Goodbye to the 'Dome

After 27 seasons, the Twins will leave the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome this fall.

Like when the New York Mets escaped antiquated Shea Stadium last year, I don’t think too many will be shedding tears.

I won’t.

On Monday night, I made my last trip to see the Twins in the ‘Dome, a 4-1 win over the hated White Sox in what turned out to be the last game for Jim Thome and Jose Contreras in a Chicago uniform.

But the game itself meant little to me.

The stadium at 5th and Chicago wasn’t a warm place – the age of retro ballparks was still about a decade off. With a turf that made baseballs bounce like Superballs and a right-field ‘fence’ better suited for wrapping sandwiches, it seemed more like something from a video game, bastardization for the purists.

My first trip to the ‘Dome was in the spring of 1986 when I helped move the contents of a dental office from Brooklyn, N.Y. to St. Paul - the start of a decade-long on-again, off-again love affair with the Cities.

Sitting in the upper deck of the outfield, I watched a stout fire hydrant of a center fielder somehow catch balls he had no business getting. I also remember the three drunk college kids from NoDak sitting behind us calling out repeatedly for ‘Fong’ – former Twins second baseman Rob Wilfong, then with the California Angels.

In 1987, following nine weeks of summer courses at Queens College to ***ahem*** make up for lost time (let’s go with that, OK?) I took a vacation by driving to take in a four-game set with Seattle.

Aug. 14 – Bert Blyleven scatters six hits over eight innings, Kent Hrbek and Tim Laudner homer in a 6-2 win.

Aug. 15 – Twins score eight in the first off Lee Guetterman and Mike Brown, take an 11-0 lead after two en route to a 14-4 rout.

Aug. 16 – Gary Gaetti has two hits and two RBIs for the third straight game to back Frank Viola’s five-hit effort over eight innings of a 5-1 win.

Aug. 17 – Gaetti adds two more hits, Minnesota scores three in the first off Mark Langston, and cruises to a 4-2 triumph.

I will say this for the ‘Dome: It’s loud, and after years of battering my ears with thrash, speed, cheese and just plain ol’ bad metal, loud is not necessarily bad.

But that’s about the only positive thing it had going on.

Now, that’s not to say it was the worst baseball stadium I have ever been in. As bad as Shea was, that wasn’t it either. That honor now, and for all times, will belong to ‘Stade Olympique’ en Montreal.

Monolith comes to mind. And that blue tarp covering the hole in the roof only added to the fishbowl effect.

The ‘Dome had its own peculiarities, though. When I first saw it from Interstate 94, the first image that went through my mind was fast food.

Wendy’s used to have a burger called the Big Classic, but instead of being served in a wrapper, it came in a Styrofoam-like box. Looked a helluva lot like the ballpark to me.

Outdoor aesthetics aside, there was the baggie in right field.

Outfield walls should be just that – a wall. Bricks. Mortar. Plywood, at least. This looked like Mr. Fantastic was put in place and told to do his thing.

And the havoc that baggie used to create. Was it a homer? No? WTF? Also, God help a rookie outfielder track down fly balls against that ceiling, worse if those hankies were being waved.

No feature was more reviled, though, than that turf.

Watching that series against the Mariners, I had a bird’s-eye view of bats swung like pinball flippers, and the ball – not sure if this is possible from a physics standpoint – actually appear to gain speed off that infield hop on the Astroturf, sometimes getting past outfielders to turn a single into a triple.

Prior to paying my last respects, I saw my last game in the ‘Dome in July 2006. Johan Santana against CC Sabathia, then the staff ace in Cleveland and now with the Mets and Yankees, respectively.

Sabathia pitched a 13-hitter – yep, went the distance – struck out seven and didn’t walk a batter. Santana, who also fanned seven and failed to issue a walk, but gave up five hits over seven in the 6-2 win.

Now, it’s all about the countdown and Target Field, starry nights and grass-stained uniforms.

Not to mention those early April home games at night when the temperature hovers around freezing.

See ya there in 2010.

Primanti's for everyone!

¶ DETROIT (AP) - Pittsburgh Penguins win Stanley Cup.

A look at Game 2 of the Stanley Cup finals

Only because the NHL has scheduled back-to-back games in the Stanley Cup finals for the first time in 54 years!

Looking at the Stanley Cup finals

(4) Pittsburgh Penguins (45-28-9, 2nd, Atlantic) vs. (2) Detroit Red Wings (51-21-10, 1st, Central)

2008-09 SERIES: Red Wings, 1-0-1

LEADERS: Pittsburgh – Jordan Staal (2 GP, 3G, 1A); Sidney Crosby (2 GP, 1G, 2A); Evgeni Malkin (2 GP, 1G, 1A); Max Talbot (2 GP, 1G, 1A); Marc-Andre Fleury (2 GP, 1-1-0, 4.39 GAA). Detroit – Pavel Datsyuk (2 GP, 3G); Marian Hossa (2 GP, 1G, 2A); Jiri Hudler (2 GP, 1G, 2A); Nicklas Lidstrom (2 GP, 3A); Ty Conklin (1 GP, 1-0-0, 0.00 GAA, 1 SO); Chris Osgood (1 GP, 0-0-1, 6.56 GAA).

"It was a really tough decision for me to make. When I compared the two teams, I felt like I would have a little better of a chance to win the Cup in Detroit." – Former Penguin Marian Hossa after joining the Red Wings on July 2, 2008.

Roughly a year ago, Marian Hossa’s debut as a Stanley Cup finalist ended in disappointment.

Just over three months after coming over from a franchise where moribund would be considered high praise, he could only watch as the Detroit Red Wings skated around Pittsburgh’s Mellon Arena after having won their fourth championship in 11 years.

Now, he gets the chance to extend the NHL’s current dynasty and win his first championship at the expense of the talented team he spurned – and disparaged – starting on Saturday night.

“It is ironic,” the Slovak said with a smile Wednesday following a 2-1 overtime win over Chicago to capture the Western Conference title. “And it is the situation. Back-to-back finals, same teams and I switch teams. But right now I’m with this team and I’m trying to help this
team win the Cup.”

When a deal was swung with Atlanta in late February 2008 to acquire Hossa, the Penguins thought they were getting the final piece to the puzzle that was going to bring the Stanley Cup back to the Steel City for the first time since the mulleted Lemieux-Jagr heydays of the early ‘90s.

Even though they had young stars Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Marc-Andre Fleury, the Pens still needed an experienced hand. At just 29, Hossa was a 10-year veteran on the verge of 300 career goals.

Come the postseason, Hossa shined despite his team losing. He scored a team-high 12 goals – three coming in the finals – was second with 26 points and tied for second with five game-winning goals.

Then the floodgates opened. Edmonton looked to make a splash behind new billionaire owner Darryl Katz, offering a reported $70 to $80 million. Pittsburgh was willing to part with $49 million for seven years.

But four weeks after seeing what could be, Hossa made his decision. One year. $7.45 million. Detroit.

Apparently, if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. And to this day, Hossa unwaveringly stands by his choice.

“Being in the Finals is the motivation,” he said. “Another chance.”

That’s all Pittsburgh wants. Given the way they have gone through their competition, they’re making the most of it.

“To get this opportunity, you know what, I think a lot of guys in there whether they were part of the team last year or guys who are new, you know, we feel really fortunate to have this opportunity,” Crosby said after the Penguins closed out a sweep of Carolina in the Eastern Conference finals with a 4-1 win on Tuesday.

Detroit and Pittsburgh are Rust Belt towns, but while the Red Wings are banged-up, they're still a highly-polished unit. This year, the Penguins seem to be the hungrier club, more in touch with their blue-collar roots.

