Stanley Cup Final Prediction

Here we go, the final prediction of the NHL season. So sad...

Ottawa v Anaheim - While the American networks may not like this match-up (what am I saying, may?), these two teams have proven that they are the two best clubs in the NHL.

Ottawa, to many people's amazement, have only lost 1 game in each of their three series against Pittsburgh, New Jersey, and Buffalo. But, the Eastern Conference was the weaker conference all season long, and they probably would not have had such an easy trip to the finals had they played in the West.

Anaheim also had a fairly easy trip this postseason. After disposing with Minnesota and Vancouver with relative ease, they recovered from a 5-0 debacle against the Red Wings to win 3 straight and knock out Detroit.

Offensively, Ottawa is vastly superior. Defensively, the Senators do have more depth, but Pronger and Niedermayer are better than any single Ottawa blueliner. In goal, J.S. Giguere has a Conn Smythe Trophy, and, incredibly, has only 1 overtime playoff loss in 13 games.

It'll be a long series, probably 7, and in a series like this, those overtime games can swing the momentum enough to tip the scales of a even series.

In the last 2 seasons, a non-traditional hockey market (Carolina and Tampa Bay) has defeated a Canadian team (Edmonton and Calgary) in 7 games. They have also had home ice in those series.

I like history...

Ducks in 7.

Record: 10-4

Jays losing consistency (not consistently)

In the past week for Toronto, the Jays have managed to follow every win with a loss, having alternated wins and losses since sweeping the Orioles on May 16.

The Jays managed to squeak out an extra inning win in Baltimore on Thursday, thus winning that series. However, Toronto lost 2 of 3 in Minnesota, winning their only game of the series in extra time as well.

Toronto returns north of 49 tomorrow to host the Yankees for the first time this year. Chicago comes to town this weekend.

Toronto (22-27)

A Disgusting Turn of Events

On Saturday afternoon, I was watching Game 5 of the Ottawa-Buffalo series on CBC, a game that eventually went to overtime with the Senators winning the game and the series, heading to their first Stanley Cup Final in team history.

For viewers in the United States, they may have missed the end of this game because NBC, the league's U.S. network partner, switched their coverage over to the pre-race show for the Preakness Stakes.

Overtime hockey bumped for talking about a horse race. Only in America.

A couple of points are necessary here before I rant against this atrosicity. First, NBC's contract with horse racing required it to go to pre-race coverage; that deal was in place before the league signed with NBC. Also, ratings for the pre-race show was nearly triple that of the hockey game.

Now, the NHL needs to realize that afternoon hockey doesn't work like basketball, football, and baseball do in the States. For Sunday's Ducks-Wings game, any viewers that would be on the fence about watching would likely be on ABC, where the Spurs-Jazz series began at the same time.

Us Canadians know that evening hockey works, and there's no reason to think that it won't work in the U.S.. Hockey is not as popular as the 3 major sports right now down south, but it can be. With the right programming.

Secondly, with this pre-existing condition in place, the league should have had the gumption to overrule the network showing its product and schedule the game at night, even if it would then be on Versus.

You can't blame NBC for this debacle; a contract was in place, and ratings would triple if they dumped the overtime period onto Versus. But this incident speaks to a bigger problem for the NHL - ever since the lockout, they have no leverage with the networks in the U.S., and they need to change that, even if that means losing them altogether.

In the end, I'm glad my television was tuned to CBC. Too bad American hockey fans didn't have that option.

Maybe I should delay posts more often...

When I last posted, the Jays had lost 3 straight series in sweeps, and I said that if they didn't turn it around in a hurry, changes would be necessary for the team's success.

Since then, Toronto beat Texas in 2 of 3, then swept Baltimore at home. As of now, the Jays have won the second in the series against the Phillies, with the rubber match tomorrow.

So, anyways, I should delay posts more often.

After tomorrow's game, the Jays head to Baltimore for 4 before heading to Minnesota.

Another Sweep, Another Injury, Another Frustrating Way to Watch a Team

So, here we are. Losses of 9-2, 9-3 and 8-0 to the division leading Red Sox. It was also announced this week that closer B.J. Ryan will be out for the season, rather than for 2 months as originally believed. This from the team that disguised Ryan's injury in spring training, made him pitch in the opening weeks of the season, then put him on the D.L. when he blew 2 of his first 4 save opportunities.

Now, Roy Halladay, who would be the majors' best pitcher of the decade if it wasn't for injuries, will be 4-6 weeks because of appendicitis.

For those who believe that these two injuries are the death knell of the Jays' season, I point out that the Jays' losses were not in the last inning, and Roy Halladay only pitches once a week.

The Jays can't score and they can't get anyone out. If this team doesn't wake up and soon, drastic measures will need to be taken.

I'm sure when pressed, Jays management will point to the earlier injuries to Glaus and Zaun, and combined with the current woes, and blame them for the Jays pathetic run of late. This is why you have back-ups, and this is why you have managers and coaches. They motivate, they train, and they lead. At least they are supposed to.

Jays host the Rays this weekend. A win would be nice.

Toronto (13-21)

NHL Conference Final Predictions

I'll be honest; my heart really isn't into these predictions anymore. My team is out, and I won't be watching the playoffs with the interest that I did as recently as last night. Also, I went a pathetic 1-3 in the second round, so that adds to my general malaise. Alas, here I go...

Sabres v Senators: I have not picked Ottawa yet, so yes, I am surprised that they made it this far. But they deserve to be; Ray Emery has been superb, and the top line of Spezza, Alfredsson, and Heatley has been the best line in the playoffs so far. Buffalo, on the other hand, was not dominant against either of the New York teams this postseason. I can't believe I'm doing this... Senators in 6.

Red Wings v Ducks: If the Spezza line has been the most dominant line in the postseason, then the Anaheim Ducks have been the most dominant team in the playoffs. They seem to be set top to bottom, and have the goaltending to back it up. And besides, how can I, in good conscience, pick the team that knocked out my boys? Ducks in 6.

There you have it, Ottawa and Anaheim in the Stanley Cup Final. Sorry, NBC.

Everything's Bigger in Texas, especially the Jays' losses

It was another uninspired performance by the Toronto Blue Jays over the weekend.

Toronto lost to Texas 7-1, 11-4, and 3-2 in their 3 game series. This marks 6 straight losses for the Jays, and as I write this, Toronto is down 8-1 in the 7th to Boston.

This is getting a lot less fun, and with the Raptors out of the NBA playoffs, Toronto sports fans have nothing to cheer about right now.

I know it's May and there have been some injuries, but it may be time for a major change to this team. A trade, a signing, a firing, something to show Toronto's fans that there is a recognition of the problem at hand, and something is being done about it.

I don't know what that is right now, and I don't think firing Gibbons or Riccardi is the answer, but I do know that something has to happen. And soon.

Toronto (13-18)

Jays get swept in Cleveland

Toronto visited Cleveland for the first time this season, and left without a win to show for it.

The Jays lost 12-4, 7-6, and 6-5 in the 3 game set. Toronto led in each game of the series.

After this pathetic display, the Jays visit Texas for the weekend. Halladay and Burnett will both pitch this weekend.

Toronto (13-15)