2007-2008 Playoffs Round 2

Round Two starts tonight....anyone still care? Not really but since I went 7-1 in round one, let's give round two a go for predictions. I still don't like any of these teams (Ottawa was my number two team) but I'm vaguely cheering for the Habs. Why? Maybe because everyone thought they'd finish 13th or maybe because I'm still a big fan of Kovalev. I do enjoy those Russians. They're very unlike their European counterparts; they play a gritty and skilled game. Me likes!!!

Montreal Canadiens vs Philadelphia Flyers

The Habs almost crapped themselves in round one, letting the Bruins trap their way to a game seven. Their powerplay was anemic and Price was shakey for two games. However, I think this team rebounds nicely in round two, their powerplay comes alive and Price continues his performance from game seven. Habs in 6.

Pittsburgh Penguins vs New York Rangers

Whiney Sid will get an early exit this year. The first round against Ottawa was a cake-walk so they're coming into this series with too much rest and not enough game action. Henrik will out-play wee Fleury who will have a huge meltdown. Unfortunately, Avery will get into the third round. Damn. Rangers in 5.

San Jose Sharks vs Dallas Stars

San Jose got a huge wake-up call in the first round so I expect them to continue their good play and will take it to the Stars big time. We would all like to thank Dallas for bouncing Anaheim (thank you very much) but you're time is over. Texas rules but not this time. Dallas the TV show rocked but not the hockey team. See y'all. Sharks in 5.

Detroit Red Wings vs Colorado Avalanche

Colorado played a good series against the Wild (my only loss in the first round) and could continue their good play. They'll need a healthy Forsberg to stand a chance (update: not playing tonight due to his groin) and they might get the leg up on the Wings. Wings, similar to the Pens, had an easy series in round one and they sleep-walked through it. I don't think I saw one hit. Avs could take advantage but I still think the Wings prevail. Wings in 6.

Classy

"Everyone talks about how much class I don't have," Avery said after breaking a series-long silence. "Well it's the end of the series and men go to war against each other. I guess he forgot to shake my hand. I don't know if anyone saw that. Of course I was going to shake his hand."

Okay but you lost us at Fatso...

"Fatso there forgot to shake my hand"

Yes Avery, you still do not have class.

Signed for 6 (and 3)

Tom Gilbert has just been signed to a contract for six years. According to TSN, it is worth $4 million a year for 6 years. I like the deal. It sounds quite reasonable especially considering he was the Oilers best defenseman all year and he was a rookie. Yes, impressive!

I would think Lowe goes after Pitkanen next (although I heard he had started negotiations with three people prior to today's signing. Probably is Stoll and Pitkanen left and maybe Glencross who is our big UFA). Of course, there is still possibly Reasoner.

Anyways, I'm happy. I adore Gilbert. He's a very good defenseman.

TSN had a stupid conclusion in the story:

Edmonton now has a decision to make on Joni Pitkanen. The 24-year-old can become a restricted free agent and the Gilbert signing creates some doubt about the Oilers bringing him back.

I certainly don't think the signing of Gilbert affects whether they sign Pitkanen or not. Joni's uncertainty is due to money; not the lack of salary cap room (due to the signing of Gilbert) but more to the unreasonable salary demands of Joni and how he is not worth anything over $4 at this point in time. I'd rather the Oil sign him to a one year deal; see him develop a bit more before they sign him. Gilbert developed big time for us. Joni needs more improvement to get the big contract. I do find him quite the dynamic player and he can shift into the offensive zone quickly. However, he sucks defensively. He needs more work on his game before he gets big money.

UPDATE: Nilsson is signed to a three-year, $5.5 million contract so a 1.8 cap hit. I like this deal too. Nilsson proved himself and he's got killer chemistry with Cogliano and Gagner. That line is going to kill for years to come! Good deals!!

More info on Gilbert's contract: Gilbert will earn $3.5 million next season with a $1.5 million signing bonus, $3.5 million in 2009-2010, $5.5 million with a $1.5 million signing bonus in 2010-2011, $5 million in 2011-2012, $3.5 million in 2012-2013, and $3 million in 2013-2014 for a salary cap average of $4 million a season.

Nilsson will earn $1.5 million next season and $2 million in each remaining season.

2007-2008 NHL Playoff Predictions - Round 1

Playoffs starting tonight (Sens-Pens just dropped the puck) and yeah I'm watching. Although, my enthusiasm is slightly less since our Oilers aren't playing. But my belief in their future really makes a gal feel good.

I won a regular season pool with some friends by a very considerable margin. Let's try my luck at the playoffs now!!!

So here are some quick predictions. I'm doing this last minute, moments before the games start but hey, what the hell. Let's wing it!!! I went 13-2 last year (yeah I'm awesome) so let's try again!

