NHL Playoff Preview

It's the most wonderful time of the year. The time when the real season begins. 82 games now mean nothing. Win or go home. etc, etc, etc... The puck drops on the NHL postseason tonight and it begins with a doozie. The Pens and Flyers take part in the battle of Pennsylvania and it promises to be epic. It's actually to bad one of these teams has to be eliminated in the first round as they could both make a serious run. Else where in the East Boston should be able to handle the Capitals who have third stringer Braden Holtby minding the twine. The Devils playoff experience should give them a big edge against the Panthers as Martin Brodeur looks to prove he's still got a run at the cup left in him. The Rangers are in tougher than many many thing against the upstart Sens and while my heart would love to see our boys pull of the upset, my mind can't see Henrik Lundquvist blowing this one.

In the Wild West the Red Wings Predators series is a toss up but I think Pekka Rinee showed last year against Vancouver how good he can be and I think gives the Preds an edge. The Sharks barely made the playoffs, though played well the last week of the season, but I don't think they can swim with the Blues and their stifling D. The Blackhawks come in under the radar and could knock off the Coyotes but I think Phoenix is underrated and I believe Mike Smith has a tremendous series. In Vancouver the Canucks got as close as you can without winning last year and look to make amends. Even with Daniel Sedin out right now, I think their depth will push them past the Kings.

In the end, I think if the Penguins can stay healthy no team is deeper or more skilled and they will again hoist Lord Stanley's mug.

Let's get it going!

Guillen's Gaff

Ozzie Guillen is no stranger to controversial comments. He is no stranger to saying what he feels and being honest, sometimes more than he should be. However the recent comments in which he expressed admiration for Fidel Castro take this oft troubled manager into an entirely new stratosphere of controversy. The large Cuban-American population in the Miami area has expressed outrage and has called for his job. The team suspended him five games and we will see if that is enough to appease the fan base. His apology did seem genuinely contrite and he seemed like someone who made a mistake and owned up to it. He did bring up the fact that he was speaking English and thinking in Spanish, though I'm not sure what this has to do with his response, but he doesn't seem to have any strong belief in what he said and realizes now how hurtful such comments can be. The Geo-political world is a dangerous one to comment on and Ozzie claims he will no longer be doing so. This is probably for the best as he is likely to be reprimanded as it is. I have no problem with freedom of speech but I also understand why the Marlins would discipline him for his actions. There is a line that cannot be crossed and se we will see how forgiving the people of south Florida are.

Turmoil in TO

So another season has come and gone and again the Toronto Maple Leafs find themselves on the outside of the playoffs looking in. Brian Burke may be many things, argumentative, belligerent, standoffish and those are his positive qualities, but at least he is honest and believes in what he says. He took responsibility for the failure of his team and did right by the organization by doing so. However, one interesting point came up when he talked about the fact that he and former coach Ron Wilson differed on the types of players need to win. When asked if he compromised to accommodate Wilson he said outright, no. But if he didn't, then where are these players? Wouldn't there be there now? New coach Randy Carlisle likes a tough physical team as does Burke and wants to dictate the game so it's safe to say changes will have to be made to accommodate this change in style and work ethic, something said to be lacking with this group. Burke also talked about the fact that he wants to improve his team through trades and acquiring pieces rather than free agency. He got outright angry when asked about the Pittsburgh method of building a contender which is to draft well and develop this young talent. He said and I quote "Pittsburgh method my ass! Pittsburgh won a lottery and got the best player in the world. Is that available to me?" Well, yes that certainly is the case and Sidney Crosby no doubt makes Pittsburgh one of the leagues top teams but he is forgetting they also drafted Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang, Marc-Andre Fleury and Jordan Stall among others? This is the core of the team, not one player. Where are the Leafs picks? Where are their up and coming stars, players with the ability to lead them to the top? They have a few pieces in Phil Kessel and Jake Gardiner but really, there is so much work to be done it's going to be years not a quick fix. There is no doubt Burke will go after big names in trades but does he have the assets to get them? And what will be done about the goaltending? He gave James Reimer a vote of confidence but said little about Jonas Gustavsson leaving speculation his time in TO is over. What Burke does it will be a challenge to make the playoffs in the east as he is not the only one to be retooling and many teams who also found themselves on the outside seem to be much closer than the Leafs.