Cross-state rival Philadelphia gone in six. Down two games to Alex Ovechkin and Washington? Caps out in seven. Easily handling Carolina after it dispatched top seed Boston.

Having the top two scorers in the postseason helps.

Much like Lemieux and Jagr carried the Penguins nearly two decades ago, Crosby and Malkin are doing the same now. They each have 28 points - the captain with an NHL-best 14 goals, the Russian setting the pace with 16 assists.

Crosby appreciates the comparisons to the franchise's top two all-time greats, but there's one glaring difference: Lemieux and Jagr won championships.

“As far as me and Geno are concerned, it's when we do our best to contribute and help the team. As I said before, he and Jagr are guys who have proven it year after year, you know, being the one-two punch like that. They've won cups and, you know, we've yet to do that. … But it's a compliment, and we'll try to keep going the same way."

Last season, they combined for 49 points, with none coming in the first two games of the Cup finals. In fact, no one did - the Penguins were blanked in both contests.

Speaking in Detroit on Friday, Crosby was clear that wouldn't happen this time.

"We know our opponent,'' he said. "Last year that wasn't the case. There shouldn't be any anticipation, really. We know what to do. We've got to go out there and do it."

THE PICK: Detroit was the last team to win back-to-back Cups in 1997 and 1998, but in you believe in karma, Hossa will skate away disappointed … again. PENGUINS IN 7

Penguins headed back to Cup finals, Wings soon to follow

Wow – did I whiff on that one.

Perhaps it’s just that I didn’t want to see another Pittsburgh-Detroit Stanley Cup final, but unless somehow Cristobal Huet morphs into Tony Esposito and lifts Chicago to three straight wins, that’s exactly what fans will see again.

So, the storyline won’t be how the Blackhawks’ Andrew Ladd and Carolina’s Tuomo Ruutu will seek revenge on their former clubs. Instead, expect it to be Marian Hossa’s return to Steel City in a Red Wings uniform, looking to make good on the reason why he joined them in the first place.

Looking at the Eastern Conference final

(4) Pittsburgh Penguins (45-28-9, 2nd, Atlantic) vs. (6) Carolina Hurricanes (45-30-7, 2nd, Southeast)

2008-09 SERIES: Pittsburgh, 2-1-1

LEADERS: Pittsburgh – Ruslan Fedotenko (3 GP, 3G, 1A); Sidney Crosby (4 GP, 1G, 6A); Evgeni Malkin (4 GP, 2G, 3A); Marc-Andre Fleury (3 GP, 1-1-1, 2.00 GAA). Carolina – Eric Staal (4 GP, 2 G); Ray Whitney (4 GP, 1G, 3A); Cam Ward (2 GP, 2-0-0, 1.49 GAA); Michael Leighton (2 GP, 0-2-0, 4.03 GAA).

If you like offense, then this is the matchup you want.

Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby leads all playoff goal scorers with 12, three more than Carolina’s Eric Staal. Evgeni Malkin is also among the leaders with 13 assists and 19 points.

That’s why the matchup in goal will be so crucial. Cam Ward – 2.22 GAA and two shutouts - is a Conn Smythe winner, and has been playing over his head so far for the Hurricanes. I give him the nod over Marc-Andre Fleury and his 2.72 GAA.

THE PICK: Carolina in 7. Watch for Hurricanes’ Jussi Jokinen if it comes down to crunch time. A shootout specialist, he has three game-winning goals in the playoffs.

Looking at the Western Conference final

(1) Detroit Red Wings (51-21-10, 1ST, Central) vs. (4) Chicago Blackhawks (46-24-12, 2nd, Central)

2008-09 SERIES: Detroit, 4-2-0

LEADERS: Detroit – Jiri Hudler (6 GP, 4G, 5A); Brian Rafalski (6 GP, 1G, 6A); Marian Hossa (4 GP, 2G, 4A); Henrik Zetterberg (6 GP, 2G, 4A); Johan Franzen (6 GP, 3G, 2A); Pavek Datsyuk (6 GP, 3G, 1A); Ty Conklin (5 GP, 4-1-0, 3.10 GAA); Chris Osgood (1 GP, 0-1-0, 3.00 GAA). Chicago – Martin Havlat (6 GP, 2G, 6A); Brian Campbell (6 GP, 7A); Andrew Ladd and Jonathan Toews (6 GP, 3G, 2A); Patrick Kane (6 GP, 1G, 3A); Kris Versteeg (5 GP, 2G, 2A); Nikolai Khabibulin (4 GP, 1-1-1, 2.69 GAA, 1 SO); Cristobal Huet (3 GP, 1-1-1, 4.29 GAA).

The last time the Chicago Blackhawks raised the Stanley Cup, it came at the expense of the Detroit Red Wings.

To take one more step toward ending the NHL’s longest title drought, the young Blackhawks must find a way to beat the defending champions.

When the teams take the ice Sunday afternoon at Joe Louis Arena to kick off the Western Conference finals, several storylines will be bandied about - Original Six rivals … two of the most storied franchises … re-embracing of hockey in the Windy City.

And, perhaps, the new guard ready to bypass the old one.

Say this much for the Blackhawks, for a franchise that hasn’t made it this far in postseason play since 1995, they’re not intimidated by facing a team that has won four Stanley Cups in 11 years.

“Certainly we liked the experience we gained in the first two rounds,” said coach Joel Quenneville, who will try to lead Chicago to its first Cup since 1961. “We didn't know how we were going to handle the playoffs for a first time for a lot of the guys. I thought we were on-the-job training every day, gaining experience, preparing in different situations in games, coming out of games, trying to find out how to close out a series. I thought both times we handled those assignments very well.

"But I just think as we go into games, the excitement and enthusiasm on our team has been real. … The guys are excited about this challenge and this opportunity. Should make for a great series.”

The Blackhawks hadn’t been to the postseason in seven years, but defeated Calgary, then did away with Vancouver – advancing to this round with a 7-5 in Game 6, spearheaded by Patrick Kane’s hat trick.

“Obviously Detroit has been there before plenty of times. But for us, I think it's exciting for the fans that have been here since then and since that point,” Kane said. “Just to be a part of it, just to be a part of kind of the resurgence of the franchise the past couple years, how fun it's been … It's been a helluva ride. It's been really enjoyable. I don't think you could have predicted it to be any better.”

Kane leads Chicago with eight postseason goals and is second with 12 points, one behind Martin Havlat. Captain Johnathan Toews and Calder Trophy-hopeful Kris Versteeg each have 10.

Balance, sure. But make no mistake that Red Wings coach Mike Babcock will have his team focus on Nos. 19 and 88.

“There's nothing similar about them at all,” Babcock said. “Toews to me, he's a will guy. He's the guy you need to have for your franchise because he's a guy that's going to play two ways. He's the guy that's going to will your team to success, he's the guy that's going to set the tone in practice.

“Kane is the guy who can channel in a phone booth … how can a guy that size go into traffic like he does, never get touched, be so strong on the puck, score as many goals as he does, yet always be open on the back door, shoot the puck, have the instincts he has, play in big games? To me he's an exciting, fantastic player. But they're very much different."

Detroit’s offense still remains one of the most dangerous in the game with the likes of Henrik Zetterberg, Marian Hossa and Johan Franzen. One player who’s struggled, though, has been Pavel Datsyuk – currently tied for ninth with five points.

He led the Wings in scoring each of the last four seasons, and was second with 23 during last year’s championship run. So, is there something physically wrong or … ?

“Pavel is a proud guy,” Babcock said. “He wants to be leading the team in scoring. He usually does. When he's not, he probably puts some pressure on himself. He's just got to make sure he's not thinking too much and just play the game.”

The matchup goal is an intriguing one. Detroit's Chris Osgood is one of those players you don't think much of in the regular season because he saves all for the postseason - he's second among active goaltenders with 67 playoff wins, and the most of the four that will starts in the conference finals.

