Bert Campaneris: 9 Innings, 9 Positions

Bert Campaneris did something amazing on September 8, 1965.

He played all nine positions in one game, including pitcher.

He started the game at shortstop.

First inning: (Shortstop)

After taking his position at shortstop, he watched as Wayne Causey squeezed Jose Cardenal’s popup for the first out. It was as close as Campaneris came to a play as Jose Tartabull made two outs in left to retire the side, in order.

Campaneris led off the game with a walk, and, as he did so often, he stole second. Eventually, he scored the game’s first run on a double by Edward Charles.

Second Inning: (Second Base)

So Bert moved left to second base as Causey moved right to take over at shortstop.

The first two batters were retired easily, but then another Edward, Kirkpatrick singled for the first of two hits. Then he was picked off first. There was a run down on a play that would involve the two infielders who had just changed positions. A’s starter, Dick Joyce fired to first sacker (who played that position until the 7th inning on this day) Randy Schwartz, who then tossed it to Campaneris, who then fired it back to Joyce (joining up in the rundown). Joyce was credited with the assist as he tossed it to Causey for the putout.

Third Inning: (Third Base)

Campaneris moved over to third while Ed Charles went from the hot corner to second sacker.

But once again it was Tartabull who the ball found its way to twice, in a 1-2-3 inning. Dean Chance, the opposing pitcher, struck out to end the inning.

In the bottom of the frame, Chance retired Campaneris on a groundout which he himself fielded.

Fourth Inning: (Left Field)

Charles was back at third, but obviously Tartabull had to move. He went to right field. Right fielder Lou Clinton came out of the game as his spot was moved to second base, now occupied by Dick Green.

Jose Cardinal led off the top of the fourth for the Angels. I should mention at this point that he would probably have wanted to get involved in this. After all, he was Bert’s cousin.

So Jose decided to test Bert’s glove in left and sent a flyball to left. Campaneris caught it. California would tie the game that inning as Jim Fregosi singled and scored on a Joe Adcock double.

Fifth Inning: (Center Field)

In the top of the fifth, Campaneris shifted from left to center field. Jose Tartabull moved back to left, and was no doubt mad that he missed out on a chance for his 5th putout of the game. Jim Landis went from center to right.

Tartabull made his 5th putout of the game after all for the second out, taking catcher Tom Egan’s fly. Then it was Paul Schaal’s turn to test Bert out by hitting a flyball to center. Campaneris made the catch to retire the side. It had been another 1-2-3 inning.

Sixth Inning: (Right Field)

Campaneris moved to right, while Landis was back in his normal position.

With two out in the inning, Albie Pearson singled. Then Fregosi sent a fly to Campaneris, which was muffed. Pearson scored to give the Angels a 2-1 lead. Tartabull once again caught a fly to end the inning.

Chance, still pitching for California, k’d Bert in the bottom of the inning.

Seventh Inning (First Base)

Campaneris moved to first base. Mike Hershberger, as the new right fielder, replaced Randy Schwartz in the lineup.

The Angles got runners to second and third with only one out, thanks to two walks and a wild pitch.

The A’s were forced to go the bullpen twice in this inning as Dick Joyce’s night ended. First to Don Mossi, and then to Jim Dickenson. Campaneris caught Schaal’s pop up for the second out. Chance ended the inning by fanning.

In the bottom of the frame, Larry Stahl pinch hit for Hershberger.

Eighth Inning (Pitcher)

Now it was time for the real test. Campaneris relived Dickenson on the mound, while Santiago Rosario filled in the void at first. Stahl took over for Hershberger in right.

Campaneris faced his relative first. So it was right handed pitcher vs right handed batter. Cardenal popped out to second. But then, it was Albie Pearson who batted from the left side. So Campaneris, who was ambidextrously, switch-pitched! Pearson coaxed a walk from him, on four pitches. Jim Fregosi batted right handed, so it was Campaneris the right handed pitcher again. Four more pitches and a -

Walk.

After two more balls to Joe Adcock, he singled to score Pearson and Marcelino Lopez came in to run for Adcock. 3-1 California.

Campaneris was in a hole here as Bobby Knoop came to bat. Campaneris was able to bear down and strike him out as Fregosi tried to steal third. But catcher Billy Bryan nailed him at third for a double play. This would Bryan’s last play of the game.

Bert came to bat in the bottom of the inning and grounded out against Chance.

Ninth Inning (Catcher)

So now came the ninth and final inning, and the ninth and final position. The other half of the battery.

Aurelio Monteagudo took over on the mound for Campaneris and Campaneris replaced Bryan behind the plate.

Kirkpatrick got his second hit of the game, and then tested Bert’s arm. He succeeded in his swipe. Tom Egan walked.

Monteagudo got Schaal to line out to Landis, but Kirkpatrick made it to third. Chance batted for himself and struck out.

As Jose Cardenal batted, the Angels decided to test Campaneris behind the plate again with a steal as Egan took off towards second. As Campaneris fired to second, Kirkpatrick took advantage of Bert’s inexperience behind the dish and took off for home. Ohh, a double steal!

Dick Green, at second, could see it all, and took Bert’s throw and fired it right back to him. The toss beat the runner as Kirkpatrick and Campaneris collided at home, but the ball didn’t come lose. A fight broke out, but the inning was over.

And so was Campaneris’ night, as the impact of Kirkpatrick was bad enough to force Campaneris from the game.

If it matters at this point, the A’s tied in the bottom of the ninth, only to lose it in the top of the 13th. Hmm, another game involving Joe Adcock (see Harvey Haddix’s 12 inning perfect game) that ended in the 13th involving something that had never been done before.

So because by now you realize what a stats freak (did I just type that?) I am. Here are Bert Campaneris’ stats for the night

Batting

3AB, 1R, 0H, 0RBI, 1BB, 1K, .000 BA, .250 OPS

Fielding

POS: P, 0 CH, 0 PO, 0 A, 0 E, 0 DP, .000 F%, 0.00 R/9I, 0.00 R/G

POS: C, 3 CH, 2 PO, 1 A, 0 E, 0 DP, 1.000 F%, 27.00 R/9I, 3.00 R/G

POS: 1B, 1 CH, 1 PO, 0 A, 0 E, 0 DP, 1.000 F%, 9.00 R/9I, 1.00 R/G

POS: SS, 0 CH, 0 PO, 0 A, 0 E, 0 DP, .000 F%, 0.00 R/9I, 0.00 R/G

POS: 2B, 0 CH, 0 PO, 0 A, 0 E, 0 DP, .000 F%, 0.00 R/9I, 0.00 R/G

POS: 3B, 0 CH, 0 PO, 0 A, 0 E, 0 DP, .000 F%, 0.00 R/9I, 0.00 R/G

POS: LF, 1 CH, 1 PO, 0 A, 0 E, 0 DP, 1.000 F%, 9.00 R/9I, 1.00 R/G

POS: CF, 1 CH, 1 PO, 0 A, 0 E, 0 DP, 1.000 F%, 9.00 R/9I, 1.00 R/G

POS: RF, 1 CH, 0 PO, 0 A, 1 E, 0 DP, .000 F%, 0.00 R/9I, 0.00 R/G

Pitching

1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1K, 0 HR, 9.00 ERA.

2012 Stanley Cup Finals: The Story So Far, Game 5

So the Devils forced 'em to put the champagne away again. And the Kings finally lose at home.

And we had another 2-1 game, although this one didn't make it to OT.

The first period was again cautious, as the teams combined for just 11 shots. But once again it was the Devils who drew first blood as Parise got one around the 13 minute mark.

Both teams then started to pour it on in the second stanza. Once again, the Kings tied it as Justin Williams snapped one by Brodeur.

The Kings had several more chances in this period. Stoll came up empty on a breakaway.

