Merry Christmas 2018

P4a 2018

Confessions of a Hockey Fanatic Takes on NHL Trade Deadline Day 2017

This year's Trade deadline day started off in the wee hours of Tuesday Feb. 28th with the Canucks starting their sell-off by sending the Jannik Hansen to the San Jose Sharks. It's still pretty taboo among teams and general managers to trade within the division. This will come into play later on in the afternoon.

There were a few trades that happened before the last 24 hours window, I think that pretty much set the market as far as who could get moved.

There were only two transactions this year where salary had to be retained Jarome Iginlas' was one of those transactions. The Avalanche are going to retain 50% of his salary. Could it be the best last chance of the Iginla Cup-chasing dream? The Kings are hoping so - after all it is an odd numbered year.

Then a rather shocking development happened within the last hour of the trade deadline show. The local team Pittsburgh Penguins have made a bold move by turning the valued defenceman Mark Streit, who was constantly burning the rival teams with goals, into one of theirs by acquiring him from Tampa Bay. I don't know if this was planned by the Lightning and Penguins, but it sure messes with the Flyers who probably didn't want a player of that caliber on a rival team.

I made a video of the day's highlights because I expected a rather dull day with plenty of wasted minutes just waiting for the reports and the tweets to come through with the news.
So, what do you think about the Trade deals made today and this week? Let me know in the comment box below.

Game of the Week Season 3: Minnesota Wild vs Philadelphia Flyers

Well, this week I decided to put two teams that I don't normally use in this week's Game of the Week. They don't meet each other much in the regular season, but the Wild and Flyers seem like a good match up where the Broad St. Bullies may be able to slow down the Wild's momentum in real life? Could a simulated scenario work just the same?

I was intrigued by the way Coach Boudreau would help out a team that was building something special with a bunch of key free agent signings. Did they get everything to gel?

In Philly, I don't know if they are going to say they are in a rebuilding process. They are clearly middling with an underachieving roster and a young coach that doesn't get people that excited about the process. Should the Philly community "trust the process" with the team?So, how did I do? Are you satisfied with this series? Are there two other teams that need featured in this Game of the Week series? Please tell me in the comments section below!
Do I need to use more junior teams or feature more teams from Europe? I don't quite know what you want from this series yet.

I don't think I do enough higher stakes games on the series. Perhaps I will do a Stanley Cup game between two random teams? So, make your predictions soon! What two teams will we see in the Stanley Cup finals this year? Pittsburgh versus Chicago?

Toronto Hosts Centennial Classic in Memorable Style

The NHL really knows how to make a big production of a big event and there is nothing bigger than the Outdoor game kicking off the NHL's 100th anniversary season. Of course, the league put the game on in "hockey's Vatican" believing it to be the most traditional site for a game like this to celebrate the history of the league. Starting off on a delay, the league post-poned the time so that the sun wasn't glaring on the ice. From the start, it looked like a great day for a hockey game like this one. It wasn't snowing or it didn't have sub-zero temperatures, but the game was ideal for vision and television cameras.

But once the introductions and pre-game festivities got underway, I got a little bored as the player introductions to the top 100 players of all time lagged on and on and on. Yes, every single player represented by their family member deserved their moment, after a while the need to get the game underway was palpable not only in my living room, but hopefully on the stadium. Then, the Anthems were sung with a total opposite production. The Star Spangled banner was loud and drawn out which makes a lot of Americans cringe. Anthem singers are supposed to be required to sing the song respectfully and not give their own stylistic interpretation. The Canadian anthem was the opposite who sung in a low subdued key. The fly-by of the jet was cool to look at as it soared through the city.

Then there was Wayne. Gretzky had just been in St. Louis for a hockey alumni game and now going through all the ordeals with the press and photo-ops in Toronto today. I wondered what time did he get to rest? Amazing at how much he just does what he's asked to do and no complaints later. By then, the Leafs and Wings were being brought out from the locker rooms. Breaking from the tradition of outdoor games bringing the teams to the rink, instead, they came out to theme music one at a time. With me in my old KOHO TML jersey, I saw how amazing the new Leafs centennial alternates look like in action. I think I want one now. Beauts! Both teams look impeccable with their jerseys this afternoon. And lets also give a lot of credit to the host BMO field, the now multi-purpose soccer pitch that looks majestic leaving nothing in the States to compare it to. This is what a stadium should look like. the 100 mold on the field was also a very nice touch.