Osgood expects to face an amped-up Chicago club this time, but doesn't expect many changes, if any.

"We expect the intensity level, the speed level and their type of play to be bumped up that much higher," said Osgood, a three-time Cup winner. "The games are totally different than the regular season. But individually we know what their tendencies are, but we're gonna have to be able to match that for the whole series."

Nikolai Khabibulin is fourth with 39 wins, and a Stanley Cup ring to his credit. That veteran leadership could be a boost to Kane and the remainder of the Blackhawks.

“You know, I think it's gonna be a great series, though. I think the fans obviously wanted a Wings/Hawks series. In Game 6, three or four minutes left, they were yelling, Detroit sucks, things like that. It's going to be great for the fans,” Kane said.

All things considered, this has the potential to be one of the best conference finals matchups in decades. Easily.

THE PICK: Chicago in 6. Though they hadn’t been to the postseason in seven years, the Blackhawks have been unfazed so far. Khabibulin has outplayed two of the league’s best netminders in Miikka Kiprusoff and Roberto Luongo, and I’ll take him over Osgood.

Dodgers' Ramirez added to drug-cheat list

At this point, should we even be surprised anymore?

With the 50-game suspension handed down Thursday by Major League Baseball to Manny Ramirez for a positive drug test, add another name to an already impressive list of cheats.

Canseco. McGwire. Palmeiro. Sosa. A-Rod. Clemens. Bonds … yes, the jury is out on him – for now. Caminiti. And those who were long suspected, the Bagwells and Andersons, among others.

A slew of minor leaguers have been banned for 50 for violating the drug policy, but until Ramirez was suspended, Philadelphia’s J.C. Romero – a journeyman reliever who could only get into the Hall of Fame with a paid admission and has maintained his innocence, going so far as to file a lawsuit against the makers and distributors of nutritional supplements he claims are responsible for his positive test in August – was the biggest name.

Until now.

Ramirez – a 12-time All-Star with 533 career homers - tested positive for HCG, a women’s fertility drug that can also be taken to help restart testosterone production after coming off a steroid cycle.

He issued a statement, talking out of both sides of his mouth as only ManRam can do.

"Recently I saw a physician for a personal health issue. He gave me a medication, not a steroid, which he thought was OK to give me,” the statement said. “Unfortunately, the medication was banned under our drug policy. Under the policy that mistake is now my responsibility. I have been advised not to say anything more for now.”

Of course, he couldn’t stop.

“I do want to say one other thing; I've taken and passed about 15 drug tests over the past five seasons.”

Except for this one. He also waived his right to challenge the findings, a clear admission of "OK, you got me."

What’s curious to me is the belief that the doctor thought it was all right to give Ramirez this drug. You’re making $25 million a year – well, take away about $8 million of that now – and you and your people aren’t doing due diligence on this?

And how long will it be before Bud Selig issues his own statement? You know the one ... disappointed ... not baseball's fault ... how baseball has the best and strongest drug-testing policy ... and so on, and so on.

Union be damned, it’s time to test them all, and if continual monitoring is needed, then so be it. Test positive once, you're not eligible for the Hall of Fame. Simple as that.

You want to clean up the clubhouses? Make a real effort then.

Looking at the conference semifinals, 1st Ld-Writethru

(2) Washington Capitals (50-24-8, 1st, Southeast) vs. (4) Pittsburgh Penguins (45-28-9, 2nd, Atlantic)

2008-09 SERIES: Washington, 3-0-1

LEADERS: Washington – Alexander Semin (4 GP, 4G, 3A); Nicklas Backstrom (4 GP, 6A); Brooks Laich (4 GP, 2G, 4A); Alex Ovechkin (4 GP, 4G, 2A); Jose Theodore (4 GP, 3-0-1, 2.70 GAA). Pittsburgh – Sidney Crosby (4 GP, 1G, 6A); Evgeni Malkin (4 GP, 2G, 3A); Bill Guerin (1 GP, 1G, 2A); Sergei Gonchar (2 GP, 2G); Marc-Andre Fleury (4 GP, 1-3-0, 4.72 GAA)

Plots, plots and subplots.

Will Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin continue their feud? Will Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin continue their on-again, off-again Cold War? Will Simeon Varlamov be the second coming of Ken Dryden?

The Crosby-Ovechkin ‘feud’ – whether it’s hype or otherwise – makes for good copy.

"What I can say about him? He is a good player, but he talks too much." -- Ovechkin on Crosby

"Like it or lump it, that's what he does. Some people like it, some people don't. Personally, I don't like it." -- Crosby on Ovechkin's goal celebrations

Each will be trying to outdo the other, and that will be entertaining to watch. Ovechkin had three goals and four assists in Washington’s opening-round win against the New York Rangers. Crosby had four and four as Pittsburgh eliminated Philadelphia in six.

As for Malkin – selected second overall after Ovechkin in the 2004 draft – his issues with Ovechkin emerged during the season.

"Ovechkin is a great player, but every time he hits me - I don't know why," Malkin said after the first meeting. AO responded by saying it’s all part of the game.

Malkin, a finalist for the Hart Trophy with reigning winner Ovechkin, led the Penguins with five assists and nine points in the series win over the Flyers.

Penguins coach Dan Bylsma said none of these rivalries matter.

“The media attention for Ovechkin and Crosby and Evgeni Malkin is not going to be a new thing. They have dealt with it over and over and over again, and they know how to deal with it,” he said. “You know, maybe it's the rest of the room that can say enough of the talk away from the rink, let's play hockey.”

While former Hart and Vezina Trophy winner Jose Theodore started all four regular-season games against the Penguins, there is no doubt coach Bruce Boudreau will ride the hot hand and send out Varlamov, who has a 1.17 goals-against average in the postseason.

It’s often thought that a hot goaltender can carry a team all the way to the Stanley Cup. Varlamov is proving to be that so far. The 20-year-old Russian was the key to the Caps rallying from a 3-1 deficit to beat the New York Rangers in seven games.

“We'd only seen him play in six games, but we had a lot of faith in him,” Boudreau said. “The reason we did it is we didn't want - it was quite simply we thought we can always come back to Theodore. He's played very good if he's had a bad outing or not. If we waited till Game 3, if Theodore had had a bad outing in Game 2, it would have been too much pressure for him to start in New York down 2-0.

“We thought, we'll see him in Game 2, then we can make a decision after that. So even though we lost Game 2 1-0, (Varlamov) played really well. We had a lot of faith in him at that point.”

THE PICK: Washington in 7. The Capitals have the offensive firepower to go toe-to-toe with the likes of Crosby and Malkin. They advance with a triple-overtime win.


(2) Detroit Red Wings (51-21-10, 1st, Central) vs. (8) Anaheim Ducks (42-33-7, 2nd, Pacific)

2008-09 SERIES: Detroit, 3-0-1

LEADERS: Detroit – Pavel Dastyuk (4 GP, 3G, 4A); Henrik Zetterberg, (4 GP, 3G, 3A); Daniel Cleary (4 GP, 2G, 3A); Niklas Kronwall and Nicklas Lidstrom (4 GP, 4A); Chris Osgood (3 GP, 2-0-1, 2.97 GAA); Ty Conklin (1 GP, 1-0-0, 2.00 GAA). Anaheim – Ryan Getzlaf (4 GP, 2G, 7A); Teemu Selanne (3 GP, 3G, 3A); Scott Niedermayer and Chris Pronger (4 GP, 3A); Jean-Sebastien Giguere (4 GP, 1-2-0, 3.82 GAA); Jonas Hiller (1 GP, 0-1-0, 3.16 GAA)

The Red Wings probably knew they had all the pieces needed to make another run at the Stanley Cup. The Anaheim Ducks now know the same thing.