But this time, it was the Kings who missed on their chances. Meanwhile, the Devils took the lead for good when Bryce Salvador continued his strong play by scoring the game winning goal at 9:05.

The Kings clamped down on defence and kept pelting Marty with shots in the third. They actually scored a goal, but it was waved off. And despite outshooting New Jersey 9-3, they could not score in the finale.

This was the third 2-1 game of this Series, which is turning out to be quite entertaining!

The Way It Was

1993

This time the Kings didn't come back, as Montreal scored a 4-1 win and a 4-1 Series win.

McSorley again tied it in the second, but this time, the Kings responded as Kirk Muller scored a goal little more than a minute later. The Habs added one before the period ended and still another in the third.

Patrick Roy, won his second Conn Smythe award. Amazingly, although no one knew it at the time, he would never win another playoff round for the Habs.

1995

The Devils were Stanley Cup Champions by this point. But they would miss the playoffs the next season.

Attitudes In The Dressing Room At This Point:

Los Angeles: We'd better wrap it up at home, or else...

New Jersey: Kings' aren't so tough on the road. We can take this thing

My Three Stars:

Broduer

Salvador

Zajac

Game Rating Scale 1 (boring) - 10 (exciting)

9.5: An improvement over the last game. Brodeur's best, so far. The Kiings played well, and put their maximum effort into this game. But the Devils did it as they always do, protecting a slim lead with defence and goaltending

2012 Stanley Cup Finals: The Story So Far, Game 4

So New Jersey finally found a way to win. Brodeur, like all great goaltenders, bounced back from a poor game.

The first period was a rather cautious affair, as both teams seemed reluctant to take any chances. They seemed to be almost feeling each other out, or waiting for just the right time to go for a scoring opportunity.

The Devils played even more cautiously in the second period, managing 3 shots. LA, meanwhile had 7 shots. But once again, the period ended scoreless.

The Devils finally started to open up in the third. And it promptly paid off.

Elias opened the scoring about 8 minutes into the third, which I felt was huge, since the team scoring the first goal had won the previous 3 games.

The lead lasted one minute, exactly.

Drew Doughty tied it on a powerplay goal just 4 seconds after David Clarkson went to the penalty box.

With less than 4 minutes to go, Adam Henrique scored what turned out to be the winner, and New Jersey tightened the screws on defence to make the lead hold up. Kovalchuk added an empty netter to seal the deal.

The Way It Was

1993

Again the Kings came back, and again they lost in OT.

The Habs jumped out to a 2-0 lead early in the second period.

McSorley, atoning for getting caught with an illegal stick in game 2, tied it with just 5 seconds left in the second period.

After a scoreless third, LeClaire again won it overtime, but this time it was at the 14:37 mark. The Habs now had a 3-1 stranglehold on the Series, with game 5 in Montreal.

1995

New Jersey spotted the Red Wings an early lead, 2-1, and then reeled off four straight goals to win their first Stanley Cup.

Shawn Chambers scored twice and Billy Guerin collected 3 assists.

The Red Wings were held to just 16 shots on goal, while New Jersey scored their 5 on just 26 shots on a shaky Mike Vernon.

Attitudes In The Dressing Room At This Point:

Los Angeles: No panic yet, and now we go on the road!

New Jersey: We’re still alive, but let’s not lose this one at home!

My Three Stars:

Salvador

Brodeur

Doughty

Game Rating Scale 1 (boring) - 10 (exciting)

8.5: The teams took a while to actually open up. The goaltending was great, but Quick showed some vulnerability.


References

Official Site of the National Hockey League | NHL.com. National Hockey League. Web. 11 Jun. 2012. <https://www.nhl.com>.

Sports Reference LLC.  Hockey-Reference.com - Hockey Statistics and History. Web. http://www.hockey-reference.com. Web. 11 Jun. 2012.

Stanley Cup Finals 2012: The Story So Far, Game 3

See all the celebs? Was that Mary Hart wearing a Kings' jersey? Best episode of ET, ever!

And Gretzky dropping the puck to start it all? And Bruce McNall, the man who made the trade all possible. Feeling like 1988 all over again. Good to see Mark Messier there, too. Where is Peter Pocklington?

New Jersey again had their chances and didn't convert. How many powerplays does this team need?

The first period was pretty good. But New Jersey let an opportunity slip away when they failed to score on the 5 on 3.

In the second period, both teams started to open up, but LA scored twice, but failed to get one on their first power play.

The first goal by Martinez had a bit of controversy behind it. But there was nothing controversial about Kopitar's goal, which put the game out of reach.

The way it was

1993

Los Angeles came home and promptly got behind 3-0, early in the second period. But Lucky Luc got one back from Gretzky, and this keyed a comeback. Gretzky's goal at 17:07 of the second stanza would tie the game.

The game stayed that way as the team played a scoreless third period.

John Leclair won the game just 34 seconds into overtime, putting the Habs up 2-1 in the Series

1995

New Jersey really took it to Detroit, opening up a 5-0 lead, then allowing Detroit two meaningless goals for a 5-2 win.

Attitudes In The Dressing Room At This Point:

Los Angeles: We can see the finish line, 60 more minutes...

New Jersey: We can't beat these guys at home or on the road

My three stars:

Quick

Kopitar

Williams

Game Rating Scale 1 (boring) - 10 (exciting)

6.5: The action was good, but the game got a little one-sided by the third. I was hoping for another overtime game.


References

Official Site of the National Hockey League | NHL.com. National Hockey League. Web. 12 Jun. 2012. <https://www.nhl.com>.

Sports Reference LLC.  Hockey-Reference.com - Hockey Statistics and History. Web. http://www.hockey-reference.com. Web. 12 Jun. 2012.

Stanley Cup Finals 2012: The Story So Far, Game 2

Didn't I just watch this game, only it was game 1, not game 2.

Again Brodeur and Quick were...I'll say great. And I really think Brodeur not only held the Devils in their in the 3rd period, but also in overtime.

But the problem again for New Jersey is those missed plays. There were several times in overtime where they had control of the puck in overtime and it seemed like just a matter of time until they scored.

But they didn't, and that opened the door for LA.

And just like in game 1, LA pounced on the opportunity.

This overtime goal by Jeff Carter wasn't quite like Kopitar. But that was some determination on him circling the goal and snapping it home! Got it through all five Devils plus Brodeur somehow!

This time it was the Devils who needed the game more than LA. Now it's gonna be an uphill climb for New Jersey, who need to win the next three games.



The way it was

1993

Los Angeles looked to go up 2-0 vs Montreal on the road. But Marty McSorley got caught with an illegal stick...

1995

New Jersey trailed 2-1 going into the third. But a goal by Scott Niedemayer tied the game. Then the Devils won the game on a Jim Dowd goal and a Stephane Richer empty netter

Attitudes In The Dressing Room At This Point:

Los Angeles: Too bad we're going home...

New Jersey: Thannk god they are only 4-2 at home

My three stars:



1 (tie) Quick and Brodeur

2 Jeff Carter

Game Rating Scale 1 (boring) - 10 (exciting)

9. Another OT that lasted longer and some great saves. Great goaltending duel.

My Favourite "Big Threes"

In sports, so many teams have, the big three. Here are my favourite

10) Lebron, CB4, and DW

We'll just have to wait and see...

9) Gretzky, Kurri, Coffey

When these guys were on the ice, the opposition never touched the puck. Imagine taking a penalty against these guys. No wonder the NHL implemented the 5-5 for coincidental penalties in 85/86, a season that saw Gretzky get 163 ASSISTS and Coffey get 48 goals, as a defenceman. Kurri led the NHL with 68 goals, one shy of the all time single season mark for right wingers.

8) Mantle, Maris, Howard

During a stretch from 1960 to 1964, the Yankees won 5 pennants, 2 World Series and 4 MVPs. Maris won 2 (60-61), Mantle and Howard one each (1962 and 1963). Plus all three were great fielders. Howard almost single-handedly carried the Yanks to the World Series in 1963, with Mantle and Maris hurt. Howard provided the steady calming influence on the pitching staff. But Mantle and Maris both hit dramatic homeruns that year, so poor old Ellie...

