Written by: Paul Kukla
I hate making predictions of any kind, yet I promised you in my previous blog I would review the teams that will make the 2nd season, the one that counts, you know, the playoffs. I start blogging here at Hockey.com and all of the sudden I fall into the "trap" of making predictions.
Heck, the guy in the blue flannel shirt, sitting at his computer in North Bay, could do exactly what I am about to do and make a prediction. In about a month's time, people will come back to this blog, laughing at me, aiming their mouse pointer right at me and LOL!
I could blame it on the upgrade here at Hockey.com, the fumes from the new paint job got to me. Yes, that is my excuse, blame it on the upgrade. I was under the influence of the upgrade, do something new Paul, something that will come back to haunt you, do it, do it, do it now!
Truthfully, I was under the influence of a Detroit Red Wings bad February. By telling you I would make my predictions, I was really telling me to put it on paper, then the Wings will read it and realize they must get their game in gear. We've all been there, motivate yourself, and everyone around you will catch on.
So here goes the predictions for the playoffs - please be kind, remember, anyone could do this:
Eastern Conference Division Winners
Montreal
Pittsburgh
Washington
The next five are New Jersey, Ottawa, New York Rangers Boston and Buffalo. The Eastern Conference finals will feature a Montreal/New Jersey series.
Western Conference Division Winners
Detroit
San Jose
Calgary
Five that follow are Dallas, Anaheim, Minnesota, Vancouver and Nashville. The last two teams standing in the West will be Detroit and San Jose.
There, I have done it, set myself up for failure and if I ever do this again, you have my permission to reach through your monitor and give me a friendly reminder slap in the face!
Thinking Out Loud
- I hope teams involved in the battle for the last playoff spots are practicing their shootout moves, because that extra point may make or break their season.
- Think about it, where would we be without hockey information via the web?
- I watch a lot of games via Center Ice and at times turn down the sound of the game because I cannot tolerate the biased broadcasting. Do you do the same?
- I see a slight decrease in the size of goalie gear happening during the summer, but I am not sure if it will bring us more goals.
Talking Hockey, Hockey.com that is.. (and no, this is not a paid endorsement)
I do hope you have spent some time navigating around the new-look Hockey.com. What a great enhancement from their original version and I am beginning to feel more at home here.
They folks involved with the site did a great job and I look forward to even greater things in the coming months and you should too.
As always, feel free to email me at pk@kuklaskorner.com with any questions, concerns or comments you may have.
See you soon!