Despite being the eighth seed, Anaheim stunned Presidents’ Trophy-winning San Jose in six games. Ryan Getzlaf led the Ducks with six assists and eight points, and Calder Trophy finalist Bobby Ryan scored a team-high four goals.

The key, though, was another young netminder in Jonas Hiller. The 20-year-old Swiss native posted two shutouts, a 1.64 goals-against average, and has apparently made fans forget Cup-winning goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere.

“I think we are enjoying that we are still playing at all,” Hiller said. “And Detroit is a hockey city, so it should be a lot of fun.”

For Getzlaf, facing the Wings on this level is simply another challenge.

“We knew we were going to have to go through probably both San Jose and them to get to where we want to be,” he said.


What the Ducks will be facing is perhaps the most balanced team in the playoffs. Henrik Zetterberg had a club-best three goals with five others recording two.

After struggling for a good part of the regular season, Chris Osgood was sharp again when it mattered. He allowed just seven goals in a four-game sweep of playoff newbie Columbus, and is 18-4 with four shutouts in his last 22 postseason starts.

"Should be fun," Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said.

THE PICK: Detroit in 7. The Red Wings will figure out a way to solve Hiller, but it won’t be easy.

Looking at the conference semifinals

(3) Vancouver Canucks (45-27-10, 1st, Northwest) vs. (4) Chicago Blackhawks (46-24-12, 2nd, Central)

2008-09 SERIES: Split, 2-2-0

LEADERS: Vancouver – Daniel Sedin (4 GP, 4G, 2A); Henrik Sedin (4 GP, 2G, 4A); Ryan Kesler (4 GP, 3G, 2A); Alexander Edler (4 GP, 1G, 3A); Mats Sundin (2 GP, 1G, 3A); Roberto Luongo, 3 GP, 2-1-0, 2.36 GAA, 1 SO). Chicago – Kris Versteeg (4 GP, 1G, 4A); Patrick Kane (4 GP, 2G, 2A); Patrick Sharp (4 GP, 3G, 1A); Cristobal Huet (3 GP, 2-0-0, 2.57 GAA); Nikolai Khabibulin (2 GP, 0-2-0, 4.85 GAA).



Old-time hockey! Eddie Shore!!

This is gonna be good.

With both teams combining for an average of 50 penalty minutes per game, there’s little doubt that more of the same physical play will be on tap.

In a 4-0 Canucks win on March 29 in Chicago, a series of brawls broke out in the third period, punctuated by the Blackhawks’ Ben Eager slamming Kevin Bieksa to the ice.

"That brawl will be in the back of everybody’s minds, but it's a different game now," said Chicago’s Adam Burish, who received three roughing minors and a 10-minute misconduct.

Making their first playoff appearance in seven years, the Blackhawks didn’t show any jitters as they beat Calgary in six games, closing out the series with a 4-1 road win on Monday.

“We’re excited about the win, but you pay the price,” captain Jonathan Toews said after Chicago won its first playoff series in 13 years. “You take a lot of pressure and abuse.”

Balance was the key to Chicago’s success – six players scored at least six points with Calder Trophy finalist Kris Versteeg notching a team-high seven.

Vancouver will come into this series well-rested. The Canucks haven’t played since beating St. Louis 3-2 in overtime on April 21 to complete the first sweep in franchise history.

Roberto Luongo – a snub for the Vezina Trophy – posted a 1.15 goals-against average versus the Blues.

“Great players find a way to elevate their game, bring it to another level, and he’s done that,” Vancouver coach Alain Vigneault said. “We need him to bring it to another level because as it continues it’s going to get more challenging every game.”

THE PICK: Chicago in 7. Luongo notwithstanding, the Blackhawks will do anything to set up a conference finals matchup with the hated Red Wings.


(1) Boston Bruins (53-19-10, 1st, Northeast) vs. (6) Carolina Hurricanes (45-30-7, 2nd, Southeast)

2008-09 SERIES: Boston, 4-0-0

LEADERS: Boston – David Krejci (4 GP, 3G, 4A); Blake Wheeler (4 GP, 3G, 2A); Michael Ryder (3 GP, 3G); Tim Thomas (3 GP, 3-0-0, 1.33 GAA); Manny Fernandez (1 GP, 1-0-0, 2.00 GAA). Carolina – Ray Whitney (4 GP, 1G, 2A); Matt Cullen (4 GP, 2 G); Rod Brind’Amour and Frantisek Kaberle (4 GP, 2A); Cam Ward (4 GP, 0-4-0, 3.90 GAA)

The Bruins are rested, but the Hurricanes have momentum.

Boston hasn’t played since April 22 after completing a four-game sweep of longtime Original Six rival Montreal. Vezina Trophy finalist Tim Thomas allowed stopped 105 of 111 shots in the series, and former Canadien Michael Ryder paced the offense with four goals and seven points.

For Ryder, the plan for facing Carolina – a team the Bruins swept in the regular season - is simple.

“We have been practicing hard the last week and we know we might be a little rusty but we just have to keep things simple early in the game,” Ryder said in a recent Internet chat session with fans. “We need to make sure we watch our turnovers against these guys and not try to force things.”

For the Hurricanes, the key will be building off perhaps the most exciting finish to any game in franchise history.

On Tuesday, Jussi Jokinen and Eric Staal scored in a 48-second span over the final 1:20 for a stunning 4-3 win over New Jersey in Game 7.

“Every five minutes or so … it’s like getting hit with a bus—but a good one,” Carolina coach Paul Maurice said of the comeback. “You realize just what happened.”

What happens now is Carolina looking to beat Boston for the first time this season. Improved play from Cam Ward and Staal would be a good start.

Ward lost all four matchups, posting a goals-against average of just under 4. Staal led the ‘Canes with 40 goals and was second with 75 points, but was scoreless against Boston.

“We hope [the Bruins are rusty], but I don’t think we can prepare that way to think that they’ll be anything but their best,” Maurice told the Hurricanes’ official Web site. “Sure, we’re hoping it’s not smooth or easy, but a team like that, even if they’re off a little, they’re not going to be off for seven games. They’ll warm up.”

THE PICK: Bruins in 6. After scoring five goals in the opening round, Staal will help Carolina put up a fight, but the Bruins will come away headed to the conference finals.

Quarterfinal observations - Game 1

Now that the openers in for all eight first-round playoff games are in the books, some things to consider ...

* Was the Sharks' 32-5-4 home record this season a fluke? They looked awfully flat against Anaheim.

* Do the Ducks have a Cup run in them? They do if Jonas Hiller (35 saves in his playoff debut) keeps playing like this.

* What is it about contract years? Chicago's Martin Havlat (tying goal with 5:33 left in regulation, game-winner 12 seconds into overtime) and Nikolai Khabibulin (23 saves) may be setting themselves up for one more payday.

* Olli? Olli Jokinen? Hellllooooooo? The Flames' key trade-deadline acquisition was quiet. Again.

* Taking Wing. Don't make any mistakes against Detroit - they'll make you pay each and every time.

* Feeling Blue in Columbus. The Jackets' playoff debut was good, for a brief while. It remains to see how they bounce back.

* If Boston wins its first Stanley Cup in 37 years, they'll look to this series with Montreal as its toughest.

* Carey Price looks pretty beatable. The Canadiens' goalie looks easily rattled, and I am wondering if that ankle he injured mid-season is affecting his mind also.

* Where was the intensity the New York Rangers showed in Game 1 hiding all season?

* Does anyone really think Washington will win a Cup with Jose "Three-or-more" in goal?

* Martin Brodeur's late-season slump is a thing of the past. He came within 10:38 of his 23rd career playoff shutout.

* Cam Ward's late-season surge is a thing of the past.