UPDATE: My father just read this and said Yogi Berra (3 MVPs in the 1950s) should be included. Fine. Big 4!

7) Jim Rice, Dwight Evans, Fred Lynn

Rice was underrated as a fielder, Evans was underrated as a hitter, especially when the 80s dawned. No other AL player hit more homeruns (256) in that decade that Evans. Lynn, when healthy, could do it all.

6) Koufax, Drysdale, Podres

Yes, Podres should be in there because of his two clutch World Series wins in 1959 and 1963. Should I mention he also won 2 for Brooklyn in 1955? But when it got to LA and Koufax (You knew what was coming alright, you just couldn't hit it), Drysdale (He'd knock down his own mother if she was batting, I swear) reached their prime...I mean, can you imagine playing a three game set against the Dodgers with these guys starting one after another? Just leave the bats at home! Plus, did I mention Podres was a lefty, as well?

5) Jordan, Pippen, Rodman

DEFENSE! Yeah, these guys were awesome! Is it any wonder in their three years together they won 3 NBA Championships? Anyways, Pippen was always better than his stats were, we all know that. Rodman was the best rebounder in the NBA from his rookie season until his last year, seriously. Jordan, well...

4) Bird, McHale, Johnson

Disclaimer:

I should have included Robert Parrish here, as no team in the 80s wins without a center. Actually, no team until the 90s could win without a center. See #5 for that. Also, in 85/86 the team had Bill Walton as the backup center. 5 Hall Of Famers.

But these three made the real difference. McHale, like Pippen, you had to see play. Bird, btw, was one of the smartest players ever, and DJ was the most underrated player, ever.

3) Kareem, Magic, And Big Game

Poor James Worthy, no one will ever remeber he scored 28 points to win the 1982 NCAA Final. Again, see #5 for who did that. Magic made the game fun and Kareem just got better with age.

2) Federer, Nadal, Djokovic

They've made tennis so much fun to watch in the last few years

1) Palmer, Nicklaus, Player

(Need I say more?)

Stanley Cup Finals 2012: The Story So Far, Game 1

Not a bad opener, in fact quite good.

Brodeur and Quick were good, but I'll give the edge to Brodeur because the Devils, I felt, missed finishing a few plays that could have changed the outcome.

That overtime goal by Kopitar was one of the nicest OT goals in a Stanley Cup Finals I've ever seen

The Kings needed this game more than them Devils, just as New Jersey will need game 2 more than Los Angeles.

9 wins in a row in this postseason, and 10 dating back to last year. Their last postseason loss was a 3-2 defeat at the hands of the Sharks on April 14, 2011. It's been a long time coming

The way it was

1993

Los Angeles won game 1 vs Montreal on the road. I should saw Gretzky won it. 4-1 LA

1995

New Jersey won game vs the favoured Wings on the road, 2-1. I was their ninth straight win on the road in that postseason, sound familiar?

Attitudes In The Dressing Room At This Point:

Los Angeles: We can beat these guys, and we can win on the road, anywhere

New Jersey: These guys are for real and we need to finish plays better.

My three stars:

Brodeur

Quick

Kopitar

Game Rating Scale 1 (boring) - 10 (exciting)

8, more plays need to be executed and less give aways. But a good goaltending duel and exciting OT goal. Plus some bone crushing hits never hurts, eh?

The Kings: Playoff Veterans @ Such A Young Age!

I keep hearing that the Los Angeles Kings don't have experience, thus they will lose quickly and quietly.

What a bunch of bull.

Thing is, I took it on myself to look this up, and they do have experience.

Justine Williams played in the 2006 Stanley Cup Finals with Carolina, and has played 65 playoff games, lifetime.

Mike Richards played in the 2010 Stanley Cup Finals with the Miracle Flyers and 77 playoff games, lifetime.

Dustin Penner played in the 2007 Stanley Cup Finals with Ottawa, and 54 playoff games, lifetime.

Jeff Carter played in the 2010 Stanley Cup Finals with Philadelphia and 61 playoff games, lifetime.

Jarret Stoll (Not Staal, sadly) played in the 2006 Stanley Cup Finals with Eric Staal and 49 playoff games, lifetime.

Matt Greene played in the 2006 Stanley Cup Finals with Carolina and 44 playoff games, lifetime.

Colin Frasier played in the 2010 Stanley Cup Finals with Chicago and 17 playoff games, lifetime.

Rob Scuderi (second oldest player on the team) played in the 2008 and 2009 Stanley Cup Finals with Pittsburgh and 75 playoff games, lifetime.

Drew Doughty has no Stanley Cup Finals experience, but played in the 7 gruelling games in the 2010 Olympic games!

That brings us to the coach, Darryl Sutter. In his second year with Calgary, back in 2004, he took them to game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals. Sutter has coached 115 playoff games, lifetime. In addition, he played in 51 playoff games, lifetime.

Simon Gagne, I left out for the last. I don't know if I would want to play, given that he is recovered from a concussions, which as we saw earlier this year (in the case of Sidney Crosby) can come back at any moment. Gagne is the 2010-2011 Sidney Crosby of 2011-2012. He missed the last 46 games of the season (and 14 playoff games, so far) with his third concussion. If it matters, he's played in the 2010 Stanley Cup finals with the Flyers. Oh yeah, the Kings could use his playoff experience (105 games). Is it worth the risk? Ask Lindros, as a teammate of Gagne in the 1999-2000 regular season and playoffs.


References


Goss, Nicholas. “Stanley Cup Finals 2012: Kings Should Give Simon Gagne Chance to Play vs. Devils.” Bleacher Report, Bleacher Report. Web.  26 May. 2012, <bleacherreport.com/articles/1197092-stanley-cup-finals-2012-kings-should-give-simon-gagne-chance-to-play-vs-devils>.

"Official Site of the National Hockey League” | NHL.com. National Hockey League. Web. 29 May. 2012.  <https://www.nhl.com>

Sports Reference LLC. "(title of a particular page or blank for general citation)." Hockey-Reference.com - Hockey Statistics and History.  http://www.hockey-reference.com. Web. 29 May. 2012.

NHL Playoffs: How They Reveal Character, Especially The Masks Ones.

The great men's basketball coach at UCLA, John Wooden once said that, "Sports don't build character, they reveal it."

NHL playoffs this year? No exception!

Character is what is on trial in the NHL playoffs, not talent. The mentally strong survive, while the weak fade into oblivion.

Believe it or not, I have also seen some character being build this postseason, already.

The Washington Capitals have always looked good on paper, during the regular season, at the All Star Game Skills competition.

But somehow, not quite in the playoffs. All that could soon change.

With their 4-3 win this afternoon, right there in Boston, the Capitals are one win away from pulling off an upset of the defending Stanley Cup champions.

I guess the newest character is the most unlikeliest of them all, Branden Holtby.

All of 7 regular season games this year, to go along with 14 last year.

Now, granted, his career record is now 21,  14W / 4L / 3OTSOL /  2.02GAA / .929S% / 3 SO, but did anyone expect him to perform this well.

See, this is why the Capitals have struggled in the postseason, they've never had the goaltender who can steal series, or even one game for them in situations like this.

Holtby stats in this year's postseason, his first, are: 5, 3 / 2 / 1.86 / .946 / 0, shades of Jaraslav Halak two years ago. And he has everyone in the Caps locker room believing in themselves.

Goaltending is like that. You get into situations where you should have been scored on, but instead, because you weren't you feel like you've been given another chance. Like another chance at the other end.

And it's all over the playoffs.

