2013-14 NHL Season

I wish heart and grit got you in, but unfortunately it doesn't. One of my all-time favourite players, wish I could be there tonight. He'll be up in the rafters at the Oilers new rink, which, considering the company he'll have up there, will be almost better. With Gretzky's No.99 up behind the net, Smyth's No. 94 should go above the top edge of the blue paint.

 

Very entertaining NCAA men's title game going on, with Union College (NY) leading Minnesota 4-3 after two periods. Lots of up and down skating with 67 shots between the teams after two periods.

 

And the Eastern playoff bracket is up:

Boston v Detroit, Pittsburgh v Columbus, NYR v Philadelphia, Montreal v Tampa Bay.

Here's my cheer list

Wings because the Bruins are the best team in the East

Pens because they're a better team and I still don't know why there's a team in Columbus

Rangers because they're against the Flyers. No further explanation needed.

Montreal because they're the only Canadian team

 

Whoopsie, Ryan Malone. http://www.tampabay.com/sports/hockey/lightning/lightnings-malone-arrested-on-dui-cocaine-charges/2174835

 

Union College has a chance to be NCAA champs? Holy shit.

 

At least he wasn't dressed like a Teletubby. #RileySheahan

 

Yeah, they beat Minnesota 7-4. Great offensive show. Union had close to 50 shots on goal and Minnesota's goalie (Adam Wilcox) actually played quite well to keep them to 6 (plus an empty-netter at the end).

 

Detroit will give Boston a tussle. Probably won't win the series, but they won't get swept, either. Mike Babcock is one the smartest coaches in the league and gets the most out of his role players. I'd pick Boston in six, with a couple of OT games in the mix.

 

Red Wings had the best record of any team against the Bruins this season, 3-1. Of course, three of those games were before December.

 

Grand sendoff tonight. Selanne and Giguere skating together around the ice at Honda Center after the last regular-season game for both.

 

That was really, really cool.

 

Former Rangers goaltender Steve Baker was unavailable for comment.