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Wet Mouth, More Jets and Playoff Chatter |
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I'm gonna start this blog giving a shout-out to new-ish band Wet Mouth. Consider them an artsy version of Veruca Salt. Trying to describe their sound it not important. Just find Wet Mouth on Facebook and/or Myspace and become friends with them now before they are huge in a year or two. Then, you can then tell your friends you're really cool because you "discovered" them first. http://www.facebook.com/#!/Wet.Mouth.music?sk=wall
I hope you don't mind if I just start firing off random comments on a range of subjects.
Sometimes Hockeybuzz Readers Annoy Me
It's great and all that you folks take time to read my blogs, but I've gotta tell ya, sometimes, some of you get on my nerves. I wrote a blog yesterday explaining why the Coyotes won't be going to Winnipeg, and the comments and emails I got...Sheessshhh. Look, if it was up to me, Canada would have nine teams (with clubs in Winnipeg, Hamilton and Quebec City). Why? Because the Canadian economy is strong, and because Canadian fans will support their team better than people in cities like Phoenix and Atlanta. In stating why I think The 'Peg is going to go teamless for a while longer, I am not insulting the city or the hockey fans there. I am simply blogging my opinion that the league, players and managers included, are not going to give up their favorite in-season vacation spot without a fight. There is a difference between how I feel about something, and the observations I make about the feelings and actions of others. And I'm sorry if you don't want to hear that the league is going to overlook Winnipeg in favor of bigger places with better weather, but I wouldn't be doin' my job if I said otherwise. I thought by now all Canadian NHL fans would have realized this league is not a friend to this country, regardless if our teams are the heartbeat of the league.
The Joke's Over
I have truly loved every minute of the Chicago Blackhawks coming all the way back in their series against the Vancouver Canucks. The time has come, however, for the Vancouver train wreck to end. Everything Canuck, from the fans, to the players, to the Vancouver media...those who were smug to the point of making me want to punch them, have all learned their lesson. The Canucks can come back now and win the series, and hockey fans from across the league should be happy for them.
I am not exactly convinced the Canucks can pull this from the fire. The Sedin's have all but disappeared; Cory Schneider is hurt and that means "Seven-Goals" Luongo will be back in net. Sami Salo looks like he is toast due to injuries, and other Canucks are hurting. All the 'mo is with the Hawks now, and unlike the Canucks players, the Hawks players know what needs to be done to close out a series. Instead of sitting around feeling sorry for themselves, the Canucks need to suck it up and play like it's the last game of their lives. If they lose, for a few players at least, it will be their last in a Canucks jersey.
Go Preds Go!
Show of hands: How many of you thought the Anaheim Ducks were the darkhorse to win the cup this season? My hand is up. The Ducks were terrific over the last half of the season, and they looked good enough to score some upsets. Unfortunately, they ran into a hungry Nashville team. Are there any Oiler fans left goofy enough to suggest they don't offer Shea Weber a huge offer sheet this summer, after watching the Preds/Ducks series? The Preds might have two of the Top 5 players in hockey in Weber and goaltender Pekka Rinne.
Unless the Preds get the Wings in the next round, I am going to pick Nashville to win their series. And good for them, too. The fan and money situation hasn't always been great in Nashville. A cup run might be exactly what is needed to turn the situation around there.
It's a Toss Up
I wouldn't be too discouraged if I was a Sabres fan. Yes, Game 7 will be in Philly, and yes, the Flyers have tons of talent. No one gave Buffalo much of a chance going into this series, but we're seeing very quickly how goaltending is deciding series this year. If I had to bet on Ryan Miller or whoever the Flyers give the start to (could be one of the ushers considering how bad everyone else is), I'd bet everything on Miller. Game 7 is going to be a classic.
The Habs and the Hab-Nots
Game 6 of the Habs/Bruins series is on Tuesday. I like Montreal going into Game 6, but the Bruins have this series. There is no shame intended for Montreal in me saying this. The Bruins simply have too much depth to lose. One thing that has been amusing, and somewhat embarrassing to watch is the play of Zdeno "I didn't do it" Chara. He is playing like a total sissy out there. Seriously dude, hit people thru the boards already. Chara without physical play is Tomas Kaberle, and everyone in Boston keeps saying what a horrible trade acquiring him has worked out to be. I almost feel sorry for Chara watching him play, because he's like the family dog after he was brought to the vet to be neutered. If Chara was Chris Pronger he wouldn't be acting all whimpy out there just because he hurt someone. Pronger has this certain jerk quality to his persona that keeps him from ever feeling guilt about anything he does. Chara needs some of that.
Battle of the Bad: San Jose and LA
Game 6 of this mess of a series goes on Monday. The Sharks are leading 3-2, but LA has outplayed them for most of the series. I am cheering for San Jose simply because the Oilers will get a better draft pick if LA loses. But this series really doesn't matter anyway, because the team San Jose or LA will face next round will eat them alive. How can Joe Thornton, one of the best five centers in the game during the regular season, be so terrible year after year in the playoffs? Dany Heatley hasn't impressed me either.
Seen Stamkos?
The Penguins are in tremendous trouble if Steven Stamkos has found his form. True superstar players find their A Game come playoff time. With Stamkos, it took five games, and thankfully for the Bolts, they only need to win the next two to continue in the playoffs. Look for Stamkos to have two or three points tomorrow night in Tampa Bay, with the series returning to Pittsburgh for Game 7 on Wednesday. Hey, I picked Tampa, of all teams, to win the cup when the playoffs started, so I kinda need to cheer for them.
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • 
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