The first period ended in a 0-0 snorefest, but there was some great quality chances interspersed with video highlight packages. Of course, Mr. and Mrs. Matthews were also in the crowd to talk about their son Auston.

In the first intermission we get treated to some Bryan Adams playing his hits and the audience singing along to Summer of 69.

The second period the NBC crew doubles down on trying to identify players for fans to keep an eye on. I can tell they want MI favored son Dylan Larkin to become a future leader on the Wings. But it was legacy NHL player Anthony Mantha to get the Wings on the scoreboard first. The other notable things from this period was the momentum swinging too-many-men penalty that the Leafs took while they were supposed to be on the PP. It's the kind of mental mistakes that wreck a growing team like the Leafs. And there was also the brief interview taken by a young leafs fan with a Matthews jersey. He looked really awkward standing in Jeremy Roenick's shadow.

More Matthews and Larkin profiles.

The third period started off with a rush of blue jerseys and "Uncle Leo" Komarov picking up a goal standing right in front of the net. But that wasn't the only thing that riled up the Leafs in front of their host crowd in the Stadium - a Matt Martin vs Steve Ott heavyweight bout put some energy into the game that has been mostly a defensive grinding affair. This turned into a Leafs scoring blitz by Brown, Matthews and Marner until a Jonathan Ericsson goal made things a little more interesting with 5 minutes left in the game. It's certainly turning into a Classic game to remember with the Toronto crowd getting their money's worth. Then Larkin, the kid the've been hyping the whole game, makes a great little flip over Andersen's right shoulder to bring it within one goal. 4-3 Leafs.

With the goalie pulled and prior to no time remaining on the clock, the Red Wings find the puck and shovel it in through a pile of bodies taking up the crease. And after a lengthy review, the game went to OT.

The overtime flow of a 3-on-3 game brought scoring chances to both teams, but it was Auston Matthews backhanding the puck over the Detroit goalie's shoulder.

As the game came to a close, I am at a loss for any answer that could suggest a game better than the one I just saw. The game turned out to be all it was hyped to be and leaves a follow up classic in St. Louis to try and match the same kind of drama and entertainment.

Merry Christmas 2016

In 2016, I had to overcome a larger role of my private family life as well as continued searching for more personal income. But my continued perseverance towards the Confessions of a Hockey Fanatic blog remain undaunted.So, this year, in light of my continued struggles, I've decided to go minimalist towards my Christmas decorations. But while I do this, I hope you're all enjoying the holiday season, I hope you're enjoying all the hockey season as well!

Thanksgiving (American) Tournament Tradition

In the short holiday time that the kids get a break from school, those who choose to pursue their hockey goals and

stuff.....

Game of the Week - Washington Capitals vs New York Rangers 9/11 Memorial Game

It's been 15 years since that horrible day in September when the modern world saw the horror of an unprovoked attack changing all our lives forever. 9/11 is a day of continued mourning, but as the years go by, we are strengthening our national resolve to forge ahead to higher peaks of human fortitude.

Once again, the Confessions of a Hockey Fanatic continues it's tradition of playing out a simulated game between the New York Rangers and the Washington Capitals.

Last year, I chose the New York Rangers, so to mix it up, I chose to control the Capitals. Will I finally break the losing streak against the CPU and win in my last game broadcasting with EA Sports NHL 16?

Thank you to all those who serve in the military, police, firefighters, and first responders. Without your courage, we have no examples of human bravery.

RIP
Mark Bavis and Garnet "Ace" Bailey

Game of the Week - USA Hockey vs. Hockey Canada + Bonus Shootout

As the old hockey season finally comes to a close, so too Confessions of a Hockey Fanatic turns the page on NHL 16 as the featured game simulator. I can't wait for NHL 17 to come out and have yet another Midnight Release Party of NHL 17 via Twitch.tv and later uploaded to Youtube.

