http://hockey-sense.today.com It's not all about the brawn........... Fri, 12 Jun 2009 17:55:09 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en And by work, I obviously mean figuring out exactly what the hell happened to the Boston Bruins, determining why the Blackhawks have put up such a strong fight against the Canucks, and discussing the possibly impending doom of the Phoenix Coyotes. Will the real Boston Bruins please stand up? Actually, I think ... http://hockey-sense.today.com/2009/05/09/vacation-over-back-to-work/ Apparently I've earned myself a new "fan" for my "hatred" of the Red Wings......... http://hockey-sense.today.com/2009/04/19/i-hate-the-red-wings/ He is my new hero!! Forget this guy.............   And these guys......... Even these guys!   I now worship at the altar of the hallowed Red Wings.    Yeah, not so much.  http://hockey-sense.today.com/2009/05/03/hey-speaking-of-the-red-wings/ Due to unavoidable circumstances, I've been out of the loop for several days, so my predictions post is a bit late.  I've chopped out the previews, because all of the series are already underway, and just left my predictions the way they were.  Image from http://sports.espn.go.com Boston (1) vs. Carolina (6) ... http://hockey-sense.today.com/2009/05/03/predictions-for-the-nhl-playoffs-round-2-and-beyond/ - The hit Donald Brashear placed on Blair Betts of the New York Rangers is exactly what the NHL needs desperately to do away with.  And a 5 game suspension simply isn't going to do it.  The Rangers are going to be missing a key penalty killer for their Game ... http://hockey-sense.today.com/2009/04/28/donald-brashear-game-seven-and-other-thoughts/ The Anaheim Ducks will end the San Jose Sharks season prematurely tonight - the 335th straight time the Sharks have made an early exit (OK, so I exaggerate).   Image from http://img.dailymail.co.uk And to think, they've done this with Teemu Selanne notching only a single assist. This is an epic failure for the Sharks, ... http://hockey-sense.today.com/2009/04/27/another-of-my-predictions-will-die-tonight/ Ken Daneyko played nearly 1300 regular season games in the National Hockey League.  He scored a total of 36 goals.  How does a player last 1300 games when he scores that little? By being an indispensable defensive portion of the New Jersey Devils for his entire career.   By battling every single night, ... http://hockey-sense.today.com/2009/04/26/3-ken-daneyko/ OK, fine - so I called OT for the wrong game.  But the predictions were right. So, let's take a look at today's games. The Rangers were already in trouble.  Then John Tortorella's meltdown cost him a suspension, meaning the Rangers will be without him today.  Washington will deflate the Rangers crowd ... http://hockey-sense.today.com/2009/04/26/hey-i-got-it-right-so-lets-try-again/ Ummmm........OK, now I've been ticked off at referees plenty of times in the past.  I've yelled, insulted, called names and slammed bench and penalty box doors with near-frightening regularity. But apparently that's not how you're supposed to handle it.  At least not in Slovakia. 2004 Flyers draft pick Ladislav Scurko decided it ... http://hockey-sense.today.com/2009/04/25/how-not-to-gain-the-respect-of-a-referee/ Let's see.......Bruins in 5.  Close enough. Red Wings in 6.  OK, so Steve Mason didn't steal any. Blues in 7.  Oops. Capitals in 5.  Damn you, Henrik Lundqvist. So, I'm not perfect at predicting playoff series.  But I've done better with them than I did with predicting the final conference standings.  So I'm satisfied. Besides........forget ... http://hockey-sense.today.com/2009/04/25/looking-back-at-playoff-predictions-while-looking-forward-to-a-great-day-of-hockey/ I would imagine most casual hockey fans would have struggled to name the Washington Capitals backup goalie going into the playoffs.  Frankly, given the attention that Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom and Mike Green receive, a lot of fans might struggle to name either goaltender.  And yet, here we are, headed ... http://hockey-sense.today.com/2009/04/24/simeon-who/