This year’s beard lasted much, much longer (52 days) because Philly wasn’t in the playoffs but I still got skunked on the smart money.
Last year, it was the first WHA-Only Stanley Cup, now it’s an Nineties-Expansion-Only Stanley Cup with Ottawa being the “senior” team. Oddly, it’s also the third Stanley Cup in a row with a Canadian franchise battling for the prize which probably stopped happening when the Edmonton Oilers dynasty ended (I was wrong, there’s the 1993 Montreal Canadiens who won it). As the cliche goes, welcome to Bettman’s New (Inferior) NHL or yet another Cup match involving two minor market teams.
The Red Wings losing to the Ducks was predicted by me correctly. As much as I respect them, their overall lineup is aging too quickly and if they don’t correct it with an infusion of new, developing talent, they’ll be on the skids as Philly is. It’s already beginning as Hasek is wavering about retirement…altogether now, again?
I didn’t predict the Sabres imploding and giving the Senators a three-game lead. There’s definitely going to be some serious reorganization happening in Buffalo as Drury heads West and Briere becomes a free agent. I think Teppo Numminen is retiring too. The Sabres will have some holes to fill this Summer if they want to return to the level of play they had this season.
My prediction? I say the Ottawa Senators in seven.
– Ottawa clawed through New Jersey and Buffalo despite the lack of the home-ice advantage.
– This team wants it more than the Ducks in my opinion.
– Although Emery is a big fat “if” in goal, he still has more experience than Gigeure when the heat’s on.
– The Sens have Heatley, Comrie and Alfredsson for scoring and Heatley is on a roll with the assists.
– Finally, as petty as it may sound. The majority of the big mouths at ESPN predicted Anaheim, namely Barry “Cap’n Mullet” Melrose.
As always, expect Picayune’s colors to shift over to the team I’m rooting for.
In closing news, it seems Rick Tocchet has pleaded guilty to the charges involving the gambling ring but worked out a deal to avoid jail time. As long as there’s no proof he bet on hockey at any level, it will be up to the NHL to see if he can coach again. I’d say why not. The league has had its share of alcoholics, wife beaters and drug addicts, his crime is pretty mild.