I wanted to feature Canada and USA in this last Game of the Week. I think it's an interesting story developing within each hockey national program whereas the next core group of NHL caliber superstars are all coming together in the World Cup. Does McDavid outshine and reach the Cup before USA prospects Eichel and Matthews? Has the USA program surpassed the Canadian rival in dominance?

I chose to be the Americans in this simulation against the CPU Canadians tweaked roster. We'll see here as Confessions of a Hockey Fanatic simulates USA vs Canada in the Game of the Week - international style!
But as an added bonus, here is a shorter video of the Shootout match-up between USA and Canada.
Be sure to check out my Midnight Party Release of NHL 17 on the morning of Sept. 13th seen right here on Confessions of a Hockey Fanatic!

Game of the Week - Hershey Bears vs Manitoba Moose

Things are starting to really trend southwards for HockeyKnight vs the PS4's CPU. Eventually, I will get a win over it - but I need to learn some better defensive tactics. As you can tell in this series, I'm constantly getting scored on. Maybe NHL 17 will be better for me. But as the series comes to a close with the NHL 16 game, I wanted to choose two teams that I haven't used yet online.

The Hershey Bears are a dominant AHL team always in the hunt for the Calder Trophy. I was supposed to go out there maybe once this past season, but it didn't work out. The Manitoba Moose are back into the AHL once again with a new affiliate in the Winnipeg Jets. Not sure if I really like the color redesign to match the Jets colors, but at least they're still around. They have a really fun mascot.Should I just give up on this series against the CPU? Let me know in the comments section below. But if there is a team that you want to see featured in the Game of the Week - leave that in the comments section below!

Game of the Week - Team Great Britain vs Team France

I don't know if I should acknowledge the international competition going on right now this week in South America in a tie-in to this week's "Game of the week". The IOC is pretty strict on people siphoning off their brand. So, this is not such a thinly veiled attempt at aligning this week's game to reflect a certain International flavor.I chose to go with Great Britain this time around believing that I could do well against their historical rival France. But what I didn't realize that team France includes a couple of guys who are with NHL major league caliber. Am I going to fight with honor -- FOR ENGLAND AND THE CROWN??? Tune in to find out.

Game of the Week - HC Vítkovice Steel vs HC Kometa Brno

Well, since I was hoping to get this series some traction, I tried a little more diversity in the team selection. I noticed that I haven't used any of the teams in the Euro leagues, so here goes two of the random teams in the Czech Extraliga.

I chose HC Vítkovice Steel vs HC Kometa Brno as I was also looking forward to the upcoming Slovak Day in Kennywood. Will my choice in team succeed or fail? Did I handicap myself with another low ranked team against a good team that I'm unaware of? Or did the CPU just kick my ass again?

Amanda Kessel Drinks From Stanley Cup - And We're Okay With It.

Credit: The Score

It's an unwritten rule of honor (or "code") that only those NHL players who actually WIN the Stanley Cup may lift it over their heads or drink beverages from it. I was previously made aware of the "rule" when the Stanley Cup had made it's way through my local area in 2009. But Amanda Kessel's time with the Stanley Cup accompanied her brother Phil, also included a sip from the hallowed trophy even though she didn't play for the Penguins.

I'm curious as to find out just how scandalous this really is around the hockey community. She is a star player for the USA women's national team and a great player in her own right, but does she get to do what only elite players who earn the Cup do?

I think it's the simple reason that she's already a professional player in the NWHL's New York team that isn't designated to play for the Cup championship. Since it's not the same as a male NHL equivalent, Amanda here has been given the pass from criticism. But does this mean I'm allowed to do this because I, too, will never get to know what it's like to play for the Stanley Cup? Do heads-of-State get to lift the Cup over their heads in salute to the team's success?

I suppose it's of little matter regarding scandal when the Cup has been in Mario's pool twice.

Where do you stand on this issue? Does Amanda get a pass because she's allowed to celebrate with her brother? Or should she have stayed away from the Cup leaving only those who have earned the drink as a special privilege?

Game of the Week - "Shark Week" 2016

It's that time of year where in the summer months, people relax on the beach, or stay at home and watch some hockey!

Shark Week is very popular in the American culture. Of course, I had to tie in a game with EA Sports' NHL 16 recently. Here is the results of that game! Instead of giving myself the obvious favorites to win, I handicapped myself with the intent to give a challenge.

