Both of my teams practically petered out over the big finale weekend, namely the (Austin) Stars who couldn’t seal the deal by losing their last two games. What a bummer to get smoked 2-0 in the final home appearance before a sell-out crowd. The insult on top of the injury was losing to OKC, the Capital of the Flat-Earth Society. The back-to-back defeats knocked out our chances for the second spot in the West Division and we’re settling for fourth, therefore, we will never have home ice unless the OKC Barons upset the Hamilton Bulldogs and the Hartford Whale or Norfolk Admirals do the same out east. How do the Stars look against the Milwaukee Admirals? They did alright against them in the regular season. Dallas sent Vincour and Lukowich back so these guys will really help. My bigger concern is hoping our offensive punch from Rallo, Morin, Wathier and Spang won’t get snakebit. I don’t think our luck will hold out like last year.
Since we don’t see any team from the Eastern Conference besides Syracuse, I will only go on a limb regarding the outcome of the Western.
- Hamilton Bulldogs v. OKC Barons > Hamilton Bulldogs easily, they’re really good and the town is nuts about them.
- Cleveland Monsters v. Winnipeg Moose > Winnipeg Moose. Monsters only got it together near the end, the Moose are more consistent.
- Houston Aeros v. Peoria Rivermen > Peoria Rivermen. Here I’m probably guilty of wishful thinking since the Aeros had our number in regular play.
What is my prediction with the Stars? I think the advantage goes to the Admirals but we have a chance to beat them under a couple conditions.
- The Stars can win at least one of the first two games in Milwaukee, very tough in the Bradley Center. It’ll stun them, make them doubt their chances here.
- Fewer turnovers in the neutral zone, especially during power plays.
- Scoring on power plays because the Admirals won’t give up their opportunities.
In the end, the Stars really work best when their backs are against the wall and they’re facing elimination. Stars in seven games.
On to the NHL which might get me incorrectly labeled as bitter since I pointed out how the Chicago Blackhawks weren’t built to last in light of their first, non-rigged Cup in 40-plus years. My Broad Street Bullies once again limped across the finish line but this time they cinched the Atlantic Division. Expectations remain high just like the Stars as they weren’t expected to get past Boston. Currently I have a sub on my iPad to The Hockey News which can’t help show its Canadian prejudice. They predict the Cup battle will be between the Vancouver Canucks and Philly Flyers with the Canucks winning and the Western Conference championship being more challenging; their experts say the Detroit Red Wings are better than the Flyers. I will concede the Red Wings part. Detroit has an organization which wants to build a dynasty more than Philly, only the salary cap keeps them in check. However, the recent cover asks a rhetorical question most hockey fans know the answer to when it comes to the Canucks’ chances. It asks “Can anyone stop Luongo and the Canucks?” Yeah, it’s called the Playoffs due to the history of choking.
Onward with the outcomes:
- Vancouver Canucks v. Chicago Blackhawks > as I said a while back, Chicago will be playing golf in April. Vancouver will choke in the next round to build suspense.
- San Jose Sharks v. LA Kings > Sharks but I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Kings given the Sharks’ post-season history.
- Detroit Red Wings v. Phoenix Coyotes > Red Wings.
- Anaheim Ducks v. Nashville Predators > Ducks yet who cares.
- Washington Capitals v. NY Rangers > Capitals, Rangers suck more.
- Philadelphia Flyers v. Buffalo Sabres > Flyers while a number one goalie will finally surface.
- Boston Bruins v. Montreal Canadiens > Canadiens, they’re more aggressive and out to avenge Chara’s nasty hit.
- Pittsburgh Penguins v. Tampa Bay Lightning > Pens or else Bettman will have to enlist Dr. Brown to reverse time to get the outcome he wants.
Let us see how it pans out. I myself am looking forward to collecting my 150 big ones in Las Vegas while Captain Mike Richards hoists the Cup.