* A 2-1 final in the Canucks-Blues series is going to seem like an offensive explosion.

* The Penguins are still the defending Eastern Conference champions. They methodically dismantle you.

* The Flyers are letting emotions dictate their play. No one wins when that happens.

Steak Bet 3.0 - And the winner is ...

It’s been said that even a broken watch is right twice a day.

That in mind, I am proud to announce that on the third try, I finally have won Steak Bet, Version 3.0.

For each of the last two seasons, longtime co-worker and semi-noted, Gurnee, Ill.-based blog castigator Chris Altruda and I have put a friendly wager on the NHL season. Looking to avoid a third consecutive loss, we put together five categories, with me winning (finally).

Here’s the happy recap …

NUMBER OF GOALS BY WASHINGTON'S ALEXANDER OVECHKIN: I say 58, while Chris had 53.

In the final game of the season, Alex the Gr8 scored his 56th goal with 6:09 to play in a 7-4 loss to Florida.

NUMBER OF POINTS BY PITSBURGH'S SIDNEY CROSBY: I say 107, Chris goes with 112.

Sid the Kid finished with 103, and I should be thankful for this. From Feb. 16-April 1, no player was hotter than Crosby, who had nine goals and 18 assists in a 16-game points streak. Over the final five games – three goals and two assists.

And a propos of nothing … when is he going to have a 50-goal season? Crosby was hyped among some of the game’s greatest names – people were comparing him to owner Mario Lemieux in Steeltown. I know Crosby is only 22, but he’s looking more like Mats Sundin to me.

YOUR SIX DIVISION WINNERS: I have gone with Philadelphia, Montreal, Tampa Bay, Detroit, Vancouver, Dallas; Chris has chosen Pittsburgh, Montreal, Carolina, Detroit, San Jose, Calgary.

We both crapped out in the East as New Jersey, Boston and Washington led their divisions. In the West, it was Detroit, Vancouver and San Jose.

The Canucks took the Northwest despite having one fewer win than the Flames.

FIRST COACH OUT (FIRED OR RESIGNED): I have a hunch that Mike Keenan will wear out his welcome in Calgary. Chris thinks Wayne Gretzky won't last in Phoenix.

This was settled very quickly when Chicago axed Denis Savard four games into the season.

While Keenan led Calgary to a second-place finish in the Northwest, Phoenix was tied for last in the Pacific with 79 points.

WORST TEAM: This one should come down to the wire - I've chosen Los Angeles; Chris picks the New York Islanders.

The addition of Jonathan Quick (21-18-2, 2.48 goals-against average, 4 shutouts) in goal around midseason made sure I wouldn’t win this.

Chris nailed this. As he said back in October … I think this is the season this team finally bottoms out dysfunction-wise, and it’s going to be ugly. Like sub-65 point ugly. I also think the Atlantic Division is stronger than the Pacific (where you took the Kings) and will result in a lower point percentage.

And while it is universally accepted the Kings currently have no goaltending, I’m not counting on (goaltender Rick) DiPietro being healthy for a full season, which will cost them at least six wins.

DiPietro lasted five games. The Islanders finished with 61 points, their fewest since 2000-01.


Fogo de Chao, here I come!

Western Conference predictions

(1) San Jose Sharks (53-18-11, 1st, Pacific) vs. (8) Anaheim Ducks (42-33-7, 2nd, Pacific)

2008-09 SERIES: San Jose, 4-2-0

LEADERS: San Jose – Dan Boyle (6 GP, 4 A); Jonathan Cheechoo (5 GP, 3G, 2GWG, 1A); Christian Ehrhoff (5 GP, 1G, 3A); Evgeni Nabokov (5 GP, 3-2-0, 2.00 GAA, 2 SO). Anaheim – Ryan Getzlaf (6 GP, 6 A); Rob Niedermayer (6 GP, 1G, 2A); Corey Perry (6 GP, 2G, 1A); Jonas Hiller (4 GP, 1-3-0, 2.04 GAA); Jean-Sebastien Giguere (2 GP, 1-1-0, 2.00 GAA).

THE PICK: San Jose in 5. Since 1994, a No. 8 seed has beaten a
No. 1 seed seven times. However, given the way the Sharks tore through
the regular season, this is one series I expect to end fairly quickly
despite a late surge that pushed the Ducks into the top eight.

San Jose set a franchise points record for the third consecutive
season, moving from 107 to 108 to 117. Each of the last three seasons,
though, the Sharks, then led by Ron Wilson, were ousted in the Western
Conference semifinals. That should change under first-year coach Todd
McLellan, a Stanley Cup winner last season as Mike Babcock’s assistant
in Detroit.

McLellan will likely win the Jack Adams award as the league’s top coach after becoming the fifth rookie bench boss since the 1967-68 expansion era got under way to lead his team to the Presidents’ Trophy for having the league’s best record.

The Sharks can look to the likes of Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau and Devin Setoguchi for scoring, but they also can count points from their blue line. San Jose is just the fourth team in NHL history to have four defensemen with 30 assists – newcomers Dan Boyle (41) and Rob Blake (35), Christian Ehrhoff (34) and Marc-Edouard Vlasic (30).

Of course, the Sharks will go nowhere without Evgeni Nabokov at the top of his game. He led the league with 46 wins a year ago, and still posted 41 this season despite missing 14 games with flu and the ever-enigmatic “lower-body injury.”

Nabokov will have his hands full with the line of Ryan Getzlaf, Bobby Ryan and Corey Perry. That trio combined for 17 goals and 21 assists over the final eight games. Ryan, selected second behind Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby in 2005, will almost certainly be a Calder Trophy finalist after finishing with 31 goals in 64 games.

The Ducks haven’t won a playoff series since lifting the Stanley Cup in 2007 against Ottawa, and what may ultimately doom them this season is goaltending. I am not sold on Jonas Hiller despite the fact that he tied a franchise record by winning seven straight starts from March 19-April 4. Cup winning goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere finished with only 19 wins, snapping a streak of three straight 30-win seasons.

Do the Ducks have a chance? Of course – at this time of the year, you cannot count anyone out. If Anaheim can continue its late-season mastery on the power play, then they certainly have a shot. The Ducks converted 41.7% of its chances with the man adavantage, going 20 for 48 over the final 13 games.




(2) Detroit Red Wings (51-20-10,
1st, Central) vs. (7) Columbus Blue
Jackets (41-31-10, 4th, Central)

2008-09 SERIES: Teams split, 3-3-0

LEADERS: Detroit – Pavel Datsyuk (5 GP, 1G, 7A); Henrik
Zetterberg (6 GP, 3G. 3A); Marian Hossa (5 GP, 5G, 2 GWG); Chris
Osgood (5 GP, 2-2-1, 3.37 GAA); Ty Conklin (2 GP, 1-0-0, 0.79 GAA).
Columbus – Rick Nash (6 GP, 6A); Fedor Tyutin (6 GP, 2G, 2A); R.J.
Umberger (6 GP, 2G, 2A); Jakub Voracek (6 GP, 1G, 3A); Steve Mason (5
GP, 3-2-0, 2.38 GAA).

THE PICK: Detroit in 7. The reigning Stanley Cup champion that
has won it all four times in the last 11 years versus the only NHL
team that has yet to appear in a playoff game.

Screams mistmach, right? Not so fast. Detroit will prevail, but it will not be easy, and perhaps unlike three years ago, they know it now.

“We're taking this seriously,'' Henrik Zetterberg said Tuesday. “The first round is tough.”

In 2006, the Red Wings entered the playoffs as the No. 1 seed – and were dispatched in seven games by eighth-seeded Edmonton. This season, Detroit will lean on high-scoring Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk to make up for deficiencies by Chris Osgood and Ty Conklin in goal.