The Cologne Sharks are in the German Elite League and the way the team is set up, it doesn't look promising. The starting goalie for the German Sharks has a 74 overall rating.

So, did I at least make a game out of it?

NOTE: I'll be changing the Game of the Week to Tuesdays this summer so that I can hopefully capture more people with it instead of a late Thursday night. Be sure to subscribe to my channel on twitch to get notifications when I go live streaming!

HockeyKnight1921 - Twitch.tv

Hockey Fanatic Awards 2016

The Confessions of a Hockey Fanatic invented it's own Awards system on the hopes that it could be seen as an alternative to the NHL Awards since they always seem to get things wrong. The NHL Awards Show were on tonight with comedian Will Arnett as the host this time around. It was certainly yet another safe choice for the NHL productions as they tried to stay far away from negative social media critics and bloggers.

Note: Despite the NHL not regarding playoff performances in their awards, the COHF blog does.

Most Valuable Rookie: Connor McDavid

You have to give it to the kid even after he busts up his shoulder. He lost close to half the season and still finished in the top of the rookie class in scoring. Great for him and great for the future of the Edmonton Oilers franchise.

Most Valuable Player: Alex Ovechkin

While a certain winger for the BlackHawks was DQ'd for this honor, I instead chose the one guy who hauled his team through the regular season to earn them another President Trophy honor. 

Most Valuable Coach: Mike Sullivan

Who else but Coach Sullivan who came in at a critical time to the Penguins franchise and sold to them a new focus and plan to turn around a mess of a season.

Most Valuable Defenseman: Erik Karlsson

He's the captain of a Senators team that doesn't have much to work with in a situation that's got them on the bubble of being a playoff team or a lottery drafting team. Karlsson is your prototypical blueliner that out-scores the rest of the field.


Most Valuable Goalie: Martin Jones

To come out of backup obscurity to lead his team into the Cup finals should make everyone take notice of him now.

It almost went to Carey Price for the sheer notion that his team sunk faster than the Titanic once he was injured for the year. Just goes to show you how much he was missed and needed.

Most Valuable NHL Slovak player: Tomas Tatar

He was the leading "point-getter" and goal scorer in the NHL last season leading his team to yet another consecutive playoff appearance. His teammate Jurco was 8th out of 10.

Most Valuable Teammate Tandem/Trio :  Haglund, Bonino Kessel

Okay, I'm making an excuse to go with the extra player in the "tandem" category because much like my hockey area have been all caught up in the HBK line. It produced more fan interest and made fans out of the most unlikeliest of sources. Pittsburghers and media groups were quick to make a celebrity out of the Punjabi broadcaster with the "Bonino" goal calls. So, the cultural impact and the growth of the game is credited to these three people.

Most Valuable General Manager: Jim Rutherford

Even though the Pens were having a rough first part of the year, Mr. Rutherford was able to make a few more tweaks and hire a coach to turn things around in a really dramatic fashion. 

Most Valuable Ice Girls: Philadelphia Flyers

Not only are all Ice Girls valuable and provide an honorable service to both the fan base and the team as ambassadors of the sport, but the Flyers group really stand up proud.

Most Valuable Fanbase: St. Louis Blues

I think a team that had the cleverest gimmick all year was appealing to the Canadian fan base trying to get their support throughout the playoffs. Maybe it worked, there are no records or polls of how many fans they gained. But I think a fan base that was willing to work that hard to grow their numbers to cities further away from the "gateway to the west".

2016 Stanley Cup Playoff Predictions - Round 3

I don't know if the Penguins are considered to be as a "shocking upset", but they did seem to upset a lot of Capitals fans and mainstream media personalities as well. It's amazing what the Penguins have been doing, because it's been without their top two stars. Crosby is 3g and 7a for 10p in 11 games played. Malkin is 3g and 6a for 9p in 10 games played. This is not going to get either of these players Conn Smythe considerations for playoff MVP. I don't think this is sustainable now that they've gone this deep into the tournament. We here are going to wait and see how the team adjusts to the next challenge.