Detroit has been the first team to lose. And they lost because of Pekke Rinne. How about Rinne's stats: (5, 4 / 1 / 1.81 / .944 / 0). Similar to Holtby, and the kind of stuff you need from your net man if you are going to beat a team like Detroit. And yes, I know Detroit had a worse record then Nashville, but lets face it, the pressure was on Rinne. He had to prove his league leading 43 wins and 1, 987 saves weren't and fluke. Just like getting the Preds to round two last year wasn't just by accident.

Clearly it wasn't.

Los Angeles has a chance to knock out Vancouver, having taken a 3-0 series lead (now down to 3-1) thanks to Jonathan Quick, who already posted a career high 3 playoff wins, almost as many as he won the last two playoffs combined.

Gotta start somewhere!

In addition to three wins, his GAA is 1.76 and his S% is .952. I suppose that's all just a matter of luck, right?

The series might not be over yet, as Corey Schneider, taking over for Roberto Luongo, leads all goaltenders with a GAA of 1.02 and .969 S% in two games.

Elliot and Halak (Hey, I though he was just a fluke after 2010) have San Jose down 3-1 and grasping for air. When is the last time you saw two goaltenders on the same team, bot with a GAA under 2 (1.51, 1.73) and S% around .950 (.944, .935)?

Craig Anderson has the Ottawa Senators (the 8th in the East) thinking upset. How about this: The Senators have never lead in any of the 4 games so far, yet have come out on time twice in overtime. The reason is, the Rangers, sans game 1, haven't ever been ahead by more than two goals at any point in this series. Anderson has been keeping the Senators in every game, game 2 onwards.

Phoenix has come out on top 3 times so far in overtime against Chicago, and amazingly, their only loss so far was at the same stanza. Here's honestly, how their three wins have gone, if we throw away game 3:

One goal lead, late in the game, Chicago ties it, Coyotes win it in overtime.

And their one loss, so far?

One goal lead, late in the game, Chicago ties it, wins it in overtime.

So as you can see, every single game has gone to overtime, which is also where you need goaltending. Mike Smith has faced more shots (164) and made more saves (154) than every other goaltender except Holtby, who has stopped 175 of 185 shots.

Scott Clemmensen's only previous postseason experience came back in the 2006 playoffs, all of 7 minutes for the Devils.

But this year, he has come back to haunt them.

Taking over for Jose Theodore (momentarily) he helped Florida to a 2-2 vice-like-deadlock with the Devils, picking up a key win in game 3.

And as for the Pens and Flyers, the first 4 games had no goaltending, but game 5, a 3-2 Penguins win, both Marc Andre Fleury and Ilya Brzygalov shined. Looks like that series is coming down to goaltening, after all!

Anyone surprised?

Stanley Cup 2012 Predictions, 1st Round: Blues VS Sharks

St. Louis (2) VS San Jose (7)

Offense

St. Louis

Forwards

Backes (82 GP, 24 / 30 / 54)

Oshie (80, 19 / 35 / 54)

Perron (57, 21 / 21 / 42)

Berglund (82, 19 / 19 / 38)

Arnott (72, 17 / 17 / 34)

Stewart (79, 15 / 15 / 30)

Defenceman

Pietrangelo (81, 12 / 39 / 51)

Shattenkirk (81, 9 / 34 / 43)

San Jose

Forwards

Thornton (82, 18 / 59 / 77)

Couture (80, 31 / 34 / 65)

Marleau (82, 30 / 34 / 64)

Pavelski (82, 31 / 30 / 61)

Clowe (76, 17 / 28 / 45)

Defenceman

Boyle (81, 9 / 39 / 48)

Burns (81, 11 / 26 / 37)


Edge: (Slight) San Jose

Defence

St. Louis



Defenceman

Jackman (81, (+20)

Shattenkirk (+20)

Pietrangelo (+16)

Russell (+13)

Forwards

Steen (43 GP, +24)

Perron (+19)

Oshie (+15)

Backes (+15)

Arnott (+13)

D'Agostini  (55, +12)

Sobotka (73, +12)

San Jose

Defenceman

Vlasic (82, +11)

Boyle (+10)

Forwards

Pavelski (+18)

Thornton (+17)

Havlat (39, +10)

Marleau (+10)


Edge: (Wide) St. Louis

Goaltending

St. Louis

Halak (46GP, 26W / 12L / 7OTSO / 1.97 / .926 / 6)
 
Elliott (38, 23 / 10 / 4 / 1.56 / .940 / 9)

San Jose

Niemi (68, 34 / 22 / 9 / 2.42 / .915 / 6)

Greiss (19, 9 / 7 / 1 / 2.30 / .915 / 0)

Edge: (Wide ) Combined goaltending, St. Louis. (Wide) Starting Goaltending, St. Louis

Toughness

St. Louis (55 Team Fights)

Reaves (60GP, 15 fights)

Crombeen (40, 10)

Nichol (80, 6)

Stewart (6)

San Jose (49 Team Fights)

Clowe (9)

Winchester (67, 8)

Vandermeer (25, 6)



Edge: Neither

Season Series

St. Louis

4-0-0

San Jose

0-4-0


Edge: (Wide) St. Louis

Prediction: Blues in 5 games


References

"Hockey Fights, Stats, Reviews And Trading." Hockey Fights, Stats, Reviews And Trading. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Apr. 2012. <http://www.dropyourgloves.com/Top.aspx>.

"Official Site of the National Hockey League” NHL.com. National Hockey League. Web. 14 Apr. 2012. <https://www.nhl.com>

Sports Reference LLC. Hockey-Reference.com - Hockey Statistics and History. http://www.hockey-reference.com/. Web. 14 Apr. 2012.

Stanley Cup Playoffs, 1st Round: Coyotes VS Blackhawks

Phoenix (3) VS Chicago (6)

Offence

Phoenix

Forwards

Whitney (82GP, 24G / 53A / 77PTS)

Vrbata (77, 35 / 27 / 62)

Doan (79, 22 / 28 / 50)

Korpikoski (82, 17 / 20 / 37)

Hanzal (64, 8 / 26 / 34)

Langkow (73, 11 / 19 / 30)

Defenceman

Yandle (82, 11 / 32 / 43)

Ekman-Larsson (82, 13 / 19 / 32)

Chicago

Forwards

Hossa (81, 29 / 48 / 77)

Sharp (74, 33 / 36 / 69)

Kane (82, 23 / 43 / 56)

Toews (59, 29 / 28 / 57) *

Stalberg (79, 22 / 21 / 43)

Bollard (76, 19 / 18 / 37)

Defenceman

Keith (74, 4 / 36 / 40)

Leddy (82, 3 / 34 / 37)

Edge: (Neither slight nor wide) Chicago

Defence

Phoenix

Defenceman

Aucoin (64GP, +14)

Klesa (65, +12)

Forwards

Whitney (+26)

Vrbata (+24)

Hanzal (+12)

Chicago

Defenceman

Seabrook (+21)

Keith (+15)

Forwards

Sharp (+28)

Hossa (+18)

Toews (+17)

Kruger (71, +11)

Carcillo (28, +10)

Edge: (Slight) Phoenix
 

Goaltending

 

Phoenix

Smith (67GP, 38 / 18 / 10 / 2.21 / .930 / 8)

LaBarbera (19, 3 / 9 / 3 / 2.54 / .912 / 0)

McElhinney (2, 1 / 0 / 0 / 1.67 / .944 / 0)

Chicago

Crawford (57, 30 / 17 / 7 / 2.72 / .903 / 0)

Emery (34, 15 / 9 / 4 / 2.81 / .900 / 0)


Edge: (Slight) Combined goaltending, Phoenix. (Wide) Starting goaltending, Phoenix

Toughness

 

Phoenix (39 Team Fights)

Bissionnette (31GP, 8 fights)

Chipchura (53, 7)

Torres (79, 6)

Chicago (51 Team Fights)

Mayers (81, 12)

Bollig (18, 8)

Carcillo (6)

Shaw (37, 5)


Edge: (Slight) Chicago

Season Series

Phoenix

3-1-0

Chicago

 
1-2-1


Edge: (Slight) Phoenix

 
Prediction: Coyotes in seven games


References


"Hockey Fights, Stats, Reviews And Trading." Hockey Fights, Stats, Reviews And Trading. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Apr. 2012. <http://www.dropyourgloves.com/Top.aspx>

"Official Site of the National Hockey League” NHL.com. National Hockey League. Web. 14 Apr. 2012. <https://www.nhl.com>

Sports Reference LLC. Hockey-Reference.com - Hockey Statistics and History. http://www.hockey-reference.com/. Web. 14 Apr. 2012.

