Me Stanley Cup playoff picks

First and foremost I just want to point out trivia win last night. We were playing trivia while watching playoff hockey. Those are definitely 2 of the finer things in my life. We went to trivia on a whim last night and ended up winning. We didn't have our best stuff, but a win is a win. It felt very nice getting that win. I will not lie about that. Onto the picks

Note* These picks were made Tuesday in the nhl.com contest/bracket. I stand by all picks and comments. The 1st games of each series were, for the most part, awesome. I am so excited for these playoffs. It should also be mentioned that when the news broke that Wild GM Doug Risebrough was fired I was ecstatic. I have told numerous people now that if I knew before the season that if the wild didn't make the playoffs then Lemaire and Risebrough would be gone and we would have new management and a coach I would have rooted against the wild all year. Lemaire has done awesome things with the wild, but Risebrough had to go now that Lemaire is gone. I am just happy with this decision. It's a great day to be a wild fan!

Eastern Conference:

Bruins over the Canadians in 5
I just don't see the Canadians matching the bruins' firepower. On VS. the other night they should a stat that there were 6 players on the bruins who had 20+ goals (with chara on 19). The Habs had 3. Bruins are just superior and I think they are tougher as well. Habs get a game at home, but that is it.

Caps over Rangers in 6

I just think that the caps will overpower and outscore the rangers. Obviously the big question are the goalies. Will Theodore suck? Will Lundqvist catch fire? He is definitely one of the few goalies that can win a series for his team. He will need to if the offense absent rangers want to advance. It will be interesting to see what Avery does as well. Will be be a major factor with his antics? We shall see

Devils over Carolina in 5

Devils are usually defensively sound esp. with Marty back in goal for them. This year they have the offense to make a run to the cup. On the other hand the canes have the hottest goalie in the league, Ken Win's own Cam(den) ward. He is a person I wouldn't want to face, but I figure these will be low scoring games that the Devils end up winning because of their guys such as Parise and Langenbrunner.

Flyers over the Penguins in 7

Ahh the battle of the shit state that is Pennsylvania. I really dislike both of these teams. I like one player in this series and his name is Mike Richards. He is good. The flyers physical play will overwhelmed the baby penguins. This is gonna be a great battle of a series, but Richards proves too much and between Jeff Carter and himself they somehow power the flyers past the pens in 7. Gonna be a nice battle though, and some high scoring games. I would love to see someone kill crosby. Andy call your boy and tell him to bring it in game 3.


Western Conference

Flames over Blackhawks in 7

What a mouthwatering matchup this one is. Calgary looked mighty strong up until about 6 weeks ago and then the wheels started to come off and they ended up being a 5 seed. With Kipper in goal along with their mr. playoff Iginla they are quite the 5 seed. Chicago is an enigma. They are up and down and inconsistent. Everything on their team seems to be inconsistent. This is going to be a great series that the flames end up winning in 7, but every game will be close with a couple ot's thrown in.

Canucks over Blues in 5

As much as it pains me because I really dislike every canuck except one, Shane O'Brien, I feel that they are a team that could go to the cup finals. They got douche's and multiple players that can score when you need them to. On the other hand the Blues got Chris Mason (amazing beard!!!) in goal and some young players that have been stepping up this year (oshie oshie oshie!) along with Mr. Tkachuk. I sadly don't see them winning more than a game.

Upset Special
BJs over Redwings in 6

Here it is my friends. The Bluejackets will slay the mighty Redwings with amazing play from rookie goalie Steve Mason (soon to be caldor winning) and the likes of Rick Nash and Jason Chimera (what a last name). The goalie problems for the wings continue when osgood continues to struggle and Conklin doesn't do much better. They will be a vast contrast to the stoic and able Mason who looks like a playoff vet in this series. This is gonna open a lot of peoples eyes and make Mr. Mule rethink spending his next 11 years at a discount in a city that is quickly falling apart. I must also add that Lebron is going to eat the Pistons for breakfast. Watch out Detroit, 2 weeks from now there will be nothing to live for for the rest of 2k9.

Sharks over Ducks in 6

This series is the battle for California. There are probably about 100,000 people that care about this battle in the state (that's being so generous, cut that number in half). The Ducks can't stop the Sharks and I am giving this 6 games because the Ducks seem to be one of those teams that win bullshit games (editors note: last nights game, are you kidding!!??). It is obvious that the Sharks are head and shoulders more talented than the Ducks. Joe Thorton runs this series like the playmaker he is. The ducks will try to intimidate, because that's really all they can do, but it will be to no avail.

My seatbelt is strapped in tight and I am ready for the games this weekend.

New web series

Chris Cooley is a tight end for the Washington Redskins. He is basically the man and I have seen some of his antics by stumbling upon a DC area sports blog a few years ago. Well this was a pleasant surprise when I saw the trailer to his new reality webisodes. Just watch this 5+ minute clip and tell me you wouldn't tune in whenever another was released. Ohh yea that picture at the beginning of his wife on top of him...awesome.

I can feel it in my fingers...I can feel it in my toes

I have a feeling some of you are like me and love spring, especially after a shitty cold winter and the mother nature playing silly tricks (snow on April 1). I guess I have been even more excited for it this year for the fact that I am making a conscience effort to follow a running program to run a marathon (editor's note: the fact that Sean mentions he is running a marathon in almost every bit of blogging he does is starting to eclipse the "did you know the president is black" and "did you know jerome bettis is from Detroit" story lines as the most overused bit of information in the past few years. We get it you are running, wow way to run dude! Keep up the running!) I have been a baby because I want it warm as soon as I can get it and now it is definitely here.