As for the San Jose Sharks, It's Stanley Cup or bust with them. Their beards can't get any bigger than they are - or can they? Their elder statesmen have to ride off together because if they don't, then surely they are going to reconstruct the roster without them.

The excitement must be really huge in Southern California this year as well as the possibility of Blues fans seeing a Finals appearance in 49 years.

Let's break it down a little further below:


Western Conference


St. Louis v. San Jose
St. Louis now got it in their heads that they can be world beaters and fight off the best teams in the NHL. The Blues haven't been to the Stanley Cup finals, but they've gotten to the Conference finals back in the Gretzky days. I'd expect to see a real tired group of players with the Sharks and Blues to play a slow prodding Game 1. They've extended their playoff games to playing 14 games already. They're beat up. Both of them. I'd give the edge in goaltending with the Blues. Allen and Elliot are a great tandem, but just makes the old truism still relevant: "Having two starting goaltenders means you 'aint got one". Look for Thornton and Pavelski to cram a few goals out through their sheer force of beard will. I'm rooting for Jaden Schwartz to get to the finals considering all he has gone through.

Prediction: Blues in 5


Eastern Conference


Pittsburgh v. Tampa Bay

I'd say that the Lightning team is only the second team that truly threatens to derail the Pittsburgh Penguins hot playoff run. Matt Murray has been playing above his pay grade for months now in Fleury's absence. They've created somewhat of a controversy, but Coach Richards has indicated that he's going to go with the "hot hand". But then, when will Fleury get a chance knowing full well he's their number one guy and having not been in a game for months is not good. He could be very rusty the next time they need him. Tampa's goalie doesn't have this problem. Bishop is 8-2 with a .938 GAA. Look for Drouin to extend his desire to be the "next one" in Tampa. He wants to be treated like a franchise player, so NOW is the time to show it. I don't think the 'Bolts have the kind of depth that the Penguins have in Defense. Victor Hedman is their true #1, but other than that, they've got average NHL talent there. The Penguins will move the puck out of the zone quicker with Maatta, Letang, and Daley.

Prediction: Penguins in 6

Coaching Carousel Creates Caustic Canadians Cantankerous Cacophony

It didn't take very long for the Ottawa Senators and the Minnesota Wild to find replacements to their underachieving former coaching staffs. But there is a few glaring things that the mainstream media isn't quite talking about (or find enough reason to bring up) is that these two coaches hired within days of one another are retreads from other NHL teams. And then there are the Montreal Canadians who sources tell me have fans that are quite tired of Michel Therrien's second tour of duty there. They demand a French-Canadian coach and two of them have just been gobbled up by other teams. And as a side note, Marc Crawford, who is assumed to, wants to get another kick at the can and getting an assistant job with the Senators.

Bruce Boudreau has come from successful teams with the Capitals and Ducks, however, both of those teams have underachieved mightily. He had plenty of success building teams in the ECHL and American Hockey League before getting the call up to Washington D.C. His system brought a new resurgence to the Capitals utilizing Ovechkin in more ways than one by making him more of a two-way player. But his welcome was worn out by mid-season of 2011. The Ducks were also in a state of disarray looking for some way to generate offense easier than the Randy Carlyle coaching style. But again, the same pattern emerged as Bruce's playoff impotence arose once again. I think the Minnesota Wild will have a new direction with Bruce, but once they get into playoff contention, are the Wild going to go home early in the playoffs too? They already have that now with the coaches they had. This is where the bigger complaint of more rehashing of coaches comes from in guys that never seem to win at the major league level. Will the Wild just use Bruce to get them into better shape and then promote someone else to take over from there? We'll keep an eye out on how this new hire in the Twin Lakes transpires.

Guy Boucher on the other hand is another familiar face. Besides being a stand-in for a 007 villain, Boucher has been in a few teams before getting fired and winding up coaching in Switzerland. He's another guy similar to Boudreau in that he's been successful in the American Hockey League and the Quebec Major Junior League. He developed players for the Canadians in Hamilton, expecting to be called up eventually. But the Canadians went another way retreading Therrien and Boucher took the Tampa Bay Lightning job. He didn't last long in Tampa only fighting through some lean years and eventually getting fired in his third year of a four year contract. Again, I don't understand how Boucher could do better than what Ottawa had given that his past track record in the NHL isn't a great resume.

