Don’t Throw Dirt on Atlanta Just Yet

The reports of the demise of the Atlanta Thrasher’s hockey franchise may have been exaggerated. Upholding the always vigorous journalistic standards of Canadian sports media, Stephen Brunt of the Globe and Mail penned a piece of rubbish that sent jubilant Manitobans into the streets last night.

While the future of the Thrashers certainly does look bleak and full of questions, so did the long term survival of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Nashville Predators, and Phoenix Coyotes within the past few seasons. It may very well be true that this is the end for Atlanta hockey, but it is just as likely that somebody will come along and save this situation from ‘the brink’.

The Canadian sports media loves to pile on about attendance problems in Southern US markets and stoke the fires of possible relocation and Northward migration of any team that appears vulnerable at the moment. None of the underlying factors have changed however in the past few days. The NHL is dedicated as it ever has been to keep as large of a US footprint as possible for corporate support and TV money.

Here are the two ‘big picture’ numbers that matter most to the league:
US Gross GDP, 14.119 Trillion
Canadian Gross GDP, 1.336 Trillion

I don’t doubt Winnipeg’s passion for hockey, not one bit. But they would, by far, be the smallest market in the league in terms of population, corporate base to draw from, and media market size. It is certainly a possible move for the league, but it is one that they will think long and hard about, as they should. Careful deliberation and not rampant fanboy speculation is what is going to drive this process going forward.

I would like to take this chance to also give a shout-out to one of my all time favorite hockey bloggers, The Falconer at Bird Watchers Anonymous at this time of uncertainty about the future of his beloved team. Trust me, I’ve been there before, and it sucks. I don’t wish this situation of your team possibly moving on anybody.

Canucks move on

Vancouver is starting to look like the team that won the Presidents' Trophy after it topped Nashville 2-1 Monday night to advance to the Western Conference finals.
The Canucks have proven that they can score, play defense and have one of the best goalies in the league.
Roberto Luongo was sub-par against Chicago in the first round, but rebounded quite well against the Predators.
However, Nashville isn't an offensive machine, and whether it's San Jose or Detroit in the next round for Vancouver, both teams have more firepower than Nashville.
After falling behind the Sharks 3-0, the Red Wings have made it a series and Game 6 is tonight at Joe Louis Arena. If Detroit can pull off the second 3-0 comeback in as many years, it would be my favorite to win the whole thing.
I just don't see it happening. San Jose is too good to drop four in a row. It will win tonight, 4-3.
I did pick the Red Wings to go deep, but that shows my lack of knowledge on the whole thing. Then again, maybe I'll look like a genius.
I'm still going with the Sharks tonight. Then, the Canucks will get to the Stanley Cup finals and give Canada its first title since 1993.
Thank God.

Semifinal update

The conference semifinals are in full force after two nights of action Thursday and Friday.
Vancouver opened up the second round Thursday with a 1-0 victory over Nashville. Roberto Luongo stymied the Predators' offense, and the Canucks are off to a decent start. I would like to see them score more, although this series doesn't have track-meet potential.
In Friday's action, Tampa Bay stunned Washington, 3-2, and San Jose edge Detroit, 2-1, in overtime.
Both of these results surprised me. I don't think either will be a sweep, but I see the Capitals and the Red Wings winning both series rather easily.
The Lightning came to play. They turned the game on Washington. It has always been a question of whether the Capitals can win these types of games. I still believe they will win the series in six. This served as a wake-up call.
I have been singing the praises of Detroit since the playoffs started. I still pick the Red Wings to go to the Cup. How they respond from this loss will tell the story.
Jimmy Howard was great. I question whether he can do it come playoff time, and he was fabulous Friday. Detroit gave up some uncharacteristic chances. Howard also took a dumb penalty after getting a snow shower from Joe Pavalski.
Jimmy, why do that? Let your teammates stick up for you.
Philadelphia and Boston open today in Philly, while Vancouver and Nashville will play Game 2. I'm going with the Flyers and the Canucks.
Enjoy.

My second-round picks

The Penguins' season is over, but the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs live on. Here are my picks for the second round, or the conference semifinals if you want to get technical.

In the Eastern Conference, I pick Washington to upend Tampa Bay in six games. Dwayne Roloson played well in the first round against Pittsburgh, but the Capitals are a much better scoring team with a solid power play.

The Lightning can light the lamp, although it won't be enough against Washington. This could be the Capitals' year.

Philadelphia, yes I'm going with them, will top Boston in seven games. The Flyers were the top team in the league for a long time, and after surviving a scare against Buffalo, has a renewed focus.

The goalie situation is suspect in Philadelphia, although it will play tough defense in front of whoever the goalie is. This will be an exciting series.

For the Western Conference:

Vancouver takes care of Nashville in six games. The Canucks showed tremendous character against Chicago. Yes, the Blackhawks took them to a seventh game after trailing 3-0, but Chicago wasn't your average No. 8 seed.

The Predators have some tremendous players in Shea Weber, Mike Fisher and Pekka Rinne, but I believe the Canucks have too much fire power. Roberto Luongo will have a bounce back series. Nashville doesn't have the scoring punch.

Detroit has it all, and the Red Wings will fly past San Jose in six games.
The Sharks have some offensive firepower, although Los Angeles played them a little too tough for my liking.

I believe goaltending is a liability for San Jose. Although Antti Niemi won a Stanley Cup with Chicago last season, I doubt that he can lead the Sharks over the Red Wings.

I don't know if revenge is on the Red Wings' minds, but San Jose took them out of the playoffs in five games last year.