Stanley Cup Playoff Predictions, First Round: Panthers VS Devils

Florida (3) VS New Jersey (6)



Offence

Florida

Forwards

Fleishmann (82GP, 27G / 34A / 61PTS)

Weiss ( 80, 20 / 37 / 57)

Versteeg (71, 23 / 31 / 54)

Kopecky (80, 10 / 22 / 32)

Defenceman

Campbell (82, 4 / 49 / 53)

Garrison (77, 16 / 17 / 33)

New Jersey

Forwards

Kovalchuk (77, 37 / 46 / 83)

Elias (81, 26 / 52 / 78)

Parise (82, 31 / 38 / 69)

Henrique (74, 16 / 35 / 51)

Clarkson (80, 30 / 16 / 46)

Sykora (82, 21 / 23 / 44)

Zubrus (82, 17 / 27 / 44)

Defenceman

Larsson (65, 2 / 16 / 18)


Edge: (Slight) New Jersey

Defence

Florida

Defenceman

Garrison (+6)

Forwards

Goc (57GP, +5)

New Jersey

Defenceman

Salvador (82, +18)

Forwards

Josefson (41, +10)

Edge: (Slight) New Jersey

Goaltending

Florida

Theodore (53, 22 / 16 / 11 / 2.46 / .917 / 3)

Clemmensen (30, 14 / 6 / 6 / 2.57 / .913 / 1)

Markstrom (7, 2 / 4 / 1 / 2.66 / .923 / 0)

Foster (1, 0 / 0 / 0 / 0.00 / 1.000 / 0) [I think they should start him!]



New Jersey

Brodeur (59GP, 31W / 21L / 4OTSO / 2.41 / .908 / 3SO)

Hedberg (27, 17 / 7 / 2 / 2.23 / .918 / 4)

Edge: (Pretty much even) Combined goaltending. (Slight, due to experience) Starting goaltending, New Jersey

Toughness

Florida (41 Team Fights)

Barch (41GP, 9 fights)

Gudbranson (72, 7)

Bradley (45, 6)

New Jersey (50 Team Fights)

Janssen (48, 11)

Boulton (51, 11)

Clarkson (5)

Mills (27, 5)

 

Edge: (Slight) New Jersey

Season Series

 

Florida

2-1-1

New Jersey

2-2-0

Edge: (Slight) Florida

 
 

Prediction: Devils in 7 games


References



"Hockey Fights, Stats, Reviews And Trading." Hockey Fights, Stats, Reviews And Trading. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Apr. 2012. <http://www.dropyourgloves.com/Top.aspx>

"Official Site of the National Hockey League” NHL.com. National Hockey League. Web. 13 Apr. 2012.


Sports Reference LLC. Hockey-Reference.com - Hockey Statistics and History. http://www.hockey-reference.com/. Web. 13 Apr. 2012.

Stanley Cup Playoffs, 1st Round: Bruins VS Capitals

Boston (2) VS Washington (7)

Offense

Boston

Forwards

Seguin (81 GP, 29G / 38A / 67PTS)

Bergeron (81, 22 / 42 / 64)

Krejic (79, 23 / 39 / 62)

Lucic (81, 26 / 35 / 61)

Marchant (76, 26 / 27 / 53)

Peverley (57, 11 / 31 / 42)

Kelly (82, 20 / 19 / 39)

Horton (46, 17 / 15 / 32) *

Pouliot (74, 16 / 16 / 32)

Defenceman

Chara (79, 12 / 40 / 52)

Washington

Forwards

Ovechkin (78, 38 / 27 / 65)

Semin (77, 21 / 33 / 54)

Johansson (80, 14 / 32 / 46)

Backstrom (42, 14 / 30 / 44)

Laich (82, 16 / 25 / 41)

Chimera (82, 20 / 19 / 39)

Brouwer (82, 18 / 15 / 33)

Perreault (64, 16 / 14 / 30)

Defenceman

Wideman (82, 11 / 34 / 45)

Carlson (82, 9 / 23 / 32)


Edge: (Wide) Boston

Defence

Boston

Defenceman

Chara (+33)

Bouchuk (77GP, +27)

McQuaid (72, +16)

Seidenberg (80, +15)

Corvo (75, +10)

Forwards

Bergeron (+36)

Seguin (+34)

Kelly (+33)

Marchand (+31)

Peverley (+15)

Pouliot (+13)

Washington

Defenceman

Alzner (82, +12)

Hamrlik (68, +11)

Forwards

Ward (73, +12)


Edge: (Slight) Preventing goals, Boston. (Wide) Overall defence, Boston

Goaltending

Boston

Tim Thomas (59GP, 35W / 19L / 1OTSO / 2.36GAA / .920 S% / 5SO)

Rask (23, 11 / 8 / 3 / 2.05 / .929 / 3)

Turco (5, 2 / 2 / 0 / 3.68 / .855 / 0) **

Khudobin (1, 1 / 0 / 0 / 1.00 / .978 / 0)

Washington

Vokoun (48, 25 / 17 / 2 / 2.51 / .917 / 4)

Neuvirth (38, 13 / 13 / 5 / 2.82 / .903 / 3)

Holtby (7, 4 / 2 / 1 / 2.49 / .922 / 1)


Edge: (Slight) Overall goaltending. (Neither wide nor slight) Starting goaltending, Boston

Toughness

Boston (75 Team Fights)

Thornton (81 GP, 22 fights)

Campbell (78, 10)

McQuaid (8)

Lucic (7)

Washington (35 Team Fights)

Hendricks (78, 13)

Brouwer (6)


Edge: (Wide) Boston

Season Series

Boston

1-2-1

Washington

3-1-0


Edge: (Slight) Washington


Prediction: Boston in 6 games

* injured

** ineligible


References


"Hockey Fights, Stats, Reviews And Trading." Hockey Fights, Stats, Reviews And Trading. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Apr. 2012. <http://www.dropyourgloves.com/Top.aspx>

"Official Site of the National Hockey League” NHL.com. National Hockey League. Web. 12 Apr. 2012. <https://www.nhl.com>

Sports Reference LLC. Hockey-Reference.com - Hockey Statistics and History. http://www.hockey-reference.com/. Web. 12 Apr. 2012.