Senators general manager Pierre Dorion said they interviewed "just under 10" candidates to be their new coach.

The CBC article doesn't list the rest of the names they spoke to, but I wonder how many new names that could've gotten a chance to coach at the NHL level.

The "Rooney Rule" in the NFL is supposed to bring about changes in their coaching world exposing new candidates instead of rehashing familiar faces. It could very well work out for both Boudreau and Boucher in their respective teams, but once they get to a certain point, is it going to be another trip to the chopping block?

[Via:FOX Sports and CBC News]

To Err Is Human, To Forgive is Divine...

There was no further need to accelerate the vitriolic hate that permeates the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals rivalry. In this series, a new chapter to the Pens/Caps rivalry is written with many players switching teams. Capitals with 4 former Penguins while Pittsburgh has one key ex-Capital.

During game two, a face familiar to both teams had thrust himself into the national spotlight as Brooks Orpik had laid out young Finnish defenseman Olli Maatta. My first thoughts weren't of anger initially, but immediate concern for Maatta's well-being. Then the play was stopped as the NBC broadcast camera starts to pan in towards rubbery Maatta laying prone on the ice. He was KO'd before he even hit the ice surface. Once the whistle had sounded, I looked and expected the referee to motion towards the guilty forty-four for a long stay in the penalty box. None were forthcoming.

I guess once the initial shock had worn off, disappointment and disbelief arrived to find that a once respected hero athlete who wore the black & gold for many seasons delivered a vicious hit to a former teammate. People still wear Orpik's jersey to games and never quit mentioning the trivial origins of his first name as connections to a legendary Penguins coach. Orpik is remembered fondly in Pittsburgh as a rough and tough player who leveled Red Wings players with heavy bodychecks when appropriate. Now that he wears the enemy's colors, are Penguins fans forced to condemn and make hyperbolic statements about him? 

I could wildly speculate a little deeper to what might Orpik had been thinking. He had been playing Maatta closely, but swoops back in toward to set a huge hit well after the puck sailed far away. Did Orpik target Maatta knowing that he was made expendable in the Penguins organization? Was revenge on his mind? Or was there clearly no thought process at all?

Today, Orpik owned up to his actions while making a classy statement:

Orpik accepted responsibility for the head hit he delivered that injured Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Olli Maatta, saying his three-game suspension was “fair” and that he made a “pretty bad mistake.”

He then went on in reports to explain that he told the Capitals that the Penguins would buckle under the pressure if they played a strong body checking game. He'd seen it happen before.

But now that I've heard his reactions to the steep 3 playoff game suspension, I've settled with Orpik emotionally. I can't ever condone what he did to the young Penguins player who had already been beset with injuries, but the matter is settled and closure is achieved. I forgive Orpik's reckless play.

However...

It still leaves a few other directions to channel my disgust and anger. The referees who didn't call a penalty on Orpik and towards the Barry Trotz who suggested that the Penguins got preferential favoritism when the suspension was handed out. Trotz must have been channeling his inner- Stan Van Gundy. I recall Van Gundy tried to win "the war" of public opinion in the press by claiming that superstars always get the in-favor bias with the front office and officials.

The sensible thing would be that the inflammatory rhetoric Trotz used in his vague allegations would be laughed off, but in this case, he's looking to further incidents like this one in hopes that pressure might sway things back in their hands.

The referees made a mistake by not awarding this disastrous hit a 5-minute major penalty. At worst it's a match penalty. Did the referees decide or expect the Penguins to retaliate with hits of their own targeting their former player? Would justice be served by allowing Orpik to skate freely with a perennial target on his back? The more I think about the mistake the referees made, the angrier I get at surely having to listen to know-it-all pundits who feast on verbally pummeling the NHL for not taking better care of their players and doling out stricter penalties.

So, the Pens/Caps rivalry has yet another chapter forged between them in history. It's not like the playoffs weren't already raised up. But the rage-filled debate will yet again. For that, I can't tolerate another hit like Orpik's.