The wild card in all this will be Marian Hossa.

Playing with Pittsburgh last season, he finished third in playoff scoring with 26 points, but watched as the Red Wings won the Cup again. Spurning a more lucrative offer from the Penguins, Hossa inked a one-year deal with the Wings, saying he had a better chance of winning a championship with them – an odd statement considering who’s on that team.

A good start against the Blue Jackets will help. Hossa had five goals in five games against them including two game-winning tallies. The Red Wings are trying to become the first champions to repeat since, well, they did back in 1997 and ’98.

Columbus, meanwhile, is crashing the playoff party for the first time after setting franchise records with 41 wins, 92 points and 226 goals scored.

The key to their breakout season, though, has been goaltender Steve Mason, the likely Calder Trophy winner as rookie of the year. Mason finished with 33 wins, a league-best 10 shutouts and a 2.29 goals-against average that was good for second in the NHL.

On offense, the Blue Jackets will look to captain Rick Nash, who had 40 goals and a career-high 79 points. He had an unassisted hat trick Columbus’ 8-2 rout of the Red Wings in Detroit on March 7.

The addition of second-line center Antoine Vermette also has been a boost. In 17 games after being acquired at the trade deadline from Ottawa, Vermette had seven goals, six assists and was a plus-5. In 62 games with the Senators, he had nine goals, 19 assists and was minus-12.

Columbus also has a Stanley Cup winning coach in Ken Hitchcock, a decade removed from leading Dallas to its only title. But while the Blue Jackets have talent, they don’t have the overall body of experience.

The last team to make their postseason debut was Atlanta in the 2007 Eastern Conference quarterfinals, and they were outscored 17-6 while being swept by the New York Rangers.



(3) Vancouver Canucks (45-27-10,
1st, Northwest) vs. (6) St. Louis Blues
(41-31-10, 3rd, Central)

2008-09 SERIES: Teams split, 2-2-0

LEADERS: Vancouver – Daniel Sedin (4 GP, 1G, 4A); Henrik Sedin
(4 GP, 1G, 4A); Willie Mitchell (4 GP, 2G, 2A); Alex Burrows (4 GP,
3G); Roberto Luongo (3 GP, 2-1-0, 2.67 GAA, 1 SO); Jason LaBarbera (1
GP, 0-1-0, 6.00 GAA). St. Louis – Patrik Berglund (4 GP, 1G, 5A); T.J.
Oshie (4 GP, 2G, 3A); Carlo Coliacovo (4 GP, 4A); Keith Tkachuk (4 GP,
1G, 3A); Chris Mason (3 GP, 1-2-0, 3.43 GAA).

THE PICK: Vancouver in 7. Two of the hottest teams to close out the regular season will square off for the third time in postseason play.

The Canucks and Blues went seven games in the 1995 and 2003 Western Conference quarterfinals, with Vancouver winning each time. This series should be no less entertaining thanks to goaltenders Roberto Luongo and Chris Mason.

In his final 30 games, Luongo was 22-6-2 with a 2.20 goals-against average. He also comes in on a shutout streak of 185 minutes, 16 seconds. Though he missed two months earlier this season with a groin injury, Luongo still totaled 33 wins and was second in the league with nine shutouts.

Mason started his first season with St. Louis as a backup, but took over after Manny Legace was released on Feb. 7, and responded by going 20-7-4 with a 2.26 GAA, and also heads into the postseason off a shutout win, his third in that span.

With Luongo and Mason playing well, a low-scoring series could be on tap.

Twins Daniel and Henrik Sedin were tied for the team lead with 82 points, and they combined for 15 game-winning goals. Mats Sundin, who finished with nine goals and 19 assists in 41 games after joining the club in December, will be making his first playoff appearance since 2004 with Toronto.

That’s also when the Blues made their last postseason appearance, and they could be a little stunned to find themselves there. Defenseman Eric Brewer (back) and high-scoring Paul Kariya (hip) combined to play in only 39 games, and a severe knee injury kept highly touted blueliner Erik Johnson out for the season.

Brad Boyes finished with 33 goals, and David Backes added 31 including four in a late-season win over Detroit. Keith Tkachuk reached 25 goals for the 13th time in his career.

This shapes up at the best first-round matchup in the West



(4) Chicago Blackhawks
(45-24-12, 2nd, Central) vs. (5) Calgary
Flames (46-36-10, 2nd, Northwest)

2008-09 SERIES: Chicago, 4-0-0

LEADERS: Chicago – Martin Havlat (4 GP, 2G, 4A); Andrew Ladd (4
GP, 2G, 4A); Nikolai Khabibulin (3 GP, 3-0-0, 2.00 GAA); Cristobal
Huet (1 GP, 1-0-0, 1.00 GAA). Calgary – Todd Bertuzzi (4 GP, 2G, 1A);
Rene Bourque (4 GP, 1G, 2A); Jarome Iginla (4 GP, 3A); Miikka
Kiprusoff (4 GP, 0-3-1, 4.66 GAA).

THE PICK: Chicago in 6. The continued revival of the Blackhawks made them the feel-good story in the NHL this season.

With Joel Quenneville taking over for the fired Denis Savard four games into the season, Chicago is back in the playoffs for the first time in seven years – the longest drought by any team coming out of the Western Conference.

While youngsters Patrick Kane (70 points) and captain Jonathan Toews (34 goals including seven game-winners) are two driving forces, the Blackhawks have plenty of players with deep playoff experience, including Sammy Pahlsson, Nikolai Khabibulin, Martin Havlat and Brian Campbell.

Khabibulin will be the key. After largely underachieving during his first three seasons, he put it all together in the final year of his contract by going 25-8-7 with a 2.33 goals-against average and three shutouts. At the United Center, he allowed two goals or less 13 times.

At the other end of the ice is Miikka Kiprusoff, the league leader with 45 wins. Though he could be in line for the Vezina Trophy, Kiprusoff hasn’t posted back-to-back wins since March 3-5.

Kiprusoff and the Flames lost to Khabibulin, then with Tampa Bay, in the 2004 Stanley Cup final.

The Flames pulled off the biggest deal at the trade deadline by acquiring Olli Jokinen from Phoenix, but he’s never played a postseason game. He started off with eight goals and two assists in his first six games with his new team, but cooled off considerably after that – five assists in 13 contests.

Calgary, though, does have Jarome Iginla, who became the franchise’s scoring leader this season. A seven-time 35-goal scorer, the Flames’ captain comes into the playoffs averaging nearly a point per game.

Eastern Conference predictions

After 6 1/2 months, the real season gets underway on Wednesday. First to 16 wins it all ...

(1) Boston Bruins (52-19-10, 1st, Northeast) vs. (8) Montreal Canadiens (41-30-11, 2nd, Northeast)

2008-09 SERIES: Boston, 5-0-1

LEADERS: Boston - Zdeno Chara (6 GP, 3G, 3A), Marc Savard, (6 GP, 3 G); Tim Thomas (5 GP, 4-0-1, 2.12 GAA), Manny Fernandez (1 GP, 1-0-0, 1.00 GAA). Montreal – Andrei Kostitsyn (6 GP, 2G, 2A); Andrei Markov (5 GP, 4A) Carey Price (5 GP, 1-2-2, 3.46 GAA), Jaroslav Halak (1 GP, 0-1-0, 3.05 GAA).

THE PICK: Boston in 5. Someone is going to go home disappointed, and it will be the Canadiens as their centennial season will ends without their 24th Stanley Cup.

Boston, meanwhile, will be looking for its first playoff series win since 1999 and Stanley Cup since 1972.

The 32nd playoff meeting between these Original Six clubs has been a one-sided affair with Boston taking 24 of the previous 31 series. Simply put, the Eastern Conference champion Bruins have way too much firepower for the Canadiens, and especially goaltender Carey Price, who’s been very shaky since returning from an ankle injury in January.