Sitting in my room at the moment with my window open and having it still be light out at 7:53 is so amazing. Memories flood into my head of years gone by of the hope and awesomeness that this time of year brings with it. Awesomeness which includes the stanley cup playoffs which start tomorrow night. That will brings us right into the heart of summer. I'm happy I can be along for that ride yet again this year. Awesomeness that also includes shorts and tshirts; My favorite attire of any season (slightly ahead jeans and hoodies of fall). I always play summer up in my head because it is awesome and something always fun comes from summer. The only thing I have planned at the moment is my marathon, but that will turn into a big fun weekend with me friends in Duluth. I also might have a road trip planned out to Montana sometime in the summer with my mom. She informed me the other day that she has never been there, but has always wanted to go, and that is basically the feeling that I have. Add to that a certain little man named Henry is out in Montana, along with his Dad and there is someone to visit in Montana. I am not sure if it will happen or not, but I really hope it will. I also want to go camping/adventuring at least once with some chums somewhere around here. I can't keep out fishing, something that I hope to do alot with whoever wants to go. I would love to go with Tyler and Andres. Those are 2 I have never fished with but I'm sure would be a good time.

Beer bottles are a staple that will be going back into the mix come May/June I look forward to that as well.

This was a primer of a summer preview that will come in about a month, but boy stanley cup playoffs are looking good AND the nfl released their schedules tonight. Ohh boy things are looking up!

Champions League

The most beloved soccer club tournament in the world returns tomorrow. I am basically going to give the times of each games and my novice opinion. I'm doing this so I have a little more reason to post some vids of some goals from the weekend. It should be said I was going to do a little thing on the Wild, but I can't even bring myself to do it. Back 3 points with 3 games to play. We need a Miracle. A nice column on the wild this year though... http://www.startribune.com/sports/wild/42442782.html?elr=KArksi8cyaiUBP7hUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUU

Onto champions league; what a tournament (Note: These match-ups are played over a 2 game span, home and away. They take the aggregate of both games which means total goals for both teams, with the away goals as the tie-breaker. You want away goals. They don't count as 2, but mean if its 0-0 after the first match and the away team goes up 1-0 in the 2nd match then the home team needs to score 2 to win it. 1-0 and 1-1 will be a lose because of the away goal.)

Tuesday April 7, 1:30 central ESPN2: Manchester United vs. Fc Porto (Portuguese) This seems like a no brainer to pick Man U. It appears that porto has only lost twice in their league this year. I wouldn't know because its just not that good of a league. With that being said it is still impressive to only have 2 losses in 23 games. I don't see Man U going down though. They just have too much talent between ronaldo, rooney, tevez, giggs, etc. They have not been on good form recently, but eeked out a win yesterday without the likes of rooney because of suspension. He will be back Tuesday though. Man U wins this.
With all the injuries Man U had yesterday they got this winner in the 93rd minute from a 17 year old. Brilliant

Tuesday April 7, 4:00 Central Espn Classic: Villarreal(spain) vs. Arsenal Villarreal is currently sitting in forth in La Liga(spain) and are always a good side. They have the rights to our very own jozy altidore though he is loaned out at the moment. Aresenal is unbeaten in their last 17 games and they are getting some big time players back from injury. Cesc, Walcott, and eduardo. The fact that cesc is back in the mix is worry enough for villarreal considering he is the technician that powers arsenals potent offense. He has been out since October with a knee injury. Arsenal takes this match up

Wednesday April 8, No TV*: Barcelona(Spain) vs. Bayern Munich(Germany) You want fire power and up and down soccer? Look no further. There is so much skill on both of these squads that this match up is the most shexy on paper I think (but who am I?). On Barca you got Messi who is imho the best player in the world, eto'o, henry, xavi, iniesta, hleb. This team is loaded and on top of la liga by 6 points. With their fire power they can literally score at anytime. Bayern Munich is no slouch with a roster full of speed and scoring as well. With Ribery, Podolski, Schweinsteiger, Toni, and Klose they have talent and speed that comes close to matching Barca's. Bayern is tied for 4th in the Bundesliga, though only 3 points out of first. They are coming off a crushing 5-1 defeat to wolfsburg who sit atop the table. I am taking Barca in this, but wouldn't be surprised if Bayern won this either.
here is bayern's D in the 5-1 route, disgusting goal

Wednesday April 8, 1:30 ESPN2: Chelsea vs. Liverpool A classic English match up and it seems like these teams meet every year late in the competition to do battle. Both teams are stacked with talent and both are near the top of the Premiership with Liverpool on 67 points and Chelsea on 64 points. When these teams match up it is usually a boring style of soccer. A 1-0 game and a lot of long balls for people trying to run onto. That might be different this game. Liverpool has been playing a different formation and going much more to small passes as the build up to their attack. They have been the hottest team in the premiership lately and one of the hottest teams in Europe. Chelsea has been playing better lately after a stretch in the middle of the season that got their manager fired. I don't see them getting the better of Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard though. I got Liverpool taking this, though with any champions league match featuring 2 English clubs this will be a match not to miss. The atmosphere will be amazing.

Honestly all these match ups are great. Teams don't get lucky by making it this far by luck. You need to beat good squads to get this far and the match ups this late are always exciting to watch. If I were going to watch one of the games I would tune into Barca vs. Bayern. That just seems like a time bomb of excitement waiting to blow. just watching messi alone is a treat that everyone should relish. I will be watching all the games and if anyone wants to join in watching them, either in the afternoon (or for the taped ones late in the afternoon which i don't check the scores so its like watching it live) feel free to hit me up.

*I just check the tv times for the games and am saddened, but no shocked, by the fact that there is a marathon of the masters golf tournament from the 1960's. Man that is so lame. Well looks like I will be watching the bayern game on my computer. Shame on espn though, they have been terrible for a while now. This is so weak though.