2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs, First Roud: Rangers VS Senators

New York (1) VS Ottawa (8)

Offense

New York

Forwards

Gaborik (82GP, 41G / 35A / 76PTS)

Richards (82, / 25 / 41 / 66)

Callahan (76, / 29 / 25 / 54)

Stepan (82, 17 / 34 / 41)

Hagelin (64, 14 / 24 / 38)

Anisimov (79, 16 / 20 / 36)

Dubinsky (77, 10 / 24 / 34)

Boyle (82, 11 / 15 / 26)

Fedotenko (73, 9 / 11 / 20)

Defenceman

Del Zotto (77, 10 / 31 / 41)

McDonagh (82, 7 / 25 / 32)

Girardi (82, 5 / 24 / 29)

Ottawa

Forwards

Spezza (80, 34 / 50 / 84)

Michalek (77, 35 / 25 / 60)

Alfredsson (75, 27 / 32 / 59)

Foligno (82, 15 / 32 / 47)

Greening (82, 17 / 20 / 37)

Turris (49, 12 / 17 / 29)

Neil (72, 13 / 15 / 28)

Smith (81, 14 / 12 / 26)

Condra (81, 8 / 17 / 25)

Defenceman

Karlsson (81, 19 / 59 / 78)

Gonchar (74, 5 / 32 / 37)

Kuba (73, 6 / 26 / 32)


Edge: (Slight) Ottawa

Defence

New York

Defenceman

McDonagh (+25)

Del Zotto (+20)

Girardi (+13)

Forwards

Hagelin (+21)

Dubinsky (+16)

Gaborik (+15)

Stepan (+14)

Anisinov (+12)

Mitchell (+10)

Ottawa

Defenceman

Kuba (+26)

Karlsson (+16)

Phillips (80GP, +12)

Forwards

Alfredsson (+16)

Turris (+12)

Condra (+11)

Spezza (+11)


Edge: (Wide) New York

Goaltending

New York

Lundgvist (62GP, / 39 W / 18 L / 5 OTSO / 1.97 GAA / .930 S% / 8 SO)

Biron (21, 12 / 6 / 2 / 2.46 / .904 / 2)

Ottawa

Anderson (63, 33 / 22 / 6 / 2.84 / .914 / 3)

Lehner (5, 3 / 2 / 0 / 2.01 / .935 / 1)

Bishop (10, 3 / 3 / 2 / 2.48 / .909 / 0)

Auld (14, 2 / 4 / 2 / 3.35 / .884 / 0)


Edge: (Wide) Combined goaltending, New York. (Neither Wide Nor Slight) Starting Goaltending, New York

Toughness

 

New York (83 Team Fights)

Prust (82 GP, 20 Fights)

Bickel (51, 16)

Rupp (60, 15)

Dubinsky (8)

Ottawa (66 Team Fights)

Konopka (55, 18)
 
Neil (12)
 
Smith (10)
 
 
Edge: (Slight) New York

Season Series

New York

1-2-1

Ottawa

3-1-0

Edge: (Slight) Ottawa

 

Prediction: New York in 6 games


References


"Hockey Fights, Stats, Reviews And Trading." Hockey Fights, Stats, Reviews And Trading. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Apr. 2012. <http://www.dropyourgloves.com/Top.aspx>

"Official Site of the National Hockey League” NHL.com. National Hockey League. Web. 12 Apr. 2012. <https://www.nhl.com>

Sports Reference LLC. Hockey-Reference.com - Hockey Statistics and History. http://www.hockey-reference.com/. Web. 12 Apr. 2012.

Stanley Cup Playoffs, First Round: Canucks VS Kings

Vancouver (1) VS Los Angeles (8)

Offence

Vancouver

Forwards

Henrik Sedin (82 GP, 14 / 67 / 81)

Daniel Sedin (72, 30 / 37 / 67) *

Alex Burrows (80 28 / 24 / 52)

Ryan Kesler (77, 22 / 27 / 49)

Higgins (71, 18 / 25 / 43)

Hansen ( 92, 16 / 23 / 39)

Hodgson (63, 16 / 17 / 33)

Booth (56, 16 / 13 / 29)

Raymond (55, 10 / 10 / 20)

Defenceman

Edler (82, 11 / 38 / 49)

Bieksa (78, 8 / 36 / 44)

Hamhuis (82, 4 / 33 / 37)

Salo (69, 9 / 16 / 25)

Los Angeles

Forwards

Kopitar (82, 25 / 51 / 76)

Williams (82, 22 / 37 / 59)

Brown (82, 22 / 32 / 54)

Richards (74, 18 / 26 / 44)

Stoll (78, 6 / 15 / 21)

Defenceman

Doughty (77, 10 / 26 / 36)

Johnson (61, 8 / 16 / 24)

Mitchell (76, 5 / 18 / 23)

Voynov (54, 8 / 12 / 20)


Edge: (Wide) Vancouver

Defence

Vancouver

Defenceman


Hamhuis (+29)

Bieksa (+12)

Taney (25 GP, +10)

Salo (69 GP, +7)

Sulzer (12 GP +6)

Forwards

Burrows (+24)

Henrik Sedin (+23)

Hansen (+18)

Daniel Sedin (+14) *

Higgins (+11)

Hodson (+8)

Los Angeles

Defenceman

Mitchell (+20)

Voynov (+12)

Forwards

Brown (+18)

Kopitar (+12)

Williams (+10)


Edge: (Slight) Preventing goals, Los Angeles. (Wide) Team defence, Vancouver

Goaltending

Vancouver

Luongo (55 GP, 31W / 14L / 8OTSO / 2.41GAA / .919 S% 5 SO)

Schneider (33, 20 / 8 / 1 / 1.96 / .937 / 3)

Los Angeles

Quick (69, 35 / 21 / 13 / 1.95 / .929 / 10)

Bernier (16, 5 / 6 / 2 / 2.36 / .909 / 1)


Edge: (Slight) Combined goaltenders, Los Angeles. (Slight) Starting Goaltending, Los Angeles

Toughness

Vancouver (65 Fights)

Lapierre (82 GP, 9 fights)

Weise (68 GP, 8 fights)

Volpatti (23 GP, 8 fights)

Ballard (47 GP, 5 fights)

Los Angeles (42 Fights)

Clifford (81 GP, 12 fights)

Fraser (67 GP, 7 fights)


Edge: (Neither slight nor wide) Vancouver

Season Series

Vancouver

2-1-1

Los Angeles

2-2-0


Edge: (Slight) Los Angeles


Prediction: Vancouver in 6 games

* Injured


References


"Hockey Fights, Stats, Reviews And Trading." Hockey Fights, Stats, Reviews And Trading. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Apr. 2012. <http://www.dropyourgloves.com/Top.aspx>

"Official Site of the National Hockey League” NHL.com. National Hockey League. Web. 12 Apr. 2012. <www.nhl.com>

Sports Reference LLC. Hockey-Reference.com - Hockey Statistics and History. http://www.hockey-reference.com/. Web. 12 Apr. 2012.

Stanley Cup Playoffs: 1st Round, Predators VS Red Wings

Nashville (4) VS Detroit (5)

Offense

Nashville

Forwards

Erat (71GP, 19G / 39 A / 58 Pts)

Legwand (78, 19 / 34 / 53)

Fisher ( 72, 24 / 27 / 51)

Hoengvist (76, 27 / 16 / 43)

Sergi Kostityn (75, 17 / 26 / 43)

Smith (72, 14 / 22 / 36)

Wilson (68, 15 / 20 / 35)

Tootoo (77, 6 / 24 / 30)

Halischuk (73, 15 / 13 / 28)

Spaling (77, 10 / 12 / 22)

Defenceman

Weber (78, 19 / 30 / 49)

Suter (79, 7 / 39 / 46)

Klein (66, 4 / 17 / 21)

Detroit

Forwards

Zetterberg (82, 22 / 47 / 69)

Datsyuk (70, 19 / 48 / 67)

Filppula (81, 23 / 43 / 66)

Franzen (77, 29 / 27 / 56)

Hudler (81, 25 / 25 / 50)

Bertuzzi (71, 14 / 24 / 38)

Cleary (75, 12 / 20 / 32)

Helm (68, 9 / 17 / 26)

Miller (80, 14 / 11 / 25)

Holmstrom (74, 11 / 13 / 24)

Abdelkader (81, 8 / 14 / 22)

Defenceman

Kronwall (82, 15 / 22 / 37)

Lidstrom (70, 11 / 22 / 33)

White (77, 7 / 25 / 32)

Stuart (81, 6 / 15 / 21)


Edge: (Slight) Detroit

Defence



Nashville

Defenceman

Weber (+21)

Suter (+15)

Hillen (55 GP, +6)

Ellis (32 GP +5)