2016 Stanley Cup Playoff Predictions - Round 2

Thank you, St. Louis Blues, for ruining my Stanley Cup predictions bracket for the second year in a row! Last year, I'd thought that it was finally going to be the Blues' year to get over the playoff hump and contend for further play. I'd even advised others on the Blues potential with the confidence of selecting them in my playoff brackets. They "screwed" me. This year, I was determined not to be fooled again by the Blues' chances. Thanks for the bittersweet job you did against the Hawks in the first round and eliminating them. So to the second round, we all go with plenty of new faces to talk about. Will there be a "shocking upset" in this round?


Western Conference


St. Louis v. Dallas
St. Louis is certainly playing inspired hockey as they've just taken down a perennial Cup contender in the Hawks. I was really glad to see that Jaden Schwartz has a point-per-game pace with 7 points in the playoffs. His late sister would've been proud of him, I'm sure. But the Stars are on a real resurgence behind their captain Benn. Look for him to add to his scoring totals. But in the end, I think the Blues goaltender Allen will hold up his part of the bargain and keep them in most all games this series.

Prediction: Blues in 5

Nashville v. San Jose
Here's another series with two more teams that can't seem to move on and underachieve in the playoffs. This might be the last ride for the Sharks as currently constructed. Their aging vets Thorton, Pavelski, and Marleau are plodding along with fan favorite Brent Burns and all his woolly hair are making their mark on the NHL leader boards so far. As for Nashville, their success rides on their goalie Pekka Rinne. But beyond Weber and Neal, I don't think they have enough depth to survive another series with a team that desperately wants to win.

Prediction: Sharks in 6



Eastern Conference


New York Islanders v. Tampa Bay
This is going to be a really interesting series with these two teams. Even though I was leaning towards an upset from the Panthers, the now veteran Islanders will have to continue their good luck with the Lightning team that's the defending Conference champs. I expect Ben Bishop to earn more respect with his recent Vezina trophy nomination. Also, the 'Bolts young star Drouin has to earn his playing time and prove to the owners that he belongs on the ice at the major league level. Tavares needs this win big if he is going to earn elite superstar status that was once expected of him.

Prediction: Lightning in 6

Washington v. Pittsburgh
The mainstream media have already picked sides and promote their agendas to get further attention to this playoff series. It's at least prevalent to me in both US and Canadian broadcasts. But there's also an underpinning of regret that this series isn't for the Stanley Cup because of the unpopular changes proposed to the playoff seeding years ago suggesting that the Conference finals could be wiped out. They just had to get around the fact that Ovechkin and Crosby compete in the same division/conference. I believe with time to heal on the first round and time to re-align the linemates for this series, the Penguins can run all over the Capitals. Look for Fleury to return in net at some point during the series.

Prediction: Penguins in 7

Frozen Four Pick Em 2016

I recently read that the odds of picking a perfect bracket in the other sport is the virtually impossible one in 9.2 Quintilian. I would like to re-introduce you to the nation-wide phenomenon of prognosticating the tournament winners in this year's Frozen Four tournament aka the NCAA Division 1 Ice Hockey Championships.

Confessions of a Hockey Fanatic Official Bracket for 2016

Above is the bracket that I carefully picked based upon the college hockey that I've been steadily increasing in watching now that the major 24/7 sports cable networks have been airing them. Of course, I'm a little disappointed to see my alma mater not on that bracket just yet. But I'm still giving them time to grow the program and develop some cache credibility.

But based upon the actual teams listed on this tournament, I feel that it's a real exciting opening first round as many of these schools have been visited the last four remaining in prior championship runs.

The biggest first round game standing out has to be the Notre Dame and Michigan game. With the recent news that Notre Dame will be joining the Big Ten (B10) next season, this is a measuring stick for Notre Dame against one of the biggest teams in college hockey and will be facing them on a regular basis. Michigan has clearly benefited from the area willing to make a big spectacle. They've been playing outdoor games and I'm sure a lot of the top quality kids who want to play NCAA level want to play in Michigan just for that experience alone.

I'm giving the more dominant Michigan Wolverines the benefit of the doubt to take their dominate Big 10 (B10) run and take care of the Hockey East conference teams.

Tampa Bay will return to be the host city of the NCAA Frozen Four since they last hosted it in 2012.