6.

The Rev was one better going 6 for 8 and hit the bullseye picking the Lightning in 7.


So the second round begins tonight. Here are our thoughts:

The West:


VANCOUVER CANUCKS VS NASHVILLE PREDATORS

NEWMAN: The Canucks win over the Hawks was huge in so many ways for this franchise. It boosted Luongo's confidence which is key for any future success of this team. Don't underestimate the Preds though as they are one of the hardest working teams in the league and won't just lie down on the tracks and wait for the train to come. Still think the Canucks prevail...as much as it pains me to say it.

Canucks in 6.

THE REV:  Vancouver showed some of their weaknesses in their first round series; mostly their heads.  They should have rolled over the Blackhawks and didn't.  I have no reason to think they'll be able to roll over Nashville, another team they should beat with ease.  Having said that, they're still a much better team than Nashville, who's defensive core will be overmatched by the Sisters et al.

Predators in 6. (Again, I cannot pick the Vancouver Canucks; I hate them.)


SAN JOSE SHARKS VS DETROIT RED WINGS

NEWMAN: This is going to be a great series, that's all I know. Niemi will have to find his game if the Sharks intend on winning this series. Instead of the good game bad game streak, he will have to have a couple solid ones in a row against a much more powerful Wings offence. With the return of Zetterberg, the Wings might have the edge here, but it's a coin flip in my mind and I'm sticking with the initial predictions I made at the start of the playoffs.

Sharks in 7.

THE REV: I was confident in Detroit's veteran team in the first round and I'll stick with that against the Sharks.  San Jose has a history of coming up short in the playoffs, and playing a very well rested Red Wing team isn't going to change that.  The return of Zetterberg only helps.  Detroit won't coast as they did against the Coyotes, but they'll be able to make chum out of the Sharks before going to a game 7.

Red Wings in 6.


The East:

WASHINGTON CAPITALS VS TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

NEWMAN: Ok so I was wrong about the Rangers upsetting the Caps. It was closer than the 5 games it ended in though. Anyways, the Caps are a different team this time around, that much is obvious. They aren't that offensive powerhouse they once were and instead play a defensive style of play that might actually help them win a championship. Neuvirth played great in the Ranger series and will have to continue playing well if he hopes to stop the high powered Lightning attack. The Lightning, or Ning for short, had probably the quietest playoff comeback in league history. With everyone focusing on the other series, especially out west, no one paid much attention to their triumphant comeback. Roloson is playing well and has brought an underdog team far in the playoffs before. This is the Caps series and possibly playoffs to lose though now.

Capitals in 6.

THE REV:  I didn't realize the Capitals were still in the playoffs.  To be honest I didn't really follow their series against the Rangers after Newman's 'UPSET ALERT' saying New York would prevail.  I see he's changed his tune.  The Capitals have changed from a run n' gun to a more complete style of play, and it'll carry them deep into the playoffs.  While the Lighnting were able to fend off a weakened Penguins team, they don't have enough in them to take down a much stronger Washington team.  Fred Brathwaite's old back up won't have enough to fend off the Capitals; he's simply over matched in this one.  The Capitals will have a good week off while they wait for Boston and Philly to duke it out.

Capitals in 5.


BOSTON BRUINS VS PHILADELPHIA FLYERS


NEWMAN: Both teams played grueling seven game series in the first round. The Bruins will be looking to exact some revenge on a Flyer team that did what only two other teams in history have ever done and that's come back from 3-0 down in the series (not to mention down 3-0 in Game 7 as well). The Flyers have Pronger back who will make a big impact and help the shaky goaltending they have become known for. I think the Bruins will pull this one out though.

Bruins in 7.


THE REV:  I see this one being the closest series of the all.  Both teams had hard fought victories in the first round and both will be looking to end this series a little earlier.  This time, I think goaltending will be the difference.  Boston has it, Philadelphia doesn't.  Ryan Miller was almost able to stop the Flyers, Tim Thomas will be able to. Add Andrew Ference's hot finger(s) and the Bruins pull this one out in the end.

Bruins in 6.




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Think we are crazy? Throw your two cents into the mix by commenting below!

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What's the German Word for 'Canucks Lose'?

"Here we go again..."

