2008 Stanley Cup Final - zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

The playoffs of 2008 will go down as one of the most boring in recent years. I can't wait for it to be over. Don't worry folks, it will be over soon. This will not be a long series nor a good one. Sure, the NHL is loving having two "big" hockey markets in the final and happy that Canada has been shutout for the first time in three playoff years. They don't want any Canadian teams in the finals since they're still half-heartedly trying to woo the American market.

One question: why the hell did we have to wait 5 days before the finals started?? Last game of the third round was on Monday. The finals start Saturday. I still can't imagine what the reasoning behind this can possibly be. There is still a chance to have a Stanley Cup winner crowned in May (if the series goes only 4 games) but the NHL really didn't do themselves any favors by waiting so long. They could have hyped the finals big time; a guaranteed winner in May. How awesome would that have been?

Anyways, I am 9-5 thus far in the playoffs....

Detroit Red Wings vs Pittsburgh (Whiney Sid's) Penguins

Like I said before, this is going to be a very short and one-sided series. Everyone seems to be jumping on the Pens bandwagon and on their knees for Sid. It ain't happenin' folks. Wings will take it to the Penguins and this will be over quickly. Pens have no chance. They'll be lucky to win one game. Detroit will use their skill to overpower the young and mediocre defense of Pittsburgh all while shutting down the Pens quasi-big guns. This series is over before it starts. Pens got to the finals not by playing awesome but by playing teams who shot themselves in the foot again and again. Osgood has been very solid and he'll outplay Fleury easily. Wings in 5, falling short of winning the Cup in May.

It'll be over soon Oiler fans....it'll be draft time and free agency soon. Plus, voting for the Hall of Fame takes place very soon. Glenn Anderson will not be denied anymore and he'll finally get into the Hall this year. I can't see him being snubbed again. Lesser players have been chosen the past couple years ahead of him, won't happen again.

GOILERS!!!

Canada vs Russia

Surprisingly, this is the first time that Canada and Russia will face off in the World Championship gold medal game in 50 years. Yes, not since 1958 has there been a Canada-Russia final at the worlds (psst, Canada won that game and it wasn't exactly the gold medal game. It was the last game of the round robin). This is quite surprising but Russia has really sucked and hasn't won the worlds since 1993. So they will be super motivated for today's final. So will Canada, as they try to become the first team since 1986 to win the big game at home. This is going to be a killer game.

Russia is our hockey nemesis. Sorry US, it's not you. So this is the final everyone wanted to see. Too bad it's starting in the morning instead of being shown prime-time. They didn't want to compete with the Stanley Cup playoffs but you could at least put the gold medal game at a later time. It's one game. It's not like they're going head-to-head with the Stanley Cup Finals. The idiots at the IIHL need to get their heads examined for this decision. All of Canada's games during the tournament were also played during the afternoon. I guess they don't realize many of us have jobs and can't watch it. Good thing the final is on Sunday.

Anyways, this final will probably be one of the best ones in recent years. I'm excited!

Prediction: CANADA WINS of course by a score of 5-3. 2 goals from Heatley, 1 from Nash, 1 from Spezza and an empty netter for Getzlaf.

UPDATE: Dirty cheatin' Russians win. They score in OT on a penalty (bullshit call). Oh and our goalie sucked ass. Cam Ward: YOU SUCK! Seriously, Canada was up 4-2 heading into the third and he lets in 2 shit goals. Oh and Jovanovski....you also are full of suck.

Round 3

Is anyone still watching the playoffs? Yeah I agree. It's become quite boring. Round two killed my record. I started off at 7-1 and now I'm at 8-4. I blame the Rangers, Sharks and Habs for cocking it up. The Habs in particular dominated most of the games and yet lose. Some bad goal-tending and defensive play knocks them out when they really dominated the games. Too bad.
Round three predictions....even Fred and Barney are bored with this. But hey, we'll still watch (kinda) but these teams are bloody boring.

Pittsburgh Penguins vs Philadelphia Flyers

Neither team has impressed me that much. They're in the third round mostly due to the incompetence of their opponents. Maybe the Oilers will catch that kind of luck in next year's playoffs? That'd be sweet! Anyways, back to this year. Philly will finally give Sid the Whiney Kid and his Penguins a real challenge. Philly is tougher, grittier and more physical. Sid will need a pacifier when this series is done. Flyers in 6.

Detroit Red Wings vs Dallas Stars

Dallas is lucky to have made it this far. They barely got out of that San Jose series (even though being up 3-0 and were one shot from going to a 7th game) and let's face it, Detroit is rolling. They're going to roll over the Stars. Turco is only 2-10-5 against Detroit and has never won at the Joe. This will continue. Wings in 5.

There it is folks: Detroit vs Philadelphia in the 2008 Stanley Cup Finals. It hath been written!