Montreal Canadiens vs Boston Bruins

This is the one guarentee to NOT have an upset. Montreal won all 8 games during the year and very easily! Montreal will use their speed and powerplay to kick the Bruin's ass. This is probably your best bet for a sweep. Habs in 4.

New York Rangers vs New Jersey Devils

This is one of those series I don't give a damn about. Rangers are underachieving especially since overpaying for Gomez and Drury over the summer. I hope they lose big time. However, the trapping of today's game comes directly from those assholes in Jersey. I hope they lose too. Damn, one of these teams must win. This should be a goaltender's dual. Even though NY won 7 of 8 games during the season, 4 of them were in OT/SO. So this is a toss-up. I'm going against Marty Brodeur and say Rangers and Jagr show up! Rangers in 6.

Washington Capitals vs Philadelphia Flyers

Pittsburgh did not want to play Phily (as evidence by their tanking of the last regular season game). Washington will be in tough too. Sure Washington is on fire, coming back to make the playoffs. But let's face it....they've been playing mostly the shit teams of Florida, Atlanta, Tampa Bay, etc. That's an advantage. Sure Ovechkin is going to kill Philly but the Caps are a one player team. He can't win it all himself. Flyers in 6.

Ottawa Senators vs Pittsburgh Penguins

I'd love to call an upset here. Ottawa is the only other team in the NHL that I kinda cheer for. I hate Pittsburgh and that whiny pussy Crosby with a passion. I'm sick of his diving. You weren't shot Sid so stop 'fake dying' on us. Ottawa is floundering and without captain Alfredsson, this series is over before it starts for the Sens. They might make it tough for the wimpy Pens, but this is another solid bet. Penguins in 6.

Detroit Red Wings vs Nashville Predators

Nashville is getting their asses handed to them in this series. They might make it kinda competitive but Detroit is not choking this year. Nashville is no Edmonton. Wings have superstud in Zetterberg and Datsyuk. They'll get into goaltending issues in the subsequent rounds. This round it is not an option! Wings in 5.

Colorado Avalance vs Minnesota Wild

Boring series. The Wild will lull the Avs into a coma on their way to victory. Not even a healthy Forsberg can save this series. Maybe if this was 2000. But it is not, so Foppa and his Avs are out in the first round. Wild in 5.

San Jose Sharks vs Calgary Flames

Calgary actually thinks they're winning this series. There were even a couple dudes on Sportsnet predicting the Lames winning not only this series but the Stanley Cup. Come on dudes, be realistic. The Lames are lame. They are a team with no intensity, their goaltending has been off this year and you can't ride only Iginla. He'll score but no one else will. Sharks in 6.

Dallas Stars vs Anaheim Mighty Ducks

Ducks suck. Pronger is the devil. Stars use the Wild formula and comas all around. The end. Stars in 5.

Game 82

Last game of the season for our Oilers. Out are Hemsky (knee) and Brodziak (finger) and in is Sanderson, who will at least be playing his last game as an Oiler and possibly his last game ever.

Oilers play the Canucks and they have a good chance to play spoiler tonight. Canuckleheads are one point behind Nashville so a loss to the Oilers could seriously hurt their playoff chances. And I'm on board for that!!!

Anyways, even though the Oilers are out of the playoffs, I couldn't be any prouder of them. They battled to get into the race and that was nice to see. They played Oilers hockey finally: grit, speed and skill. It was nice to see that again. It had been awhile.

Oilers win tonight with Roli stealing the show (is this his last game as an Oiler as well?)!!!

UPDATE: Wait one minute folks, there is something more to tonight's game (if my calculations are correct. Preds win tonight and need one more win to this scenario to work, I think). Calgary is minutes away from losing to the Wild, which would keep them at 92 pts. Let's say Vancouver wins tonight and then beat the Lames on Saturday (in regulation), they would be tied at 92 pts. BUT....Vancouver would have one more win. Who would you rather miss the playoffs??? Calgary or Vancouver? That's an easy answer for me.

I hope our boys play hard tonight but if they happen to lose, I sure won't be too sad about it. The chance to take the Lames out of the playoffs would be soooooooo awesome!!!!

GOILERS!!

Battle of Alberta Part Deux

Battle of Alberta tonight again....Oilers must win to stay in the race for the playoffs! With only two games left, gotta win em both to stand a chance. The Oilers got a nice win over these very same Lames this past weekend.

Frankenstein (aka Pitkanen) is in tonight. Apparently, his groin is good to go! Alas, Garon is not playing tonight again. Roloson had a very solid game against Calgary so hopefully he can keep it up for another couple games.

I'm calling a HUGE win for the Oil.....they're going to kick the Lames and Celine all over that ice! 4-1 for the Oil.