Over the past few years, a word has made it into our lexicon, borrowed from German, that I'm sure most of you are familiar with, and which many of you may have even used.  I am talking of schadenfreude, which is pleasure derived from the misfortunes of others.  And I am feeling schadenfreude at the result of the Canucks' loss last night, in overtime, to the Chicago Blackhawks.

Let me set the record straight, I really don't like the Chicago Blackhawks.  Naturally, I don't like them because they are an opponent of the Calgary Flames, and I'm a homer.  But I also had the worst experience I've ever had a sporting event, at Game Two of the first round series between the Flames and Blackhawks in 2009.  Having things thrown at me, things yelled at me (a flurry of C-sharps and F-bombs) and an all around unpleasant time at a hockey game, has not endeared me to the team.

Jay Feaster: "Acting" to be or not to be?

Jay Feaster, or Harry Jay Feaster to his mother, is primed to be the next general manger of the Calgary Flames.


Feaster’s history with the game of hockey began in 1988 when he was a lawyer with McNees, Wallace, & Nurrick. He was assigned to deal with Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company who, by chance, owned the Hershey Bears of the AHL. To make a long story short, he joined the team soon after as the assistant to the team president and in 1990 was named the general manager.

He was with the Bears for eight years and won AHL Executive of the Year in 1997 after the Bears won the Calder Cup.

He joined the Tampa Bay Lightning as the assistant GM in 1998 behind Jacques Demers taking over the contracts and legal matters for the team.

In 2002, he was promoted to GM of the team. In 2004, they won the Stanley Cup.

He was with the Lightning until 2008 when he was sick of the new owners Len Barrie and Oren Koules and resigned with three years left on his contract.

In 2010 he was hired as the Assistant GM of the Flames. On December 28th, 2010, he was named acting GM of the team.

This brings us to now. No decision has been made on whether or not to strip the “Acting” tag off his name. Flames brass says they are going to wait until the Stanley Cup is awarded. I think this is crock of you know what as the decision has already been made in my mind.

Calgary Flames Post Mortem

The Calgary Flames missed the playoffs. Again. That’s two in a row for people that are keeping track.


After spending five straight seasons in the post-season the Flames have now fallen on tough times in the competitive Western Conference.

The question on most people’s minds for the better part of the last 2 weeks is, simply put, why?

Why did this team not make the playoffs? Why did it take so long for this team to come together? What exactly went wrong, and is the current direction of the team the right one?

Well, here are my two cents on the season that was, whether you want to hear them or not.

On July 1st, 2010, the Flames signed Olli Jokinen and Alex Tanguay. I applauded the signing of Tanguay, given the dollar figure and his history with Iginla. Darryl Sutter bought on a low, and cashed in big time when Tanguay immediately put up numbers, finishing top 30 in league scoring, and helping Iginla finish 7th in scoring, which included 43 goals.

First Round NHL Playoff Predictions

Newman and the Rev give their predictions on the first round of the 2011 NHL Playoffs. 




The WEST:

VANCOUVER CANUCKS VS. CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS

NEWMAN: The Canucks are too deep up front and too deep on the back end to lose this series. They are a better team than last year when they faced the Hawks and the Hawks, for their part, are worse. They lost a number of key players (Byfuglien, Ladd, etc) and I'm not sure Crawford can do what Niemi did. It will be fun to watch but the Sedins will take this series over. Sorry Flames fans.

Canucks in 6.

THE REV:  There's a reason the Canucks won the President's trophy this year; they're the best team in the NHL.  Even with an oft depleted blue line, they still have a great defence, they have the best offensive line in the league, the last two Art Ross trophy winners, and a gold medal winning goalie.  The only thing that might hurt their playoff push is a lack of experience in the playoffs, but even that shouldn't stop this team.

Blackhawks in 4. (I have a rare disorder called chracot-flamesfanitis disease, which doesn't allow me to pick the Canucks to win a series.)

Charl Schwartzel Wins the Masters

"You forgot the 'E-S.' " 
"Nope, that's how you spell it Tig."

I was trying to think of a better title, perhaps some sort of pun, but there just isn't a lot that can be done with Schwartzel.  Jason Day would have been a nice win; "A Day to Remember" or "A Master-ful Day."  Or Newman's idea if Rory McIlroy won; "Rory's Glory Story."  Alas, we're left with Charl Schwartzel.

Going into the day, with McIlroy holding a four stroke lead, this Masters had the potential of being merely a victory lap for the young man from Northern Ireland.  But instead, thanks to some amazing play, some lucky shots, and an epic collapse, it turned out to be one of the more exciting tournaments in recent memory, featuring seven different players in the lead at some point on Sunday.