Once again, Washington over Tampa Bay (six games), Philadelphia over Boston (seven game), Vancouver over Nashville (six games) and Detroit over San Jose (six games).

Also, check out Pucks_and_Pols' picks. Feel free to respond to both.

NHL 2nd Round Predictions

More detailed analysis to come, but since the Vancouver-Nashville Series starts tonight I wanted to get my official predictions in today.

Wales Conference

1)Washington Capitals vs. 5) Tampa Bay Lightning
Capitals in 7

2)Philadelphia Flyers vs. 3) Boston Bruins
Bruins in 6

Campbell Conference

1)Vancouver Canucks vs. 5)Nashville Predators
Canucks in 4

2)Detroit Redwings vs. 3)San Jose Sharks
Redwings in 6

Stanley Cup playoff updates

As of 6:29 p.m. EST on April 22, the Stanley Cup playoffs are playing out with some intriguing storylines.
In the West, Detroit dominated Phoenix in the 3-6 matchup, taking all four games. The Coyotes could very well play in another city next season.
The Red Wings, who will never leave the Motor City, look very strong. Winning early gives them the opportunity to sit back, have a mineral water and watch the rest of the teams knock each other senseless. A rested Detroit squad is very scary. I wouldn't want to play them.
Vancouver jumped all over Chicago in winning the first three games, but the defending champs have shown true character in responding in Games 4 and 5.
The Blackhawks won both games in routs, and chased Roberto Luongo in the process. Luongo receives all the accolades, although he is a career underachiever in the playoffs.
Game 6 will be in Chicago and the place will be jumping. I don't think Luongo will have three bad games in a row, and the Canucks will grind out a 3-2 victory to take the series.
The Anaheim-Nashville series has been quite intriguing. Chippy play, trash talk in the media and some good games have made this a series to watch. Not to mention it is tied at 2-2.
Unfortunately, I have yet to catch one of these games. That is going to change tonight. I will park myself in front of the tube at 10 p.m. and watch Game 5 in its entirety.
If the Ducks can stay out of the box and be disciplined in their own zone, they should be able to light the lamp just enough to win this one.
The Predators are strong defensively, have a great goalie and Shea Weber is a beast, although I give Anaheim the edge.
I will delve more into this series after tonight's game.
What Pittsburgh has done without Sidney Crosby is remarkable.
It has pushed Tampa Bay to the brink of elimination and won Game 4 without the services of Chris Kunitz.
Dan Bylsma should win the Jack Adams award for the coach of the year, although I'm sure he would rather raise the Stanley Cup for the second time in three years.
There is no timetable for Crosby's return, although Matt Cooke will be back if the Penguins can advance to the second round.
Game 5 will be tomorrow at noon in Pittsburgh. I believe the Lightning will win that game, 4-3. I like the Penguins to come back in Game 6 to take the series, 4-2.
Montreal and Boston are in a dogfight with the series tied at two. Neither team has won on home ice.
The Bruins will grab a win on home ice in Game 5 before taking the series in six games. These teams don't like each other, and they're not afraid to show it.
Tim Thomas has stepped up his play, and Carey Price can't take the Habs to the promised land, which is all Montreal fans want.
Washington is up 3-1 on the New York Rangers and will close it out at home in Game 5.
The Rangers showed some heart, but gave up a lead going into the third period for the first time all season, and doesn't have enough offense to get by the Capitals.
Washington has been playing well, but these aren't the Mark Messier-led Rangers.
Ryan Miller has had to stand on his head two times for Buffalo to salvage a 2-2 split with Philadelphia after two games.
They play tonight in Game 5 at Philadelphia.
I love Mr. USA and I would love him even more if the Flyers got bounced, although I don't think Miller can do it again.
Philadelphia wins tonight, 4-2, before taking Game 6 for a 4-2 series win.

Rangers back in series with Capitals

The New York Rangers returned to the comfort of Madison Square Garden and pulled out a 3-2 victory over Washington Sunday.
The Rangers struggled to score in the first two games, but were able to get a few pucks past Michal Neuvirth. Erik Christensen scored on a funky shot.
Washington is one of the favorites and I still believe they will win the series in five, although New York will play them tough in Game 4. I predict a close win for the Capitals Wednesday, and they will close it out on home ice.
In other games, Vancouver beat Chicago, 3-2, to take a commanding 3-0 series lead. It looks like a new champion will be crowned this season.
Also, Nashville knocked off Anaheim, 4-3, to lead 2-1 in the 4-5 matchup in the West. This series is shaping up to be a good one. I picked the Ducks to win this one easy, but it is shaping up to being a solid series.

Stanley Cup playoffs update

After four days of action in the Stanley Cup playoffs four teams have a 2-0 series lead and three series are tied at 1. One game is in progress.
In the Eastern Conference, the Washington Capitals and Montreal Canadiens have a 2-0 series lead, while the Pittsburgh-Tampa Bay and Philadelphia-Buffalo series is tied at 1-1.
In the West, the Vancouver Canucks and Detroit Red Wings hold 2-0 leads. The Anaheim-Nashville series is tied at 1-1.
With 12:20 and counting in the third period, the Los Angeles King are on the verge of tying their series with the San Jose Sharks, as they hold a 4-0 lead.
The Canucks look to be the strongest team in the West in terms of their play so far. Roberto Luongo has been stellar in goal, and the defense is playing well against a high octane offense in Chicago.
The Canadiens have played very well in their first two games against Boston, and are on a mission to get back to the Cup finals.
The next week should be exciting. I see a seven-game series between Tampa Bay and Pittsburgh. The others should go six or less.