What an amazing, amazing loss by the Leafs tonight. I love it. That made my night.

Peace,
Mike.

Oilers finally won!

I kind of can't wait for the playoffs this year, especially in the West. It seems like Anaheim, Vancouver, Minnesota, and San Jose are all fully geared up for the playoffs, all those teams don't look ready to lose. And then that's not including the teams with the top 2 records, Nashville and Detroit, who I don't have as much faith in, but are still obviously strong. It's gonna be a clash of the titans-esque playoffs in that conference.

...and now back to our losing ways.

Good to read that the Bruins showed up for tonight's game. Too bad that didn't happen two weeks ago when it counted.

Well, every team in the West except for Calgary has now clinched a playoff spot, and the Flames are getting close. Whereas, in the East, only Buffalo, New Jersey, Ottawa and Pittsburgh have clinched. Even though the East has a more exciting playoff race, the top eight in the West are so much stronger than the top eight in the East (whatever they will be). I can see any team in the West make the finals, whereas I can only see Buffalo, New Jersey, or Ottawa make it from the East (Pittsburgh too inexperienced).

Also, I'm thinking of doing the playoff prediction game again. Anyone interested?

Sure.

West is all over the place right now, other than the Flames getting 8th, every other ranking and possible match-up is completley in the air. If I'm someone in the West I don't want to play Vancouver, Minnesota, or San Jose, and I want to play Nashville, Detroit, and Dallas... Calgary is actually in a good position in that they automatically get upset-able Predators or Wings, no worries about going against one of those unstoppable top 3, heh.

Yeah, I agree the Preds are the most vulnerable in the West, even though they're in top spot. They've never got out of the first round and their goaltending is shaky (Vokoun didn't look too good last night vs. the Oilers). Their record is also inflated from playing in the very weak Central Division. Calgary could very well upset them, a la Edmonton over Detroit last year.

The Canucks could ride Luongo a ways, just like Edmonton with Roloson and Calgary with Kiprusoff. Turco sucks in the playoffs, so if it's Vancouver vs. Dallas round one, Canucks should be easy victors.

I see the West breaking down like this:
1. Nashville vs. 8. Calgary
2. Anaheim vs. 7. Minnesota
3. Vancouver vs. 6. Dallas
4. Detroit vs. 5. San Jose

And the East:
1. Buffalo vs. 8. Montreal/Carolina (could be either of them, Buffalo's gonna win anyways)
2. New Jersey vs. 7. New York Rangers
3. Atlanta vs. 6. Tampa Bay
4. Ottawa vs. 5. Pittsburgh

I really can't wait for the playoffs.

It's so gay that the potential #2 ranked team in the league (Detroit) can be ranked 4th in their CONFERENCE...

I've been waiting six years for Pittsburgh to make the playoffs again.

Coming into the last week of the season now...

Colorado's really giving Calgary a run for their money, but I think they'll just fall short. They won again today, and Calgary's playing Vancouver tonight, so it really depends on that game. And then the Flames and Avalanche meet on Tuesday, which will really decide it.

Islanders and Hurricanes are done in the East, I think. With DiPietro out, and Dunham playing like shit, New York is pretty screwed, and the Hurricanes have now lost three in a row because Ward kinda sucks. He's really fallen off from last year. Definitely more Giguere than Ken Dryden.

Florida's come on really strong, and now have a legitimate shot to make the playoffs - only two points behind NYI/Car now. Tampa's probably in now, so the last two spots look to be between NYR, Montreal, and Toronto, with NYI, Carolina, and Florida having outside chances.

Lecavalier scored his 50th last night, first player this season to get it. He's pretty much clinched the goal scoring title, he'll be the first French Canadian to win the Rocket Richard trophy. Crosby has heated up again, he's eleven points ahead for the scoring title. I can't see how they won't give him the MVP, the Penguins at the top of their division is proof of that. Same with Therrien for the coach of the year - Penguins have gone from last in the conference to division leaders in one season, that's insane. Luongo deserves the Vezina, he and Brodeur both have a shot to set the record for wins, but Brodeur's got a better defense in front of him. The fact that they've got roughly the same GAA even though Brodeur has twice as many shutouts speaks volumes as well.

My early prediction for the final: Anaheim/Buffalo. Last year's two conference final losers given a chance to redeem themselves.

Florida's actually 4 points out. I still don't see them catching up.

I actually think Anaheim is a potential first-round upset. Right now the team in 7th is Minnesota, who's been one of the very best teams in the last couple months, well until they clinched their playoff spot and seemingly stopped trying... Which actually might be a very beneficiary idea, since Vancouver and San Jose would be brutal teams to play first round, while Nashville, Detroit, and maybe Anaheim, are vulnerable... 7th or 8th ranking is perfectly fine for them I bet.

I'll write up full playoff predictions when the season is over, but right now I think the Canadian finalist trend will continue with Vancouver or Ottawa, leaning towards Ottawa because like the Indianapolis Colts, it has to happen sometime, and this year they don't have as much pressure without the 1st seed.

I'll say San Jose and Ottawa.

The Red Sox just had to be off tonight, didn't they? I'm now stuck with watching the Bruins.

If one thing has become glaringly known, it's that the Bruins need another goal scorer. Once Murray went down, their offense became non-existent. That and a #1 goalie. Maybe they have it with Toivenen (Who was very good tonight), but they most likely don't.

And what the fuck is with the Devils firing their head coach? The Bruins don't fire Dave Lewis and are in 13th, but the Devils fire their guy and they're in second? It's worked for Amarillo (Sp?) before, but that's just odd.

It's Lamoriello. And yeah, it's pretty crazy. There must have been some personal stuff going on, because there's absolutely no professional reason to fire your coach if you're in second place in the conference. I'd question his choice, but he did this before and they won the cup, so...

I also really dislike him. Pulling stunts like this, plus his team has got to be one of the most boring ones in hockey. And they beat the Sens tonight. Oh well, at least Brodeur tied the record for wins in a season.

The playoff race really heated up tonight. Florida lost, so they're out; Carolina lost, they're just about out; Islanders beat Rangers in a shootout, keep their hopes alive; Leafs, Canadiens + Lightning all won, move closer to getting in; Sabres won, clinch top spot. It's craziness.

Oh, and the Oilers lost 3-0. Boo fuckin hoo.

The Oilers are one really sad team right now. The loss tonight was the fifth straight, their eighth in a row on the road, and they have lost 17 of 18 games!! I mean, yikes. That's bad. They've also been outscored 65-21 in that stretch. *shudder*

Peace,
Mike.

Way to rub it in, Mike...

Is there any particular reason why Roloson is the goalie in your sig?

Heh, sorry. Honestly, no. That's just how the picture was. I'd rather it be Raycrap or Imbecile Emery.

Peace,
Mike.

Biggest game of the year tonight: Leafs vs. Habs. Chance for the Habs to clinch that final playoff spot.

I am already so nervous. I haven't been able to get anything done today since my mind is preoccupied with tonight.

Peace,
Mike.

The game tonight is gonna draw a ton of fans. I'll even be watching it.

I am pulling for the Habs to win...

My team is Pittsburgh, but I don't even care about their game tonight. It's all about the Habs and the Leafs.

Tomorrow I become the biggest Islanders fan ever. EVER.

Peace,
Mike.

What a game. Insane. Crazy. I couldn't believe it.

Too bad about the outcome, though...

That was an amazing game. Devils tie it up with only 0.7 seconds left, and then the Islanders win in a shootout! They really stretched the Leafs fans' hopes out big time.

Islanders win and the Leafs are out of the playoffs. All is right with the world...

Peace,
Mike.