My Personal Struggle with Mr. Tiger Woods

A little history about myself

I’m a golfer. I’ve played golf competitively since I was 12. I am currently a four handicap, up from a scratch when I was fresh out of high school. Those were the days when I could play 36 holes without wincing, without flinching, and be ready to go again the next day.

These were also the days where I watched my favourite golfer in the world change the game forever. I am of course talking about Eldrick Tiger Woods.

I imitated his every move, and did my best to emulate his every swing when given the chance – this was much harder than ever thought. I’ve worn a hat with the Tiger insignia on it as long as I can remember. I marvel at what he can do, as I’m sure many others do.

TSR talks to CBC's The Homestretch

Click below to hear Newman discussing the Flames' chances of making the playoffs on CBC's The Homestretch.






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Who's Going to Win the Green Jacket?

Hello friends, it's that time of year again.  The week that every golf fan looks forward to more than any other, it's Masters week.  The azaleas are blooming, the grass is that special green and everything seems to be ready for play.  But which players are ready to win?  Augusta National seems to bring out the game's best players like no other layout in the world.  Perennial contenders and oft champions Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson will dominate most people's picks for the coveted green jacket, but there are others players with a chance.

Let's take a look at who's got the best shot to win this week.  I've taken the Vegas odds, and offered my own opinion.

Hope: It's a Horrible Thing

The general feeling that some desire will be fulfilled.


This is the definition of hope and the general sentiment that most Calgary Flames fans have endured for quite some time now.

Yes, their mathematical chances are extremely miniscule, but it’s difficult to give up hope even for the biggest cynics like myself if there is still a fighting chance.

I find myself checking the standings nightly (not that this is uncommon) and analyzing every nuance of each team wondering if this happens, and then this happens, and then that happens, then the Flames would only have to win out and they would make it.

What am I on? Someone must have roofied me.

But it’s just that feeling that you hold on to. That feeling that things could happen and that things could actually work out the way you had always hoped.

Iggy Iggy Iggy!

Sure, the Flames may be done for the season. While still alive mathematically, their 'magic number' is down to 3, meaning that any combination of points won by the Blackhawks and missed points by the Flames totalling three, and they're out.  And with the Blackhawks having five games left, it seems likely they'll be able to secure those points.

But that doesn't mean there isn't a reason to watch the Flames play.  Last night was the Jarome Iginla show, as the Captain scored two goals and an assist, and more impressively, recorded his 1,000th career NHL point.  With a vintage Iggy goal, number 12 was able to pot his 39th of the season from the top of the circle on a break away.

I'm glad team management decided not to follow the suggestion of many fans in December and January, those fans who felt Iginla should be traded because his best days were behind him.  True, he'll probably never score 50 again, but as he's currently 4th in goals, and 6th in scoring, it's clear he's still on of the league's top offensive threats.

Had Iginla been traded, the team might have been able to secure a high draft pick, or perhaps a couple of fine prospects, but we wouldn't have been watching a team flirt with the playoff these past three months; we'd have been watching a team like the Colorado Avalanche, or worse, like the Edmonton Oilers.  Teams in free fall, hoping there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

The 'heart and soul' of the team, Iginla is without a doubt the major reason the Flames have even a sniff of a playoff spot right now, and one of the few reasons anybody is still watching this team with any interest.  I'm glad he's still apart of the Calgary Flames, I'm glad I was able to see him score his 1,000th point in a Flames jersey, and I'm hopeful the situation will be unchanged next year.  That way I'll be able to see him score his 500th goal, hopefully in the Dome, again in a Flames jersey.
-TheRev

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Flames are Cooked

And that’s that.

A two and a half month stretch of some impressive hockey collapses like a loosely formed house of cards in a matter of two weeks. As a result, the Calgary Flames will miss the playoffs for the second consecutive year.

Despite going 16-5-1 from mid January to mid March, the Flames will be hitting the links and not the ice come April 13th.
Last nights game just further intensified the disappointing sensation that was emanating through Flames nation over the past week. A disallowed goal that from every conceivable angle was actually in the net was the final straw. The ‘non-goal’ allowed the Ducks an opening and they quickly took a two-goal lead and all but drove the final nail into the Flames coffin.