Boston had a season-high 20-goal scorers in 2008-09, and the addition of Mark Recchi cannot be understated enough. Recchi has 47 goals and 70 assists in the postseason. Without him, Boston’s current career playoff scoring leader is Stephane Yelle with 11 goals and 20 assists.

The Canadiens hope Alex Kovalev will be able to continue his playoff mastery – he’s scored 42 goals with 53 assists in 112 games. Kovalev, the MVP of the All-Star game played this season in Montreal, was the Habs’ leading scorer for the second straight season with 26 goals and 39 assists.

What was supposed to be a celebratory season has hardly resembled that for the Canadiens. Among the lowlights were the alleged involvement of the Bros. Kostitsyn with an organized crime outfit, injuries to Alex Tanguay and Robert Lang, and the late-season firing of coach Guy Carbonneau. General manager Bob Gainey was 6-6-4 behind the bench, but Montreal is a fragile team heading into the playoffs.



(2) Washington Capitals (50-24-8, 1st, Southeast) vs. (7) New York Rangers (42-30-9, 4th, Atlantic)

2008-09 SERIES: Washington, 3-0-1

LEADERS: Washington – Alex Ovechkin (4 GP, 3G, 2A); Mike Green (3 GP, 3G); Niklas Backstrom (4 GP, 5A); Jose Theodore (3 GP, 2-0-1, 3.05 GAA) New York - Ryan Callahan (4 GP, 3G, 1A); Chris Drury, Brandon Dubinsky, Scott Gomez (4 GP, 3A); Henrik Lundqvist (3 GP, 1-1-1, 3.57 GAA).

THE PICK: Washington in 6. While the Rangers have the advantage in goal – I’ll take Henrik Lundqvist and his career-high 38 wins on his worst day over the Jose Theodore and backups Simeon Varlmov and Michael Neuvirth – the Capitals simply have the offensive weapons that will help them to their first playoff series win since 1998.

Start with Alex Ovechkin, the repeat Maurice Richard Trophy-winner with 56 goals, and Mike Green, the leader among all defensemen with 31 tallies. Add Nicklas Backstrom and Alexander Semin, and Washington has four players each averaging a point per game for the first time since the 1995-96 Pittsburgh Penguins (Mario Lemieux, Jaromir Jagr, Ron Francis and Petr Nedved).

Though he’s now 39, don’t overlook Sergei Federov. In 169 playoff games, the 1993-94 Hart Trophy winner has 51 goals and 117 assists.

At some point years from now, New York will probably add Ovechkin and Green. For now, though, the Rangers head into the postseason without a 30-goal or 60-point scorer and will rely on Lundqvist and the NHL’s top penalty-killing unit.

Chris Drury and Scott Gomez have combined for 71 playoff goals in 231 games. Drury had 10 power-play goals and Gomez seven game-winners to lead the Rangers in those respective categories.

New York added Nik Antropov, Sean Avery and Derek Morris at the trade deadline, and they all seemed to thrive. Antropov had seven goals, Avery 12 points and Morris eight assists in helping the Rangers to an 11-6-1 mark.

The addition of Stanley Cup-winning coach John Tortorella on Feb. 23 to replace the fired Tom Renney resulted in the Rangers going 12-7-2 over the final quarter of the season. He’ll be staring daggers for much of this series.



(3) New Jersey Devils (51-27-4, 1st, Atlantic) vs. (6) Carolina Hurricanes (45-30-7, 2nd, Southeast)

2008-09 SERIES: Carolina, 3-1-0

LEADERS: New Jersey – Patrik Elias (4 GP, 2G, 2A); Brian Rolston (4 GP, 4A); Martin Brodeur (2 GP 1-1-0, 2.03 GAA); Scott Clemmensen (1 GP, 0-1-0, 3.21 GAA). Carolina – Rod Brind’Amour (4 GP, 6A); Anton Babchuk (4 GP, 4G, 1A); Sergei Samsonov (4 GP, 3G, 1A); Cam Ward (3 GP, 3-0-0, 1.67 GAA); Michael Leighton (1 GP, 1-0-0, 3.05 GAA).

THE PICK: Carolina in 7. Sure, Martin Brodeur’s story this season was a feel-good one: Returning after missing 50 games with the first major injury of his career to break Patrick Roy’s all-tiime wins record and move two shutouts of Terry Sawchuk’s career mark.

But Brodeur has looked awfully mortal down the stretch. In seven losses since March 22, the three-time Stanley Cup winner has surrendered 26 goals for a 3.70 goals-against average. Despite all that, Brodeur is 95-74 with a 1.96 GAA and 22 shutouts in his postseason career, so you can’t discount him completely.

If Brodeur falters, Scott Clemmensen showed he’s more than up to the task. With Brodeur sidelined Clemmensen was 25-13-1 and became the only other goalie in franchise history with shutouts in consecutive games.

Zach Parise enjoyed a breakout season, leading New Jersey in almost every major category including 45 goals and 94 points. But he has only nine goals and nine assists in 25 playoff contests.

The Hurricanes also have a battle-ready goaltender in Cam Ward. The Stanley Cup and Conn Smythe Trophy winner himself, Ward was 17-4-2 with a 2.13 GAA since Feb. 19, and won a franchise-record nine straight starts over the last three weeks of 2008-09.

Carolina also has Eric Staal, a 40-goal scorer for the fifth straight season. How important was he to the ‘Canes’ furious drive to get into the playoffs for the first time since their championship season? He had 13 goals and 16 assists in the last 20 games, and Carolina was 22-3-2 when he scored a goal.

Something to keep in mind for overtime pools: Staal had eight game-winning goals.

The Devils and Hurricanes have meet three previous times in the playoffs, with the series winner appearing in the Eastern Conference final each time.



(4) Pittsburgh Penguins (45-28-9, 2nd, Atlantic) vs. (5) Philadelphia Flyers (44-26-11, 3rd, Atlantic)

2008-09 SERIES: Pittsburgh, 4-0-2

LEADERS: Pittsburgh – Sidney Crosby (6 GP, 4G, 5A); Evgeni Malkin (6 GP, 3G, 4A); Marc-Andre Fleury (5 GP, 3-1-0, 2.96 GAA). Philadelphia – Jeff Carter (6 GP, 3G, 5A); Mike Richards (6 GP, 2G, 5A); Kimmo Timonen (6 GP, 7A); Martin Biron (5 GP, 2-2-1, 3.37 GAA); Antero Niittymaki (1 GP, 0-0-1, 2.77 GAA).

THE PICK: Pittsburgh in 7. A rematch of last season’s Eastern Conference finals, this easily could be the best quarterfinal series this year.

The Keystone State rivals couldn’t be more evenly matched. Each team scored 264 goals this season, the Penguins allowed 239 – one more than the Flyers. Pittsburgh had 25 wins at home - one more than Philadelphia – and each team posted 20 road victories.

In Pittsburgh, the Penguins are powered by Art Ross Trophy winner Evegni Malkin (113 points) and Sidney Crosby (103). Philadelphia answers with a league-high six 25-goal scorers, including 46 from Jeff Carter with a league-leading 12 game-winners.

Add seven short-handed goals from captain Mike Richards and another 30-goal season from a finally healthy Simon Gagne, and the Flyers have the offensive weapons needed to match the Penguins.

The key, as always in the postseason, will be in goal – and that’s where Pittsburgh has the advantage with Marc-Andre Fleury over Martin Biron and Antero Niittymaki.

Fleury was 9-1-2 with a 1.87 goals-against average in March, and 12-4-1 with a 2.71 GAA from Feb. 3-March 10. When giving up at least three goals, Biron was 11-16-3, while Niittymaki was 4-8-4.

