OK, I’m not a big hockey guy, but I have to give to the NHL. After an off-the-radar regular season where most of the games were televised on the fledgling VS. network, sandwiched between extreme cagefighting and Hunting for the Big Fish, the NHL had redeemed themselves in this year’s playoffs and my TV thanks them.

There were a few first round series’ that we saw go to seven games and the NHL’s stars really came out to play. We saw phenom Alexander Ovechkin break out of a slump to all but take over the series for Washington. Even though the Capitals dropped game 7 to the Flyers, Ovechkin almost single handedly lifted the Caps to the second round. Not like there’s anything going on in Washington right now anyway.

The NHL has cured my bad TV habits

Tags: Cavs predictions against the spread, NBA Picks 2010

Eastern Conference

The last three Stanley Cups have come from the Eastern Conference. Can they do it again? We will see. And we will of course have a slew of NHL picks during the playoffs. “Sid the kid,” is the youngest scoring champion in sports history at the young ripe age of 19, will go up against a great team in the Ottawa Senators. This is probably the highest scoring of the four other Eastern Conference series and its going to be a blast to watch. Watch out for the Tampa Bay Lighting taking on New Jersey. Lecavalier can take over a series but Brodeur can shut you down. If Tampa can overcome having a rookie (Johan Holmqvist) start in net they may upset the No. 2 seed in the East. Did somebody say Buffalo? Tied for the most points in the league this season with 113, you had better mention Buffalo. Our pick from the Eastern Conference will come from the high scoring Sabres, watch out they may just sweep this first series. Last but not least the Thrashers go up against the Rangers. Let’s go RANGERS! Ok, ok no picking sides here but who doesn’t love Ranger’s playoff hockey? Come on now! The Rangers have their hands full in Hossa and Kovalchuk. But who knows, maybe Brenda (I’ve always wanted to say that) Shanahan and Jaromir Jagr could pull out a series win.

Western Conference

2007 Stanley Cup Playoffs Preview

Tags: Cavs predictions against the spread, NBA Picks 2010