2008 Stanley Cup Playoff Predictions - Round 3

Okay, So I screwed up on Round 2 when posting my predictions. I got the matchups wrong. I wrote it in a hurry in a wifi-cafe when they were about to close. I went 1 for 4 on the last prediction section. Oops. Well, I have a 50-50 chance this round.


Western Conference

Detroit v. Dallas

Dallas really surprised me to have lasted this long. The second line with Richards is the real key to their success. Now, they have 2 scoring lines with the strength of their goalie. Detroit is just a great team who figured out how to scare off the ageism with Franzen and Datsuk. Do they have enough goaltending? Who will be in the pipes for next year? The team comparison is a tie, but the Detroit coaching is what settles it. (I am still hoping for Dallas)
Prediction: Detroit in 7

Eastern Conference


Pittsburgh v. Philadelphia
I am so pumped for this series. The Pens and Flyers are a great rivalry. Even though the Flyers won the season series this past year, the Pens have a new look and did not have Crosby in their line-up. Look for the Penguins to hyper charge it up, take the crowd's energy, and play like they are hungry for the Cup. The Flyers have to play physical and make the Penguins fold like the Canadiens did. That is their only hope.
Prediction: Pittsburgh in 5

Battle of Pennsylvania Continues

When I created the Battle of Pennsylvania @ Blogspot way back in 2005 as a response to the Battle of Ontario and Battle of Alberta blogs, I made it a mission to promote the Pens and Flyers rivalry to the rest of the hockey fandom world. It has been a daunting task, but certainly something that this blogger is up for. But I think that the key to appreciating this is actually having lived in Pennsylvania in either of the two cities Pittsburgh or Philadelphia or at the Battle of PA Maginot Line of State College.

"Neither team liked each other (then)," said Jones, "and it’s expected to be the same (now)."

The two teams, Flyers and Penguins, hate each other. You can confirm it by reading the trash-talking quotes in the newspapers and blogs. But in this entry, I will sum up the latest episodes in the feud.

This current incarnation's level is also raised because most of the Flyers and Penguins have already fought it out in the AHL minors and that memories continue to spill over into the NHL. Hockey fans in Pennsylvania are treated to a double dose of playoff hockey rivalries as the AHL Penguins and Phantoms are fighting through another round continuing their natural regional rivalry. The AHL Penguins are leading the 7 game series so far (2-1) and

Both teams coaches, Therrien and Stevens know each other from opposing each other in the AHL as well. Therrien often gets quoted on TV or in the papers acknowledging the increased intensity. Recently, he criticized Coach Stevens for running up the score in a game earlier this season.

My advice to those who don't live in the Keystone state, just enjoy the hockey. You are in for some really passionate games. Go read some of the other articles that are written about the two teams capsulizing their rivalry since their 1967 NHL inclusion. Yahoo! Sports NHL.com "Pennsylvania is hockey heaven"

Slovak League Repeats Champions

Sometimes, I get too focused on the local NHL scene here, but now and again I will check out the leagues and games going on in other places... because this is one of the basic rules of this blog. Hockey is a global game now. I hope to reflect some of that here.

Having grown up exposed to my family's Slovak heritage, I have rooting interests where my families came from, Bratislava and Košice. They are on the opposite ends of the country, much like a comparison to Pittsburgh and Philadelphia is here.

My two favorite Slovak Extraliga Teams HC Košice and HC Slovan Bratislava faced off against each other in the championship finale. Both teams are traditionally the two teams that spend the most on talent as they can afford them. When the final game had played out, it was HC Bratislava able to repeat as league champions. Congratulations to Bratislava on their accomplishments. A few familiar names on Bratislava's roster stood out as former players here in the States. I would recommend checking out both teams websites (it would also help if you knew how to read Slovak) about the teams as well as some of the other teams in the league.

