NHL Playoff Predictions Round 2

East

5. Tampa Bay Lightning vs. 1 Washington Capitals
Capitals have formed their team into a solid all around club, one thats plays defense and scores timely goals. Ovechkin isnt as big a scoring threat as he was, but the overall team can score. Tampa came back from 3-1 down to beat Pittsburgh last round, and have all the offensive firepower, especially with star Steven Stamkos. Caps will get better solid goaltending however. Caps in 6

3. Boston Bruins vs. 2. Philadelphia Flyers
This is a big series, one the Bruins will want for revenge. It was this same round last year the Bruins blew a 3-0 series lead, and a 3-0 score in the deciding Game 7 to these Flyers. Boston was only the third team to blow a 3-0 lead (how do you like it boston?) However, the Bruins have a big physical team, and Tim Thomas is a lot better in net than the carousel that is the flyers goaltending. The flyers can score, but their time is running out. It pains me to pick because I hate the flyers, and the city of boston. Boston in 7

West

5. Nashville Predators vs. 1. Vancouver Cancucks
The Canucks almost blew a 3-0 series lead to defending cup champion Chicago Blackhawks. They won in game 7 OT on tuesday, and have no time to rest. The Nashville Predators are a sneaky good team, and are determined to make it far in the playoffs. Vancouver was the best team during the season, and have a great team led by the Sedin twins and star goalie Luongo. Still, I feel that the Preds time is now, and will suprise everyone. Preds in 6.

3. San Jose Sharks vs. 2. Detroit Red Wings
This is a rematch of the second round series from last year, when San Jose absolutely spanked the Red Wings. The Sharks are known for their playoff futility, and they didnt look that great against the Kings in the first round. The Red Wings have had over a week of rest thanks to DOMINATING the Phoenix Coyotes in the first round sweep. The Red Wings are getting Zetterberg, one of the best players in the NHL back, and I have picked the Red Wings to return to the Cup finals. This will be an easy series. Red Wings in 5.

Hockey Disappointment

Another year, another miserable ending for New York Rangers fans. I was at game 4 against the Washington Capitals on wednesday, 4/20. The Rangers were winning 3-0 going into the third period, and their record when leading after two periods was a perfect 29-0. Well of course I was there for that 1, as they lost 4-3 in double overtime, sapping the life out of the garden and going back to Washington down 3-1. The Rangers lost 3-1 on saturday, despite goalie Henrik Lundqvist being outstanding once again. Some goals for the offseason which is ahead.

1. Fire Head Coach John Tortorella. O wait to late, he just got a new 3 year extension the day after we lost. But hey i guess blowing a 3-1 lead two years ago in the playoffs, missing the playoffs last year, and barely making it this year lets u earn a new deal.

2. Fire General Manager Glen Sather. Ranger fans have been yelling this for years. In his over ten years here, we have exactly 2 playoff series victories. Sather is a good buddy of James Dolan, so despite the horrendous job he has done, he still gets to stay. Some say Sather will never be fired.

3. Get rid of the Dolans. As the Rangers (and Knicks) playoff futilities showed, this man knows nothing about sports, yet keeps getting involved in decisions. Unfortunately you cant fire the owner, even if he is a dipshit who knows nothing.

But in all seriousness...

1. Keep building up the team with youth. Stepan (20) Dubinsky (25) Callahan (25) Staal (25) Girardi (26) Zuccarello (young 20s) McDonagh (early 20s) Sauer (23) all form a great core and will benefit from the playoff experience they gained.

2. Dont waste all the money on Free agents, especially Brad Richards, the big name free agent out there. He is good yes, but he is 30 and is a hit away from missing most of the season. Dont tie in all the money to him. Did you not learn from Scott Gomez and Chris Drury's horrible contracts?

3. Acquire a GOAL SCORER. The rangers are terrible at scoring. Get some players who can put the biscuit in the basket.

4. Fix the powerplay! You need a powerplay to score, and going 1-20 (5%) in the playoffs is ATROCIOUS

2011-2012 season can be a good season, the Rangers just have to take then next step.

Baseball season!

BAseball season is just two days away, and my team the New York Yankees open up the season. I am excited and nervous at the same time. Excited, because I love baseball, it means summer is right around the corner. Im nervous because the Yankees might not be as good as they need to be to win a world series. Now, a team with a 200 million payroll should always have a shot. And the Yankees are always a team thats in the World Series hunt.
But all offseason, the talk was the Phillies and their stacked rotation, and the Red Sux and their stacked lineup, leading many to believe that it is gonna be a Red Sox/Phillies World Series. I call BS on that! LAst year, everyone said Yankees/PHillies WS again. WRONG! It was Giants/Rangers, as wrong as you could get.
The Yankees need the pitching staff to hold up. AJ Burnett is the key. He HAS to pitch like a number 2. Phil Hughes has to have another good season.
The lineup also has to produce, especially with the shaky lineup.

Either way its Spring time, baseball is back! And I am excited!!

Is baseball a fading sport?