Forwards

Erat (+12)

Fisher (+11)

Halishuck (+9)

Horgvist (+9)

Sergei Kostitsyn (+8)

Andrei Kostitsyn (19 GP, + 7)

Wilson (+5)

Detroit

Defenceman

White (+23)

Lidstrom (+21)

Ericsson (69 GP, +16)

Stuart (81 GP, +16)

Kindl (55 GP, +7)

Forwards

Bertuzzi (+23)

Franzen (+23)

Datsyuk (+21)

Fippula ((+18)

Zetterberg (+14)

Hudler (+10)

Miller (+6)

Helm (+5)


Edge: (Slight) Detroit

Goaltending

Nashville

Rinne (73 GP, 43 W / 18 L / 8 OTSO / 2.39 GAA / .923 / 5 SO)

Lindback (16, 5 / 8 / 0 / 2.42 / .912 / 0)

Detroit

Howard (57, 35 / 17 / 4 / 2.12 / .920 / 6)

MacDonald (14, 8 / 5 / 1 / 2.16 / .912 / 0)

Conklin ( 15,  5 / 6 / 1 / 3.28 / .884 / 1)


Edge: (Slight) Collective goaltending, Nashville. (Slight) Starting goaltending, Detroit

Toughness

Nashville (26 Fights)

McGrattan (30 GP, 6 fights)

Tootoo (5)

Detroit (21 Fights)

Abdelkader (6 Fights)


Edge: (Slight) Nashville

Prediction: Detroit in 7 games


References


"Hockey Fights, Stats, Reviews And Trading." Hockey Fights, Stats, Reviews And Trading. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Apr. 2012. <http://www.dropyourgloves.com/Top.aspx>

"Official Site of the National Hockey League” NHL.com. National Hockey League. Web. 11 Apr. 2012. <https://www.nhl.com>

Sports Reference LLC. Hockey-Reference.com - Hockey Statistics and History. http://www.hockey-reference.com/. Web. 11 Apr. 2012.

Stanley Cup Playoffs, 1st Round: Pens VS Flyers

Pittsburgh (4) VS Philadelphia (5)

Offense

Pittsburgh

Forwards

Malkin (75GP, 50G/59A/109P)

Neal (80, 40/41/81)

Kunitz (82, 26/35/61)

Dupuis (82 25/34/59)

Staal (62 25/25/50)

Sullivan (79, 17/31/48)

Cooke (82, 19/19/38)

Crosby (22, 8/29/37)

Kennedy (60, 11/22/33)

Defenceman

Letang (51, 10/32/42)

Martin (73, 2/25/27)

Niskanen (75, 4/17/21)

Philadelphia

Forwards

Giroux (77, 28/65/93)

Hartnell (82, 37/30/67)

Jagr (73, 19/35/54)

Simmons (82, 28/21/49)

Voracek (78, 18/31/49)

Briere (70, 16/33/49) *

Read (79, 24/23/47)

Talbot (81, 19/15/34)

Couturier (77, 13/14/27)

van Riemsdyk (43, 11/13/24) *
Defenceman

Timonen (76, 4/39/43)

Carle (4/34/38)

Meszaros (62, 7/18/25) *

Coburn (81, 4/20/24)


Edge: (Slight) Pittsburgh, because of injuries to Philadelphia

Defence

Pittsburgh

Defencman

Letang (51 GP, +21)

Orpik (73, +19)

Engelland (73, +10)

Forwards

Malkin (+18)

Dupuis (+18)

Kunitz (+16)

Crosby (+15)

Staal (+11)

Kennedy (+10)

Philadelphia

Defencman

Gusfsson (30 GP, +12)

Coburn (+10)

Lilja (46 GP, +9)

Timonen (+8)

Meszaros (+6) *

Grossman (22GP, +5) *


Forwards

Hartnell (+19)

Couturier (+18)

Read (+13)

Wellwood (24 GP, +12)

Voracek (+12)


Edge: (Slight) Pittsburgh

Goaltending

Pittsburgh

Fleury (67 GP, 42 W /17 L/4 OTL / 2.36 GAA / .913 S% / 3 SO

Johnson (16, 6 / 7 / 2 / 3.11 / .883 / 0

Thiessen (5, 3 / 1 / 0 / 3.72 / .858 / 0

Philadelphia

Bryzgalov (59, 33 / 16 / 7 / 2.48 / .909 / 6

Bobrovsly (29, 14 / 10 / 2 / 3.02 / .899 / 0


Edge: (Slight) Combined goaltending, Philadelphia. Starting goaltending, Pittsburgh

Toughness

Pittsburgh (47 total fights)

Asham (64 GP,  9 fights)

Engelland (9 fights)

Philadelphia (76 total fights)

Too many to list!

Edge (Wide) Philadelphia

Season Series

Pittsburgh

2-3-1

Philadelphia

4-2-0

Edge: (Slight) Flyers

Prediction

Pittsburgh in 7 games


References


"Hockey Fights, Stats, Reviews And Trading." Hockey Fights, Stats, Reviews And Trading. N.p., n.d. Web. 111 Apr. 2012. <http://www.dropyourgloves.com/Top.aspx>

"Official Site of the National Hockey League” NHL.com. National Hockey League. Web. 11 Apr. 2012. <www.nhl.com>

Sports Reference LLC. Hockey-Reference.com - Hockey Statistics and History. http://www.hockey-reference.com/. Web. 11 Apr. 2012.

A Tale Of Four Different Tennis Players: Have We Seen Them Before?

Last year (2011) was, without even a thought, the year of Djokovic.

But this year there are other tennis players who are looking for a breakout.

(Disclaimer: I know Nole won the Australian Open 3 years before last year. I have to)

Andy Murray

Amazing how is path to greatness is sort of like his coach, Ivan Lendl. Take a look:

1981: Finalist @ French Open, 0/1

1982: Finalist @ US Open 0/2

1983: Finalist @ Australian Open & @ US Open 0/3, 0/4

1984 WINNER @ French Open, Finalist @ US Open 1/5, 1/6

1985 Finalist @ French Open, WINNER @ US Open 1/7, 2/8

You get the idea, eh? Lendl had his problem with Grand Slam finals, even after he got not one, but two Grand Slams under his belt. Look again, notice you don't see Wimbledon there? 0 for 2 in finals. In all, he lost 11 Grand Slam Finals.

But he also won 8.

I'm not sure if Murray can be Lendl, but I do know he will win a Slam.

Although, winning a slam might not be his plan (Yup, got that quote from Star Wars: A New Hope). This year, he has the Olympics, right there in London. He's got to have that circled.

Thomas Berdych

He reminds me of a young Goran Ivanisevic or even Marat Safin between times when his head was on straight.

Two years ago he reached the semifinals of the French Open, then knocked off Federer and Djokovic at Wimbledon to make the finals. A loss to Federer little over a month later brought him down to earth, and Thomas went out in the first round as the US Open.

The best he has done since is two Australian Open quarterfinals.

It seems like all or nothing with Berdych. When he's on, he's tough to beat and tough to break. But too many times his game just falls apart and he's just another player, much like Goran and Marat.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga

He came out of nowhere back in the 2008 Australian Open. Unseeded he beat Rafael Nadal, then in the final faced someone else looking for his first slam, Djokovic. Tsonga took the first set, then proceded to lose a tough four setter.

Since then, he's reached the final four again down under, two years ago (and two years after getting to the final), plus the Wimbledon semifinals last year, beating Federer on the way before again falling in four to Nole. Federer then beat him in straight sets in US Open quarterfinals. Roger and him hooked up in a gem of a match at the Barclays Finals to cap off the year, with the Fed man taking it in a tough three setter.

Tsonga is 3-7 against Nadal, 5-4 against Djokovic (plus one win by walkover), 3-8 against Federer (plus a walkover win earlier this year on his way to a title in Doha).  Also is should be noted he's just 1-5 against Murray. Still, he's been making life tough in his matches recently Federer.