Masters Preview

The Masters tees off at Augusta tomorrow so let's take a swing at this. Tiger Woods seems to have his game back on form and is always a threat, even when dealing with you know what, so it's hard to count him out. Phil Mickelson was talking about how the rain has softened the course up so we'll see if lefty can take advantage. There is no shortage of up and comers like Rory McIlroy, Camillo Vegas, Penn Badegely, Ricky Fowler and Bubba Watson (so he's not so young) but this shapes up to be an interesting event nonetheless. Much has been made of the absence of Ernie Els and it's unfortunate he's not around, I personally think he could have been invited but the rules are what they are. There is no doubt that a Tiger win would make headlines and I will admit to being a Tiger fan and think he's good as good a shot as anyone to win this thing, so time will tell. Mother nature as always will play a factor, (I know real original) but how the course holds up and how players adapt really is a key to winning a major. Whatever the result a green jacket awaits and an invitation to golf royalty as well as an interview in Butler cabin will always be there for the winner. Four!

MLB Preview

With the MLB kicking off it's regular season today, (OK I know they already played two in Japan, but Oakland and Seattle, really?) we'll take a look at the season ahead.

In the AL the Detroit Tigers made a big off season splash adding Price Fielder to their lineup and look like a strong contender, and should at the very least win the Central. In the AL East the Yankees, Red Sox, Rays and Blue Jays all have a shot at the division although the Jays need pitching help, though that can be said for most of these teams. The Sox new Manager Bobby Valentine should have an interesting first season in beantown. The west is shaping up to be a two horse race between the Angels and new slugger Albert Pujols and the Texas Rangers who are looking to get to a third straight World Series. Both teams are legitimate contenders and it will be a fun race to watch.

In the NL the Miami Marlins and new manager Ozzie Guillen made some bold off season moves including bringing in Jose Reyes and Makr Burhle and well, I just like Ozzie so we'll be following him regardless. The rest of the NL East starts and end with the Phillies. I know Atlanta is also a sold team but the Phillies, provided Chase Utley and Ryan Howard can get back healthy should once again be considered a legitimate World Series contender. The NL Central will have it's final season with six teams as the Astros will be moving to the AL next year. The defending division camps in Milwaukee lost some offense when Prince Fielder left but still have a decent team and may challenge the Reds, and new 200 million dollar man Joey Votto, and the Cards for the division. In the west San Fran has the pitching and will be a difficult challenge for anyone with their staff. The Dodgers look to at least fill the seats and have more interest with new owners including Magic Johnson. And don't count out Arizona who have a team without many superstars but are solid all around.

So, 162 to go, let's see where we end up in October. Play Ball!

Chalk Talk

The NCAA Men's basketball championship game goes tonight in the Bayou of New Orleans, and the favorite Kentucky Wildcats will take on the Kansas Jayhawks. The final should be entertaining, though won't have the blood rivalry the Louisville vs. Kentucky game had on Saturday. Bill Self and Kansas beat John Callapari and Memphis a few years ago in the final so this is a chance for coach Cal to even the score. The Wildcats were supposed to get here and were picked by many to win so this should come as no surprise. Kansas on the other hand was a #2 seed so it shouldn't come as a huge shock but they have prove a lot of critics wrong in getting to the big game. The tournament as a whole didn't have many of the upsets of years past with the exceptions of Duke and Missouri going out in the first round, many of the big name teams made it to the Elite eight including three number one seeds. UNC, Ohio State and Syracuse all went deep and all the teams in the final four had won championships in recent memory. This goes to show that the pedigree of the big schools was dominant and continues to show that even though there can be great Cinderella stories, more often than not the chalk will rise to the top. As for the game, I think this is coach Cal's time and that Kentucky will come away with a win in what should prove to be a very competitive game.

Pennsylvania Punch Up

The Pens and Flyers once again staged the battle of Pennsylvania this afternoon, and yet again the Flyers skated away victorious. However, as is often the case when these to bitter rivals get together, it was not without incident. The Flyers won their fifth straight in Pittsburgh which has to be of some concern for Pens coach Dan Bylsma as this is very likely a first round match up. With the Flyers already leading late Braden Schenn cross checked Sidney Crosby from behind. It was shortly after this Bylsma sent his fourth liners out for a face off and Daniel Briere was leveled, with a clean check, and a brawl erupted. Flyers head coach Peter Laviolette and Pens assistant Tony Granato even stared a rather heated war of words. Honestly though, what did Scheen think was going to happen when he gave Crosby the cheapshot? These are two teams who already hate each other, he did need to insight further animosity heading into the playoffs. As Nick Kypreos said on Sportsnet the end of the game was all about Bylsma sending a message both to his own team and the other about how they need to go about winning hockey games, even if it's not on the scoreboard. You stand up for your superstars and to their credit Philly did the same when called upon. All I can say is the playoffs are still over a week away and there's a good chance we ain't seen nothin' yet...