Don’t miss any of these games.

NEXT: The Western Conference.

Playoff predictions ....

Coming soon!

Walt Poddubny dies at 49

Maybe it’s just the morbidity that goes with it, but in years of watching the wire, there is something that happens when you see ^AP-XXX—Obit-- come across.

Generally, it’s calling out to Altruda, “So-and-so died.”

“Saw that,” the usual response.

On Saturday night, it was Walt Poddubny. And he was just 49.

Who was he? Poddubny was one of those players who toiled for several years in the NHL, was dealt and flourished for a few seasons before moving back into relative obscurity as his career flamed out.

One of those guys that you forget about until you see a story like this and then say, “Yeah, he was pretty good for a while…”

From 1981-86, Poddubny had 59 goals with the Edmonton Oilers and Toronto Maple Leafs, and played more than 38 games just once in that time. Not a particularly special player, in fact the Hockey Hall of Fame’s Web site said “once he was established, criticisms began to surface that Poddubny was a floater, guilty of inconsistent play before the injury bug struck, forcing him to miss many games during the seasons that followed.”

Traded to the New York Rangers, he had a career-high 40 goals and led the Blueshirts with 87 points while missing only five games. The next season, he had 38 goals and a team-best 88 points in 77 games.

In 1988-89, he landed with Quebec, and continued to thrive. He led the Nordqiues with 38 goals and was second with 75 points in 72 contests. Over the next three seasons, though, he would play just 54 games with the New Jersey Devils, totaling nine goals.

Out of the game at 31, Poddubny later coached in Anchorage, Alaska of the West Coast Hockey League.

The AP story said he died after collapsing in Thunder Bay, Ontario at his sisters’ home, where he had been living. Sad end and too soon.

Congratulations, Martin Brodeur

¶ NEWARK, N.J. (AP) - Martin Brodeur has set the NHL record for career victories by a goalie.

More of the same from Barry Zito

The 2009 baseball season doesn’t get under way for another three weeks, but it’s already threatening to be another long one for the San Francisco Giants’ Barry Zito.

Add this to his last name – owner of the most onerous contract in the game today.

In 2007, the former Oakland Athletics left-hander crossed the bay, signing a seven-year deal with the Giants for $126 million. With the New York Yankees having completed their deal with oft-injured Carl Pavano (four years, $39.95 million … and 26 starts in pinstripes), Zito - a former Cy Young Award winner - now gives you the least bang for the buck.

In two seasons and with a minimum of 300 innings pitched, Zito is tied for the major league-lead with teammate Matt Cain for the most losses with 30. Zito’s 185 walks allowed in that span lead the National League and is second to Daniel Cabrera, now with the Washington Nationals.

Only 12 pitchers have had an ERA higher than Zito’s 4.83.

If the Giants could pawn Zito off, I’m sure they would jump at the chance. But which club in their right mind would take in a 30-year-old, regardless of his being a southpaw, who’s still owed $90 million and getting worse each season?

So far this spring for Zito? It’s been more of the same, and all bad. On Sunday, he gave up six runs and 10 hits in five innings of a loss to the Kansas City Royals.

"Honestly, you want to produce results and you want to come out and make a statement, and that's something that didn't go on today," Zito said. "I learned last year to not put too much stock into what else goes on outside the clubhouse and just to stay with my routine."

In four spring starts, Zito has allowed 11 earned runs in 13 2-3 innings – an ERA of 7.24 for those keeping score at home.

Guess he’s staying with the routine.

551 down, 1 to go for Marty

Is there any doubt that when Martin Brodeur next takes the ice, he’s going to become the all-time winningest goaltender in NHL history?

The stats seem to say no doubt whatsoever.

Brodeur’s first crack to pass Patrick Roy with career win No. 552 comes Tuesday night at the Prudential Center where the New Jersey Devils will meet the Chicago Blackhawks – a team the four-time Vezina Trophy winner has handled with ease for nearly a decade.

In eight career games versus the Blackhawks stretching back to December 1999, Brodeur is 7-0-0 with a tie, a shutout and 1.46 goals-against average.

That’s a stark turnaround from the start of his career when he couldn’t buy a ‘W’. In his first six games against the ‘Hawks, Brodeur was 0-2-0 with three ties and a 2.58 GAA.

He probably not yet looking ahead, instead being content with tying the wins mark in his hometown and against the team Roy broke in with and was a star for more than a decade.

"Feels pretty good," Brodeur said after a 22-save effort Saturday night in a 3-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens. "When the puck dropped it was fine. Maybe I got butterflies late in the game, but when we scored the third goal I thought, 'OK, maybe this could be it.'

"The game was so tight for so long that I didn't start thinking outside the box. I really wanted to make sure I was on my game."

Roy helped Montreal to Stanley Cup wins in 1986 and 1993, when he won 10 straight overtime games en route to the second of his three Conn Smythe Trophies. Less than two years later, Roy would be dealt to the Colorado Avalanche within days of telling team president Ronald Corey that he was through with the Habs after being torched for nine goals in a 11-1 loss to Detroit.

Now a co-owner and coach of a junior team in Quebec City, Roy watched Brodeur match the record.

"I’m happy to be here tonight and see it happen," Roy said. "Nothing against Montreal—I know Montreal is in the middle of a big race—but I think it’s a great moment in the game and I’m sure Marty is very excited to see it happen in his hometown in front of his family."

And a very classy move by the Canadiens’ fans giving Brodeur, a three-time Stanley Cup winner, a standing ovation.

He can expect at least one more early next week.

Mount Tortorella blows off steam

When the New York Rangers hired John Tortorella to replace the fired Tom Renney last month, two questions immediately crossed my mind.

1. Which European would be the first to be blistered by the notoriously hot-headed coach?

2. When would said blistering occur?

The answers: Nikolai Zherdev and Thursday night.

As a Rangers fan – yeah, I live in Chicago, and yeah, I’ve adopted the Blackhawks – I have been waiting for years for there to be some consequence for laziness and poor play.

General manager Glen Sather, when he’s not bailing his former boss out of jail, certainly wasn’t going to do it. Neither would Renney, who was like the kid trying to show his big brother that he was all grown up and could handle himself.

Except that the players seemed to tune him out, a time-tested way to get a coach axed.

A 5-0-0 start notwithstanding, the Rangers needed a kick in the ass. Well, they got one now. And if I’m one who fails to play hard, smart and with an edge, I surely don’t want to the skating back to the bench seeing that set line of his mouth and the steely glare of a man that commands – make that, demands – accountability.

For the first time since joining New York, Mount Tortorella blew in Music City.

With his team trailing 2-1 after one period in Nashville, Tortorella lit into his team causing at least one overpriced and undersized veteran to sit up and take notice.

“He wasn’t happy after the first period,” Scott Gomez said. “It has been a while since I’ve heard a speech like that. We were playing too timid. Nashville had the 2-1 lead and we thought it was over.

“He let us know what it is going to be like from now on. He lit into all of us. We were feeling sorry for ourselves and he spotted that right away. He called us out. I thought we responded well.”

New York went on to a 4-2 win without the services of Zherdev, who was benched for the remainder of the game after a turnover led to a Predators goal.

Zherdev, tied with Gomez for the team lead with 51 points, is soft. Part of the reason he was dealt from the Columbus Blue Jackets was his inability to get along with Ken Hitchcock, who like Tortorella holds players accountable.

Picked fourth overall in 2003, Zherdev has never lived up to that billing, averaging fewer than 20 goals in his first four seasons. After scoring five goals in first month of the season, he has just 19 so far and it will bear watching how he responds to this latest round of crticism.

I’m thinking turtle.

Definitely not the Tortorella way.