I was listening to ESPN NEw York 1050 the other day, and I overheard the hosts talking about how baseball isn't Americas sport anymore. One host then wondered if the NBA was overtaking MLB as being more popular, especially in the NY area now that Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire are bringing excitement back to the Garden.
I am a huge Yankees fan, and have been since growing up during the dynasty years. Jeter, Knoblauch, Tino, Paul O'Neill, Brosius and others are some of my favorite athletes of all time, and they really helped me love the sport of baseball.
Now, people thinks kids growing up don't care for baseball, as it is too slow and boring. I feel that many people do feel that way. I have many sports loving friends who dislike baseball because it is too slow. For me, Baseball is a thrill. It makes my summer so much better, and some games are so dramatic, it is a sport that keeps you on edge and biting your nails when the game is so close. That one game winning hit or strikeout is thrilling. I love baseball, and I really like basketball. But to say that the MLB is dying, especially in the NY area, is absurd. The Yankees are sports, one of the most recognizable franchises out there. The Mets are a joke, but hey one day they will be good.
NY is a basketball loving town yes. There are courts on every street, hoops in many driveways. It is easy to get a group of friends and just play. However, baseball is what has defined New York, in my opinion. The Yankees gave the city some of its greatest moments, its biggest triumphs.

Baseball is here to stay, and stay it will.

Carmelo Anthony

I am a big Knicks fan, and I admit it, I am dying for the team to acquire Carmelo Anthony. The trade deadline is Thursday, at 3 pm. If the Knicks do not acquire Carmelo, it will be one of the biggest mistakes the organization has made.
First the problems, the Knicks are going to give up a lot. Raymond Felton, Wilson Chandler, Danilo Gallinari, 1st rounds picks. Basically, the Knicks team is going to be gutted. Carmelo's goal is to get the 65 million, 3 year extension that is currently on the table. The NBA is gonna get a new CBA next year, so he is risking losing millions if he doesnt sign. The New Jersey Nets want Melo, but he has no desire to sign the extension with them. However, if the Knicks dont make a move Melo may sign the extension with the Nets or the Nuggets even though he wants to play for the Knicks.
The Knicks missed out on Lebron James, and missing out on Carmelo Anthony, who is 26 entering his prime, a top scorer and a top 5 player in the NBA, would be crucial. Star foward Amare Stoudemire needs help, and Melo coming to NY will also help the Knicks attract another big free agent in 2012. Chris Paul, Deron Williams and Dwight Howard will all be FA. Its time for the Knicks to get piece 2 of the big 3.
Get this done Knicks! They are only 2 games over .500, so why hold onto these players? GET THE SUPERSTAR.

For the Love of God, please have football next year!

There was a joke during this NFL season, the team to win the Superbowl this year will likely be the last. Why? Because there is a potential for a season long lockout in 2011, and in 2012 the world is apparently going to end on December 21. So are the Green Bay Packers the last team to hoist the Lombardi Trohpy?

Not likely, as many believe there will be an agreement before the start of next season. Hopefully, it is soon. If a deal is struck in July, teams will be scrambling to sign free agents (they cant sign until theres a new CBA in place).

The idea that these billionaire owners and millionaire players aren't getting enough of the 9 billion the NFL makes every year, is absurd. It is absolutely ridiculous how much these players make, yet still complain over.

I can't imagine having a fall (especially when football helps get you through the start of school) and a cold dreary winter without football. What will I do on my sundays? The Jets won't have a chance at a SuperBowl (Again).

So heres what should happen... a rookie salary cap, no 18 game season, players get 49 % of revenue and we all move on and watch football, America's greatest sport. Please let this get done.

Andy Pettitte :(

It is a sad day for Yankees fans everywhere, with starting pitcher Andy Pettitte announcing today that he is retiring from baseball at the age of 38. Pettitte has contemplated retirement for the past few seasons, but today he finally called it quits. 

Pettitte leaves the Yankees with 5 world series rings, from 1996,98,99,2000 and 2009. Pettitte is also the winningest pitcher in postseason history. No one has more win than this man right here, who has been described as having fire and ice in his veins.

I was there in 2009 to see Pettitte pitch the Yankees to victory in game 6 at the new Yankees Stadium, and it is a moment I will remember forever. Pettitte was a favorite of many fans, including myself, despite him admitting him using HGH (Human Growth Hormone). Its not a steroid, so its not really that bad. 

Pettitte decided to retire because he wanted to spend more time with his family and see his kids grow. He has 4 kids, all of which he wants to see grow up (his oldest son is 16). Pettitte lives in texas, so the grind of  162 game baseball season, basically being away for 6 months, really took a toll on Pettitte. Pettitte stated he could pitch, but his heart doesn't have the desire too.

All in all, I enjoyed watching Andy Pettitte pitch throughout his great careeer ( and to think, George Steinbrenner almost traded him during the 1999 season). He was a great pitcher, clutch and I will always remember him holding his glove over his face, his eyes just staring the opposing batters down. Pettittes absence is big for the Yankees going into 2011. Their rotation is thin, but hopefully Andy decides to come back midway during the year, and we get one more look at this great pitcher.

Have a great retirement Pettitte.