Avery Shockingly Hospitalized After Loss

Sean Avery, the poster boy of hockey villainy, was admitted to a New York City hospital at 3 AM Wednesday morning. It is reported that he had undergone cardiac arrest. Rob Rossi of the Pittsburgh Tribune Review has reported back to ESPN 1250 that he is unconscious on a respirator. TSN has conflicting reports saying that Avery has a ruptured spleen.

No further speculation or reporting on this breaking news has been done.

COHF wishes a speedy recovery to Sean.


(Bad time to be with the movers and get scooped on this news, eh?)

Malkin Finalist for Hart Trophy

Russian Hockey Sniper Evgeni Malkin is one of the three finalists for NHL's Hart Trophy (Season MVP). Fans, reporters and other players took notice when Malkin took over the scoring race in Crosby's absence. This news is great for Malkin to perhaps give him some added motivation while playing in MSG tonight against the Rangers in Round 2 Game 3.

Alex Ovechkin and Jerome Iginla are the other two candidates for the league's MVP. We here at COHF were considering a Swiftboating campaign against these other two in hopes that Malkin would get some much needed recognition for his season this year. No word as to how many "super delegates" have already pledged their vote to Malkin or Ovechkin.

[Via: Pittsburgh Tribune Review]

BlueJackets Owner Dies

I guess if Doug MacLean is still interested in being an NHL owner, a spot in Columbus just opened up.

COHF would like to extend condolences to the McConnell family and Blue Jackets fans. This guy seemed really nice and contributed a ton to NHL hockey and the Columbus community. However, a glaring quote that popped out of the AOL article profiling the late owner

"I used to tell them: 'You don't have to win all the games. We know that. As long as you do your best out there, why, we're happy with you.' And that's what they did," McConnell said.

This is unfortunately the purveying tone the franchise has taken. This team just doesn't shoot high enough for my liking. Being satisfied with "doing your best" may be what is keeping this team from doing what is necessary for getting into the playoffs.

I expect a patch on next season's Blue Jackets team as the Blackhawks wore a WWW in honor of Mr. Wirtz this past season.

[Via: AOL Sports & BlueJackets Official Website]

2008 Stanley Cup Playoff Predictions - Round 2

So, the first round is over and I was able to correctly pick 6 of the 8 winners (75%). Minnesota let me down as well as Washington who could have had the media attention with a series featuring Crosby vs. Ovechkin. The first round was fun for a while, but lagged a bit when some fans impatiently waited for second round scheduling to begin. Here are my predictions and talking points that highlight the story lines of the series.


Western Conference

Detroit v. Colorado
Hey, did ya hear they are getting the band back together in Colorado? The Avalanche are riding their "Propecia Formula Goalie" Jose Theodore, something that is always desired in the playoffs. Dallas dumped the defending champs. That shows me that they can hang with the big boys. Sakic and Forsberg are ejoying things so far, which seems to fuel the Avs fans mood. Detroit knows in the back of their minds they were darned lucky for surviving the first round. Nashville had the Wings on the ropes but lacked the depth to put them away.
Prediction: Colorado in 5

San Jose v. Dallas
San Jose is notorious for choking in the playoffs and this is where their ride usually ends. Dallas just adapts well to what they need in any given series and Marty Turco holds down the fort as a solid top 5 goalie. The Stars are kind of boring and dull to talk about, something that the FAN 590's Bob McCown likes to point out.
Prediction: San Jose in 7

Eastern Conference

Montreal v. Philadelphia

Montreal looked like a war zone after the hard battle with rival Boston. Fitting they now take on the just-as-tough Flyers. If the Canadiens can stick to the same game plan as they did against Boston, then the Flyers will not pose much of a threat. The Flyers will go as far as Biron will take them. Look for the Flyers to rush the net and plow into Price to get him unnerved.
Prediction: Montreal in 6

Pittsburgh v. NY Rangers

Pittsburgh gets a break again going up against the NY Rangers who have a weak defense, but have enough veteran depth to score a few goals in the series. Fleury must be running at peak condition if the Pens can keep up with Jagr and Co... and something in my gut tells me that they can.
Prediction: Pittsburgh in 5