Stanley Cup Semifinals Preview

Eastern Conference

Metropolitan Division #2 vs. Metropolitan Division Winner

Washington Capitals vs. New York Rangers

Players to Watch: G Braden Holtby and D Ryan McDonagh

Who Wins: Rangers in 6 games

Atlantic Division #2 vs. Atlantic Division Winner

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Montreal Canadiens

Players to Watch: F Tyler Johnson and D P.K. Subban

Who Wins: Canadiens in 6 games

Western Conference

Pacific Division #3 vs. Pacific Division Winner

Calgary Flames vs. Anaheim Ducks

Players to Watch: G Jonas Hiller and F Corey Perry

Who Wins: Ducks in 6 games

Wild Card Team #1 vs. Central Division #3

Minnesota Wild vs. Chicago Blackhawks

Players to Watch: F Zach Parise and F Jonathan Toews

Who Wins: Blackhawks in 6 games

A Cautionary Tale

This isn’t so much a warning about the dangers of drug abuse. You’re old enough to know about them. Yes, there are many reasons that folks get involved in narcotics, but ultimately that is a choice that as an individual they have to live with. Former Angels and now current Rangers OF Josh Hamilton has been living with that choice for a while. Continue reading →

2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs Preview

Eastern Conference

Wild Card Team #2 vs. Metropolitan Division Winner

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. New York Rangers

Players to Watch: F Sidney Crosby and F Rick Nash

Who Wins: Rangers in 6 games

Metropolitan Division #3 vs. Metropolitan Division #2

New York Islanders vs. Washington Capitals

Players to Watch: F John Tavares and F Alex Ovechkin

Who Wins: Capitals in 7 games

Wild Card Team #1 vs. Atlantic Division Winner

Ottawa Senators vs. Montreal Canadiens

Players to Watch: D Erik Karlsson and F Max Pacioretty

Who Wins: Canadiens in 6 games

Atlantic Division #3 vs. Atlantic Division #2

Detroit Red Wings vs. Tampa Bay Lightning

Players to Watch: F Henrik Zetterberg and F Steven Stamkos

Who Wins: Lightning in 6 games

Western Conference

Wild Card Team #2 vs. Pacific Division Winner

Winnipeg Jets vs. Anaheim Ducks

Players to Watch: F Blake Wheeler and Anaheim’s goaltenders

Who Wins: Ducks in 6 games

Pacifici Division #3 vs. Pacific Division #2

Calgary Flames vs. Vancouver Canucks

Players to Watch: F Jiri Hudler and F Radim Vrbata

Who Wins: Flames in 6 games

Wild Card Team #1 vs. Central Division Winner

Minnesota Wild vs. St. Louis Blues

Players to Watch: G Devan Dubnyk and F Vladimir Tarasenko

Who Wins: Blues in 7 games

Central Division #3 vs. Central Division #2

Chicago Blackhawks vs. Nashville Predators

Players to Watch: F Patrick Kane and G Pekka Rinne

Who Wins: Predators in 7 games

American League West

* – indicates new to team

1. Los Angeles Angels

Without a repeat of last years injury issues in their rotation, they should remain atop the division.

2. Seattle Mariners

An infusion of power supplied by Nelson Cruz puts the Mariners into a possible Wild Card spot.

3. Oakland Athletics

Their wild offseason has them seeing a lot of new faces, but that shouldn’t take them out of the postseason equation.

4. Texas Rangers

Losing Yu Darvish will hurt more than you think.

5. Houston Astros

It will be tough for them to finish at or above .500 this year. Continue reading →

Stanley Cup Prediction

Eastern Conference

1. Boston Bruins vs. 4. Detroit Red Wings

2. Montreal Canadiens vs. 3. Tampa Bay Lightning

1. New York Rangers vs. 4. Philadelphia Flyers

2. Pittsburgh Penguins vs. 4. Columbus Blue Jackets

Western Conference

1. Anaheim Ducks vs. 4. Minnesota Wild

2. Los Angeles Kings vs. 3. San Joes Sharks

1. Chicago Blackhawks vs. 4. Dallas Stars

2. Colorado Avalanche vs. 3. St. Louis Blues

Conference Finals

Canadiens over Rangers

Blackhawks over Kings

Stanley Cup Finals

Blackhawks over Canadiens