The Stanley Cup Playoffs

I'm so glad you spelled that out. I was wondering why everybody was calling Crosby BBJ.

 

I'm just hoping that the Red Wings lose in the first round again this year. That, and I'd like to see Lindy Ruff's Sabres fall on their butts. Nothing against the Sabres' players, just against Ruff. And if the Lightning "fired" Lou and his Devils after one round, that also would be cool.

 

Buffalo in 6
New Jersey in 7
Atlanta in 7
Ottawa in 5

Detroit in 5
Anaheim in 5
Dallas in 6
San Jose in 6

 

The origin of Crosby as BBJ was a fake religion created by Pastor, Zeke and I. Horny, the lead deity, was a celestial unicorn. Her son Big Baby Jesus was Crosby. It was fun for a while to rile up certain overly religious folks.

 

EASTERN CONFERENCE
(1) Buffalo vs. ( 8 ) N.Y. Islanders: Buffalo won season series, 3-1 – Buffalo wins in six, NYI will be game, but unless Dube morphs into Sawchuk, Sabers will take it.
(2) New Jersey vs. (7) Tampa Bay: Tampa Bay won season series, 3-1 – New Jersey in 7, Lacvalier and St. Louis will be pesky enough to steal a couple, but Brodeur will pull it out in the clutch.
(3) Atlanta vs. (6) N.Y. Rangers: Atlanta won season series, 3-1 – Although it should be ATL's turn to go to the cup from the Southeast, but I see the Rangers winning in 5.
(4) Ottawa vs. (5) Pittsburgh: God bless BBJ and frieds, who won season series, 3-1 – will be the most exciting series of the opening round, but I like Emery better than Fleury/Thibault combo and Ottawa's experience and new found determination. Sens in 6

WESTERN CONFERENCE
(1) Detroit vs. ( 8 ) Calgary: Season series tied, 2-2 – Detroit didn't get to coast this year in an improved Central division, and Calgary does not strike the same fear into their opposition that they once did, plus they can't win on the road to save their lives. Detroit in five.
(2) Anaheim vs. (7) Minnesota: Season series tied, 2-2 – It won't be exciting but it will go on a while. Anaheim wins in 7, Pronger and Neidermeyer will take them to the finals this year.
(3) Vancouver vs. (6) Dallas: Season series tied, 2-2 – What is it about goaltending and the playoffs, Luongo is one of the NHL's best (albeit unproven in the playoffs) and the Stars have a shrinking violet in net. The 'Nucks won't go far this year but they'll get past Dallas and the first round. Vancouver in 5.
(4) Nashville vs. (5) San Jose: Nashville won season series, 3-1 – Will be the West's most exciting series, but Nashville's overall depth will eventually win out. Preds in 7. Will be a classic.

 

The thing I've noticed about Luongo the few times I've seen him is that he gives up an awful lot of big rebounds on saves. Come playoff time those pucks end up in the back of the net with quite a bit of frequency.

 

I think Luongo is going to be amped to make his playoff debut (he never made the playoffs with the Islanders or Panthers), and the Canucks will be get to the Conference Finals.

 

Buf vs NYI:
The Islanders are coming in hot so I don't think this will be the drilling everyone else thinks it will be. However, Buffalo is the better team in every aspect. Sabres in 6.
NJ vs TB:
I'd love to see Lou Lam bounced early on but Marty won't let it happen. Devils in 5.
Atl vs NYR:
The Rangers are the hottest team in the league and I've loved Avery since he was a Red Wing. Atlants are in the playoffs for the first time and have to learn hopw to play playoff hockey. Rangers in 6.
Ott vs Pit:
I'm not sold on Pittsburgh's goalies but Ottawa is almost as soft in playoffs has the Wings have been. I think Pittsburgh's youth will show, like Atlanta. Sens is 7.

Det vs Cal:
In the interest of full disclosure, I am a Wings fan. I did not want to play the Flames because Kippersof (sp?) scares the living shit out of me. The Falmes are not as physical as they used to be and the Wings are tougher. Wings in 7 (I hope)
Ana vs Min:
Goldberg will stand on his head and Charlie Conway will use the triple deek in triple overtime of Game 7 to win it for the Ducks.
Van vs Dal:
Luongo is a beast and Turco wilts in the playoffs. Canucks in 5.
Nash vs SJ:
I'm not convinced either team can do very much beyond the first round but this could be a good match up. I just feel like this is the Preds' series to lose. Nashville in 6.

 

EF, I keep referring back to what Kelly Hrudy says about the Sharks: "There are times when I think they're the best team in the league. And there are other times when I think they're the worst team in the league."

 

I seriously thought "BBJ" stood for Badger Bob Johnson, who led the Pens to the Cup in '91 before his untimely death.

 

Went to the Jays home opener last night, a 9-1 rout against what looked to be Kansas City's AAA team.

Anyway, halfway through the game, they throw up on the Jumbotron some guy in the fifth deck showing off his Islanders jersey. He was loudly booed (in the polite Canadian way) by all 50,000.

I leaned over to my sister and said, "If this were in Yankee Stadium, they would have beat the shit out of him by now".

That may have been the highlight of the most boring Jays opener ever. An hour and 20 minutes to play the first two.