Tsonga, because of his appearance similar to Mohammad Ali, is a fighter in more ways than one. Not just in looks.

Maybe is his fate not to win Slams, but always fight his way to the semifinals and finals. The new Todd Martin?

Juan Martin Del Potro

I swear, this guy is taller than 6 ft 6 inn.

And he moves well.

Granted, he's gotta start doing better at Wimbledon, but that US Open win of 2009, which does seem like a long time ago, doesn't seem like a fluke. It just seems like a matter of time before he wins again.

After his injury in 2010, he is slowing getting back to where he once was.

Problem is, Federer seems to have his number again.

In fact, Delpi, as I call him, beat Federer later in 2009 at the Barclay's.

He has lost all five matches they have played since. In fact, he has yet to win a set off him since 2009.

Yet it is important to remember, that at one point in his career, he beat Federer twice in a row, Nadal, three times in a row. Yeah, he was at one point a giant killer. Kinda maybe like Adriano Panatta, who always gave Borg a tough time on clay.


References


Infosys, FedEx, Peugeot, and LeSports. "Official Site of Men's Professional Tennis | ATP World Tour | Tennis." ATP World Tour. Emirates. Web. 4 Apr. 2012.  <http://www.atpworldtour.com/>

Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Web. 4 Apr. 2012. <https://en.wikipedia.org/>

Why I'd Like To See An NHL Team In Quebec

I last visited Quebec in 1995.

That was also the last time the NHL was played there.

Now, years later, with the return of Winnipeg (gone since 1996), can the team that they became, Phoenix, come to Quebec?

I would like to see it.

I can give you three good reasons:

1) Back in the day of 24 NHL teams (The way it should be now, btw), I liked it that 1/3 of the teams were Canadian. Now with 30 teams, only 7 are Canadian. One more team gives me the feeling that a Stanley Cup can be won by a Canadian team. The odds just will go up, slightly.

2) I sort of liked the old Nords, as they were called. My favourite player was Peter Stastny, who could skate pass and score with everyone not named Gretzky in the early 80s. He ended up recording seven 100 + point seasons in Quebec City. Stastny was just fun to watch, go watch a classic hockey game with him in it!

Plus also, one of my favourite "finishers" played with Quebec. Michel Goulet. Every time the Nords would score at home, the Quebec PA announcer would say,

Gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooulet!

It was good.

So getting to the point, imagine if Quebec gets a player with a name anywhere near that name. Every time they score a goal...

3) For you Habs fans who don't care, remember when the Nords had the resurgence in 92/93? That first round matchup, propelled the Habs to the Stanley Cup.

They had not won one since.

But I suspect another team, one that could rival the Canadians (it was quite the rivalry from 1982 - 1993) would push the Habs. A team you compete against for standings, playoff series, but more importantly, geographical bragging rights is always great for both teams, and the NHL.

2) Nothing against Seattle, I don't want to see a team there. Sorry, but the Seattle Metropolitans were the first non Canadian team to win the Stanley Cup, the first sign that United States was taking over hockey. Also that year (1917) was the last hockey year before the NHL was established that fall.

'sides, the city couldn't even support the Supersonics. Gary Payton was one of my favourite basketball players (Hey, how could I not like him after holding MJ himself to 51-123, 27.3/5.3/4.2 in the '96 NBA Finals), so I got nothing against Seattle. Get an NBA back first before getting an NHL team.

1) It'll piss Bettman off, something that we all like! After all, despite missing the playoffs, haven't we all enjoyed Winnipeg's year this year (with one obvious exception). Quebec will be in the Eastern Conference, one more Canadian stop for Sid and Alex!

And perhaps, just perhaps, we'll have Patrick Roy behind the bench. And maybe, just maybe, we'll have in goal for Quebec against Montreal. How many of you Nords always thought that was just a dream?

My Favourite Homeruns In The World Series, From Game 1

My father always reminded me as a child, that the least important game in 7 game series (any sports) or even 5 game series, is the first game.

That got me thinking, World Series, it's had it's share of home runs that were hit in the first tilt. Here are my top 5 home runs from game 1 of any World Series.

5) Casey Stengel, 1923 World Series

Too many of you out there think Stengel was merely a clown as a player. Actually, he hit .284 lifetime. In the postseason he was even better, batting .393 lifetime in twelve postseason contest. His best World Series was the 1923 World Series, his last. Batting .417, he popped 2 home runs and 4 RBIs in the 6 game set.

Facing Bullet Joe Bush at Yankee Stadium in the ninth inning, Casey smashed a ball to left, and kept on running, running, for an inside the park dinger!  This broke a 4-4 deadlock and Stengel's Giants would win, 5-4. Stengel also won game 3 of the Series with a home run off Sad Sam Jones.

All for not, as the Giants lost to their cross town rivals, 4 games to 2.

4) Jose Santiago, 1967 World Series

To the best of my knowledge, this is the only time a pitcher has hit a homerun in the World Series, and lost the game. The reason is, it was hit off Bob Gibson, who gave the Red Sox nothing else on a fine 6-hit, 1 walk, 10 K, complete game 2-1 win.

Santiago (with help from John Wyatt) wasn't too bad himself in this game, giving up 10 hits, but just 2 (earned) runs (both of which were scored by Lou Brock on Roger Maris groundouts). He fanned 5 himself, but 3 walks contributed to him being removed in the bottom of the 7th for a pinch hitter.

Santiago's homerun tied the game @ 1 in the bottom of the third as he went deep over the Green Monster.

But the Cards won the game as the Sox came unglued in the top of the 7th. Brock singled and Boston could not hold him. A steal and two groundouts scored him and St Louis had the lead for good.

3) Jimmy Sebring 1903 World Series

Gotta start somewhere!

How about the first World Series game ever?

How about against Cy Young, no less.

How about from someone who hit only six other homeruns in his entire career?

Jimmy Sebring's major league career and life were too short. Yet , in the 7th inning, October 1, 1903, he smoked a Cy Young pitch to the centerfield ropes, then raced around the bases at the Huntington Avenue Baseball Grounds for the first ever World Series homerun. The Pirates beat the Sox on that day, 7-3 as Sebring had three hits and 4 RBIs.

2) Dusty Rhodes, 1954 World Series

I admit, this maybe should be higher on the list, as it was a dramtic 3-run shot in the bottom of the 10th against Cleveland's Bob Lemon.

But there is a slight problem with this one.

It wasn't the dramatic play of the afternoon.

On a day where the Giants made 3 errors, including two by right fielder Don Mueller.

But there was the matter of the man to his left, Mays.

The Catch!

Right there in the top of the eighth at the old Polo Grounds.

Little known fact, Larry Doby, who was on second base, tagged and made it to third.

It didn't matter, Mays had stopped the Indians uprising, making Rhodes' heroics possible.

1) Kirk Gibson, 1988 World Series

It was Gibby vs. Eck. And it was a classic that saw the Dodgers' star forever etch his name in baseball lore.


References


Brenner, Richard J. The World Series: The Great Contests. East End Publishing, 1989. Print.

Enders, Eric. 100 Years Of The World Series. New York: Sterling Publishing Co., Inc. 2005. Print.

Neft, David S., Richard M. Cohen, and Michael L. Neft. The Sports Encyclopedia: Baseball, 1992. 12th ed. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1992. Print.

Nemec, David et all. 20th Century Baseball Chronicle: A Year-by-year History of Major League Baseball. Collector's Edition. Lincolnwood, Ill: Publications International, 1993. Print.

Snyder, John S. World Series!: Great Moments and Dubious Achievements. San Francisco: Chronicle, 1995. Print.

Sports Reference LLC. Baseball-Reference.com - Major League Statistics and Information. http://www.baseball-reference.com/. Web. 26 March 2012.